It’s Canberra’s premium summer tennis event, but there’s more than sports to Canberra International. Photo: Tennis ACT.
Canberra’s largest international tennis tournament returns to the nation’s capital for a week on Sunday 29 December, bringing with it full-blown festival vibes.
The first of the summer tournaments leading into the Australian Open, Canberra International welcomes 130 professional men and women players – including some of the world’s top players – from more than 40 countries to the nation’s capital. Hundreds of support crew also flood the event.
Tennis ACT CEO Mark La Brooy says there’ll be plenty of action for all ages.
“Alongside this being Canberra’s premium summer sporting event, we want it to be like a mini Australian Open, with activations throughout the event creating a vibrant atmosphere the whole family can enjoy,” he says.
New additions to the premier event include the Live & Loud site featuring local artists nightly from 5 pm to 8 pm. Curated by Canberra music personality Seanzsound, the line-up features a diverse sound mix of solo artists, duets and trios.
Pride Night on Monday 30 December includes the official launch of the new Pink Tennis Gin “let’s getLoud(ish)”, featured in the Deuce Delight cocktail served from the Midnight Bar next to centre court and LGBTQI+ performers on the live music stage.
The jam-packed Kids Tennis Day on Thursday 2 January, also new to Canberra International, will feature free “come and try” tennis, face painting and glitter tattoos.
Superheroes and Disney princesses will roam around and there’ll be free giveaways including more than 2500 ice blocks and 100 tennis racquets.
Ticket holders will get full access to the tennis matches and can stick around for that night’s Live & Loud showcase.
“Hot Shots” free play and pop tennis are also available for the whole family daily on the synthetic grass courts where a Tennis World coach will give free tips and tricks to get kids started. These sessions will include a range of games and giveaways.
Food trucks Papi Deli, Taco Tento, Sushi Sushi and Boost Mobeel will be ready to cater to hungry crowds throughout the duration of the event.
The Canberra International 2025 is now a core aspect of the Australian Summer of Tennis. Canberra’s combined ATP and WTA 125 tournament will see increased prizemoney and ranking points.
Mark says it makes the Canberra International an ideal opportunity for players heading for the Australian Open to acclimatise in the lead-up to the big event – and a chance for the public to get up close with some of the sport’s future stars in action “in a way they won’t be able to at any other event”.
“For young families it’s a really cool experience because you’re sitting next to coaches, listening and growing an understanding of the sport in a truly interactive way. And two to four years from now, some of the players you’re watching will be among the high ranks of tennis globally,” he says.
“This year we have Aussie player Emerson Jones, the world junior number one. She’s got a really promising career ahead of her and it’ll be exciting to see her here.
“If you’re in Canberra in that Christmas-New Year period and wondering what to do, this is it; the timing couldn’t be more perfect.”
Canberra International runs from Sunday 29 December to Saturday 4 January 2025 – book your tickets via CBR.
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