The Australian Open has kicked off with a spectacular surge in popularity, setting a new attendance record before a single ball has been hit in the main tournament. Organisers are celebrating a remarkable turnout for the qualifying rounds, signalling a major shift in how fans engage with the Grand Slam event.
Qualifying Week Transforms into Major Attraction
On Monday 12 January 2026, a staggering more than 29,000 tennis enthusiasts passed through the gates of Melbourne Park. This figure represents a near four-fold increase compared to the same day the previous year. Fans were treated to early action featuring home favourite Bernard Tomic and British player Dan Evans, as they battled for a place in the main draw starting Sunday.
Tennis Australia's strategy to rebrand the qualifying week as the official first week of the tournament has paid significant dividends. Initiatives like free entry for children, live performances from acts such as Hot Chip, and the high-stakes $1m One Point Slam competition have proven hugely successful in drawing crowds.
Ambitious Growth and Innovative Fan Experiences
Chief Executive Craig Tiley captured the new atmosphere, stating, "It doesn’t feel like it’s the first day of qualifiers, it feels in many ways like it’s the first day of the event." He emphasised that this marked the beginning of 21 days of continuous activity, entertainment, and sport.
Following a 2025 opening week that first surpassed 100,000 visitors, organisers now anticipate that number could double or even triple this year. Their long-term vision is to attract half a million people in future editions of the opening week.
Further innovations include a star-studded opening ceremony on Saturday featuring Roger Federer and the ongoing One Point Slam, where amateurs get a chance to compete against top professionals and celebrities for a shot at A$1 million.
Learning from Rivals and Adapting to Challenges
This push to enhance the early stages of the tournament comes after the US Open's own innovations last year, which included moving its mixed doubles event forward and creating headline-grabbing all-star pairings.
Addressing the perennial issue of extreme heat, Australian Open officials have implemented measures to improve the spectator experience. These include creating more shaded areas and exploring plans to lower some of Melbourne Park’s outside courts to increase overall capacity and improve airflow.
"The priority is to keep growing the event," affirmed Tiley, discussing the 'sink courts' concept. "That’s just an idea, but generally when we throw ideas out there, they sort of become reality." This forward-thinking approach continues to solidify the Australian Open's reputation as a pioneer in the world of tennis.
