Bengaluru City Trials to be held on 10–11 October 2026
Young tennis enthusiasts aged 12–15 years will participate in the city-level selection process
Participants to engage in activities assessing agility, coordination, focus, communication and teamwork
20 participants from Bengaluru to progress to the National Trials in Delhi, with four winners ultimately selected to represent India at AO27
Delhi and Mumbai city trials successfully concluded on 26–27 September and 3–4 October, respectively
Kia India, one of the country’s leading mass-premium automakers and a longstanding partner of the Australian Open, is set to kick off the City Trials for the Kia India Ballkids Program at AO27 with the Bengaluru leg on 10–11 October 2026. The trials mark the next stage of the selection journey for young tennis enthusiasts aspiring to become Official Australian Open Ballkids.
Following the close of registrations for Bengaluru on 03 October 2026, shortlisted boys and girls aged 12–15 years will participate in the two-day City Trials. With no prior tennis experience required, participants will take part in a series of activities designed to assess skills and qualities relevant to the Ballkid role, including agility, coordination, focus, communication and teamwork. Participants will be required to attend the trials with a parent or legal guardian.
The two-day trials will provide participants with an opportunity to understand the role of a Ballkid and the skills involved in supporting the smooth conduct of a professional tennis match. Through a range of on-court and activity-based exercises, participants will get a closer understanding of the focus, responsiveness, coordination and teamwork required to perform the role.
For young participants in Bengaluru, the trials will offer an opportunity to engage with tennis in a different way and experience the discipline, focus and teamwork involved in being a Ballkid at an international sporting event.
Following the Bengaluru City Trials, 20 participants will be shortlisted to advance to the National Trials later this year. Four winners will ultimately be selected to become Official Australian Open Ballkids and represent India at the Australian Open 2027 in Melbourne.
The Kia India Ballkids Program at AO27 builds on Kia’s 24+ year association with the Australian Open and its longstanding engagement with young tennis enthusiasts through the tournament’s Ballkids programme. Through the initiative, Kia India continues its endeavour to provide the next generation with opportunities to engage with tennis and experience the sport at an international level.
The AO Ball Kids trials have already witnessed an enthusiastic response in Delhi and Mumbai, with successful city trials held on 26–27 September and 3–4 October, respectively. The final leg of the city trials will take place in Bengaluru on 10–11 October, bringing the nationwide selection process to a close. The shortlisted young tennis enthusiasts will then get the opportunity to be part of the prestigious Australian Open experience, representing India on a global platform.
For more information on the programme, eligibility criteria and registration process, visit Kia India Ballkids Program at AO27 | Official Portal.