The schedule for the 2026 Australian Open is officially set, with qualifying matches beginning in early January and the main draw beginning later in the month.
Fans around the world will be watching when stars like Coco Gauff and Jannik Sinner take to the court as the first Grand Slam of the tennis season gets underway at Melbourne Park.
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The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam of the year and traditionally sets the tone for the entire tennis calendar. It takes place over two weeks and includes a qualifying tournament, the first matches of the main draw and finals which end in early February.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Australian Open schedule, key match days for Gauff and Sinner and how to watch all the action live.
Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images
Qualifications, main draw dates and when Coco Gauff and Jannik Sinner play
The 2026 Australian Open will be held at Melbourne Park, Australia from January 12 to February 1, 2026, with qualifying competitions starting slightly earlier.
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The qualifying rounds begin on Monday, January 12 and end on Thursday, January 15, when the final spots in the main draw will be finalized.
The main draw itself begins on Sunday, January 18 and will continue until Sunday, February 1, when the men’s singles final will take place.
Coco Gauff and Jannik Sinner are both top seeds and are expected to begin their Australian Open 2026 campaign in the opening days of the main draw.
Since the main draw begins on January 18, Gauff and Sinner are expected to make their first appearances on January 18 or 19, depending on the official tournament order of play once the draw is confirmed.
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The tournament includes several events alongside the singles matches, such as doubles, mixed doubles, junior events and wheelchair tennis, adding weeks of competitive play for fans to enjoy. The women’s singles final is scheduled for January 31, followed by the men’s singles final on February 1.
How to watch the Australian Open 2026 live
Coverage of the Australian Open will be available on major sports broadcasters and streaming services around the world.
In the United States and many international markets, ESPN will be a key broadcaster, offering live coverage on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN+ with instant streaming for early rounds and full sessions for later rounds. Qualifying matches are also included in this coverage window.
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For fans in the UK and Europe, coverage is typically provided via the Eurosport and Discovery+ platforms. Local schedules and broadcast schedules vary by region, but major sessions are generally available for both day and night matches.
The official Australian Open digital platforms and tournament app also provide highlights, live scores and schedules throughout the event.
As the 2026 edition kicks off another season of tennis and features strong lineups including Gauff and Sinner, viewers can expect world-class competition from day one in the main draw.
