The 2026 Australian Open has been forced to implement immediate operational changes after a record-shattering opening day led to extensive queues, testing the capacity of the Melbourne Park precinct.
Record-Breaking Attendance Strains Entry Points
A staggering 73,235 fans scanned into the tournament on the first day of the main draw, Sunday, eclipsing the previous record of 68,883 set on the middle Saturday of the 2019 event. This unprecedented turnout resulted in significant congestion, with patrons facing long waits at security checkpoints and to access popular outside courts.
The queues persisted into Monday morning, prompting tournament organisers, Tennis Australia, to take action. An increased deployment of staff at the gates helped clear the bottlenecks by lunchtime, although movement around the busy site remained slow. A spokesperson for Tennis Australia advised fans to plan ahead, stating: "We encourage fans to plan ahead for their day at the AO by booking in advance, and ensuring tickets are downloaded before arriving at the entry point."
Precinct Development Pushed to Its Limits
Recent investments in developing the northern and western areas of Melbourne Park have aimed to increase capacity and enhance the fan experience. These efforts allowed for this year's record crowd, even with the site layout largely unchanged from 2025.
New features were immediately put to the test. The expanded courtside bar adjacent to Court Six, now connected to elevated viewing stands between Courts Five and Seven, reached capacity quickly. This created a one-in, one-out queue for the standing-room-only vantage point. Organisers provided some relief with a new shaded structure offering seats and a large screen, a welcome respite on a day where temperatures hit 30C.
The demand was so high that the sale of ground passes was temporarily paused on Sunday to prevent the precinct from exceeding its safe capacity. Craig Tiley, Chief Executive of Tennis Australia, admitted to Channel Nine: "There was no question that there were more people coming on the grounds than even we expected." He noted that the opening day crowd was akin to a traditional middle weekend turnout.
Future Plans to Ease Congestion and Enhance Access
Looking ahead, Melbourne Park management is set to reveal the next phase of its development vision, following the $1bn redevelopment completed five years ago. Tiley has already floated innovative ideas to manage footfall, including the concept of sinking courts below ground level.
This design, similar to that of Kia Arena and 1573 Arena, would allow spectators to wander above the stands and glimpse the action on outside courts without having to queue for formal arena entry. The goal is to improve fluidity and access around the compact site.
Australian player Storm Hunter, who won her first-round match in a packed Kia Arena, marvelled at the tournament's growth, calling the atmosphere "unbelievable" and expressing pride in the event's expansion. As the Australian Open continues to break attendance records, the challenge for organisers will be to balance a vibrant, full atmosphere with a smooth and enjoyable experience for every fan.
