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Australian Open 2027 is the first Grand Slam of the tennis year, and it takes over Melbourne Park from Monday 11 to Sunday 31 January 2027. Main-draw play starts on Sunday 17 January, the women’s final is on Saturday 30 January and the men’s final on Sunday 31 January. This guide covers the key dates, how to find tickets for the finals and semi-finals, how to get to Melbourne Park and where to stay.
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Australian Open 2027 at a glance
The Australian Open began in 1905 and has been played at Melbourne Park since 1988. It is the season opener on outdoor hard courts, and it has grown into a three-week festival with an Opening Week of qualifying and practice sessions, live music, food and a huge fan precinct around the courts. The 2026 edition drew more than 1.3 million visitors, a record for the tournament.
Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina return as the reigning singles champions. The draw is made shortly before the tournament, so seedings and the order of play are confirmed closer to January.
Key dates and schedule
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 11–16 January | Opening Week: qualifying, practice sessions and fan events |
| Sunday 17 January | Main draw begins (first round) |
| 26–27 January | Quarter-finals (around these dates) |
| Thursday 28 January | Women’s semi-finals (expected) |
| Friday 29 January | Men’s semi-finals, day and night sessions on Rod Laver Arena |
| Saturday 30 January | Women’s singles final |
| Sunday 31 January | Men’s singles final |
The order of play is released day by day once the tournament starts, so treat the semi-final days above as a planning guide and check the official schedule before you book flights.
Defending champions
Carlos Alcaraz arrives in Melbourne as the men’s defending champion after winning the 2026 title, his first at the Australian Open. Elena Rybakina defends the women’s crown after beating Aryna Sabalenka in the 2026 final to win her maiden Australian Open title. Both will be among the main attractions on Rod Laver Arena, so their matches are the ones to plan your sessions around.
Tickets
Australian Open tickets are sold by session. Rod Laver Arena hosts the biggest matches and the finals, while Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena run their own day and night sessions. The best seats for the finals and semi-finals sell out in the primary sale, so most fans looking for a specific day end up on a resale marketplace. The links below take you to the ticket pages for each session on Ticombo and Hello Tickets, where you can compare seats and prices.
Get Australian Open 2027 tickets
Pick your session. Prices move with demand, and the finals are the most expensive tickets of the tournament.
Other ways to attend
- Ground Pass: gives access to the outside courts and the wider precinct rather than a reserved seat. Tennis Australia has said prices start from A$49 and have not risen since 2019. It is the cheapest way in, and the best value is in the first week.
- Opening Week (11–16 January): qualifying matches, open practice sessions and fan events, with a relaxed feel and far fewer crowds.
- Travel packages: official and independent operators sell packages that combine seats, hotels and flights, mostly aimed at the semi-finals and finals.
The venue: Melbourne Park
Melbourne Park sits on the eastern edge of the city centre beside the Yarra River and the green space of Birrarung Marr. The tournament uses three main arenas, and all three have roofs, which matters in a city where January can swing between blazing sun and sudden showers.
- Rod Laver Arena: the main stadium with a capacity of roughly 15,000. It hosts the night matches, the semi-finals and both finals, and it is named after Australian tennis legend Rod Laver.
- Margaret Court Arena: the second show court, with day and night sessions of top-draw matches.
- John Cain Arena: the third arena, which also hosts the AO Live concert series in the evenings.
On the resale market, Rod Laver Arena seats are grouped into categories, from Category 1 (the closest) down to Category 6 (upper tier). Upper-tier seats are the budget option, and views from the top of the arena are still good because the court is compact.
Getting there
Flights
Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) is the arrival point for international flights. The airport is roughly 25 to 40 minutes from the city centre by SkyBus or taxi, depending on traffic.
To Melbourne Park
- On foot: from Flinders Street Station and the city centre it is about a 10 to 15 minute walk through Birrarung Marr.
- Train: Flinders Street, Richmond and Jolimont stations are all close to the precinct.
- Tram: several city tram routes stop near Rod Laver Arena. Check whether your ticket includes public transport on the day, as this has been offered in past years.
