Emirates is bringing an Australian inspired hospitality experience to the Australian Open 2027, combining the country’s distinctive food, culture and entertainment with the airline’s signature premium service. Announced on November 6, 2026, the initiative marks more than three decades of Emirates connecting Australia with international destinations. The airline will transform its exclusive Emirates Marquee at Melbourne Park into a celebration of Australian coastal landscapes, culinary traditions and hospitality. The programme will also feature family focused activities, including Kids Tennis Day Presented by Emirates, as the tournament prepares for an expanded schedule in January 2027.
Emirates Marquee Showcases Australia’s Coastal Culture and Luxury Hospitality
The exclusive Emirates Marquee at Melbourne Park will feature a design inspired by Australia’s coastline, translating the colours and natural forms of the sea, sand and sky into an elegant hospitality environment. Its concept, titled “Coastline as a Landscape,” will use layered horizontal curves and natural colour palettes to reflect the country’s coastal scenery. The setting aims to combine Australian cultural identity with the premium hospitality experience associated with Emirates. Through this presentation, the airline plans to create a distinctive environment for invited guests attending the tournament.
The airline expects to welcome more than 1,350 guests to the Marquee during the Australian Open 2027, including Emirates Skywards members, international business leaders, celebrities and sporting personalities. Since 2015, the airline has hosted more than 16,000 guests through its Australian Open hospitality programme. The 2027 edition will continue this engagement by bringing together international visitors and prominent figures from business, entertainment and sport. The initiative also reinforces the airline’s long-standing association with Australia’s major sporting and international events.
Special Australian Menu Highlights Regional Food and Flavours
A major feature of the 2027 Emirates Marquee will be its culinary programme, titled “Adventures Around the Coastline,” which celebrates Australia’s diverse food culture and regional produce. The menu will feature dishes inspired by different coastal regions and local ingredients, including Mount Martha mussel escabeche, paperbark smoked salmon, quandong cured kingfish and freshly shucked seasonal oysters. Guests will also be served Indigo Valley lamb with a Vegemite glaze, alongside a pavlova station featuring Davidson plum meringues. The selection aims to showcase Australia’s varied culinary traditions through a premium dining experience.
The menu will also reinterpret familiar Australian food traditions through creative presentations and interactive preparation. Highlights include “Adult Fairy Bread,” featuring petite toasts topped with premium roe, and “Shrimp on the Barbie,” smoked under a cloche and finished with charcoal oil to recreate the distinctive flavour of Australian barbecue. Emirates will also bring back its unlimited First Class caviar service at selected events and throughout the tournament’s Finals Series. Together, these offerings will present Australian ingredients and culinary creativity within the airline’s internationally recognized hospitality setting.
Australian Open 2027 Expands to a 22-Day Tournament Experience
The Australian Open 2027 will introduce an expanded tournament format, with Tennis Australia announcing a 22 day event experience for the first time. As part of the revised program, Kids Tennis Day Presented by Emirates will move to Sunday, January 10, 2027, giving families additional opportunities to enjoy activities at Melbourne Park. The event will feature special experiences for children and young visitors, connecting them with tennis and the atmosphere of one of the sport’s major international tournaments. The expansion is intended to make the opening period more accessible and engaging for families.
Emirates will continue supporting Kids Tennis Day through its presentation partnership, while the popular Rod Laver Arena Spectacular is also set to return. Tennis Australia CEO Andrew Abdo said the expanded schedule would provide an additional day for fans while placing families and young people at the centre of the tournament’s opening weekend. Australian tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt also highlighted the importance of giving children opportunities to interact with the sport and draw inspiration from leading players. The programme aims to strengthen the tournament’s appeal among younger audiences and families.
Emirates Strengthens Global Travel and Sports Engagement
Emirates’ involvement in the Australian Open extends beyond its hospitality facilities at Melbourne Park, connecting tennis audiences through both on-ground activities and onboard experiences. The airline will provide tournament related entertainment through its ice inflight entertainment system, where passengers can watch matches during their journeys. Special Australian Open-themed amenities and menus will also be introduced onboard, extending the tournament experience to travellers flying with the airline. These activities reflect the airline’s strategy of connecting international travel with major sporting and cultural events.
Commenting on the initiative, Barry Brown, Divisional Vice President Australasia at Emirates, said the Australian inspired theme was designed to celebrate the country’s food, creativity and hospitality as the airline returns as the Official Airline of the Australian Open for 2027. The partnership reflects Emirates’ long standing commitment to connecting Australia with the world through aviation, hospitality and international sporting platforms. By combining premium guest experiences, local culinary traditions and family oriented tennis activities, the airline is extending its presence beyond air travel. The initiative also demonstrates how major sporting events can provide platforms for promoting destinations, local culture and international visitor experiences.
