The sporting world focuses on the Rod Laver Arena every January when it hosts the Australian Open tennis championships. It's one of a variety of stadia located in the Melbourne Olympic Park and is used throughout the rest of the year as a multipurpose events venue with a capacity of 15,000.

A retractable roof and exchangeable floor have enabled the arena to host a huge spectrum of events, including ice hockey matches, swimming championships, televised wrestling events, and a regular program of music concerts. It was used as a gymnastic venue during the 2006 Commonwealth Games and is the regular home of three Australian national league basketball teams.

The Arena is located on the northern bank of the Yarra River in central Melbourne, across the road from the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Trams can be taken to the Rod Laver Arena stop and the arena is within easy walking distance of Richmond Railway Station.

The arena has changed name twice since being opened in 1987. It took its current title in 2000 to honour the Australian tennis player who was ranked world number one from 1964 to 1970.