Australian Open 2026: A Year in the Making
For Levy Australia, Compass Group Australia’s specialists in Sports, Leisure & Stadia, the story of the Australian Open 2026 didn’t begin with the first serve. It began before the winning shot of AO25 was even hit.
It Takes a Village
Long before crowds pour through the gates, teams across the country are already deep in preparation, hiring, accrediting, rostering, training and managing thousands of enquiries. Every step is geared to ensuring every Levy outlet is ready to serve a Grand Slam-sized audience.
As Ambassador – AO Premium Experience Janine Van Camp puts it, delivering the Australian Open “truly takes a village.”
Behind every moment guests experience onsite sits months of planning, forecasting and collaboration with partners and clients to create bespoke products, signature brands and elevated experiences. Watching patrons enjoy the Legendary Experiences brought to life is the driving force behind it all.
A Vibing Ecosystem
Together with Tennis Australia, Levy oversees a diverse collection of restaurants, bars, cafés and bespoke hospitality concepts across Melbourne Park, each designed to complement the broader precinct experience and move in rhythm with one of the world’s biggest tennis events.
This year, more than 60 Levy‑operated outlets, including the first‑ever Australian pop‑up of US burger chain Shake Shack, are powered by 500+ culinary professionals and 2,500 hospitality team members, all poised to welcome an expected 1.1+ million guests. It’s one of Levy’s most diverse workforces yet, a blend of specialist chefs, seasoned hospitality pros and global backpackers, each bringing their own flavour to the tournament’s electric atmosphere.
As AO Planning & Experience Manager Danielle Glover explains, data is critical in shaping an offering that meets the needs of an ever-evolving audience.
“As our audience becomes more diverse each year, we rely on data to help us stay ahead of emerging trends and adapt our approach. It gives us the confidence to introduce new partnerships and experiences that attract fresh faces while honouring the favourites our long‑time visitors return for.”
Serving Up an Ace
For Levy Australia’s Culinary team, the Australian Open is also a year‑round operation.
“In October of 2025 we started planning sessions for AO27… then once we finish the AO we debrief everything, lock the direction, then begin building menus, suppliers, and teams for the next year,” shares Alex McIntosh, Executive Chef.
From there, the team shifts into full execution mode, feeding players, managing premium dining, supporting staff, and serving record precinct crowds. “Early start, big prep, then it’s nonstop service,” he says.
This year’s offering focuses on fast, premium, summer‑fresh food designed for the way people enjoy the precinct. McIntosh is proud of the breadth of the AO26 menu from arena favourites to premium concepts, alongside collaborations with Michelin‑starred chefs. Looking ahead, he hopes guests walk away remembering one thing:
“That the food was part of the event, not an afterthought. Fast, exciting, and genuinely good enough that you’d come back for it.”
A Record‑Breaking Start
All that preparation came to life as AO Opening Week transformed Melbourne Park into a fully activated festival. From 12 January, the momentum was unmistakable as 29,261 fans streamed through the gates on the first day of qualifying, nearly four times last year’s record, followed by 34,209 on Day 2 and 36,973 on Day 3. With the precinct buzzing and Shake Shack, Peach Melbourne and Aperol Spritz emerging as early favourites, showing that what’s on offer this year is truly resonating with the patrons, from the action on the court to music, food and drinks.
As the tournament officially got underway, the energy was undeniable. Day 1 of the Main Draw once again delivered the strongest start yet, with record attendance, exceptional guest engagement and sustained demand across the precinct.
For Mitchell Brown, General Manager – Growth and Innovation, this success is no coincidence.
“In the rapidly changing events landscape, you need to take risks and innovate. For us, innovation isn’t guesswork — it’s insight‑driven. Our E15 Data and Analytics team analyses customer data so we can identify trends early and truly understand changing expectations. It enables us to shape offerings that are bold, relevant and strategically informed.”
And the players feel the benefits too. Throughout the event, players fuel their performance with carefully curated nutrition, including staples like bananas and coconuts, natural sources of electrolytes and hydration that keep them going in Melbourne’s summer heat.
Serving Something Truly Legendary
As the Australian Open continues to evolve and redefine what a major Australian sporting event can be, it remains Melbourne’s cultural heartbeat every January. Levy is proud to help shape that experience through exceptional food, drink and hospitality.
Our Levy Legends, working alongside Tennis Australia, continue to serve experiences that are not only memorable — but truly Legendary.