What is John Cain Arena?
John Cain Arena is a multipurpose stadium at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, used for tennis, basketball, netball and concerts. It is the third show court of the Australian Open and has a retractable roof.
The arena opened in 2000 as Vodafone Arena and has also been called Hisense Arena and Melbourne Arena. It was renamed in 2021 after John Cain, the former Premier of Victoria who supported the development of Melbourne Park.
The arena holds about 10,000 people and has movable seating, allowing it to be configured for different sports.
The people's court
During the Australian Open, John Cain Arena is known for its lively atmosphere and is often called the people's court. Ground pass holders can watch matches here, and Australian players such as Nick Kyrgios have attracted noisy, enthusiastic crowds.
The arena is also home to the Melbourne Vixens netball team and has hosted basketball for teams such as Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix.
In addition, the arena has hosted track cycling, concerts and other events. It is part of the Melbourne Park precinct beside the Yarra River.
Did You Know?
John Cain was Premier of Victoria from 1982 to 1990.