Everything you need to know about the Brisbane International

When: TBC December 2025 - January 2026
Where: Queensland Tennis Centre, Brisbane
Price: Adult ground passes start from $30

Kicking off Australia’s summer of tennis, the Brisbane International showcases some of the world’s best tennis players over eight days.

Want to be courtside? The ball is in your court – here's everything you need to know about the Brisbane International.

What is the Brisbane International | Players | Tickets | Accessibility | How to get there | Where to eat | Where to stay

What is the Brisbane International?

Seasoned tennis fans, skip this part. If you’re new to tennis, this is how it works.

The Brisbane International runs over 14 sessions (day and night), with matches taking place both in the 5,500 seat Pat Rafter Arena, and on the surrounding show and outer courts. 

Featuring 180 professional tennis players competing for $3.1 million in prize money, the Brisbane International is a combined WTA 500 and ATP 250 tournament (which refers to the grading of the tournaments and ranking points on offer).

This year’s returning event will see the women’s singles draw grow to 48 players alongside a 32-draw men’s singles tournament and a 24-pair draw in the men’s and women’s doubles. 

Using the women’s singles as an example, 48 players go head-to-head over 24 matches. The winner advances, the loser is eliminated, and so on, until the champion is crowned in the final. 

The atmosphere inside the Arena will be electrifying when the Men’s and Women’s Singles Finals take place. With previous winners having included Elena Rybakina, Alexei Popyrin, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Lletyton Hewitt and Nick Kyrgios, the finals are sure to be blockbusters. 

And it isn’t just prize money and bragging rights – the players will also be trying to find their winning form ahead of the Australian Open later in January, the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.

Of course, it’s not only about the tennis—the Brisbane International is known for its relaxed, summertime vibes, with a village of food trucks, live music, entertainment and activities for kids.

Which players are going head-to-head at the  Brisbane International?

Nick Kyrgios will return to professional tennis at the Brisbane International, ahead of the Australian Open, as well as Grigor Dimitrov, Alexei Popyrin and Jordan Thompson (both now top-30 players), and three-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist, Ajla Tomljanovic.

How to buy your tickets to the Brisbane International

There are two main types of tickets for purchase – Pat Rafter Arena Tickets and Ground Passes. Arena tickets start from $29 for adults and let you see the action up close on centre court (as well as the outer courts), where the big names come out to play. There are no bad seats in Pat Rafter Arena, but if you’re a real tennis die-hard, you’ll want to try and nab a seat behind the baseline.

Ground passes give you access to the outer courts only. While you won’t get to see the really big matches, you still get to soak up the sights and sounds of the tournament and see some superstars. Ground pass spectators at the 2019 event got to see the likes of Milos Raonic and John Millman.

Adult ground passes start from $25, with family passes (two adults and two kids) from $58. Even better, kids can enter free on-ground passes during the first two days of the tournament. 

For more free tennis, check out the pre-tournament qualifying matches on 29 and 30 December – they’re entirely free. 

See the Brisbane International website for information on where to buy. 

Accessibility at the Brisbane International

All areas of the Queensland Tennis Centre are accessible by ramps or lifts. All courts have accessible viewing, while seating is also available for people with limited mobility, people who use wheelchairs, and people who require hearing loops. 

There are accessible bathrooms throughout the venue, as well as disability parking available for permit holders. Bookings are essential – see the Brisbane International website for details on parking and all accessibility requirements.

How to get to the Brisbane International 

The Queensland Tennis Centre is located at Tennyson, nestled alongside the Brisbane River just a short distance from Brisbane CBD.

The best way to get to the Brisbane International is via public transport – it’s quick, easy and free (just show your Brisbane International ticket), with bus, event shuttle and train options available. See TransLink’s website to plan your trip.

There is no public parking at the Brisbane International, but public, ride-share and taxi pickup and drop-off points are available.

Where to eat and drink near the Brisbane International

What’s better than watching tennis? Watching tennis with a glass of bubbles, an ice cream or hot chips. Whether it’s hot food, salads, cocktails or coffee, you’ll find something that'll tickle your fancy.

Looking for a bite to eat or a cheeky drop before or after your day at the tennis?

The Queensland Tennis Centre is located right near two of Brisbane’s best craft breweries—Slipstream Brewing, where you’ll find a Californian-inspired brewpub alongside 20 brews on on tap, and Helios Brewing Company, a taphouse serving their solar-powered brewed beers alongside food trucks.

Paella and sangria more your thing? The nearby suburb of Chelmer is home to Botellon, a friendly neighbourhood tapas bar. Dine al fresco under the fairy lights and enjoy classics like seafood paellas and confit duck alongside a selection of Spanish wines.

If you're still hungry, choose from Brisbane's menu of world-class dining options and check out our guide to some of the best restaurants.

Where to stay near the Brisbane International

The Queensland Tennis Centre’s convenient location means you could stay almost anywhere in Brisbane, but we recommend South Bank, just 10-minutes away.

This riverside oasis is home to a bustling food and dining scene, the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) and South Bank Parklands – think Queensland’s answer to Central Park featuring Australia’s only man-made urban beach and 17 hectares of lush sub-tropical garden.

Check into your luxuriously appointed suite at the five-star Emporium Hotel and head up to the rooftop Terrace Bar to sip on a pineapple rum signature cocktail as you look out over the Parklands and Brisbane’s glittering skyline.

Or stay at Rydges South Bank, just a short-walk from the Parklands and a stone’s throw from Fish Lane, a street art-lined laneway of coffee roasters, hole-in-the-wall bars, breweries and casual and fine-dining restaurants.

Other South Bank options include Mantra Southbank on the tree-lined boulevard of Grey Street, and the Novotel Brisbane South Bank, home to both a palm-fringed outdoor pool and Spice Central Kitchen & Bar, one of Brisbane’s best kept culinary secrets.

Wondering how else to fill your time over the week? Here's your 8-night Brisbane International itinerary.