2026 Australian Open
January 12, 2026 – February 1, 2026 AEDT
The 2026 Australian Open (AO) is poised to once again ignite the global tennis season, setting the standard for the year’s Grand Slam action. Staged against the backdrop of a vibrant, summer-loving Melbourne, the ‘Happy Slam’ promises three weeks of world-class competition, thrilling rivalries, and an unmatched festival atmosphere at the iconic Melbourne Park.
As the first Grand Slam of the calendar year, the AO often provides the first true measure of form for the elite of the ATP and WTA Tours, giving fans a glimpse into who will dominate the season. With a new-look finals weekend designed to maximize fan experience, the 2026 edition is slated to be an unforgettable showcase of athletic excellence and Australian culture.
Tournament Essentials: Dates, Venue, and Grand Slam Status
The Australian Open is one of the four prestigious Grand Slam tournaments, the pinnacle of the professional tennis calendar. It brings together the world’s best players to compete in a demanding two-week main draw format across five major categories: Men’s Singles, Women’s Singles, Men’s Doubles, Women’s Doubles, and Mixed Doubles.
| Essential Detail | Specification |
| Overall Tournament Dates | Monday, January 12 โ Sunday, February 1, 2026 |
| Opening Week (Qualifying/Practice) | Monday, January 12 โ Saturday, January 17, 2026 |
| Main Draw Dates | Sunday, January 18 โ Sunday, February 1, 2026 |
| Venue | Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Primary Show Courts | Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, John Cain Arena |
| Surface | Outdoor Hard Court (GreenSet) |
| Category | Grand Slam / Major |
| Defending Men’s Singles Champion (2025) | Jannik Sinner (Italy) |
| Defending Women’s Singles Champion (2025) | Madison Keys (USA) |
The decision to begin the main draw on a Sunday for the third consecutive year extends the first round to a three-day spectacle, ensuring fans have more opportunities to catch their favourite stars right from the start.
Prize Money and Ranking Points
The Australian Open is committed to continuously increasing the financial reward for players across all rounds. While the official 2026 Australian Open prize money has not yet been announced, a significant increase from the previous year is anticipated, following the trend of record-breaking Grand Slam prize pools.
For the purpose of this preview, we will detail the substantial prize money and ranking points from the 2025 edition as a benchmark. We will update this section once the official 2026 figures are confirmed.
2025 Prize Money Distribution
The total prize pool for the 2025 Australian Open was a remarkable AUD $96.5 million, an increase of over 11.5% from the previous year. The prize money is distributed equally between the Men’s and Women’s singles draws.
Singles Prize Money (Men’s & Women’s – Per Player)
| Round | 2025 Prize Money (AUD) | Winner Points (ATP/WTA) |
| Champion | $3,500,000 | 2000 |
| Finalist | $1,900,000 | 1300 |
| Semi-finalist | $1,100,000 | 780 |
| Quarter-finalist | $665,000 | 430 |
| Round of 16 (4th Rnd) | $420,000 | 240 |
| Round of 32 (3rd Rnd) | $290,000 | 130 |
| Round of 64 (2nd Rnd) | $200,000 | 70 |
| Round of 128 (1st Rnd) | $132,000 | 10 |
Doubles Prize Money (Men’s & Women’s – Per Team)
| Round | 2025 Prize Money (AUD) | Winner Points (ATP/WTA) |
| Champion | $810,000 | 2000 |
| Finalist | $440,000 | 1200 |
| Semi-finalist | $250,000 | 720 |
| Quarter-finalist | $142,000 | 360 |
| Round of 16 | $82,000 | 180 |
| Round of 32 (1st Rnd) | $58,000 | 90 |
Note: The 2026 prize money is expected to be higher than these 2025 figures.
