Even the best-laid plans can do with a little assistance to maximise a day at Australian Open 2024.
Amid the buzz of stepping through the gates, it immediately becomes apparent that a ticket opens access to a world beyond the arena or outside court vantage points.
Fortunately, plotting a route around the precinct has never been easier.
Have the ground-breaking AO 3D map at your fingertips
For the first time, a dedicated AO24 eXplorer map will offer a digital touchpoint for fans to find locations and experiences including food outlets, merchandise stores and amenities.
The Australian Open’s Customer Experience Strategy and Design Manager for Precinct, Olga Grueva, says LA and Sydney-based start-up PAM’s digital navigation tool will be available on the AO mobile app and website in time for AO 2024.
“It is a 3D map that will allow you to type in your directions within the precinct, so you can track a path from Rod Laver Arena to Practice Village, for example,” Grueva says.
“They’re all-access routes and the map shows you the shortest way to get there – displaying time and distance – taking you to the lift for accessibility ease and working on an estimated timeframe from live data.
“You can even add a stop en route, for example, to AO Shop at Centrepiece or to your preferred food outlet, or the all-new Court 6 Courtside Bar, where you can come and watch tennis while chilling.”
Adding to the 3D map’s usability, a charted route can be shared with others in the group by clicking on Send to Phone, which generates a QR code, making it less hassle to meet up across the precinct.
“You can also click on Grand Slam Oval, for example, search the food vendors and click on whichever ones grab your fancy to learn more about your options,” Grueva says.
Use concourses under the arenas
Grueva says commonly overlooked parts of the precinct for accessing amenities are the concourses surrounding the likes of Rod Laver Arena and MCA.
“There are vendors, toilets, an AO Shop in there, so if there are queues (elsewhere) go into one of the concourses,” she says.
“People sometimes think because they don't have an RLA ticket they can't enter the surrounding building, but you can go in there, you just can't enter the arena.
“That was actually a really big finding that came out of our research, is that people didn't know they could go into the concourses even without a ticket to those arenas.
“It can shave time off getting to MCA, for example, going via an RLA concourse, and it can be easier to access bathrooms there too.”
Some entrances and exits are quicker than others
While most patrons opt to take advantage of the free No.70 tram shuttles to the Garden Square Entrance on the north side of the precinct, Grueva says this is the busiest entrance and not necessarily the fastest access.
“Garden Square Entrance is our only accessible pathway if you want to go direct to the door, unless you go to Grand Slam Oval Entrance and get dropped off by a taxi, for example,” she says.
“But if coming from the city, the quickest way to beat the crowds in is to walk from the City Entrance from Flinders Street Station, via Birrarung Marr along the Yarra River, across Tanderrum Bridge.
“It’s actually a really beautiful route and only a nine-minute walk from Flinders Street Station to the ticketed entrance.”
Planning an exit from Melbourne Park at the end of a session can be equally important, especially after a night session when patrons typically pour out through Garden Square and queue for trams.
“If it’s end of play and you need to get to the city it can actually be quicker to walk there, even if that is out Garden Square (Entrance),” Grueva suggests.
“It can be even quicker to walk out to Batman Avenue (from the Grand Slam Oval entrance on the south side) and walk up to the city, if that's where you're heading.”
Consider upgrading ticket to improve experience
If you’re keen to enjoy the action inside RLA, MCA and JCA without having to queue to enter a court, this is still possible even if you haven’t pre-purchased your ticket to the main arenas.
An upgraded ticketed seat can be a great base for your Australian Open 2024 visit and can be secured after arriving on site if seats are still available.
“A lot of people don't realise you can go to the Ticketmaster box office under RLA (on RLA Terrace concourse) and ask if there are any seats because they do release some,” Grueva says.
“If you’re lucky you can upgrade your ground pass to a ticketed seat, a great option especially if it's really hot or it's raining, and it's not sold out. A ticket upgrade could give you a shaded undercover seat.”
Which days are the busiest?
Grueva says the main Garden Square Entrance has moved back closer to the tram tracks for AO 2024, improving access to the western side including the outside courts, Hot Shots HQ and Court 6 Courtside Bar.
“It’s a lot more open and actually a lot better flow to go to the back courts,” she says.
While the change will go some way to opening the precinct further, big crowds can still be an unavoidable reality on peak days.
“Middle Saturday is the absolute busiest by far,” Grueva says. “Middle Sunday and the Australia Day public holiday can also get pretty busy, and also the opening days (of the event).
“I think generally when there are big matches on, it'll be pretty busy… You can go into Garden Square to avoid peak crowds because Grand Slam Oval is predominantly food and drink.
“Garden Square will have a new shade canopy spanning the whole circle so people will actually be able to stay longer and unwind.
“It's the kind of spot to go and catch your breath, grab a bite to eat and not have the mass crowds.”