Tennis is not like every other spectator sport. Instead of followers crowding in for one huge event, there are a whole lot of matches at every of its 4 main championships, generally known as the Grand Slams. That implies that followers get the possibility to select their very own journey, whether or not it is court-hopping by a number of matches, staying honed in on a favourite participant, and even simply shopping the grounds, having fun with its trademark meals and drinks and curated retailers. That capacity to personalize the expertise makes it one of essentially the most compelling sports to travel for.
So it is no marvel that followers are actually going the space. “Interest in these events is at an all-time high,” tennis journalist Chris Oddo tells Condé Nast Traveler from Paris, the place he is presently overlaying the French Open, the second championship of the season that is also called Roland Garros, working by June 7.
The 2026 season kicked off on a excessive in January when the Australian Open in Melbourne set a new attendance report of 1.37 million fans, a 14 p.c rise from final 12 months. Even its official lodge accomplice Marriott International famous a 4 percent increase in stays booked by worldwide visitors, together with a staggering 20 p.c uptick in American guests for the ultimate weekend. Other Grand Slams just like the US Open are additionally experiencing historic fan progress, setting consecutive all-time attendance data.
At my first US Open in 2003, I keep in mind being instantly overwhelmed by the vary of actions on supply, however I rapidly discovered it was a pick-your-own-adventure expertise. Over the years, I’ve posed with the championship trophy alongside my dad, watched my nieces gather participant autographs after follow classes, and even performed a few factors on an indoor court docket with a buddy (does this imply I’ve technically performed on the US Open?!). But my favourite custom is consuming my manner by the event: I’ve watched the meals courts evolve from generic stadium fare to thoughtfully curated, community- and chef-driven eating experiences that make them a vacation spot in their very own proper.
Over the years, I’ve taken my love of Grand Slams internationally, each attending Wimbledon and touring its museum and venue low season, in addition to visiting the Aussie Open venue and a French Open pop-up in Central Paris. While every Grand Slam bears its personal character, all of them exude that magical feeling that is equal elements thrilling and overwhelming, particularly to first-timers who may not anticipate the unfold of the tournaments’ grounds and choices.
So we turned to the insiders, from professional gamers like No. 4 American Jessica Pegula, International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) Class of 2025 inductee Maria Sharapova, and four-time Grand Slam semifinalist Tommy Haas to founders of journey tennis tour firms, coaches, concessioners, and extra to supply the unwritten guidelines of attending a Grand Slam.
Go early within the tournaments
All the Grand Slams comply with a bracket-style elimination, which suggests there are extra matches at first, as gamers get despatched house after they lose. Pegula advises attending earlier within the event’s first week. “You get a chance to see a bunch of matches, and usually it’s cheaper and easier,” the World of Hyatt ambassador tells Condé Nast Traveler. She’s even seen her personal associates, who might not be the most important tennis followers, get to know up-and-coming gamers by catching them early on a small court docket. “Maybe that person does well and then you have a connection to them and follow them,” she says.