Rod Laver Arena is a multipurpose arena located in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Located within Melbourne Park, it is the main venue for the Australian Open in tennis since 1988, replacing the aging Kooyong Stadium. Construction began in 1985 and completed in 1987 at a cost of AU$94 million, the arena opened on 11 January 1988 for the 1988 Australian Open.The arena has seating capacity of 15,000, and currently attracts over 1.5 million visitors per year.
Originally known as the National Tennis Centre at Flinders Park in 1988, the arena has officially changed name twice. First in 1996, when it was known as the Centre Court and again in January 2000 to honour Rod Laver, a three-time winner of the Australian Open and one of the world's greatest tennis players.