2025 Champions Roll Call: Setting the Stage for 2026
The defending champions from the 2025 edition will all be looking to replicate their success in Melbourne, providing a clear benchmark for the competition.
| Event | 2025 Champion(s) | Nationality |
| Men’s Singles | Jannik Sinner | Italy |
| Women’s Singles | Madison Keys | USA |
| Men’s Doubles | Henry Patten / Harri Heliรถvaara | Great Britain / Finland |
| Women’s Doubles | Kateลina Siniakovรก / Taylor Townsend | Czech Republic / USA |
| Mixed Doubles | Olivia Gadecki / John Peers | Australia / Australia |
| Wheelchair Men’s Singles | Alfie Hewett | Great Britain |
| Wheelchair Women’s Singles | Yui Kamiji | Japan |
| Wheelchair Quad Singles | Sam Schrรถder | Netherlands |
The success of the all-Australian pairing of Gadecki and Peers in the Mixed Doubles was a huge highlight, with the local crowd sure to throw their support behind them once again in 2026. In the doubles events, the victory of Patten and Heliรถvaara in the Men’s and the second major title for the formidable duo of Siniakovรก and Townsend in the Women’s highlighted the depth of talent outside of the singles draws.
Players to Watch: The Quest for Grand Slam Glory
The 2026 Australian Open is set to feature the sport’s biggest stars, many of whom have established a powerful presence on the hard courts of Melbourne Park.
Men’s Singles: The Sinner-Alcaraz Rivalry and the Veteran Guard
The men’s field is currently dominated by the dynamic rivalry between two young titans, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
- Jannik Sinner (Defending Champion): The Italian star successfully defended his title in 2025, cementing his status as a premier hard-court player. His aggressive baseline game, improved serve, and mental fortitude make him the clear favourite to secure a historic three-peat.
- Carlos Alcaraz: The Spanish sensation, a multiple Grand Slam champion, will be Sinner’s primary challenger. His explosive speed, all-court prowess, and ability to generate immense power from anywhere on the court make him a co-favorite. A Sinner-Alcaraz final is the dream match-up that could define the tournament.
- Daniil Medvedev: A three-time finalist in Melbourne, the Russian continues to be a formidable threat. His flat-hitting, defensive-to-offensive style is highly effective on the hard courts. He remains a top contender, looking to finally break through for the title.
- Dark Horses and Veterans: Keep an eye on players like Alexander Zverev (2025 finalist), who consistently performs well at the majors, and the ever-present danger of players like Ben Shelton and Holger Rune, who could make deep runs on their day. The tournament also awaits the return of any former champions like Novak Djokovic or other veterans looking for one last major push.
Women’s Singles: The Battle for Hard-Court Supremacy
The women’s draw is notoriously open and unpredictable, yet recent history points to a few major contenders who thrive in Melbourne’s conditions.
- Madison Keys (Defending Champion): The American clinched her maiden Grand Slam title in a thrilling 2025 final. Her potent first serve and massive forehand, which thrive on the fast hard courts, make her a dangerous opponent for anyone in the draw.
- Aryna Sabalenka: The two-time former champion and 2025 finalist is arguably the most dominant hard-court player of the past few seasons. Her sheer power and aggressive mindset mean she will be a top contender, looking to reclaim her title and continue her reign of dominance.
- Iga Swiatek: While her best results often come on clay, the Polish World No. 1 has steadily improved her hard-court game. Her relentless intensity, incredible movement, and all-round game make her a permanent fixture in the late rounds of any Grand Slam.
- Rising Stars and Outsiders: The rise of young phenoms adds massive excitement. Mirra Andreeva, who has shown exceptional form on hard courts, and established names like Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, and Jasmine Paolini (a 2024 Grand Slam finalist), all possess the firepower and Grand Slam experience to lift the trophy. The depth of the WTA means a surprise champion is always possible.
Provisional Tournament Schedule (Updated with Official 2026 Release)
The 2026 Australian Open is a three-week event, kicking off with the popular Opening Week (January 12โ17), which features qualifying matches, charity events, and open practice sessions. The Main Draw runs for 15 thrilling days, from Sunday, January 18, to Sunday, February 1.
