Your 2026 Guide To Red Bull BassLine Melbourne: Date, Tickets, Players And What’s New

Red Bull BassLine is back and she’s sounding louder than ever. Touching down on 16 January 2026, this high-voltage mash-up of elite tennis and live music is returning to Rod Laver Arena for one night only, revving up the party vibes for Australian Open Opening Week. Think six world-class players, a live on-court DJ, no umpires, and a crowd that literally calls the shots. If you’re only picking one AO event to hit this summer, trust us, this is it.

What Is Red Bull BassLine And What’s New For 2026?

Part tennis showdown, part music festival, Red Bull BassLine is the AO week event that refuses to sit quietly. The format is simple but chaotic in the best way: six top-tier players face off in a rapid-fire round-robin setup while a DJ drops live beats from the court itself. There’s no umpire, players call their own lines, and when things heat up, the crowd gets the final say.

BassLine already has a reputation for being the most electric night of Opening Week, and 2026 promises even bigger guest moments, louder beats, and a stadium full of people here for the energy as much as the tennis.

When And Where It’s Happening

Circle it: Friday, 16 January 2026 from 7pm at Rod Laver Arena. Sitting within Australian Open Opening Week, BassLine is the perfect warm-up act to the main tournament (no prior tennis knowledge required). Whether you're deep into the sport or simply chasing an easy summer night out with huge atmosphere, this is the one event literally everyone can get around.

Tickets, Players And What To Expect On The Night

Tickets go live from Friday December 5th 2025 at 12pm (noon) via redbull.com/bassline, and they’re expected to vanish quickly. The ticket will also provide you access to the afternoon’s charity match beforehand.

The event brings six world-class athletes onto the same court (something you rarely see outside exhibition formats) and past players are already talking up the vibe.

Italian star Matteo Berrettini says the format is all about fun: "I love the fact we are talking to the players within the matches; it’s really cool interacting with the people and music… this is the perfect format to do that."

Aussie favourite Alexei Popyrin backs the energy too: "It brings a good atmosphere and a new crowd to the tennis, and I think that’s important."

Expect a live DJ spinning throughout play, crowd participation at every close call, players leaning into the chaos, and the kind of party-meets-sport night that has become a signature of Melbourne summer.

Image credit: Red Bull BassLine | Supplied

Before You Go: Your AO Opening Week Night-Out Cheat Sheet

Where To Eat Before BassLine

• Lagoon Dining (Lygon Street): Slick, flavour-packed Chinese-Australian plates perfect for a fast but fancy pre-game.
• Gimlet (CBD): Because sometimes a Martini is the correct warm-up for a tennis-meets-rave situation.
• Tokyo Tina (Windsor): Quick bites, vibey interiors and cocktails that hit like a top-spin serve.

Where To Drink Near Melbourne Park

• The AO Hilltop Bar: Rooftop vibes, cold drinks, panoramic views and an easy stroll to Rod Laver Arena.
• The Deck at Garden Square: Casual, breezy and ideal for a pre-BassLine spritz or two.
• Arbory Bar & Eatery: The classic "meet here" spot before any big city event.

What To Wear (Think Tennis But Make It Festival)

• Sporty mini skirt and statement sneakers.
• Linen shorts , oversized shirt and cap.
• Small crossbody or belt bag (hands-free for dancing and line-calling).
• Sunglasses for the pre-sunset session.
• Glitter is optional but encouraged.

What To Expect Crowd-Wise

• Expect big energy (more gig than grand slam).
• People up and down from their seats, dancing between points.
• Die-hard tennis fans mixing with curious "I saw this on TikTok" newcomers.
• Zero judgment, maximum enthusiasm.

Pro Tips

• Arrive early (the DJ starts while the arena fills).
• Don’t stress if you don’t know tennis rules (half the stadium doesn’t either).
• Charge your phone: the content opportunities are elite.
• Grab a drink before heading in (lines spike just before first serve).
• Warm up your voice; you might end up making a line call.

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Main image credit: Red Bull BassLine | Supplied