Featured image credit: Philip Mallis/CC BY-SA 2.0/Edited for size
Tennis Australia (TA) has revealed further plans to upgrade the Australian Open fan experience when the 120th edition of the grand slam tournament takes place next year.
The new offerings for 2025 are headlined by TOPCOURT, which is set to transform the Middle Terrace space at Melbourne Park. TA said it is targeting the new space at a “new generation of fans seeking an energetic and fresh tennis experience”.
TA added that TOPCOURT will offer cutting-edge tech, immersive gaming and Augmented Reality, live music, DJ Tiebreakers and the “hottest trends in food, fashion, and beauty”. “We’re always pushing boundaries at the AO, and TOPCOURT will offer something truly unique,” said Tennis Australia’s director of product and customer experience, Amanda Del Prete.
“This new space is where fans can connect, immerse themselves in the energy, and enjoy the Australian Open like never before.”
TA said the main new fan experience offering for this year’s tournament, the Courtside Bar, will also be enhanced for 2025 with increased capacity, enhanced tennis viewing, an intimate rooftop bar and new bar menu.
Across the precinct, the Australian Open will increase shaded areas by almost double from AO 2024, from 3,278 square metres to 5,932 square metres.
This includes a new shade structure for 1573 Arena, akin to the structure on Court 3, a favourite among players and fans alike. Shade on 1573 Arena will increase from 325 square metres to 1,170 square metres.
There will also be more shade in The Village situated between John Cain Arena and Kia Arena. This area will have new-look shaded viewing platforms to allow hundreds of fans to see the top players in practice.
TA said two “iconic international brands” will be a part of Courtside Bar in 2025 and will be announced soon. A brand-new suite of hospitality options, designed to revolutionise premium experiences at the Australian Open, was launched earlier this year as AO Reserve.
The latest addition to AO Reserve’s lineup is Brigitte Hafner who will bring the renowned seasonal menu from her famous Red Hill restaurant Tedesca Osteria to the Glasshouse in the final week of the Open.
Tennis Australia’s head of product growth and innovation, Fern Barrett, said: “AO Reserve is unlike anything we’ve offered previously at the Australian Open.
“From the custom-designed spaces and handpicked culinary talent, to the chance to go behind the scenes and watch from the best seats in the house, it’s another example of the Australian Open hitting different and raising the bar for event hospitality.”
Meanwhile, in another AO first, the inaugural AO Pickleball Slam will take place from January 24-26. Some of the world’s leading pickleball talent will compete in this invitational event. The new TOPCOURT installation will also feature the AO Padel Battle from January 17-19.
Australian Open tournament director, Craig Tiley, added: “Following a record-breaking 2024, we’re aiming for an even bigger Australian Open celebration, launching the tennis season globally with more tennis, more entertainment and a host of fresh initiatives to bring fans closer to the action than ever before.
“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.”
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