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2026 ASB Classic
January 5 – January 17 NZDT
The 2026 ASB Classic has officially concluded, bringing two weeks of world-class tennis to a close at the ASB Tennis Centre in Auckland, New Zealand. Held from 5–17 January 2026, the tournament once again lived up to its reputation as one of the most popular and competitive warm-up events for the Australian Open, combining high-quality tennis with an intimate setting and a vibrant summer festival atmosphere at the “The Serve” entertainment precinct.
Staged at the historic ASB Tennis Centre on Stanley Street, the event was split into two distinct weeks: the WTA 250 women’s tournament during the first week, followed by the ATP 250 men’s tournament in the second week. Fans were treated to thrilling matches, dramatic comebacks, and breakthrough performances as players fine-tuned their form ahead of the season’s first Grand Slam.
Champions
The 2026 edition crowned new champions across all four main events, highlighting a mix of emerging talent and established doubles expertise:
- Men’s Singles:
🇨🇿 Jakub Menšík defeated 🇦🇷 Sebastián Báez, 6–3, 7–6(9–7) - Women’s Singles:
🇺🇦 Elina Svitolina defeated 🇨🇳 Wang Xinyu, 6–3, 7–6(8–6) - Men’s Doubles:
🇫🇷 Théo Arribagé / 🇮🇹 Albano Olivetti defeated 🇦🇹 Alexander Erler / 🇺🇸 Robert Galloway, 7–6(7–2), 6–4 - Women’s Doubles:
🇨🇳 Guo Hanyu / 🇫🇷 Kristina Mladenovic defeated 🇨🇳 Xu Yifan / 🇨🇳 Yang Zhaoxuan, 7–6(9–7), 6–1
With its champions crowned and the final balls struck, the 2026 ASB Classic once again confirmed its status as a key stop on the early-season tennis calendar, setting the stage perfectly for the drama to unfold next at the Australian Open.
Tournament Fast Facts
| Feature | Details |
| Dates (WTA) | January 5 – 11, 2026 |
| Dates (ATP) | January 12 – 17, 2026 |
| Venue | ASB Tennis Centre, Auckland, NZ |
| Surface | Outdoor Hard Court (GreenSet) |
| Draw Size | 32 Singles / 16 Doubles (Both events) |
| Points | 250 (Winner) |
Week 1: WTA 250 Overview (January 5–11)
The women’s week has kicked off with a stacked field featuring a mix of Grand Slam legends, established Top 20 stars, and a wave of exciting teenage talent from around the globe.
WTA Top Seeds & Contenders
The draw is headlined by Elina Svitolina (UKR), the former World No. 3, who returns to Auckland as the top seed. She is joined by the aggressive American Emma Navarro, seeded second, who had a breakout season last year. The seeds also highlight the tournament’s focus on the “next generation” of Asian and American talent.
- [1] Elina Svitolina (UKR): The heavy favorite, bringing her elite baseline defense to Stanley Street.
- [2] Emma Navarro (USA): A rising star with a powerful all-court game.
- [3] Iva Jovic (USA): The teenage sensation making waves on the pro tour.
- [4] Alexandra Eala (PHI): A historic talent for the Philippines, seeded fourth.
- [6] Janice Tjen (INA): The Indonesian rising star making her debut as a seeded player.
Wildcards to Watch: The wildcard list this year is nothing short of legendary. Venus Williams returns to one of her favorite hunting grounds, alongside fellow American and former US Open champion Sloane Stephens. British No. 1 Katie Boulter and local Kiwi hope Monique Barry round out the wildcard entries.
Week 2: ATP 250 Overview (January 12–17)
Once the women crown their champion, the men take over. The ATP field for 2026 is arguably one of the strongest 250-level draws of the season, featuring explosive power hitters and Grand Slam finalists.
ATP Headliners
Ben Shelton (USA) leads the field as the top seed. The charismatic American, known for his thunderous serve and athleticism, is the man to beat. He is challenged by the steady and clay-savvy Casper Ruud (NOR), who is looking to translate his massive consistency onto the Auckland hard courts.
Other notable entries include:
- [3] Jakub Mensik (CZE): The “Next Gen” standout who has been rapidly climbing the rankings.
- [5] Cameron Norrie (GBR): Raised in Auckland, Norrie always receives a hero’s welcome. He is desperate to finally lift the trophy at his “home” event.
- Gaël Monfils (FRA): The 2025 Defending Champion. At 39, “La Monf” remains one of the most entertaining players in history.
- Stan Wawrinka (SUI): The three-time Grand Slam champion has accepted a wildcard, bringing his legendary one-handed backhand to New Zealand fans, possibly for the last time.
Prize Money & Ranking Points Breakdown
Both events offer vital ranking points (250 for the winner) that can determine seeding for the upcoming Australian Open. The prize money pools have seen slight increases for 2026, reflecting the tournament’s commercial success.
WTA Financial Commitment: USD 283,347
| Finish | Prize Money (USD) | Points |
| Winner | $37,390 | 250 |
| Finalist | $22,125 | 163 |
| Semifinalist | $12,331 | 98 |
| Quarterfinalist | $7,025 | 54 |
| Round of 16 | $4,285 | 30 |
| Round of 32 | $3,065 | 1 |
ATP Financial Commitment: USD 700,045
While the exact round-by-round distribution for the men is finalized at the draw ceremony, the total commitment aligns with the ATP 250 standard, offering a significantly larger purse than the WTA side due to different tour structures.
| Finish | Prize Money (USD) | Points |
| Winner | $106,460 | 250 |
| Finalist | $62,115 | 165 |
| Semifinalist | $36,520 | 100 |
| Quarterfinalist | $21,155 | 50 |
| Round of 16 | $12,285 | 25 |
| Round of 32 | $7,510 | 0 |
Venue & Fan Experience
The ASB Tennis Centre is famous for its intimate viewing experience. The Centre Court capacity is approximately 3,000, ensuring that every seat feels close to the action. The courts use a GreenSet cushioned acrylic surface, similar to the Australian Open, playing medium-fast which rewards aggressive shot-making.
“The Serve”
Beyond the tennis, the tournament is marketed as the “best two weeks of summer.” The entertainment precinct, known as “The Serve,” features live music, premium food trucks from Auckland’s top eateries, and pop-up bars. It is the place to be seen in Auckland during January.
How to Watch
For fans unable to make the trip to New Zealand, the 2026 ASB Classic is broadcast globally:
- New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ (Official Host Broadcaster)
- USA: Tennis Channel (Exclusive “Summer Down Under” coverage)
- International Streaming: WTA TV (Week 1) and Tennis TV (Week 2)
With legends like Venus Williams and Stan Wawrinka gracing the courts alongside the explosive power of Ben Shelton and Emma Navarro, the 2026 ASB Classic promises to be a vintage edition of this historic tournament.