Blind & Low Vision Showdown at the Australian Open 2026 gets the support of HotelPlanner
Blind and Low Vision Tennis refers to adaptations of the traditional game so people who are blind or have limited sight can play, watch, and enjoy tennis. To adapt tennis to visually-impaired tennis players, several initiatives and formats have been developed such as the use sound-enhanced balls, tactile court markings, or modified equipment to help players track and hit the ball using sound and touch.
Blind tennis is now being increasingly included into sport events. A major recognition of Blind and Low Vision Tennis is its inclusion into the Australian Open, one of the world’s premier annual sporting events. According to Tennis Australia, the 2024 edition reached over 558 million unique global viewers, a 57% increase from the previous year. For the tourism sector, the Australian Open translated in 2024 into 622,491 nights in Victorian hotels (+8.3%), smashing the previous record set in 2020. some 10% of all visitors to Melbourne came from overseas during the event.
The debut of the Blind & Low Vision Showdown will be a major worldwide communication tool. It will be a landmark exhibition celebrating athletes who play tennis using sound, touch, and adapted rules. The event also marks a major step in Tennis Australia’s commitment to expanding accessibility both on and off the court.
Set to take place during the tournament’s All Abilities programming, the Showdown will feature leading blind and low vision tennis athletes demonstrating the fast-growing sport in front of a Grand Slam audience. Players will compete using sound-enhanced balls and modified court dimensions, showcasing the speed, skill, and strategic precision required to master the discipline.
HotelPlanner as the 2026 event’s presenting sponsor
The Blind & Low Vision Showdown will get the sponsorship of HotelPlanner. Talking in present of Paul Seymour, Racquets Manager at David Lloyd Northwood and Ivan Rodriguez Deb, visually-Impaired Tennis Player and World No. 2, Tim Hentschel, CEO HotelPlanner, announced to be proud of his company being the 2026 event’s presenting sponsor.
As a leading travel technology platform specializing in group hotel bookings and discounted accommodations, HotelPlanner is partnering with Tennis Australia to enhance accessibility for traveling athletes, fans, and support teams. The sponsorship will help fund event logistics, athlete travel support, and visibility for blind and low vision tennis on a global stage. HotelPlanner’s involvement reflects the strategic positioning of the company which sees exceptional sport events as a major factor to tourism development.
The showcase coincides with the Australian Open’s first-ever Accessible Pre-sale for 2026—another world-first initiative. Fans with disabilities, including those who are blind or have low vision, can register early and secure seats tailored to their needs, including enhanced-vision seating and accessible bays. And get their hotel booking on HotelPlanner.
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