The schedule confirms a major change to the finals weekend to elevate the fan experience, with the women’s final now headlining the Saturday night session.
We will update the schedule with confirmed times and specific match order as they become available.
| Day | Date (2026) | Key Event Highlights & Rounds |
| Opening Week | Mon, Jan 12 โ Sat, Jan 17 | Qualifying Rounds, Kids Go Free Day (Jan 12), Charity Matches, Open Practice, Kids Tennis Day (Jan 17). |
| Day 1 | Sun, Jan 18 | Main Draw Singles Round 1 (Day 1 of 3 – Sunday Start) |
| Day 2 | Mon, Jan 19 | Singles Round 1 (Day 2 of 3) |
| Day 3 | Tue, Jan 20 | Singles Round 1 (Day 3 of 3) / Doubles Round 1 Begins |
| Day 4 | Wed, Jan 21 | Singles Round 2 / Doubles Round 1 / Evonne Goolagong Cawley Day |
| Day 5 | Thu, Jan 22 | Singles Round 2 / Mixed Doubles Begins |
| Day 6 | Fri, Jan 23 | Singles Round 3 |
| Day 7 | Sat, Jan 24 | Singles Round 3 / Junior Singles Begins |
| Day 8 | Sun, Jan 25 | Singles Round 4 (Round of 16) |
| Day 9 | Mon, Jan 26 | Singles Round 4 (Round of 16) / Australia Day |
| Day 10 | Tue, Jan 27 | Quarter-finals Begin / Wheelchair Singles Main Draw Begins |
| Day 11 | Wed, Jan 28 | Quarter-finals Continue |
| Day 12 | Thu, Jan 29 | Women’s Singles Semi-finals (Night Session) |
| FINALS WEEKEND | Fri, Jan 30 | Men’s Singles Semi-finals (Day & Night Sessions) / Mixed Doubles Final / Doubles Finals for all 5 Wheelchair Disciplines |
| FINALS WEEKEND | Sat, Jan 31 | Women’s Singles Final (Night Session) / Men’s & Women’s Doubles Finals (Afternoon) / Wheelchair Singles Finals |
| FINALS WEEKEND | Sun, Feb 1 | Junior Boys’ & Girls’ Singles Finals (Afternoon) / Men’s Singles Final (Night Session) |
Note: The official schedule is subject to change at the discretion of the tournament organisers.
This table incorporates the three-day first round, the specific date changes for the Women’s and Men’s Doubles finals moving to Saturday afternoon, the Women’s Singles Final headlining Saturday night, and the Junior Singles Finals moving to Sunday afternoon, right before the Men’s Singles Final.
Essential Fan and Ticketing Information
The Australian Open is renowned for its incredible atmosphere, combining elite sports with a summer festival vibe featuring live music, food and drink precincts, and family-friendly activities across Melbourne Park.
Official Ticketing Partner
For those planning to attend the 2026 Australian Open, the official ticketing partner is the best place to secure your seats:
Ticketing Link: https://www.ticketmaster.com.au/ausopen
The general public sale for the 2026 event is anticipated to begin in October 2025. Due to extremely high demand, especially for sessions on Rod Laver Arena and the semi-finals/finals, fans are strongly advised to secure tickets early.
Ticket Types (General Overview)
- Ground Passes: Essential for experiencing the vibrant atmosphere, giving access to the outdoor courts, practice courts, the various entertainment zones, and the unreserved seating on John Cain Arena and other stadiums (subject to capacity).
- Stadium Tickets (Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, John Cain Arena): Provide a reserved seat for the session on the specified stadium, as well as access to the Ground Pass areas.
- Packages: Official travel partners often offer packages that include reserved tickets, accommodation, and sometimes hospitality, which can be an excellent option for interstate or international visitors.
The 2026 Australian Open promises a spectacular start to the tennis year. With the world’s best athletes converging in Melbourne, and a prize pool set to break records, the action on the court will be as hot as the Australian summer.