- Taxi or rideshare: expect queues and surge pricing after night sessions finish.
- Parking: very limited around the precinct, so public transport is the easier choice.
Where to stay
Late January is peak season in Melbourne, and the finals weekend and semi-finals fill hotels near the park first. Book early, especially if you are staying on 28 to 31 January.
| Area | To Melbourne Park | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| East Melbourne / Fitzroy Gardens | 5–15 min walk | Closest base, quiet streets, short walk home after night matches |
| Richmond | 10–15 min walk | Pubs, restaurants and a local feel just across the rail line |
| CBD / Flinders Street | 10–20 min walk | Laneways, shopping, trams and trains on your doorstep |
| Southbank | 15–25 min walk or short tram | Riverside hotels, restaurants and the arts precinct |
| St Kilda | 25–40 min by tram | Beach, cafés and a holiday atmosphere |
The map below shows hotels and apartments across the city. Zoom in on the area around Melbourne Park to compare options and prices.
Things to do in Melbourne
Melbourne is one of Australia’s best cities for food, coffee, street art and sport, so a few extra days around the tennis are well spent. These are good options for rest days and mornings before the afternoon sessions. Availability is shown live below.
Yarra River sightseeing cruise
A relaxed way to see the city skyline, the sporting precinct and the riverside parks from the water.
Great Ocean Road day trip
The classic Victorian road trip along the coast to the Twelve Apostles. It is a long day, so choose a rest day rather than a match day.
SEA LIFE Melbourne Aquarium
A good indoor option on a very hot day, close to the Yarra in the city centre.
More tours and experiences are listed on GetYourGuide’s Melbourne page.
Practical tips for fans
- Beat the heat: January in Melbourne is typically warm to hot, often 25 to 35°C and occasionally higher. The tournament has an extreme heat policy, so bring a hat, sunscreen and a refillable water bottle.
- Layers for the night: evenings can cool quickly, especially in the roofed arenas, so pack a light jacket for night sessions.
- Arrive early: bag checks and entry queues are busiest before the first match and before night sessions.
- Check the rules: the tournament publishes what you can bring in, including food and drink limits. Check them before you go.
- Keep your phone charged: tickets are digital, so a power bank is worth packing.
- Plan the semi-final days: on Friday 29 January two sessions share Rod Laver Arena, so you can choose a day or night ticket depending on how you want to spend the rest of the day.
Planning more tennis travel? Browse our Tennis Travel Hub, read the Wimbledon 2026 guide, or explore all our Live Events travel guides.
FAQ
When is the Australian Open 2027?
The Australian Open 2027 runs from 11 to 31 January 2027 at Melbourne Park. Opening Week is 11 to 16 January, the main draw starts on Sunday 17 January and the singles finals are on 30 and 31 January.
When are the Australian Open 2027 finals?
The women’s singles final is on Saturday 30 January 2027 and the men’s singles final is on Sunday 31 January 2027, both on Rod Laver Arena.
Where is the Australian Open held?
At Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Victoria, on the eastern edge of the city centre. The main arenas are Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena.
Who are the defending champions?
Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina won the singles titles at the 2026 Australian Open and arrive as defending champions.
How can I buy tickets for the finals and semi-finals?
The finals and semi-finals sell out quickly in the primary sale, so many fans use resale marketplaces such as Ticombo and Hello Tickets, which list sessions by day and arena. Compare seats and prices there before you book.
How much is a Ground Pass?
Tennis Australia has said Ground Passes start from A$49, a price unchanged since 2019. A Ground Pass gives access to the outside courts and the precinct but not to the show-court arenas.
How do I get to Melbourne Park?
Walk from Flinders Street Station through Birrarung Marr in about 10 to 15 minutes, or use the train to Richmond or Jolimont, or one of the city trams. Parking nearby is very limited.
Is the Australian Open held under a roof?
Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena all have roofs that can be closed in rain or extreme heat. Matches on outside courts are played in the open.
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy tickets or book through our links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Ticket prices and availability change, so always check the current listing before you book. Route & Stay is not affiliated with Tennis Australia or the Australian Open.