The 2026 Australian Open has been compelled to implement immediate operational changes following a record-shattering opening day that saw fans endure lengthy queues to enter Melbourne Park. The unprecedented turnout has pushed tournament organisers to fast-track plans for enhancing crowd capacity and flow within the precinct.
Record-Breaking Attendance Strains Entry Points
A staggering 73,235 spectators scanned into the Melbourne Park precinct on Sunday, the first day of the main draw. This figure comfortably surpassed the previous record of 68,883, set on the middle Saturday of the 2019 tournament. The surge in popularity, which Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley described as "unusual" for a first day, led to significant congestion at security gates and access points to courts.
Patrons on Monday morning again faced substantial wait times, although these were alleviated by lunchtime following a swift increase in staffing levels at the entrances. Despite this intervention, navigating the bustling site remained a slow process throughout the initial days of the Grand Slam event.
Infrastructure Push to Accommodate Growing Demand
In response to the soaring interest, tournament organisers have been actively developing the northern and western sections of the precinct, situated between the tennis courts and Melbourne's CBD. This multi-year investment aims to build overall capacity, create more space, and diversify the entertainment offerings for visitors.
The efforts have borne fruit, enabling this year's record crowd despite the site not undergoing radical transformation since 2025. Notable new features include an expanded courtside bar adjacent to court six, now connected via a second storey to elevated viewing stands between courts five and seven. These popular standing-room-only areas have consistently reached capacity, operating a strict one-in, one-out queuing system for much of the first two days.
Organisers have also provided some relief for waiting fans on days where Melbourne temperatures hit 30C, installing a new shade structure equipped with seating and a large screen. The demand was so intense on Sunday that the sale of ground passes was temporarily paused to prevent the site from exceeding its safe capacity.
Future Vision: Sinking Courts and Enhanced Viewing
Looking ahead, Melbourne Park management is set to unveil its vision for the next phase of development. This comes five years after the completion of the last major, $1bn redevelopment of the site. Craig Tiley has already floated ambitious ideas to improve patron experience, notably suggesting the sinking of courts below ground level.
This concept, inspired by the design of the Kia Arena and 1573 Arena, would allow spectators to wander atop the stands and casually view action on the outside courts. Tiley believes this would alleviate the need for fans to queue formally for entry into each individual arena with limited capacity.
Australian player Storm Hunter, who won her first-round match in a packed Kia Arena, expressed awe at the tournament's growth, noting it was "unbelievable" to crack the 100,000 daily attendance mark. "It's crazy how much this event has changed and how big it's gotten," Hunter said, highlighting the pride local players take in the tournament's expansion.
As the 2026 Australian Open continues, the record-breaking crowds have made it clear that the tournament's popularity is accelerating faster than anticipated, necessitating both immediate adjustments and long-term strategic planning to ensure the fan experience keeps pace with its global appeal.
