Our history
Rod Laver Arena was opened at Melbourne Park in 1988 as part of the National Tennis Centre complex.
The popular arena is centre court for the Australian Open and hosts a wide range of live sport and entertainment events, from historic grand slam showdowns to world-famous international touring artists.
Welcoming more than a million people every year, history was made at the arena in 2007 when a record-breaking crowd of 16,813 fans flooded the arena to see Justin Timberlake.
1985
The Victorian Government sets aside part of the existing Flinders and Yarra Parks for the site of a new National Tennis Centre to host the Australian Open.
1987
Stage One of the $94 million project is completed, featuring a 14,280-seat centre court with a 700-tonne retractable roof, match courts, practice courts, public concourses, public transport infrastructure and car parking.
1988
The National Tennis Centre opens to host the 1988 Australia Open, and AC/DC becomes the first live band to perform at the venue.
1996
Stage Two is completed ahead of the 1996 Australian Open. Changes to the venue include two new show courts, a function centre, eight additional match courts, additional car parking, and Garden Square.
2000
Previously known as ‘Flinders Park’, the ‘National Tennis Centre’ or ‘Centre Court’, the venue is renamed Rod Laver Arena on 16 January 2000, in recognition of Rod Laver’s remarkable tennis career that saw him achieve the Grand Slam twice.
2005
The 2005 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships are held at Rod Laver Arena, followed by the Commonwealth Games gymnastic competitions in 2006.
2019
The $338 million second stage of the Melbourne Park Redevelopment sees significant improvements made to Rod Laver Arena, including a new main entrance, new public concourses, accessible entrances and an upgrade to the retractable roof.
NOW
Rod Laver Arena enjoys a global reputation as a world-class venue known for hosting the best in sports, live entertainment, and premier event experiences.
To read more on the history of the precinct, click here.
Melbourne & Olympic Parks acknowledges the Wurundjeri People of the Kulin Nation as Traditional Owners of the land on which Rod Laver Arena is located and recognise their ongoing connection to this land, and rich culture. We pay respects to their Elders past, present and future.