The Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park was completed in 1988 as part of the original National Tennis Centre complex. This multi-use venue is able to host a wide range of sports and entertainment events, from Grand Slam tennis matches to international rock stars, and motorbike super-cross action to conferences, dinners and classical performances. The most dynamic transformation Rod Laver Arena has seen was in March 2007 with the FINA 2007 World Swimming Championships.  A 50 metre temporary pool was built on the arena’s floor.

Facilities
The facilities of this premier multi-purpose arena – its 15,000 seating capacity and prime position within Australia’s premier sports and entertainment precinct – makes it one of the world’s great arenas. The 2005 development within Rod Laver Arena saw the replacement of every seat to an updated fold away style. These new seats provide greater distance between the rows, making it easier to walk between. The moveable roof, an innovative world’s first design, is formed by two rolling sections, each spanning the court with arched trusses that gives the Arena its distinctive image. The roof takes just 30 minutes to open or close, ensuring that tennis can be played despite Melbourne’s often inclement weather, and the venue can be used throughout the year for concerts, arena spectaculars and other functions. A Plexicushion Tennis court forms the permanent floor structure with protective flooring placed over it to transform the venue from tennis to concert mode. Removable seating at the southern end of the arena converts the venue from a continuos seated bowl for sporting events to a three sided concert venue.

The Name
Originally called Centre Court, the arena was named to honour one of Australia’s greatest tennis players of all time. Rod Laver Arena at Melbourne Park was officially named after Rod Laver for his unsurpassed achievements and accomplishments at the Australian Open in January 2000. Laver is the only player in the history of tennis to have captured two Grand Slams (1962 and 1969) – the ultimate honour in tennis whereby a player claims the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open singles titles in the same calendar year.

Access
Avoid the traffic and catch public transport to events at Rod Laver Arena. The venue has its own tram stop, enabling patrons to be delivered right to the door. Richmond, Flinders Street and Jolimont train stations are also within easy walking distance.

Past events
You never know what's might be coming at Rod Laver Arena!  Apart from the Australian Open tennis, over 20 years the venue has seen an extensive range of world class sport and entertainment including music concerts of every style, stage shows such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Carmen and Riverdance, motocross, rodeos, monster trucks, Torville & Dean, childrens shows, wrestling, basketball, Jeff Fenech title defences in 1988 & 1989...even Sumo wrestling and World Championship swimming!  Names such as U2, the Rolling Stones, Kylie, Pavarotti, John Farnham and Billy Joel have all performed in this versatile venue. Click Here to see a list of past public events held in Rod Laver Arena.