Our AO Hacks series returns in the build-up to Australian Open 2026, offering handy tips and tricks to help you elevate your experience at Melbourne Park.
With an array of exciting events happening at Australian Open 2026, it can prove quite the task deciding on what days you would like to visit Melbourne Park.
That’s why it is important to know your AO celebration days, highlighting special themes and featuring live entertainment and other exciting off-court moments to complement the matches being played on the day.
From Pride Day to Evonne Goolagong Cawley Day, Kids Tennis Day and more, these inclusive events are a way to celebrate the sport and every type of tennis fan.
Kids Tennis Day
On Saturday 17 January, one of the AO’s most-beloved traditions returns: Kids Tennis Day, presented by Emirates.
Bring the whole family along to experience the fan favourite AO Ballpark, which provides kids with more ways to play tennis than ever before. Plus, an airport-themed obstacle course, thrilling waterslides, speed-serve competitions and live entertainment offer something for everyone.
The highlight of the day is the Arena Spectacular at John Cain Arena, which will be transformed into a giant live game, complete with game-show challenges, drummers, dancers, professional performers and a golden finale.
Australia’s very own Alex de Minaur will make a special appearance during the show, as well as a host of other renowned players.
Evonne Goolagong Cawley Day
Formerly known as First Nations Day, this day was renamed at Australian Open 2025 to celebrate Evonne Goolagong Cawley, the first Indigenous woman to compete on international courts.
Goolagong Cawley went on to win seven Grand Slam singles titles between 1971 and 1980, as well as 120 titles overall.
Wednesday 21 January marks Evonne Goolagong Cawley Day and will feature a Welcome to Country, performances from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance groups, live music including didgeridoo performances, First Nations art exhibitions, soundscapes and Indigenous ballkids taking centre stage on court.
Hot Shots Day
On Thursday 22 January, kids and families can enjoy a fun day out at Hot Shots Day. This is a great chance for kids to practise their skills, test their serve speeds and compete in fun matches on smaller-scale courts.
Hot Shots Tennis is one of the largest junior tennis programs in Australia, with more than 639,000 kids participating. On this day, participants from across Victoria enjoy exclusive access to AO Ballpark, presented by Emirates, before it is open to the public.
What’s more, selected Hot Shots kids are invited to toss the coin before the start of play, enjoy player meet and greets, and even interview some of their favourite players.
All Abilities Day
The Australian Open is proud to once again host All Abilities Day on Tuesday 27 January, a day which promotes accessibility and inclusiveness for tennis players and people of all abilities. By championing tennis for people with disabilities through tennis-related activities, all are encouraged to have a go.
Attend a ‘come and try’ session for wheelchair tennis, blind tennis, and intellectual disability and Autism tennis, watch an exhibition match featuring an All Abilities star player, or take a break from the excitement in one of the sensory rooms.
Supported by Bupa, this day is a chance to showcase the many tennis disability pathways, including wheelchair tennis, Blind and Low Vision Tennis (BLV), Deaf and Hard of Hearing Tennis (DHOH), and Tennis for Players with an Intellectual Impairment (PWII).
All Abilities Day coincides with the start of the wheelchair and junior wheelchair main draw.
Women and Girls’ Day
On Thursday 29 January, the AO celebrates the success and empowerment of women in tennis with Women and Girls’ Day. Concluding with the women’s singles semifinals under lights at Rod Laver Arena, the day features keynote speakers, fun initiatives and exciting activities peppered across the precinct.
RELATED - AO women’s semifinals: The best ticket in town?
Hot Shots girls alongside female coaches have the opportunity to partake in Kids on Court on the outside courts and Rod Laver Arena. At the women’s singles semifinals, the coin toss and ballkid duties are all conducted by girls, echoing the sentiment that tennis is a place where women and girls can thrive.
AO Pride Day
For the eighth consecutive year, Pride Day returns to the AO in all its rainbow-coloured glory. Bigger and better than ever before, the event falls on Friday 30 January, on the eve of finals weekend and coinciding with the first of three days of the AO Glam Slam.
On the Friday, glam stations crop up across the grounds, where you can be bedazzled in paint and glitter, while fabulous drag kings and queens roam the precinct. Live music and DJ sets will push the vibes sky-high, and AO LIVE Presents will feature beloved Australian duo The Veronicas, who will perform in the evening and will be joined by Grammy-nominated electronic duo SOFI TUKKER.
As exemplified by AO Pride Day, tennis continues to be a space for LGBTQIA+ fans and players to connect, thrive and belong.