Australian Open 2026’s Off-Court Action: Champagne, Celebrities and Luxury Suites
From champagne-soaked VIP dinners to a Dubai-inspired marquee experience-inside AO2026.
Feb. 1 2026, Published 10:14 p.m. ET
The Australian Open 2026 may have wrapped on court, but behind the scenes, Melbourne Park was buzzing with celebrity sightings, luxury hospitality and high-profile brand moments.
From champagne-soaked VIP dinners to a Dubai-inspired marquee experience, this year’s tournament once again proved it’s as much a social spectacle as it is a sporting one.
Piper-Heidsieck Returns as Official AO Champagne
A list actpr Gerard Butler dropped by the Piper-Heidseick Dressing Room to toast the start of the AO.
Piper-Heidsieck marked its eighth year as the Official Champagne of the Australian Open 2026, delivering a series of elevated experiences across Melbourne Park that blended French flair with world-class tennis.
Throughout the tournament, guests sipped the House’s most awarded blends at the Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Bar on the Rod Laver Arena Terrace, grabbed flutes on the go from the Garden Square Champagne Kiosk, and enjoyed the brand’s presence inside the exclusive members-only Club 1905.
The champagne celebrations officially kicked off on Friday, January 16, when Piper-Heidsieck hosted an intimate 16-person VIP event inside the Piper-Heidsieck Dressing Room.
Among the attendees were Hollywood actor Gerard Butler and longtime partner Morgan Brown, alongside Mia Savio, partner of Italian tennis player Matteo Arnaldi, as well as Australian actors Tim Kano and Brett Tucker.
Guests enjoyed bespoke Piper-Heidsieck cocktails paired with an omakase dining experience before being escorted to the highly coveted On-Court Seats Presented by Piper-Heidsieck.
Courtside Action and Cabaret Flair
Kate Connick in the Piper-Heidseick dressing room.
From just metres away, VIP guests watched an exhibition match between world No.1 Jannik Sinner and Canadian star Felix Auger-Aliassime on Rod Laver Arena.
The night also included a surprise cabaret performance, offering a preview of the entertainment featured throughout the tournament at the Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Bar—reinforcing the brand’s signature theatrical approach to celebrating tennis’ biggest moments.
Emirates Marks 12 Years as AO Official Airline Sponsor
Oscar winner Geoffrey Rush was a guest of Emirates during the AO 2026.
Luxury hospitality extended well beyond champagne, with Emirates celebrating 12 years as the Official Airline of the Australian Open. The airline continues its deep commitment to tennis as a sponsor of all four Grand Slams—Australian Open, US Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon—alongside more than 60 ATP tournaments worldwide.
One of the tournament’s most sought-after invitations was access to the exclusive Emirates Marquee, which returned in 2026 with a new theme: Dubai, the all-ages playground.
Reimagined as a “Desert Dreamscape,” the marquee paid tribute to Emirates’ global hub in Dubai, offering guests a taste of the destination’s world-class hospitality, vibrant culture and premium travel experience.
The Emirates Marquee quickly became a hub for celebrity sightings, welcoming guests including Rachel Griffiths, Paul Ben-Victor, Sarah Murdoch, Pia Whitesell, cricket legend Ricky Ponting, tennis great Pat Rafter, actress Bella Heathcote, world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, Oscar Winner Geoffrey Rush, comedian Joel Creasey, and actor Brett Tucker, who appeared across multiple AO26 events.
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Pat Rafter was a guest speaker in the Emirates Suite during AO 2026.
From Piper-Heidsieck’s champagne-led courtside moments to Emirates’ immersive Dubai-inspired marquee, Australian Open 2026 once again highlighted how the tournament continues to blend elite sport with celebrity culture, luxury brands and global hospitality—cementing its status as one of the most high-profile events on the international sporting calendar.
