Australian Open 2025: Unforgettable tennis, epic entertainment and new rivalries

“The AO’s broadcast and online presence has also reached unprecedented levels. Broadcast viewership for AO 2024 surged by 57% compared to 2023, with an incredible 558 million unique viewers worldwide. On social media, we’ve seen remarkable growth, with 3.8 billion impressions during AO 2024—an increase of 228% from the previous year. Our year-round content strategy is clearly resonating with fans, as social media impressions have grown by 18%, and YouTube views have skyrocketed by 186%, reflecting a massive appetite for Australian Open content. 

“Each year, we push the limits of what the AO can offer—whether it’s enhancing the site, elevating the food and drink experiences, offering even more tennis to enjoy, or, in 2025, introducing more ways to play. We’ve added more live music and nearly doubled our shaded areas to ensure fan comfort. The demand keeps growing, and we’re expanding to meet it. We are delighted that our fans, both local and international, keep showing up, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to the best AO yet.” 

Australian Open 2025 three-week tennis and entertainment extravaganza includes: 

• TOPCOURT, a vibrant new precinct in Middle Terrace at Birrarung Marr, is another Grand Slam first. Bringing the vibe for the next generation of tennis and entertainment fans, it will feature live music and DJs, a public Padel Court, retail pop-ups and a host of the latest gaming setups. The ultimate hangout spot to chill with friends, TOPCOURT will be the place to gather, shop and show off your fit at AO 2025. 
• EXPANDED OPENING WEEK, including AO Qualifying; daily Open Practice sessions in Rod Laver Arena; four exhibition and charity matches featuring top players; Kids Tennis Day on Saturday 11 January, with family fun including competitions and prizes, more ways to play tennis, a huge variety of food and drink options across the site and the fan favourite Rod Laver Arena Spectacular.
• COURTSIDE BAR, after being one of the most popular spots to take in the tennis and grab a drink at AO 2024, the two-storey Courtside Bar will return. With increased capacity, enhanced tennis viewing, an intimate rooftop bar and delicious bar menu, it’s set to be one of the hottest spots on site. 
• INCREASED SHADE, there will be almost twice as much shade across Melbourne Park than at AO 2024, and three times as much shade than just five years ago. This includes a new shade structure over the seating bowl of 1573 Arena and 300 square metres of shade in food and beverage areas. 
• AO LIVE will bring big-name headline acts – including Benson Boone, Kaytranada, Kesha and Armand Van Helden – to the finals along with more music across the precinct for the entire three weeks of the event. 
• The Village, nestled between John Cain Arena and Kia Arena, offers fans an up-close view of the world’s top players as they practice and gear up for Grand Slam glory. With new shaded viewing platforms and an expanded selection of food and bar options, it’s the perfect spot to relax and catch all the action.
• Wheelchair Qualifying, in another Grand Slam first, each wheelchair tennis division, men’s, women’s and Quads, will have a four-player qualifying draw with two players progressing to the main draw.
• Australian Open Junior Wheelchair Championships debuts, with eight junior athletes to compete in the inaugural event. 

Australian Open 2025 will also host the first Evonne Goolagong Cawley Day, which in 2024 was renamed from First Nations Day to honour the tennis legend. Fan favourites All Abilities Day, Hot Shots Tennis Day, Women & Girls Day and Pride Day will all return. 

Both Evonne Goolagong Cawley and John Newcombe will celebrate 50 years since their respective second AO titles in 1975. Newcombe will feature on the coin tossed before matches at the AO and all Summer of Tennis events (as Goolagong Cawley did in 2024).