Australian Open 2026: Serving sustainability on and off the court
The Australian Open has long been one of Australia’s most iconic sporting events, and in 2026 it also stood out as a leader in environmental sustainability.
For the duration of the tournament in Melbourne, the Australian Open is being powered with electricity backed by 100 per cent renewable energy, supplied by the State Electricity Commission (SEC). As SEC General Manager (Customer) Suzie Retschko noted, Grand Slam tennis tournaments consume significant volumes of electricity for lighting, broadcast infrastructure, climate control and stadium operations.
“For the Australian Open, the Melbourne Park precinct and all our customers, we match their electricity usage with renewable energy certificates generated by Victorian renewable energy sources, including our own renewable energy projects, and solar and wind farms across the state,” she said.
By matching electricity demand with renewable generation certificates from Victorian wind and solar farms, the initiative significantly reduced the tournament’s carbon footprint and demonstrated what is possible when major sport prioritises clean energy at scale.
Sustainability at the Australian Open also extended beyond energy through practical circular economy solutions. As part of the AO StartUps program, Australian reuse pioneer Bettercup delivered a reusable cup and dining ware system across selected food and beverage outlets at Melbourne Park. Founded in 2018 by Christie Kamphuis and Samantha Stone, Bettercup works with leading events and venues including WOMADelaide, Melbourne Fashion Week, Darwin Festival, Fringe World Perth and the Sydney Opera House.
“We’re excited to be selected as an AO StartUp and to work alongside Tennis Australia to deliver our reuse systems at the scale of major sporting events,” said Christie Kamphuis, Co-Founder of Bettercup. By replacing single-use disposables with reusable alternatives supported by off-site washing infrastructure, the initiative demonstrated how large-scale events can embed circular solutions into everyday operations without compromising the fan experience.
For SEA members, the Australian Open 2026 offers two clear takeaways:
Clean energy integration at scale shows how major sporting events and venues can reduce emissions through strategic energy procurement and partnerships.
Circular waste solutions in live environments - such as reusable cup systems, highlight how operational change can reduce single-use waste while maintaining a strong customer experience.
These examples reinforce that sustainability in sport isn’t just aspirational, it’s achievable through smart planning, strong partnerships and visible action. As sport continues to navigate climate impacts and environmental expectations, the lessons from the Australian Open can help guide both elite and community sporting organisations towards more sustainable operations and events.