Australian Open Generates $405.3M in 2021, 2022

Despite being one of the many sporting events affected by the pandemic, the Australian Open generated $405.3 million in economic benefit in 2021 and 2022, per Nielsen Sports.

Over the past decade, the event has produced a total of $2.71 billion for the Victorian economy. 

• The Australian Open created more than 1,650 full-time jobs in 2021 and 2022.
• Melbourne visitors’ daily spend in 2022 was $259, up 24% from 2020.
• In 2022, the event generated $267.3 million of Real Gross State Product, compared to $138 million in 2021.

This year, viewership for the event reached 746 million hours — a 20% increase from 2021 — across 226 territories and 25 broadcast partners. Ashleigh Barty’s victory is the most-watched program in Australia so far in 2022, peaking at roughly 4.3 million viewers.

“These numbers are even more remarkable considering the conditions at the time,” tournament director Craig Tiley said. “Borders had recently opened, and international travel had barely restarted.”

“This all augurs well for potentially the biggest return on record for AO 2023,” Tiley added.

In 2022, the event drew 346,468 attendees, up from 130,374 in 2021. Over the last 10 years, more than 6.34 million people have attended. 

Tennis TV

In May, Tennis Australia extended its broadcasting deal with ESPN, which will see the tournament remain on the network until 2031. Nine is in the middle of a $300 million, five-year deal for rights in Australia. Stan also has Australian rights.