Live Nation Australia and the Australian Open are expanding the Grand Slam’s entertainment footprint with AO Live Opening Week, a new four-night concert series launching Jan. 13–16, 2026.
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The announcement arrives under a growing trend of major sporting events integrating large-scale live music programming, aligning the Melbourne tournament with global models like the U.S. Open’s annual concert kickoff and the Super Bowl’s festival-style lead-up events.
Staged at TOPCOURT on Birrarung Marr — the riverside precinct adjacent to Melbourne Park — the open-air series will spotlight international electronic acts including Hot Chip, Elderbrook, Cassian and The Presets, each performing headline evening sets beneath the city skyline. The venue, already a fan hub during the tournament, will be reimagined as a dedicated music stage for the first time.
In a statement, Live Nation promoter Mike Ross said the partnership aims to open the tournament “like never before,” citing the combination of global acts, local talent and the AO’s outdoor setting as a defining shift for Opening Week. AO Entertainment Experience Producer Gus Carmichael added that the new series is designed to “start the Australian Open with a bang,” positioning the event as a cultural moment as much as a sporting one.
Hot Chip will launch the series on Tuesday, Jan. 13, performing live alongside Milo Eastwood and O’Honey. The British synth-pop group’s appearance coincides with the release of their new Best Of collection Joy in Repetition, expected to make the show a highlight for long-time fans.
The announcement comes following singer, songwriter and actor Reneé Rapp was revealed as the fifth and final headliner for AO LIVE Presents at Australian Open 2026, marking her first time performing in Australia.
