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Subscribe Your Ultimate What’s On Guide to the Australian Open 2026
Melbourne is about to serve up an unforgettable summer as the Australian Open 2026 takes over the city!
The Australian Open has always been more than tennis, but in 2026 it’s firmly a city-wide takeover. From courtside dining and DJ-led lounges to rooftop rallies, beauty activations and riverfront pop-ups, Melbourne becomes a moving festival of food, fashion and culture for three summer weeks.
Whether you’re chasing the best bites inside Melbourne Park, planning pre-match drinks in the CBD or building a full day around the action, this is your guide to the experiences shaping Australian Open season beyond the baseline.
Australian Open 2026: Elite Treats You Can Only Get Courtside
M&M’S Brings the Sweet Stuff Back to the Australian Open
The Australian Open 2026 just got a whole lot sweeter. M&M’S much-loved pop-up store at Melbourne Park is returning to Garden Square for the duration of the tournament with exclusive treats, colourful photo moments and plenty of nostalgia.
This year’s activation ups the fun with M&M’S Spotto, encouraging fans across the AO precinct (and nationwide) to spot the iconic Red and Yellow characters or M&M’S logo to score free chocolate. On Thursday, 15th January, podcast favourites Toni & Ryan will bring the laughs with a fan meet-and-greet, a Spotto Cup showdown, and a special visit from the 2026 Australian Open Trophy.
Inside the pop-up, fans will find AO-exclusive pink and light blue M&M’S, limited-edition merch, the new Crunchy Cookie flavour and plenty of moments made for the camera — making it one of the most joyful stops at Melbourne Park this summer.
The 2026 Australian Open Trophy will be visiting the M&M’S Pop-Up Store from 4:15pm to 5pm on Thursday 15th January
M&M’S Pop-Up Store
Garden Square, Melbourne Park
Open from 15th January until 1st February 2026
TOPCOURT
Shake Shack: The global burger favourite makes its Australian debut at the AO, serving made-to-order Angus beef burgers, Cheese Fries and cult classics like the ShackBurger and Shroom Burger. Two AO-only shakes — Honey Macadamia and Choc Fudge Cookies & Cream — round it out.
Peach Melbourne: Inspired by the Peach Melba, this signature soft serve blends peach and raspberry for a cooling, fruit-forward hit. Find it at Court 3, Kia Arena and TOPCOURT.
Lipton Ice Tea: Official Ice Tea of the Australian Open 2026, pouring across the precinct, with Lipton Island at TOPCOURT serving AO-exclusive iced tea creations in a bright, alcohol-free setting.
GARDEN SQUARE
Hector’s Deli: The cult sandwich slinger brings its famous stacks and house-made sodas courtside, delivering serious lunchtime satisfaction.
Layla: Chef Shane Delia brings Middle Eastern-inspired flavours to the AO, with bold, spice-driven dishes designed for sharing.
Vic’s Meat: Vic’s answer to the great Aussie snag in bread, serving elevated sausage sandwiches with seasoned beef, onion and classic sauces.
Courtside Bar AO Frappé: A heat-day essential, available in coffee or chocolate flavours, blending vanilla soft serve, milk and ice. Canned for easy grab-and-go mornings.
Grey Goose Lemon Ace: A citrus-forward cocktail pairing Grey Goose vodka with passionfruit syrup and sparkling lemonade, finished with fresh mint.
Mindy Woods Popcorn Cart: Freshly popped popcorn dressed with Indigenous ingredients sourced from Bundjalung Country, delivering flavour with meaning.
GRAND SLAM OVAL
Season Chicken: Vietnamese-inspired fried chicken, with crispy tenders, a fried chicken sandwich and green papaya salad bringing crunch and brightness.
Ho Jiak: A playful, flavour-packed take on Malaysian favourites, designed for fast, satisfying eating between matches.
JollyGood: A straight-up Melbourne burger moment, serving classic cheeseburgers with nostalgic appeal.
Stalactites x Taverna: Two Melbourne institutions combine for fast-moving Greek favourites, from souvlaki to spanakopita.
D.O.C: Italian street-food-style pizza slices, ideal for quick refuelling without missing a changeover.
Fishbowl: Fresh poke-style bowls and salad boxes for lighter, balanced eating on warm days.
WESTERN COURTS
Match Ready Food & Drinks: A new fast-service concept curated with Japanese eatery Suupaa, serving sandos, noodles and fried chicken built for speed without sacrificing flavour.
AO BALLPARK (PRESENTED BY EMIRATES)
Wonder Pies: A nostalgic tuck-shop moment, bringing classic family favourites and comfort-driven pastry hits to the Ballpark crowd.
