Brisbane International Tennis - Australian Open Series

FAQs

Q. When do tickets go on sale to the general public?
Series Packages go on sale at 9 am Wednesday 5 October 2011
Single Session tickets and Ground Pass tickets go on sale at 9 am Wednesday 12 October 2011

Tickets can be purchased via the following channels:

• Ticketek’s website www.ticketek.com.au/brisbaneinternational
• Ticketek’s call centre (please call the Australian Open and Australian Open Series booking line: 1300 888 104 if calling from within Australia, or +613 9039 9407 if calling internationally)
• Ticketek agencies (please note that bookings at Ticketek agencies must be made in person. Ticketek agencies do not accept telephone inquires or bookings.)

Q. What are the dates of the 2012 event?
Brisbane International 2012 will run from Sunday 1 January to Sunday 8 January. The event is held at the Queensland Tennis Centre in Tennyson, Brisbane.

Q. Where is the Queensland Tennis Centre?

190 King Arthur Tce
Tennyson Brisbane 4105
P: (07) 3120 7930

Q. What day/night sessions are there? When are the finals?
There are day sessions from Sunday 1 January through to Saturday 7 January. Night sessions are held from Monday 2 January to Saturday 7 January. Sunday 8 January is an afternoon session, beginning at 12:00 pm.
The women’s singles and doubles finals will be held on the evening of Saturday 7 January. The men’s singles and doubles finals will be held on Sunday 8 January.

Q. I want to see Maria Sharapova (or any other player), when is she playing?
The Brisbane International is an elimination tennis tournament. For this reason, the schedule for each day cannot be announced until the night prior, and it is not possible to purchase tickets in advance for a specific player. Please keep an eye on the Brisbane International website: www.brisbaneinternational.com.au for announcements on players.

Q. What is the best way to book? How can I guarantee that I get good seats?
To ensure fairness in ticket distribution all booking methods commence at the same time (9 am AEST) wherever and however you book. To get the best seats available it is important to book early, as sessions sell fast.

Q. I have attempted to purchase tickets on the Ticketek website and I have selected my tickets but the webpage has frozen. Have I still got my tickets?
The Ticketek website will only hold your tickets for eight minutes. If the webpage has frozen it is likely that you have no longer got the tickets that were assigned to you. You will need to close the window and try again.

The easiest way to check if a transaction has been successful is to look for a confirmation email, which is sent at the end of every successful transaction to the email address detailed in your My Ticketek login.

Q. Do tickets on the internet sell faster than if I buy over the phone?
All booking methods (phone, agencies and internet) start selling tickets at the same time. To ensure that patrons who book via the phone or at agencies have equitable access to the seat inventory, the amount of patrons who can access the internet site to book is set at a pre-determined capacity.

Q. What’s the benefit of purchasing a Series package?
When you purchase a Series package you receive a discount on the total cost of buying the same sessions as single session tickets. You also get to purchase tickets before the tickets get sold as single session tickets. The packages available will include a Finals package, which will allow you to see both the women’s final (scheduled for the evening of Saturday 7 January) and tickets to the men’s final (scheduled for the afternoon of Sunday 8 January).

Q. What does a Your Choice package offer?
The Your Choice package offers you the choice of any two day sessions or any two night sessions from Sunday 1 January until Friday 6 January 2012. Please note that you cannot select day and night sessions in the same package.

Q. What does a Finals package offer?
The Finals package offers you tickets to the women’s final (scheduled for the evening of Saturday 7 January 2012) and tickets to the men’s final (scheduled for the afternoon of Sunday 8 January 2012).

Q. What does a Final 5 package offer?
The Final 5 package offers you tickets to the final five sessions of the Brisbane International, which includes all the men’s and women’s semifinals and finals action.

Q. I have purchased a package. Why are my seats not the same for all sessions?
When you purchase a package we try and give you the best available seats for each session. This means that we cannot always supply the same seat for all sessions.

Q. What benefits does a ground pass offer?
A ground pass gives you full access to all outside courts where you will see a number of the world’s best players doing what they do best. Ground passes are great value at $14.90 for all sessions. Please note that there are no WTA or ATP matches scheduled on the outside courts for the last three days of the tournament.

Q. Will a ground pass ticket give me access to Pat Rafter Arena?
No, however, ground pass ticket holders may upgrade their ticket at the Queensland Tennis Centre box office or upgrade booth on the day (subject to availability) for an additional cost to get a fully reserved ticket to Pat Rafter Arena.

