Melbourne’s economy is poised for a monumental boost as the Australian Open tennis tournament is projected to deliver an unprecedented $600 million windfall to local businesses. According to newly released data from the National Australia Bank (NAB), this year’s event is expected to surpass last year’s economic impact by a significant 7 to 10 percent margin, establishing new benchmarks for sporting event revenue generation.
The comprehensive analysis reveals particularly dramatic gains in Richmond’s hospitality sector, where accommodation providers experienced a remarkable 90 percent surge in turnover while restaurant revenues climbed by 18 percent. Similarly, South Yarra witnessed a 50 percent increase in accommodation business and a 17 percent rise in dining establishments’ revenue during the tournament period.
NAB Executive for Metro Specialized Business Julie Rynski emphasized the event’s evolution beyond tennis, noting that ‘The Australian Open has truly become the ‘Happy Slam’ and is no longer just purely a tennis tournament – it’s a full-blown summer festival.’ The tournament now features world-class matches alongside children’s zones, immersive activations, an extensive live music program, and pop-up restaurants from Melbourne’s premier dining establishments.
The 2025 tournament already demonstrated massive growth with 1,218,831 attendees throughout the three-week event, substantially exceeding the 2024 attendance of 1,110,657. Preliminary data for the current season shows even more promising numbers, with opening day attendance reaching 29,261 spectators—nearly quadruple last year’s figures—followed by 34,209 and 36,973 attendees on subsequent days.
Despite the overwhelming positive economic indicators, NAB officials issued warnings about ticket scams targeting enthusiastic fans. ‘Unfortunately, criminals will target tennis fans desperate for tickets. If you see tickets for sale on social media, that’s a major red flag – only buy from authorized resellers,’ Rynski cautioned.
The Australian Open has now achieved parity with other major Australian sporting events including the Australian Grand Prix and AFL Grand Final in terms of economic impact and cultural significance, cementing its status as a cornerstone of Melbourne’s summer economy.