How to maximise the Australian Open experience for business events

November 09, 2023

Melbourne is known as the events capital of Australia. In addition to an impressive lineup of business events scheduled into 2025, the city is also home to a diverse range of major events including the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, Australian Open, Melbourne Cup Carnival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, RISING and Melbourne Food & Wine Festival.

With so much entertainment on offer throughout the year, what better opportunity to elevate your meeting or incentive program, or boost delegate attendance to your convention? All you need is some advanced planning to coincide your dates with the city’s ever-evolving calendar of sporting, cultural and food events.

Top recommendation for a summer Down Under business event

The Australian Open (AO) is one of the world’s most famous tennis tournaments and the first ‘Grand Slam’ of the year, when the world’s top stars converge on the courts at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena from mid-January. Supported by an Opening Week packed with tennis, entertainment and fun, the Australian Open is effectively a three-week festival held during Melbourne’s sultry summer.

Image credit: Morgan Hancock

Opening Week provides a taste of all the fun and excitement that makes the AO different. Fans can sit in the front row and watch the world’s best players prepare for the AO, wander the site, and see the talent of tomorrow fighting through qualifying matches on the outdoor courts.

In 2024, AO will also launch the AO Courtside Bar - a double-storey bar overlooking Court 6 with a capacity of more than 400 - expected to quickly become known as the ‘Party Court’. Sounds like fun, yes?

Image credit: Nick La Galle

Ask MCB for help coordinating your business event around the Australian Open

With advance planning and assistance from the Melbourne Convention Bureau, your next business event is guaranteed to be a winner. Submit an event enquiry for free support to build out a conference, meeting or incentive itinerary including VIP experiences, venue, accommodation and supplier recommendations.

January not a great time to host your business event in Melbourne?

Check in with our team to get more ideas and information about the other major events coming to Melbourne throughout the year!