Update provided on Australian Open ground pass cap after fans seek clarity

(Getty/Morgan Hancock)

The 2027 Australian Open will implement an unprecedented change for ground passes, but clarity has been issued amid questions from fans.

On Tuesday morning, it was announced that ground passes for January's event will be limited.

It comes after backlash from tennis fans during the 2026 Australian Open, with many left frustrated by long queues and difficulty in finding a seat on the outside courts.

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This year's tournament shattered attendance records. Including Opening Week, 1,368,043 people visited Melbourne Park in 2026 (12 per cent increase compared to 2025). The biggest single-day crowd at AO 2026 was 103,956, set on Thursday, Day 5.

"Starting at just $49*, the AO Ground Pass is one of the best value sporting tickets in the world," said Tennis Australia Chief Commercial Officer Cedric Cornelis. "The price hasn't increased since 2019, and we expect demand for AO 2027, particularly week one of the main draw, to be stronger than ever. With this in mind, the daily allocations will be capped for the first time. 

"This decision reflects the growing popularity of the AO and will help ensure fans are able to make the most of everything on offer across the precinct. If week one is on your radar, getting tickets early is the best way to avoid missing out."

Although the cap is a welcome addition to ensure the fan experience comes first, there are concerns as to what that cap number will actually be.

Below are some of the questions that were asked on The First Serve's social media platforms:

"What's the cap number?"

"Any mention of what they are capping it to? Won't buy until I know. Not sure I'm convinced."

"Capped at what number though? Devil in the details as always."

The First Serve reached out to Tennis Australia for clarification, which confirmed that there is no specific cap and that it will be a "fluid situation" due to "lots of operational considerations".

The Australian Open website states that tickets go on sale to the public from 12pm on Thursday, August 13, via Ticketmaster. 

The Mastercard Presale opens on August 5, and AO Extras Pre-sale runs from August 6-12. 

The legendary Kooyong Classic will be back 12-14^th January 2027 at the spiritual home of Australian tennis. Hospitality packages on sale now at www.kooyongclassic.com.au