AO RESERVE
L’Enclume & Umbel: Simon Rogan brings his internationally recognised, produce-led approach to the AO, drawing on the same ingredient-driven philosophy that underpins his Michelin-starred restaurants.
Quay & Bennelong: Peter Gilmore presents refined Australian dining shaped by native ingredients, technical precision and long-standing relationships with growers and producers.
Agrarian Kitchen: Rodney Dunn and Severine Demanet bring The Agrarian Kitchen to Melbourne Park, with menus centred on seasonal Tasmanian produce and a focus on restraint and balance.
SK Steak & Oyster: The Brisbane favourite delivers premium steak and seafood to the AO Reserve, offering a classic, high-end grill experience.
Sushi Room: Shimpei Raikuni introduces his omakase-style sushi experience, defined by precision, technique and pristine produce.
Victoria & Farmer’s Daughters: Alejandro Saravia highlights Victorian producers through menus that reflect seasonality, sustainability and regional storytelling.
Caretaker’s Cottage: The award-winning cocktail bar brings its sharp, ingredient-focused drinks program to the AO Reserve, strengthening the precinct’s beverage offering.
Australian Open 2026: Courtside Action
Grey Goose’s Courtside Bar Is Back (and It’s the Chicest Seat in the Stadium)
The Australian Open 2026 just locked in its most stylish return serve. Grey Goose is bringing back its Courtside Bar to Melbourne Park for 2026, once again transforming Court 6 into a French Riviera–inspired escape where the Lemon Ace flows freely and the tennis unfolds right in front of you.
Designed as a pause button on the pace of summer, the reimagined bar pairs sweeping courtside views with elevated stadium seating attached directly to the bar — a first-of-its-kind setup that lets guests sip, settle in and savour the action without missing a rally. Expect signature Goose moments, playful French flair and an atmosphere that feels more South of France than centre court.
The hero serve returns too: the Grey Goose Lemon Ace, a bright mix of Grey Goose vodka, passionfruit syrup and sparkling lemonade, finished with a playful lemon ‘tennis ball’ garnish. Available freshly poured or as an AO-exclusive ready-to-drink can, it’s the cocktail you’ll see in everyone’s hand between sets.
The Grey Goose Courtside Bar
Melbourne Park
12th January to 1st February 2026
Open daily from 9:30am until late
Nik Hill Brings French Flair to the AO With Grey Goose’s Courtside Menu
Food lovers, this one’s for you. For 2026, Grey Goose has levelled up its courtside offering with a French-inspired menu by Nik Hill, the award-winning chef behind Porcine. Created to pair seamlessly with the Lemon Ace, Hill’s menu leans indulgent yet remains effortless, with dishes designed for grazing between games. Dishes like leek and lobster quiche, duck liver and foie gras parfait with stone fruit gelée, tomato and cucumber salad with goat’s cheese and Pimm’s vinaigrette, truffle honey custard tarts and camembert with brandied prunes.
For those seeking a more intimate AO moment, Grey Goose’s presence extends into Club 1905 as part of the AO Reserve program. Here, premium Grey Goose serves take centre stage, including classic and espresso martinis, plus the option to upgrade to Grey Goose Altius, theatrically finished tableside from a martini trolley with custom bitters or brines.
With bespoke Ralph Lauren uniforms completing the look, Grey Goose’s 2026 return blends courtside spectacle, refined dining and French joie de vivre — proving once again that some of the best seats at the Australian Open come with a cocktail in hand.
Riverside Social Brings DJ Energy to the Australian Open
Live sets and city views converge at the Australian Open 2026, with Riverside Social returning as one of the tournament’s most thoughtfully programmed entertainment spaces. Set above River Terrace, the premium lounge looks out across the Melbourne skyline, hosting a rotating DJ schedule across both daytime and evening sessions available to book.
Presented by iHeartLIVE in partnership with Tennis Australia, Riverside Social offers a composed alternative to the bustle below, designed for settling in between matches.
Food is equally considered, with a menu grounded in local produce. Expect canapés like Maffra smoked cheddar and leek toasties, Buxton smoked trout pâté on potato cakes, and spiced beef fataya, alongside heartier plates including braised lamb ragù rigatoni and Bannockburn free-range chicken baguettes. Desserts and afternoon tea round out a long, easy session courtside.
Various dates and times through AO duration
Day sessions, 10am to 4pm; night sessions, 4pm to 10pm
Reserve tickets here
Young Franco Headlines a Free Riverside Gig at AO Hilltop
The Australian Open 2026 opens with a soundtrack, as Canadian Club hosts a free riverside gig headlined by Young Franco at AO Hilltop on Sunday 18th January. Framed by the Melbourne skyline at Birrarung Marr, the one-night event turns the Canadian Club Racquet Club into an open-air dancefloor, with support sets from Nite Theory and Alex Hayes.
