Tennis Australia announced it will limit daily ground pass sales for the 2027 Australian Open to address overcrowding. The move marks the first such cap at any Grand Slam. The price of the pass remains unchanged at A$49.
The decision comes after record attendance of 1,368,043 at the 2026 event, with crowds causing long queues and packed areas in the opening week.
Tennis Australia said the cap will help fans enjoy the full range of offerings across the precinct, including outer courts, fan villages, and screens.
The ground pass continues to provide access to those areas plus limited seating in John Cain Arena. No other major has introduced a similar daily limit.
The Australian Open has a history of leading innovations, such as the retractable roof in 1988 and electronic line calling in 2021.