Whether you come to the Rod Laver Arena to see a tennis match during the Australian Open, cheer on another sports game or sing along with your favorite band under its retractable roof, you will be impressed by this top-of-the-bill events venue.
Formerly known as Flinders Park and the National Tennis Centre, this major tennis court in Melbourne Park was renamed in 2000 to honor Rod Laver, one of Australia’s most lauded tennis players. Laver, from rural Queensland, played for the Australian team in Davis Cup competitions from 1959 through to 1962. After winning the title with his team, he was named the world’s best professional player from 1964 to 1970. He earned 10 or more titles per year and won the calendar year Grand Slam, that is four major international tournaments in the same year, not once but twice.
The Rod Laver arena has the capacity to seat nearly 15,000 people. During the Australian Open’s Grand Slam matches, the tournament can attract up to 80,000 people in one day, so be sure to book your tickets well in advance. If you are after a VIP treatment with your party, book a Rod Laver Arena Superbox for the occasion.
Being more than just a tennis venue, the Rod Laver Arena is open year-round. The arena also facilitates dirt bike and rodeos demonstrations, wrestling and boxing competitions, gymnastics tournaments and family events. During concerts it is not unusual to find yourself in the Rod Laver Arena with more than 10,000 other music fans, so come early to avoid disappointment.
Any other day of the year, you can tour the arena with a guide or just rent a court for an hour to play a game of tennis on the same spot where Laver and Djokovic and the likes made history.
The Rod Laver Arena is within walking distance of Melbourne’s Central Business District and easy to reach by public transportation. The arena is part of Melbourne Park and adjacent to Yarra Park, the city’s Sports and Entertainment Precinct. Note that there are few on-site parking spaces. During special events, taxis line up next to The Oval on Olympic Boulevard.
