Australian Open attendance up 12 pct to record high in 2026: Tennis Australia

The 2026 Australian Open set a new attendance record for the Grand Slam tournament, organizers said on Wednesday.

According to a report released by Tennis Australia (TA), 1.36 million people attended the 2026 Australian Open, up 12.4 percent from the previous record of 1.21 million set in 2025.

Of those attendees, the report said 62.6 percent were from Melbourne, with another 29.5 percent visiting from elsewhere in Australia and 7.9 percent coming from overseas.

Visitors to the tournament at Melbourne Park booked a combined 705,239 hotel nights in the state of Victoria, an increase of 59.2 percent year on year.

The report said the 2026 Australian Open generated a total expenditure stimulus of 722.3 million Australian dollars (499.8 million U.S. dollars), up 27 percent from the 2025 tournament.

Outgoing TA chief executive officer Craig Tiley, who announced in February that he would resign to take up the same role at the U.S. Tennis Association, said in a media release that he is "deeply proud" of the Australian Open's growth during his 20-year tenure as tournament director.

"The Australian Open is more than a tennis tournament; it's part of Melbourne's identity. To have helped build an event that drives tourism, supports hospitality and showcases this city to the world is a legacy I'm incredibly grateful to have been part of," he said.

The report estimated that the 2026 Australian Open had a global reach of 2.2 billion people.