Entry is free with registration via Moshtix and no Australian Open ticket is required, offering an easy way to settle into the opening day of the main draw.
Running daily from 18th January to 1st February 2026, Canadian Club Racquet Club remains open as a walk-in AO hub for DJ-led afternoons, sunset drinks and riverfront views.
Sunday 18th January, doors from 4pm
Line-up:
Jake Webb (4pm)
Nite Theory (5pm)
Alex Hayes (6.15pm)
Young Franco (8pm)
Nite Theory (9.30pm)
Where: Canadian Club Racquet Club, AO Hilltop, Birrarung Marr
Register: Moshtix
MECCA Brings Beauty and SPF to the Australian Open
Beauty joins the on-court action at the Australian Open 2026, with MECCA returning as Official Beauty Partner and MECCA COSMETICA stepping in as Official SPF Partner. Fans can visit the three-level MECCA Pro Shop in The Village for express touch-ups, skincare education and exclusive activations, while dedicated SPF sampling huts and top-up stations keep sun protection front of mind across the precinct. It’s a distinctly Melbourne addition to the AO experience, blending beauty, innovation and summer practicality in one highly visitable stop.
Piper-Heidsieck Brings Cabaret Glamour to the Australian Open
Champagne corks are officially popping at the Australian Open 2026. Piper-Heidsieck, the tournament’s Official Champagne Partner, has unveiled its reimagined Champagne Bar at Melbourne Park, returning for its eighth year with a bold new cabaret twist.
Marking the start of AO26 celebrations, Delta Goodrem toasted the tournament by uncorking the first bottle as Piper-Heidsieck’s official ambassador, setting the tone for a summer of glamour, performance and celebration. Expect roaming cabaret dancers, flamboyant French flair and world-class champagne flowing throughout the tournament.
The Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Bar opens Monday, 12th January and will pour throughout the Australian Open, offering fans a sparkling place to pause between matches and raise a glass to centre-court moments.
Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Bar, Melbourne Park
Australian Open 2026: Where to Eat & Drink In & Around The City During the Tennis Season
Riverland Bar Turns Tangerine for Australian Open Season
Just a riverside stroll from Melbourne Park, Riverland Bar steps into Australian Open mode for Australian Open 2026, setting the scene for relaxed pre-match drinks and post-play hangs. Located beneath Federation Square, the open-air venue is hosting live match screenings on its outdoor big screen alongside a full Aperol Spritz takeover, complete with DJs, an Aperidisco pop-up and limited-edition bites. Sunlit seating, skyline views and a lively crowd carry the energy from day sessions through to late afternoons.
Aperol Mimosas at Novotel Melbourne on Collins
January calls for something bright in the glass, and Novotel Melbourne on Collins is answering with a $15 Aperol Mimosa at Lane Bar throughout the month. Available every hour, it’s a relaxed stop for pre-match plans or post-session debriefs along Collins Street.
Throughout January
270 Collins Street, Melbourne
San Telmo & Pastuso’s One-Hour Pre-Match Dining
Heading to Melbourne Park straight from work? San Telmo and Pastuso are offering a streamlined pre-match dining format from 12th January to 1st February. The $65 per person menu is designed to be enjoyed within an hour, with bookings available between 3pm–5pm, making it a smart lead-in to an evening session.
12th January to 1st February, 2026
San Telmo, 14 Meyers Place, Melbourne
Pastuso, 19 AC/DC Lane, Melbourne
Australian Open 2026: Fun Activations In & Around The City
Lacoste’s Floating Tennis Club Lands on the Yarra
French fashion house Lacoste is bringing its celebrated Le Club Lacoste concept to Australia for the first time, transforming AFLOAT into a floating tennis club for the Australian Open 2026. Running from 16th January to 1st February, the on-water venue pairs a 20-metre floating Lacoste court with a Melbourne-exclusive pop-up store and a French-inspired food and drinks menu.
Guests can book court time, settle in for riverside dining or watch live tennis against skyline views, with bookings opening from 1st December 2025.
Sign up, enquire and book here
16th January to 1st February, 2026
2, Flinders Walk, Melbourne
1 Hotel Serves Pickleball by the River This AO Season
This Australian Open 2026, 1 Hotel Melbourne is serving up a playful counterpoint to centre-court intensity with The 1 Hotels Open. Running from 16th January to 1st February, the riverside pop-up brings a half-size pickleball court to the edge of the Yarra, just steps from the hotel.
