TENN360 | THE FAN'S GUIDE TO THE TOUR
tennis is more than the score.
ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL
Tour
ATP/WTA
Date of event
7-12 Jan 2027
Location
Adelaide
Surface
Hard outdoor
Singles Title
T Macháč/ M Andreeva
Doubles Title
H Heliövaara H Patten/K Siniaková Z Shuai
Level
250/500
TENN360 INSIGHT:
This is the Australian summer tennis experience without the Melbourne crowds.
The Adelaide International is played at The Drive, a historic tennis venue that has been transformed into a modern tournament complex. It sits beside the River Torrens, just north of Adelaide's city centre, and has been part of the Australian Open build-up since returning to the calendar.
You get serious ATP and WTA tennis, sunshine, a beautiful city and players fine-tuning their games before Melbourne.
It's a rather good way to start the year.
For Centre Court, I'd choose a side-on seat reasonably close to the court.
The Drive's Centre Court has been substantially redeveloped and now has a permanent roof, new grandstands and a wrap-around concourse.
That makes it a proper modern tennis stadium, but it hasn't lost the advantage of its relatively intimate setting.
Side-on is still my favourite position because you can see the whole court and appreciate the speed of the game.
But don't spend the entire day in your allocated seat.
The smaller courts are where you can get much closer to the players, and at a tournament like Adelaide that is part of the fun.
Excellent.
This is one of Adelaide's strongest points.
The Drive has multiple match and practice courts, while the players' hotel is only a short walk away. The tournament itself has highlighted the convenience of players being able to walk to the venue and use the adjacent Adelaide Oval training facilities.
I'd arrive early and make practice part of the day.
Then explore the smaller courts.
At a tournament like Adelaide, you have a much better chance of seeing players at close range than you would at the Australian Open.
And because everyone is preparing for Melbourne, you may catch some very serious practice.
I'd go if you want a relaxed but genuinely high-level start to the Australian tennis season.
This is one of those tournaments where the timing is part of the attraction.
Players are preparing for the Australian Open, so you're watching them when they're still sharpening their games and trying to arrive in Melbourne in the best possible shape.
I'd also go if you like beautiful, manageable cities.
Adelaide is considerably easier to navigate than Sydney or Melbourne, and The Drive is right on the edge of the city centre.
And if you enjoy good food and wine?
Well, South Australia is not exactly keeping that a secret.
I'd make a whole day of it.
The Drive isn't just a Centre Court and a gate. There are several courts around the complex, so I'd arrive early, watch a match on one of the smaller courts and have a wander before settling in for the big one.
And I'd definitely look for the practice courts.
Adelaide has a particularly nice advantage here: the players' hotel is within walking distance of the venue, and the tournament has highlighted how much the players enjoy the easy five-minute journey between the two.
I'd also leave some time for Adelaide itself.
The tennis is your excuse.
The city is the reward.
Oh yes.
This is Australian summer tennis, and Adelaide can get seriously hot.
The good news is that Centre Court has a permanent roof, so the biggest matches have some protection from the worst of the sun.
The outdoor courts are another matter.
If you're spending the day moving between courts, bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and plenty of water.
I'd particularly favour an evening session if you don't enjoy sitting in intense heat.
The tennis gets cooler.
The city gets livelier.
Your skin remains intact.
Everyone wins.
Excellent.
This is one of Adelaide's great advantages.
The Drive is in the heart of the city, between Adelaide Oval and the River Torrens, and is only a short walk from the CBD.
Adelaide railway station is also a short walk away via the pedestrian bridge, while buses and the free City Connector make getting around straightforward.
I'd leave the car behind.
There is no on-site parking during the event anyway, and public transport is considerably easier. 6
The best bit is that when the tennis finishes, you're already in the city.
No expedition required.
Just walk out, find dinner and start enjoying Adelaide.
I'd skip it if you want the enormous spectacle of the Australian Open.
This is an ATP 250.
There are big names and excellent tennis, but the field won't have the depth of a Grand Slam or Masters 1000.
I'd also skip it if you don't like heat.
Australian summer tennis is not the place to discover that you are secretly a person who enjoys sitting in the shade for six hours.
And if you're travelling specifically for one player, wait for the draw.
January is early.
Players change plans.
Tennis remains stubbornly unpredictable.
Power in Numbers
28/30
Single Draws
6,500
Centre court seat
28
Courts