The Australian Open and the Australian Esports League (AEL) are once again joining forces to present the AO Schools Block Buster Tennis Challenge, an engaging national competition that seamlessly blends creativity, sustainability, and technology through the platform of Minecraft Education. This unique challenge invites students from Years 4 to 12 across Australia to reimagine and reconstruct the iconic Australian Open precinct within the immersive realm of Minecraft Education.
Participants will harness their enthusiasm for tennis, design, and STEM learning to craft visionary interpretations of the Australian Open’s home, showcasing innovative technology, sustainable practices, and inclusive community spaces. With over 100 schools already enrolled for the 2025 competition, institutions are encouraged to join in and compete against their peers in a celebration of innovation, collaboration, and design excellence.
The challenge not only promotes teamwork and problem-solving but also highlights the intersection of sport and education. Students will vie for a share of a prize pool exceeding ,000, which includes exclusive experiences at AO 2026, such as:
- A trip to Melbourne for the Australian Open finals weekend, covering travel and accommodation
- Tickets to the AO26 Women’s and Men’s Finals
- Custom-made trophies from Hench & Scrap Foundry
- Additional prizes and unique opportunities
“This challenge gives students the opportunity to explore the future of sport and sustainability through creativity and technology. We’ve seen incredible imagination from schools in previous years, and we can’t wait to see how students reimagine the AO precinct for the future,” remarked Darren Kwan, Director of the Australian Esports League.
Challenge Themes by Year Level
Years 4–6: Future Focus
Students will design the AO FutureScape District, a visionary and sustainable fan zone alongside one AO tennis court or stadium. The emphasis will be on futuristic technology, renewable energy, inclusivity, and enhancing the ultimate fan experience.
Years 7–9: Connected Futures
Participants will undertake a comprehensive redesign of a key stadium—either Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, or John Cain Arena—along with three interconnected facilities such as transport hubs, dining precincts, or player areas, illustrating how innovation and sustainability can unify the entire precinct.
Years 10–12: The Ultimate Reimagining
Senior students will tackle the grand-scale reimagining of the entire AO precinct. This category challenges teams to envision a globally inspired future for sports and entertainment venues, encompassing major stadiums, renewable energy systems, and community spaces.
Competition Timeline
- Registrations Close: 31 October 2025
- Submissions Due: 28 November 2025
- Marking Complete: 15 December 2025
- Winners Announced: 16 December 2025
Schools and educators can find complete challenge details and register at https://ael.org.au/aochallenge2025.
About the Challenge
The AO Schools Block Buster Tennis Challenge is a national educational initiative presented by the Australian Open in collaboration with the Australian Esports League. This program integrates learning outcomes across STEM, design, and digital literacy, providing students with the chance to explore sustainable development, teamwork, and innovation in a dynamic and competitive environment. It is important to note that this event is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Microsoft Corporation or Mojang AB.
