Shaded Seats at Rod Laver Arena
Rod Laver Arena, located in Melbourne Park, is the main venue for the Australian Open and a must-see for tennis fans. The AO takes place each January, during the peak of Melbourne’s summer, when temperatures often soar. Fans looking to escape the intense sun can use this guide to find the best shaded seats at Rod Laver Arena.
Where are the seats in the shade at Rod Laver Arena?
The seats in the shade at Rod Laver Arena are typically found:
- Baseline, North Side: This area is entirely shaded
- Baseline, South Side: This area is generally shaded
- Sideline, West Side: Shaded after 4:30 PM
Rod Laver Arena was the world’s first tennis venue with a retractable roof, and the amount of sunlight reaching the stands varies depending on whether the roof is fully open, partially open, or closed. Fans planning to attend should assume the roof will be fully open to ensure they choose the best shaded seats.
Seating Chart Tip: On the Rod Laver Arena seating map, the chair umpire (person in a chair icon) is on the west sideline, a useful landmark for orienting sections.
Rod Laver 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
Where to Buy Tickets
Ticketmaster is the official ticketing site and resale partner for the Australian Open. Event organizers warn that purchasing AO tickets from unauthorized sellers or resale sites can result in the purchaser being denied entry to the event. For travel packages, a list of authorized partners is available from AO.
Seats in the Sun and Shade at Early Afternoon Rod Laver Arena Matches
The retractable roof at Rod Laver Arena is useful not just to protect the court on a rainy day but to provide a substantial amount of shade in the stands that wouldn’t exist in an open-air arena.
If you’re attending the first match of the day at 11:30 AM, the sun will be near its highest point in the sky, and seats directly below the roof will be shaded. The stadium roof is usually positioned such that seats behind both the north and south baselines are safe for shade seekers. For maximum shade, choose a seat behind the north baseline in section 20-24 or 52-55. If you’re willing to splurge, sections 1-3 and 17-18 will give you the best combination of view and protection from the sun.
Sideline sections on both sides of the arena will experience direct sun during the first match of the day, but seats on the west sideline will move into the shade over the course of the afternoon. The hottest and most sun-soaked sections are 4-7 and 27-31. Fans should bring strong SPF sunscreen and sunglasses if they choose to sit here! On the opposite side, sections 13-16 and 45-49 will be in the sun early in the day but by mid-to-late afternoon will get some relief as the sun dips behind the west side of the arena.
Around 1:00 in the afternoon seats on both sidelines are sun soaked while seats behind the baselines stay cool in the shade.
Seats in the Sun and Shade at Late Afternoon Rod Laver Arena Matches
Tennis fans attending a late afternoon or night session match will have a much easier time finding shade than those who attend during the day. The key for shade is to focus on the western half of the arena. In the lower level, sections 1-10 will be in the shade as the sun begins to set. In the upper level, sections 38-55 will be shade-covered as well. By 4:30 PM all seats on the west sideline will be shaded.
The sunniest seats are in sideline sections 4-7 and 27-31. Fans who choose seats here should bring their best sunglasses as the sun will set directly into their eyes. Seats in the northeast corner of the arena will also get hit with a blast of sun in the hour or so before sunset. Avoid sections 2-5 and 25-30 if you want to stay out of the sun at the end of the day.
By 4:30 in the afternoon all seats behind the baselines and on the west sideline (right) will be comfortably in the shade. Seats on the east sideline (left) stay sunny the longest.
Photo by Antoine Couvercelle/Tennis Magazine/DPPI/Icon Sportswire
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.
Upcoming Australian Open Sessions
Where to Buy Tickets
Ticketmaster is the official ticketing site and resale partner for the Australian Open. Event organizers warn that purchasing AO tickets from unauthorized sellers or resale sites can result in the purchaser being denied entry to the event. For travel packages, a list of authorized partners is available from AO.
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.
Stay Safe in the Aussie Sun