Q. Can I upgrade my ground pass?
Yes. There is an upgrade booth inside the venue that will have the capacity to upgrade ground passes to Pat Rafter Arena reserved seating for the difference of the face value of the ticket (subject to availability).

Q. What does a Pat Rafter Arena ticket offer?
If you have purchased a ticket to Pat Rafter Arena you will have access to a reserved seat within the stadium and access to all outside courts.

Q. What time can I enter the grounds on a night session ticket?
Night session ticket holders are able to enter the grounds from 5 pm. Access to Pat Rafter Arena may be delayed if day session play runs late. Please note that ground pass tickets cannot be purchased for night sessions as ground passes will grant access for day and night sessions.

Q. What makes up a Family Pass?
A Family Pass consists of two adults and two children or one adult and three children. Family passes are only available for Pat Rafter Arena.

Q. What is a restricted view ticket?
A restricted view ticket is a ticket that grants access to a seating area that has been deemed as having a restricted view of the court. The reason for the restriction could include being behind the umpire’s chair, broadcast cameras or any area that may have only a partial view of the court. These seats have been identified by the stadium and you will be told at the time of purchase if you are purchasing a restricted view ticket.

Q. Is it safe to buy tickets through Ticketek over the internet?
Ticketek online processes your credit card details securely over the internet using an online payment technology called Secure Socket Layer (SSL). The payment system is a Westpac accredited internet payment security system. Standards are ranked among the best available. With the combination of Ticketek.com’s Verisign SSL 128-bit encryption on their website and a secure browser at your end, you can be assured that your transaction booking details are encrypted.

Q. What happens if I log on to the Ticketek website before 9 am the day tickets go on sale?
Access to www.ticketek.com.au/brisbaneinternational is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week; however, the Brisbane International ticket sale pages are not activated until 9 am (AEST) the morning of the scheduled on sale dates. If you are on the site before 9 am, refresh the page (press F5 or the refresh button in your browser window) to ensure you get the latest information and the “Get tickets” button appears. Note: a time limit of 15 minutes applies to book your tickets from the time you first log on.

Q. I live overseas or I will be away when tickets go on sale. How can I book?
Bookings can be done from overseas either via the internet (www.ticktek.com.au/brisbaneinternational) or by phone (please call +613 9039 9407 if you are calling from an international phone number).

Q. I require a special needs ticket. How do I purchase my tickets?
To purchase special needs tickets please call the Australian Open and Australian Open Series booking line on 1300 888 104 and choose the option to speak to an operator. Please mention your special needs requirement at the beginning of the booking when you are put through to an operator. These tickets go on sale at the same date and time detailed for general public.

Q. Who is entitled to concession tickets?
A concession ticket is valid for children aged between 3 and 16 years, full-time students who are attending an Australian institution, pensioners, Veteran Affairs and TPI, holders of valid Australian Health Care Cards and holders of Personal Treatment Entitlement Cards. There is no discount for seniors card holders. Children under two years of age are admitted free of charge into the event provided that they do not occupy a reserved seat within Pat Rafter Arena. Children under two years of age are permitted to sit on the knee of the accompanying adult in these areas. For additional information about valid concession details please see the Brisbane International 2012 Child and Concession policy.

Q. Can I sell Brisbane International tickets on eBay?
No. The Brisbane International Ticket Conditions of Sale and Entry state that you cannot on-sell seats, therefore you will be in breach of these conditions if you put your tickets up for auction on eBay or any other auction site. Listed tickets on eBay or any other auction site that are sold above face value may be cancelled without refund and therefore patrons holding these tickets will be denied admission to the Brisbane International.

Q. Can I please have exactly the same seats as last year?
Tickets are sold through Ticketek on a best available basis. Because of this, we cannot guarantee that the seats you require will be available. If you need to request specific seats, please call Ticketek on 1300 888 104 to speak to an operator who will try their best to help you.

Q. What does the ticketing system consider best available?
The ticketing system will allocate seats closest to the court first.

Q. Where is the umpire’s chair located?
The umpire’s chair is located on the western side of the court. Its location is indicated on the Pat Rafter Arena stadium plan available on the Brisbane International website.

Q. Are there corporate hospitality packages available at the event?
The Brisbane International offers a number of packages for corporate customers. To obtain further information on corporate seating and dining packages, please contact Michael Murphy on (07) 3120 7930 or visit www.brisbaneinternational.com.au.

