The Australian Open starts in January and Melbourne in January is the right city at the right time of year — warm, confident, and running at full summer energy. The tournament itself is the year's first Grand Slam, which means the draw is wide open, the players are fresh, and the early rounds at Rod Laver Arena deliver a quality and variety of tennis that the later rounds concentrate but cannot replicate in volume.

The Academy Melbourne trip begins on January 15, 2027, with a journey to Sorrento — the Mornington Peninsula coastal town that sits 90 minutes south of Melbourne and functions, in the words of people who know it well, as the East Hampton of the city. Two nights there, two morning practices on the peninsula, a day at Sorrento's beaches, and a group dinner before the group travels back to Melbourne on January 17 for the Melbourne kickoff dinner that evening. This two-city opening is the structural element that distinguishes Academy Australia from every other Grand Slam trip on the market. You do not arrive, check in, and go immediately to the tennis. You arrive, decompress somewhere beautiful, practice twice, and then move to the city with your legs under you and your group already cohesive before the first match day.

Melbourne itself runs from January 18 through 21. Two morning practices at Melbourne's most storied private clubs, lower bowl seats in Rod Laver Arena for a day session and a night session across January 18 and 19, followed by a third lower bowl session on January 20. January 21 is the cultural day — no tennis, the city on its own terms. January 22, you are released.

The three match sessions cover early round play when the full draw is still running, multiple marquee players are competing on Rod Laver each day, and the atmosphere in one of the world's great purpose-built tennis arenas is fully charged. Lower bowl seats at Rod Laver from that position — in a group you now know well, after several days of morning practices and group dinners — is a Grand Slam experience that money alone cannot replicate.

Additional sessions beyond the included three can be discussed as part of the booking conversation. Middle and finals session variants are available — enquire through experience.tennis for details on all available session options.