Fed up tennis fans have vented their frustration about the cost of food at this year’s Australian Open – as a popular burger chain debuts its menu at Melbourne Park.
Shake Shack, founded in New York back in 2001 as a hot dog cart, is selling burgers at the opening Grand Slam of 2026 for between $18.90 and $25, while fries are between $9.75 and $12.50.
Shakes cost up $13.90 and a bottle of water is $5.95.
Numerous Aussies online were stunned by the costs.
‘Just go to Singapore Airport and get it,’ one person wrote on TikTok.
‘Fully agree, $6 for a bottle of water is such a rip off,’ another said.
Shake Shack’s food prices at the Australian Open have been called out by some tennis fans
Food influencer Dub Eats said the high prices for Shake Shack products were worth it
‘I want Shake Shack but I don’t want to go to the Australian Open lol,’ a third said.
Many claimed the Shake Shack prices at Melbourne Park were much higher than other parts of the world.
‘I went to Shake Shack in the Philippines and the prices are like a third of this,’ one person said.
‘$40 for a full meal. It’s more expensive than I remember. Only paid about $20 at Dubai and Istanbul airports,’ another claimed.
Food influencer and TikTok user @dub.eats.everything wasn’t fussed, stating the cookies and cream shake was the best he had ever tasted.
‘I feel like I’m in New York back on a summer’s day in Madison Square Park,’ he said in his TikTok video.
‘It tastes just like the US…hopefully we see a store (in Australia) soon.’
One person asked him on TikTok if the food was worth buying considering the high costs.
Fans at the Australian Open (pictured) will have to pay a high price for food and drinks over
‘IMO (in my opinion) yes,’ he told them.
While some were happy to look past the high prices, many weren’t, which forced the Australian Open to release a statement on the matter.
‘We work closely with our food and beverage partners to keep prices at the AO as close to what fans would find in their permanent restaurants and stores as possible,’ a spokesperson told news.com.au.
‘As a temporary pop-up, operating Shake Shack in Australia involves additional costs that do not apply to permanent restaurants.
‘This includes higher local costs of goods and labour and the construction of a fully functioning temporary kitchen to meet Australian standards.’
The tournament was also slammed last year for its high food prices, including Greek oregano feta fries which cost $15.80.
A 375ml glass of Somersby Cider set customers back $13.00, while a glass of Squealing Pig Prosecco, red wine or white wine cost $13.95.
Ralph Lauren also raised eyebrows by charging $109 for a specially designed type of baseball cap.
Shake Shack and Tennis Australia were contacted for comment.
