If there’s one thing the Australian Open has mastered (besides epic rallies and last-minute tie-breaks), it’s turning summer sport into a full-blown cultural moment. And in 2026, MECCA is officially back courtside – bigger, bolder and better than ever.
Returning as the Australian Open’s Official Beauty Partner, with MECCA COSMETICA named Official SPF Partner, the long-term partnership with Tennis Australia signals a new era where beauty, performance and sun protection are treated as essential equipment – right up there with racquets and visors.
After welcoming more than 1.2 million attendees and reaching a global audience of 1.9 billion viewers in 2025, the AO is no small stage. But if there’s one brand that knows how to perform under pressure, it’s MECCA.
“Beauty belongs on the world stage,” says MECCA Founder and Co-CEO Jo Horgan, “and we can’t wait to bring the MECCA magic back courtside with products that play to win and rituals built for champions.”
A Three-Storey Beauty Moment (Yes, it really looks like Barbie’s Dreamhouse)
The headline act? The MECCA Pro Shop – the first-ever three-storey beauty activation in Australian Open history, landing right in the heart of Melbourne Park.
Open daily from 12 January to 1 February, the Pro Shop brings the full MECCA in-store experience courtside, complete with express makeup and hair touch-ups, fragrance and skincare consultations, and exclusive product moments designed for fans on the go (and the glow).
There’s also plenty of incentive to shop: purchase two MECCA COSMETICA SPF products and score a limited-edition To Save Face keyring; buy three and an exclusive MECCA Beauty Bag joins your AO haul.
The SPF That Changed the Game
Under the Australian sun, SPF isn’t optional – it’s survival. MECCA COSMETICA is taking that message seriously, with an ambitious goal to sample To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen and To Save Body SPF50+ to every guest who walks through the gates.
@ausopen Step inside our MECCA COSMETICA SPF Studio 😇 Your home of To Save Face SPF50+ Superscreen Broad Spectrum Very High Protection Sunscreen. @MECCA #AO26 #MECCACOSMETICA #MECCA #MECCAMoment ALWAYS READ THE LABEL AND FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS FOR USE. Sunscreen is only one form of sun protection. Wear protective clothing, hat and eyewear. Avoid prolonged sun exposure and reapply frequently.
Across 13 SPF touchpoints, including an immersive SPF Studio, high-traffic sampling huts and pump stations at every gate, sun safety is seamlessly woven into the AO experience.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to creating SPF that people genuinely want to wear — luxurious, effective and protective,” says Alexandra Bokeyar, General Manager of MECCA-Maginations. “We’re thrilled to spotlight Australian innovation and sun safety on a global stage.”
The SPF Studio ups the ante with complimentary Protect & Glow services, limited-edition AO packaging and exclusive product launches — proof that sunscreen can, in fact, be chic.
Behind the Scenes With the Players
While fans glow courtside, MECCA will also take over the Players’ Lounge, offering complimentary services, curated gifting and concierge access to MECCA Bourke Street – because recovery rituals are just as important as match prep.
Then there’s the MECCA Beauty Box, the first beauty-led hospitality space inside Rod Laver Arena, hosting media, influencers and customers in a highly visible, fan-facing environment designed to spark conversation – and maybe a little beauty envy.
Beauty With Purpose
Beyond the glam, the partnership taps into something deeper. Through MECCA M-POWER, the brand will support the Australian Women’s Tennis Foundation, helping empower the next generation of junior female players and championing inclusivity, representation and opportunity – on and off the court.
“Together, we’re bringing a fresh expression of Australian creativity to the global stage,” says Craig Tiley, CEO of Tennis Australia, “and elevating the fan experience in a completely new way.”
From express touch-ups to SPF stations that mean business, MECCA’s return to the Australian Open proves that in 2026, beauty isn’t just watching from the sidelines – it’s playing to win.
The Australian Open runs from 12 January to 1 February 2026.
Check out our social coverage from the MECCA Pro-shop over on our Instagram HERE