Q. Is there a special offer for group bookings?
Yes. If you book 10 tickets for a session you will receive a 10 per cent discount per ticket. Please call the Ticketek group bookings line on 1300 364 001 or email [email protected] to access this offer. This offer is available from 9 am Wednesday 12 October 2011.

Q. How many matches are played at Pat Rafter Arena in each session?
The schedule for each day’s matches is posted on www.brisbaneinternational.com.au the night before they occur. The number of matches is determined by the Tournament Referee and is subject to change at any time.

Q. I bought tickets to what I thought was the men’s semifinals but I got a different match instead. Why has the match changed?
The Brisbane International organisers aim to complete the tournament on time and this involves playing all matches, in all events, over the eight days of the tournament. Some players remain involved in several events towards the end of the Brisbane International and it may be necessary to move a match to avoid a clash. We try to give similar rest periods between matches for players due to play each other. A match that is unlikely to finish because of a late start, caused by the duration of previous matches, may be postponed to the following day. In this event another match may be substituted. Please note that the schedule and order of play is subject to change at any time.

Q. Do I get free public transport with my Brisbane International ticket?
Yes. If you purchase a ticket to Brisbane International 2012 TransLink will provide access to free public transport on all BT bus and QR train services on the day you are attending the event. Please note that you must be able to present a valid event ticket for the date of travel if requested. Please visit www.translink.com.au for travel information and timetables.

Q. Can I get free public transport if I have not collected my event tickets yet?
No. You must be able to present a valid event ticket for the same day as the day of travel. If you have selected the venue collection option you can pick your tickets up before the event day from any Ticketek agency. Please refer to www.ticketek.com.au for a list of all Ticketek agencies. Alternately you can print your tickets at home by selecting the EZYticket option.

Q. I would like to attend the event but I have trouble walking short distances. What is the easiest way for me to access the event if I catch public transport?
If you are attending the event and have difficulty walking, the best solution to access the site is to utilise the free taxi shuttle for elderly and disabled patrons from Yeerongpilly train station. For more information on this service, visit www.brisbaneinternational.com.au or call the event on (07) 3120 7930. For the safety of all patrons visiting the QTC during the Brisbane International, we are not able to allow drop off at the front of the centre. For this reason we strongly recommend that you utilise the free shuttle service from Yeerongpilly, as this drops off the closest to the QTC entry.

Q. What facilities does the Queensland Tennis Centre offer to wheelchair patrons?
The Queensland Tennis Centre offers wheelchair friendly seating on the main level of Pat Rafter Arena. If you are purchasing a wheelchair space you can also purchase a carer seat next to this space. If you do not require a wheelchair space, please advise the seller at the time of booking to discuss the best seating option. Wheelchair access to the venue is via ramps on the left and right side of the main entry stairwell. Disabled toilets are available inside the venue.

Q. I have a disabled car parking sticker. Is there any facility for me to park on site?
There is very limited car parking available for patrons with disabled car parking stickers. This car parking must be pre-booked before the event by calling the Brisbane International on (07) 3120 7930. A disabled car park sticker is required for all bookings and must be displayed on the car with the Brisbane International parking pass at all times to avoid parking fines. Please note that spaces book very quickly so it is important to book as early as possible. Bookings will open after tickets have gone on sale.

Q. Why have ticket prices gone up?
Ticket prices have increased so a bigger and better event can be delivered to the Queensland public. More funds have been allocated to provide a great spectator experience including the new Tennis Central area, increased shade around the Show Courts, better entertainment and other important additions to the event.  We have aimed to keep our ground passes very affordable at $14.90, which is great value early in the week.

Q. What is Tennis Central and what does it offer?
Tennis Central is a new public space at the Queensland Tennis Centre especially developed for Brisbane International 2012. It will be an open public area with a big screen, stage and fun interactive activities for the whole family. Tennis Central will provide more space for patrons to sit, relax and enjoy the tennis and atmosphere of the Brisbane International.

Q. Is Pat Rafter Arena undercover?
Pat Rafter Arena does have a permanent roof, however, the stadium is not fully enclosed. There are seats within the stadium that are affected in extreme weather conditions. As such, the Brisbane International is classed as an outdoor event. Therefore it is highly recommended that you bring appropriate protection from the sun, rain and weather (e.g. hats, sunscreen, raincoats or warm clothing depending on the weather conditions) regardless of the location of your seat.