Australian Open to Feature Federer, Agassi and 15 Nights of Concerts

By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Photo credit: Getty for Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

The 2026 Australian Open will rock like no other Grand Slam.

Tournament organizers announced 15 nights of concerts will rock Rod Laver Arena before the AO night sessions of play next month.

In addition, four former world No. 1 champions will face off in doubles.

Andre Agassi and Roger Federer famously took tennis to stratospheric heights when they played on a helipad high in the Dubai sky.

Agassi and Federer will join former Australian world No. 1 champions Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt in “Battle of No. 1s” match on Saturday, January 17th. That match will be preceded by the beloved band Crowded House performing at the inaugural AO Opening Ceremony on Saturday, January 17th.

The best part of the AO’s 15 nights of concerts is there will be no additional fees for the shows. Every concert is included in the price of a ticket to Rod Laver Arena.

Patti LaBelle, Cody Simpson and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra are among the scheduled performers.

“This is a first for any Grand Slam tournament and truly reflects the Australian Open’s evolution into a global sports and entertainment experience,” Tennis Australia’s Head of Live Events John O’Neil said.

“From staging performances prior to the two finals just six years ago, to now every night of the main draw, the AO is more than tennis.” 

Australian Open qualifying is set for January 12-15th at Melbourne Park. The Australian Open main draw will be contested Sunday, January 18th-Sunday, February 1sst.

Here’s a complete list of the 2026 Australian Open Concert Performances:

Sunday, January 18
Cody Simpson  

Monday, January 19 
Leo Sayer

Tuesday, January 20 
Casey Donovan

Wednesday, January 21 
Olivia Coe-Fox with didgeridoo player Neenan

Thursday, January 22 
Gabriyel Thomas, lead of Cats the Musical

Friday, January 23
Jude York

Saturday, January 24 
Rob Mills

Sunday, January 25
The 10 Tenors

Monday, January 26 
Day national anthem – Daniel Makunike from MJ the Musical  
Night national anthem – Mirusia 
James Johnston  

Tuesday, January 27 
Ovation – Marina Prior, Sylvie Paladino, David Hobson and Michael Cormick

Wednesday, January 28
Jael Wena  

Thursday, January 29 
Patti LaBelle

Friday, January 30
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra  

Saturday, January 31 
National anthem – Pitchface 
Georgina Hopson, lead from Anastasia

Sunday, February 1
National anthem – Paulini 
Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Richard Pagliaro is Tennis Now Managing Editor. He is a graduate of New York University and has covered pro tennis for more than 35 years. Richard was tennis columnist for Gannett Newspapers in NY, served as Managing Editor for TennisWeek.com and worked as a writer/editor for Tennis.com. He has been TennisNow.com managing editor since 2010.

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