Overview of Rod Laver Arena
Rod Laver Arena, also known as Melbourne Arena, is a multipurpose sports and entertainment venue in Melbourne, Australia. The indoor arena is situated on the grounds of, and adjacent to, Melbourne Park. Construction began in June 2013 and the arena opened in July 2015. The arena has a capacity of 14,820 people either seated or standing. The roof, which is made up of thousands of louvers that open and close, is built to last 50 years. The building was made with sustainability in mind, with 90% of materials coming from within a 500-mile radius. The roof is formed from triangular panels, with each panel measuring 15 meters wide. The arena is named after Australian tennis player Rod Laver, who was the principal promoter of the project. The Rod Laver Arena is the largest single-roofed building in the world and the first arena to ever have a single roof covering both its indoor and outdoor tennis stadiums. The arena is a part of the $AU 790 million redevelopmentof the Melbourne Park precinct which also includes a new AEG-operated 600-person indoor venue, a new 1000-person outdoor plaza, and the expansion of the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
History of the Arena
AEG’s long-term partnership with Tennis Australia was the catalyst for the redevelopment of the Melbourne Park precinct, which was completed in 2015. The partnership began in 1995 with the Australian Open being held at the Myer Bowl since 1905. Since then, the partnership between the two organizations has grown, with the Australian Open moving to Melbourne Park in 1988, and continuing at its current locatioe. AEG’s partnership with Tennis Australia was a natural progression from its position as the Australian Open’s General Venue Manager. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, the two partners explored the idea of a centralized precinct at Melbourne Park that could house not only the Australian Ohas otheralso host other sporting and entertainment events. Planning for the Rod Laver Arena began in 2010 with an initial completion date of 2014 before being pushed back to July 2015. The first blueprint of the venue was created in 2010 using the latest computer technology and groundbreaking architectural designs.
Concerts and Shows at the Arena
- Muse: This British alternative rock band is on a world tour and will be performing at the Rod Laver Arena in June 2020.
- The Beach Boys: This American rock band is on a world tour and will be performing at the Rod Laver Arena in April 2020.
- Justin Timberlake: This American singer, songwriter, and actor willperformg at the Rod Laver Arena in April 2020.
- Ricky Martin: This Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, and actor will be performing at the Rod Laver Arena in April 2020.
- The Bad, The Bad: This American rock band is on a world tour and will be performing at the Rod Laver Arena in April 2020.
Sports Events at the Arena
- The Australian Open: Tennis’ premier event, the Australian Open, is hosted at the Rod Laver Arena every year.
- The Hopman Cup: The mixed team tennis event is hosted at the Rod Laver Arena every year.
- The Australian Open Junior Championships: The Australian Open Junior Championships are hosted at the Rod Laver Arena every year.
- International Swimming Events: The arena has been the site of numerous swimming events and Water Polo.
- International Basketball Events: The arena has hosted basketball events from the Australian Boomers and the Australian Women’s Basketball Teams.
- International Netball Events: The arena has hosted netball events from the Australian Diamonds and the Australian Indigenous Netball team.
Accessibility and Parking
The arena is accessible via public transport. Melbourne’s famous public transport system includes trams, trains, and buses. The city also has a world-class taxi service that is easy to use. The arena also has a number of car parks that are available for event goers. The Rod Laver Arena is accessible to people with disabilities. There are elevators for people to get from the ground level to their seats. There are also accessible toilet facilities for people with disabilities. Parking at the arena is free for people with disabilities.
Dining and Entertainment Options
There are a variety of restaurants at the arena. People can pick from East Bar and Grill, Lonsdale Street Diner, or the Stadium Dining Room. For dessert, there is a Tim Tam Slam, a Mango and Passionfruit Cheesecake, or a Peanut Butter Caramel Bar. People can also order a beer, wine, or a cocktail at Sweet.
