The Australian Open is the happiest Grand Slam — three weeks of summer tennis, the most family-friendly ticket policy in the sport, and the only major where the season starts with a clean slate. If your family is going to do one big tennis trip in 2027, here’s everything you need to know about Melbourne.
When Is the Australian Open 2027?
Monday, January 11 to Sunday, January 31, 2027 at Melbourne Park. The tournament now runs as a three-week festival: Opening Week (Jan 11–16) with exhibitions, qualifying and entertainment, then the main draw (Jan 17–31), with the women’s final on Saturday, January 30 and the men’s final on Sunday, January 31. Defending champions: Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina.
The junior championships run during the second week of the main draw.
Tickets: The Best Family Deal in Tennis
Buy only through Ticketmaster (digital tickets only — no printed tickets; you’ll need a My Ticketmaster account). Early-bird pricing runs until November 30, 2026, so don’t wait.
Ground passes are the family sweet spot. They get you into John Cain Arena and Kia Arena plus every outside court, the AO Ballpark, and the fan precincts. Week-two daily ground passes start at just $19; middle Friday/Saturday from $69. A seven-day week-two ground pass starts at $99 for adults — and $15 for kids.
Kids’ pricing is unmatched. Kids Ground Passes start at $10 for week one and $5 for week two. Teen Ground Passes (ages 12–17) start at $29 week one and $10 week two. No other Grand Slam comes close for family value.
Stadium seats: Rod Laver Arena from $79; Margaret Court Arena from $69. Men’s final seats start at $499, women’s final at $349. If you’re splurging on one stadium day, make it an early-round Rod Laver session — more matches, lower prices, and the roof means no rain delays.
Opening Week is the budget play: qualifying, practice sessions, exhibitions and entertainment across the grounds — more than 1.3 million fans came through the gates for AO 2026’s expanded festival. Check current Opening Week ticketing on the official site.
The Junior Draw
During the second week, the world’s best 18-and-under players contest the Australian Open Junior Championships on the outside courts — included with your ground pass. It’s the first junior slam of the year and a perfect scouting trip: your kid watches players their own age competing for a Grand Slam title. For the full picture of how juniors get into these draws, see our guide: How Your Kid Can Play a Grand Slam.
The Heat Factor (Read This Before You Book)
Melbourne in January is summer — and the AO has an Extreme Heat Policy for a reason. Plan like a tennis parent:
- Book shaded seats or the roofed arenas for the middle of the day; save outside courts for morning and evening.
- Refillable water bottles, hats, sunscreen, cooling towels — non-negotiable.
- With young kids, do mornings at the grounds and retreat to Rod Laver or the fan precincts in the afternoon furnace.
- Night sessions are magical in Melbourne and much cooler — worth the splurge for one evening.
Getting There and Around
Melbourne Park sits on the edge of the city center, walkable from downtown and served by trams and trains. It’s one of the easiest slams to navigate with kids — everything is in one compact precinct.
Is the Australian Open Worth the Trip From the US?
It’s the longest flight of any slam, and January means pulling kids from school. But it’s also the cheapest family ticket package in Grand Slam tennis, the most relaxed atmosphere, and Opening Week delivers days of entertainment on a budget. If you can swing the travel, it’s the best-value major for families — full stop.
Comparing all four majors? Read our Which Grand Slam Should Your Family Visit First? ranking.
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