Rod Laver Arena Tickets

ROD LAVER ARENA TICKETS 2024

Rod Laver Arena, situated within Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, is a versatile venue primarily used for the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year.

Constructed to replace the aging Kooyong Stadium, the arena's development began in 1985 by Civil & Civic and was completed in 1987 at a cost of AU$94 million. It opened on January 11, 1988, for the 1988 Australian Open. Originally named the National Tennis Centre at Flinders Park, it was renamed Centre Court in 1996 and then Rod Laver Arena on January 16, 2000, to honor Rod Laver, a legendary tennis player and three-time Australian Open champion.

Features

Rod Laver Arena can accommodate 14,820 spectators, expanding to 15,400 for basketball games and up to 14,200 for concerts with floor seating. It attracts over 1.5 million visitors annually. It was the first tennis venue globally and the first arena in Australia to feature a retractable roof, an innovation suggested by Victoria's Premier John Cain in the 1980s. The arena is the largest indoor venue in Australia without a permanent roof and the second largest indoor arena in the country.

The arena is equipped with the Hawk-Eye Live line-calling system, replacing line judges since the 2021 Australian Open.

Sports and Events

Rod Laver Arena is central to the Australian Open and has hosted various events beyond tennis, including basketball, motorbike supercross, music concerts, conferences, professional wrestling, and ballet. During non-tennis events, part of the southern lower seating bowl is retracted to accommodate stages or floor seating.

Tennis

Rod Laver Arena serves as the main court for the Australian Open. Rod Laver himself frequently attends the championships and has presented the men's singles trophy multiple times. The arena was also the site of Australia's 2003 Davis Cup victories.

Basketball

The arena's first basketball game took place in 1991. It has hosted significant basketball events, including games involving the Melbourne Tigers (now Melbourne United) and the South East Melbourne Magic. It was known for setting attendance records, including the largest basketball crowd in 1996.

Swimming

Rod Laver Arena was the centerpiece of the 12th FINA World Aquatics Championships in 2007, featuring a temporary swimming pool named after Australian swimmer Susie O'Neill.

Commonwealth Games

It hosted the gymnastics events during the 2006 Commonwealth Games.

Other Sports

The venue has hosted professional wrestling, netball, UFC events, and NHL pre-season ice hockey.

Esports

Rod Laver Arena was a venue for the Melbourne Esports Open in 2019, featuring major regional tournaments.

Concerts: Rod Laver Arena is a prime location for major concerts in Melbourne. It ranked 9th globally in 2009 for first-quarter ticket sales and became Australia's highest-selling venue in 2012. Notable performances include record-breaking shows by P!nk, Olivia Rodrigo, and Billie Eilish.

Tennis Surface

From 1988 to 2007, the court surface was Rebound Ace. It was replaced by Plexicushion in 2008 and then Greenset in 2019. The arena has also used temporary grass courts for specific events.

Refurbishment

A major refurbishment began in April 2016, part of a $338 million redevelopment of the Melbourne Park precinct. Completed in December 2018, it included a new entrance, expanded concourses, a new Player Pod, and an upgraded roof system.

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