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Australian Open Layout
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Buy Online Tickets with Digital QR Code
Super Saturday tickets are available. Super popular - so get those fast!
Make sure you bring your phone and QR Code. Avoid getting from other ticket sources.
Ground Passes for Week 1
One of the best-hidden secrets for week 1 is a full-day
ground pass.
They are much cheaper than reserved seats and have more flexibility to roam multiple locations at a third of the cost. Don't waste your money. Most of their stadium seating is good enough for the vast majority of seats at Laver and Melbourne.
Just don't sit on the East side facing the Sun, or you'll be cooked like Shrimp on a Barbie!
Practice Courts Viewing
Viewing the top players from the decks has always put giant crowds packed together.
This year, a system must be in place to prevent crowding over each other. The orderly Wimbledon moving rope lines will inspire them with ideas. Players have complained that the crowds have not been managed well in 2024.
Clear flow directions for ingress and egress
The arrows in the map above illustrate the paths I found with the fewest bottlenecks to enter and move around the park. It is important to keep fan traffic flowing in a circular direction. Having congested fans in one area (like inside Rod Laver) should be avoided.
The 3 large stadiums definitely need better signs. I see people get lost more often than not with all the name changes.
Better Navigation and Activity Zones
The Aussie Open seems broken into clumps of Rod Laver on one side and Melbourne Arena in the opposite corner. The placement of lots of shops seems randomly scattered in between. I found the food carts, venue signage, and concessions were sprinkled across the giant center oval the same way slot machines are in Las Vegas lobbies.
More Transportation Options Needed
Back in 2019, I remember how super crowded the bus shuttles were to deliver fans to the entrances. We were squished like sardines in the morning or else walked the extra mile in the Melbourne heat. Trams are just overcrowded for the morning rush. Plan ahead to walk if necessary in the summer heat.
International Culture - Wimbledon vs Australian Open?
Wimbledon in 2023 had its own opening day issues. It was their self-inflicting security lockdowns that made for 6+ hour queues which most fans abandoned. Their fear of possible protesters made it impossible for fans to see matches. Hopefully they will use a different company next year.
GPS and Wifi Issues in Melbourne
Traveler's note: GPS signal around Melbourne is known to be pretty bad with their tall buildings.
Tip: save an offline Google Map on your phone before you go!Conserve battery life and your mobile data. The open wifi there is super spotty and not secured. So I would turn off wi-fi altogether when I'm out so it won't drain your phone.
With digital tickets, it's even more important not to drain your battery during the day.
To arrive at the proper side of the Australian Open or get around the city of Melbourne, rely on your mobile. Try using your Andriod and saying: "Hey Google".
Examples:
"Hey Google. Navigate to Rod Laver Arena" OR
"Hey Google. Navigate to Melbourne Arena"
