Record attendance targeted at 2023 Australian Open

Organisers of the Australian Open are targeting an attendance of 900,000 fans for the 2023 tournament, which would mark a record for the tennis grand slam.

The target forms part of the tournament’s long-term aim of eventually attracting one million fans to Melbourne Park. The current attendance record for the tournament is around 820,000.

Next year’s Australian Open takes place from January 16-29, and the event is set to go ahead without any COVID-19 restrictions.

New features for the 2023 tournament will include a beach bar with an elevated second-storey DJ platform, the AO Tennis Club, and a Finals Festival Ground Pass, which grants access to Kia Arena for feature performances from local and international artists.

Tournament director Craig Tiley said: “We want to return to our pre-pandemic plans of cementing the AO as the biggest annual sporting event in the world in January, while also making it as accessible to as many fans as possible.

“We can’t wait for what promises to be a jam-packed calendar designed to appeal to all ages. The hugely popular Kids Tennis Day returns and the AO Ballpark, always a huge hit with families, is back bigger and better than ever.

“We have cool new areas to socialise in such as the beach bar, you can get involved and try out all forms of the sport at the AO Tennis Club, there are chances to watch the world’s top players in practice matches and charity initiatives to help the people of Ukraine.”