Heineken Saturday

Melburnians are a privileged lot when it comes to the depth and variety of sporting events we’re offered up every year. Whether you engage in one, or all, of them in some way or another, it’s pretty tough to ignore it all entirely. The atmosphere of the Australian Open is unsurpassable of this mix; held in the peak of Summer across the enormous Melbourne Park (built specifically to host the tournament) it boats a certainly intimacy that you don’t get with the AFL Grand Final, Melbourne Cup or Cricket Tournaments. Instead of having to fork out thousands to watch the big leagues play, it is by pure stroke of luck that you could buy yourself a mid week, Margaret Court ticket and happen to be sitting courtside to watch a Kyrgios/Ferrer match.

This familiarity is just one of the calling cards of the tournament, with the flagship events run by premier partner Heineken providing a level of entertainment unmatched by other sporting spectacles.

2016 is the 20th anniversary of the festivities and they’re certainly not going about it quietly. To celebrate the milestone, Heineken are set to mark the milestone with two weeks packed full of entertainment on the Heineken Live Stage. Kicking off with some of Australia’s hottest music acts, such as Dan Sultan, Vanguard and Jackie Onassis, the event is headlined by the world’s first time travelling dance party, Hot Dub Time Machine, who will utilise their party prowess to count back on the past 20 years of the partnership during the peak of the fortnight; the legendary Heineken Saturday, held on the middle Saturday of the annual tournament. Established on very strong ground as the highlight event of the Open, Melbournians, interstate visitors and internationals alike are set for another sensational summer day in the Garden with beer, beats and good times aplenty.

Attendees of Heineken Saturday wanting a piece of the off court action are encouraged to embrace the theme and Dress Like a Tennis Legend. Embrace your inner retro and think facial hair, mullets, fluro sweatbands, shorter than short shorts, or live like a cheapskate and include current trends; Lululemon onesies, outrageously unsuitable on-court fashion pieces and still a whole lot of fluro.

Those unable to obtain a ticket are welcomed to enjoy the famous Heineken hospitality in the Heineken Beer Garden, where revellers can watch a match or five on the big screen. Heineken have also partnered with over 20 bars across the Melbourne City precinct, where themes and special activities will offer tennis and beer enthusiasts a reprieve from the scorching Melbourne Summer sun.

Access to the Heineken Beer Garden and Heineken Live Stage is available with The Australian Open Ground Pass, starting from $29.00 for an adult single session ticket.

Heineken Saturday With Hot Dub Time Machine
Grand Slam Oval, Melbourne Park, Olympic Boulevard, Melbourne
Saturday January 23, 10am-end of play
event.ausopen.com/event/2016/01/18/heineken-saturday