Memorial Drive Park, more generally referred to as “Memorial Drive”, is steep with history and took its name from the winding avenue, known as War Memorial Drive, which separates the venue from the River Torrens.

The Memorial Drive Tennis Club was established in 1914, under the name South Australian Lawn Tennis Club.  About 6 acres (2.4 ha) of land was leased to the club and the courts were opened in October 1921 by the Governor of South Australia, Sir Archibald Weigall.

Gerald Patterson won the first South Australian Men’s Singles Championship at the venue in 1922, the same year in which he also won Wimbledon for the second time. The following year, a clubhouse and grandstand were erected at Memorial Drive Park, the initial grandstand being the former stand from Adelaide Oval, which was dismantled and then reassembled.

In 1926 the Australian men’s singles title was staged at the courts for the first time, won by John Hawkes.

In 1938 a permanent grandstand was erected on the northern side of the courts. The southern grandstand roof was built in the late 1990s at a cost of $4 million.

Over the years many major events have been held on the grass courts including the Davis Cup and Australian Open Championships.

Through to 1967 Adelaide hosted a total of fourteen Australian championships, of which twelve were played at Memorial Drive Park.

In 1996, the South Australian Tennis Association (SATA) and the South Australian Hard Court League (SAHCL) merged to become Tennis SA. The SATA and the SAHTL both have strong histories and heritage.

Between 1971 and 2010 the facility accommodated over 50 concerts and some of the best selling artists of all time such as Led Zeppelin, Phil Collins, ACDC, U2 and Aerosmith.

The World Tennis Challenge, a three day exhibition tennis event that features current and former professional players, currently attracts 15,000 spectators annually, and an annual economic benefit of over $4 million to the State.

Memorial Drive has been a premier venue for events of many kinds for more than 50 years. Steeped in history, its walls stir memories of tennis and entertainment legends who have graced the stadium. Names such as Ivan Lendl, Pete Sampras, Pat Rafter, and Lleyton Hewitt on the tennis front, and world entertainment stars such as Kiss, The Bee Gees, Elton John, U2, Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam and Aerosmith.

Memorial Drive has hosted events from Powderfinger to AC/DC, the Masters Games Village, weekly AFL Gameday Villages and several Davis Cup-Ties. The stadium is currently the home of the World Tennis Challenge, one of Australia’s most innovative exhibition tennis events which attracts over 15,000 people each year.

In the past few years, the Memorial Drive has played host to a multitude of superstars, including Santana, and the many bands involved in The Stars of M-One Concert, Rumba, and Loudmouth at the Drive. Last year we were lucky enough to have The Best of the V Fest at the drive which included acts such as Gnarls Barkley and Groove Armada.

It is one of the superior outdoor venues in Australia and entertainers love to perform at Memorial Drive. One of the stadium’s major attractions is the unique atmosphere created during a big event. Its central location (in the heart of the city and close to all public transport), picturesque setting and flexibility of set-up for events of any size all add to the appeal of the stadium.

However, Memorial Drive is not only reserved for the major events. The stadium can be used for festivals, corporate entertaining, corporate tennis days, sporting fixtures, product launches, a Banquet/Ball or the venue for a formal dinner. Catering facilities are available and you dictate the level of our participation in organising your event! The boundaries are endless.

Contact Details

Tennis SA
War Memorial Drive
ADELAIDE SA 5000

Postal
PO Box 43
NORTH ADELAIDE SA 5006
Telephone: + 61-8-7224-8100
Facsimilie: + 61-8-8212-6518
Email: [email protected]

Office hours
Monday – Friday: 8.30am – 5.00pm