Shaded Seats at John Cain Arena

John Cain Arena, located in Melbourne Park, is nicknamed “The People’s Court” because it’s the largest venue open to Australian Open visitors holding just a grounds pass but also has reserved seating for fans who like to plan ahead. The AO takes place in January, during Melbourne’s hot summer, so finding shade is crucial for sun-sensitive fans. Use this guide to discover the best shaded seats at John Cain Arena and stay cool during the matches.

Where are the seats in the shade at John Cain Arena?

The seats in the shade at John Cain Arena are typically found in:

• Baseline, North Side: Shaded throughout the day
• Baseline, South Side: Shaded primarily on the upper level
• Sideline, West Side: Begins to receive shade later in the day

John Cain Arena is a multi-purpose venue that hosts a variety of events including cycling, netball and concerts in addition to tennis. It features a retractable roof that provides decent shade even when the roof is open. When set up for the AO, lower-level seats are close to the action but also means fewer seats are protected from the sun compared to Rod Laver and Margaret Court Arenas.

Reserved seats are typically available in the lower-level behind the baselines, while seats in the upper level and on the sidelines are unreserved and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If sun avoidance is important to you and you don’t have a reserved seat, make sure to arrive early to snag a seat in the shade before they’re all gone!

John Cain Arena Orientation to the Sun

All tennis show courts at Melbourne Park are oriented in a slightly off-axis north to south direction. By noon, the sun is high in the sky over the northeast section of stands. Over the course of the afternoon, the sun dips down along the west side of the stadium and sets behind the southwest corner.

The graphic below shows the approximate hour-by-hour position of the sun during the Australian Open.

Click or tap to see a seating chart for an upcoming AO session

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Early Afternoon John Cain Arena Matches

If you’re coming to John Cain Arena without a reserved seat, choose your side carefully! If you arrive early in the morning, the sun’s position will essentially be reversed, placing seats on the east sideline in shade and those on the west sideline in sunlight. However, the sun will shift about halfway through the first match. So, if you plan to stay seated all day, sitting in the sun early may be worth it to secure shade later on.

When the first match begins, the sun will sit near its highest point in the sky, shading seats directly beneath the roof. Your best option for shade is in the upper-level sections 49-70.

For those wanting to sit closer to the action, look for shaded seats at the north baseline in sections 1-6, 21-28, or 49-53. Sideline sections on both sides of the arena receive direct sunlight during the day’s first match, but west sideline seats become shaded for later afternoon matches. Sections 7-10 and 29-34 receive the most intense sun. If you sit here, bring strong sunscreen and sun protection! On the opposite side, sections 17-20 and 43-48 experience sun in the early part of the day, but get relief by mid-to-late afternoon as the sun dips behind the arena’s west side.

In the late afternoon seats on the west sideline (right) of John Cain Arena will be protected from the sun while fans seated on the east sideline (left) will be directly in the sun’s path.
Photo by Jason Heidrich/Icon Sportswire

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Late Afternoon John Cain Arena Matches

Tennis fans attending an evening session will find shade more easily than those attending earlier in the day. To find shade, focus on the baseline sections and the west sideline. If you don’t have a reserved seat, choose sections 17-20, 43-48, or 65-70, as these areas offer consistent shade. Fans with reserved baseline seats will also avoid direct sun.

Be cautious if choosing seats in sections 54-59. These sections are high and near the roof, so they may initially appear shaded early in the evening. However, as the sun sets, fans sitting here might find themselves looking directly into the sun during the sunset match.

Ready to get your Australian Open tickets?

Use the individual session links or click or tap here to see the upcoming sessions at this year’s Australian Open.

AO Shade Guides

If you’re heading to Melbourne Park for this year’s Australian Open, we’ve created shade guides for all major venues. Reserved-seat stadiums include Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena. For general admission, we’ve covered Kia Arena, 1573 Arena, and ANZ Arena. Additionally, there’s a dedicated shade guide for John Cain Arena, which features a mix of reserved seating and general admission areas.