Open daily from 12pm to 6pm, each one-hour booking includes court hire for up to eight players, paddles, a reusable 1 Hotels water bottle per person, and a post-match glass of Rodd & Gunn rosé at Crane Bar & Lounge. Food and drinks are available from Crane Bar & Lounge or Neighbours Cafe, ideal for a relaxed picnic-style refuel, before settling in riverside for live afternoon entertainment throughout the tournament.
Bookings to be made via MEL1HML-Guestservices@1hotels.com. Simply send through the date and time you would like to book, and they will handle the rest.
16th January to 1st February, 2026
New Balance Is Taking Over Federation Square for Australian Open 2026
The Australian Open 2026 is expanding beyond Melbourne Park, with New Balance unveiling a two-week activation at Federation Square.
Running from 15th to 27th January, the New Balance Brand House brings together tennis, culture and community, with a packed program designed exclusively for AO26. Highlights include Coco & Cat Eyes, a nail pop-up inspired by Coco Gauff, a meet-and-greet with Aussie cricket captain Pat Cummins on 19th January, and Snips & Sips, offering mullet haircuts inspired by tennis star Jordan Thompson.
Visitors can also expect lawn bowls, arcade games, DJs, and some of Melbourne’s best bites and brews, making it an easy pre- or post-match stop during the tournament. It’s the first time New Balance has opened a second AO venue outside the Melbourne Park precinct — and one of the most accessible activations on the 2026 calendar.
Lawn Bowls & Arcade, 15th – 27th January
Coco & Cat Eyes, inspired by Coco Gauff | 17th – 21st & 26th – 27th January
Meet & Greet, with cricket legend Pat Cummins | 19th January
Snips & Sips, inspired by Jordan Thompson | 23rd – 25th January
Rooftop Racquet Club at QT Melbourne
High above Collins Street, QT Melbourne is serving tennis-season energy with its Rooftop Racquet Club, running from 8th January to 1st March. The rooftop blends open-play pickleball, cocktails and skyline views, with DJ-led sundowners every Friday and Saturday from 6pm and relaxed Sunday sessions from 3pm–6pm.
Until 1st March, 2026
133 Russell Street, Melbourne
Game On at Collins Square
The Australian Open 2026 energy spills into the CBD as Collins Square transforms its Main Retail Plaza into a pop-up tennis zone from 20th to 22nd January. Running daily from 11am to 2pm, the free activation invites passers-by to test their skills, score instant prizes and enter the draw to win a double pass to the Women’s Final — an easy lunchtime hit with serious Grand Slam appeal.
20th to 22nd January, 2026
Birkenstock’s Summer Tote Gift With Purchase
Tennis season meets Collins Street shopping at Birkenstock, where a complimentary Summer Tote Bag is available with any full-priced purchase while stocks last. Inspired by an Aussie summer, the tote comes in four colourways and adds a practical bonus to mid-city errands.
Collins Arcade, G01/297 Little Collins Street, Melbourne
Australian Open 2026: Where to Stay (and Eat Well) in Melbourne
Next Hotel Melbourne, Curio Collection by Hilton
Positioned in the Paris End fashion precinct, Next Hotel Melbourne is offering a stay that feels tailor-made for long summer days courtside. The Stay & Dine package includes overnight accommodation, a two-course dinner for two at La Madonna, plus breakfast the next morning, from $439 per night.
Inside, the hotel’s 255 design-led rooms come fitted with thoughtful luxuries, from Dyson hairdryers and Bose speakers to Who Is Elijah amenities and plush Dreamweave beds. Downstairs, La Madonna delivers polished French-Italian fare under the direction of Executive Chef Jacopo Degli Esposti, with dishes like spaghetti au caviar and tuna with basil and caviar making post-match dining feel suitably celebratory.
Available Tuesday to Saturday for stays from 13th January to 31st October, 2026, subject to availability.
Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders
For something a little more playful, Hotel Indigo Melbourne on Flinders brings colour, creativity and prime city positioning to Australian Open season. Its Stay & Dine package starts from $329 per night, including a one-night stay and a two-course dinner for two at Bistrot Bisou, complete with a glass of house wine or beer per guest.
Inspired by photographer Helmut Newton, the hotel’s 216 rooms channel a cinematic energy, while Bistrot Bisou, created in collaboration with chef Luke Mangan, delivers modern French comfort with classics like steak tartare, duck breast aux cerises and lamb rump.
The package is available for stays until 31st October, 2026, subject to availability.
Ready to make a week of it? From centre-court sessions to rooftop cocktails and design-forward stays, Australian Open 2026 turns Melbourne into a playground. For more inspiration, explore our ultimate Melbourne Park food and drink guide.
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