The Australian Open 2026 is poised to start a new chapter in tennis history as the first Grand Slam of the season, drawing global attention to Melbourne Park. From elite singles fields to prize money records, the tournament — running from January 18 to February 1, 2026 — promises high drama across singles, doubles and wheelchair competitions.
Table of Contents
Event Overview: Dates, Venue, Format
The 114th edition of the Australian Open will take place at Melbourne Park in Victoria, Australia, spread over two weeks on hard courts (GreenSet).
Play begins with main-draw action on January 18, following qualifying rounds held from January 12–15. The schedule sees early rounds spread across day and night sessions, with finals set for January 31 (women’s singles) and February 1 (men’s singles).
As the first of the year’s four major tournaments, the Australian Open attracts the sport’s biggest names and draws intense global viewership. Notable courts include Rod Laver Arena, John Cain Arena, and Margaret Court Arena, used for marquee matches and late-night sessions.
Australian Open 2026 Prize Money and Economic Impact
The **2026 edition boasts a record A$111.5 million prize pool — a significant increase over previous years and one of the richest purses in tennis history. The champion in both men’s and women’s singles will take home A$4.15 million, with runners-up receiving A$2.15 million.
Prize money is distributed through every competitive round, rewarding deep runs with progressively larger shares. Doubles and mixed doubles champions also receive substantial payouts, while players eliminated in earlier rounds still earn meaningful compensation.
Off the court, the tournament fuels a major economic boom in Melbourne, projected to inject up to $600 million into local hospitality, retail and related industries. Record crowds and ancillary events — from live music to culinary experiences — have turned the Open into a city-wide festival.
Top Seeds and Standout Contenders
The seed list reflects current world rankings and recent performances:
- Men’s Top Seeds: World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz headlines the men’s draw, followed by two-time defending champion Jannik Sinner and seasoned former champion Novak Djokovic.
- Women’s Top Seeds: Aryna Sabalenka leads the women’s event as World No.1, with Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff rounding out the top three.
These seedings set up possible blockbuster matchups deep into the tournament. The men’s draw could feature a high-stakes clash between Alcaraz and Sinner in the later rounds — part of the burgeoning “Sincaraz” rivalry that has defined recent major finals.
On the women’s side, Sabalenka arrives in Melbourne aiming for her third Australian Open title, while Swiatek — fresh off major success — seeks her first Down Under crown. Gauff’s continuing ascent adds extra intrigue to the hunt for the championship.
How to Watch: Global Coverage and Live Streaming
The Australian Open is broadcast and streamed globally, with multiple platforms offering live coverage.
Here’s a region-by-region breakdown of all the confirmed TV channels and streaming platforms covering the Australian Open 2026 so fans worldwide know exactly where to tune in or stream the action. This list is based on official broadcast partners and recent coverage announcements.
Australia & Oceania
Free-to-Air TV
- Channel 9HD – Main broadcast channel showing live matches.
- 9GemHD / 9Go! – Additional free-to-air channels carrying Australian Open matches.
Streaming (Free & Paid)
- 9Now – Free streaming service with live coverage of all courts and replays.
- Stan Sport – Paid streaming platform offering every match live and on demand, including 4K on select devices.
Other Platforms
- Official AO apps and website for scores, highlights and schedules.
US – North America
United States
- ESPN – Main broadcast channel for live matches and major sessions.
- ESPN2 – Extended match coverage throughout the day and night.
- ESPN+ – Streaming service offering full access to every court, including qualifying matches.
- ESPN Deportes – Spanish-language coverage.
Note:
- Matches will air spread across linear TV and streaming due to time-zone differences with Melbourne’s schedule.
Canada
- TSN (English) – Main live TV coverage.
- RDS (French) – French-language broadcast.
🇪🇺 Europe
Pan-European Coverage
- Eurosport 1 & Eurosport 2 – Primary broadcasters across most European countries.
- discovery+ – Streaming platform carrying live coverage and multi-court streams in many European regions.
- HBO Max / Max – Carries Eurosport feeds via streaming in select territories.
- TNT Sports (UK & Ireland) – Extensive live coverage for UK audiences along with Eurosport.
Local European Channels (Varies by Country)
- Joyn – Free livestream of matches in Germany through Eurosport’s feed.
- Local broadcasters in some nations may also carry matches (e.g., regional sports networks).
🇮🇳 India & Subcontinent
- Sony Sports Network – TV broadcaster for live matches across multiple Sony channels.
- SonyLIV – Streaming platform with live tennis coverage, highlights and on-demand replays. (Sony LIV)
Asia (Non-Subcontinent)
- Japan: WOWOW – Exclusive broadcaster for live AO matches.
- China: Coverage typically on CCTV and digital platforms like iQIYI Sports.
- Southeast Asia: SPOTV – Live broadcasts in countries such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.
- New Zealand: Sky Sport / Sky Sport Now – Live TV and streaming coverage.
Middle East & Africa
- MENA Region: beIN Sports – Live television coverage across the Middle East and North Africa.
- Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport – Primary tennis broadcaster with live AO matches.
🇱🇰 Latin America & Caribbean
- Broadcast partners vary by country; many markets receive ESPN International or local sports networks carrying AO matches.
Official Streaming & Digital Options (Global)
- Australian Open Official App and AusOpen.com – Real-time scores, live stats, highlights and press conference feeds.
- Social media channels and YouTube highlights for key moments and recaps.
Notes for Viewers
- Coverage may differ slightly by country due to broadcast rights agreements.
- Many broadcasters offer multi-court streaming so viewers can choose featured or outside court matches live.
- Some services require a subscription, while free options exist in regions like Australia via 9Now.
Mobile apps and tournament portals offer real-time scores, highlights and player stats, ensuring fans stay connected across devices wherever they are.
Draws, Storylines and Key Matches
The draw ceremony — held on January 15 — finalized bracket placements across singles, doubles and mixed doubles.
In the men’s draw, Alcaraz and Sinner—alongside Djokovic—occupy pivotal positions that could produce potential semifinal or final showdowns if all advance. Early rounds will test seeded players with formidable unseeded opponents and rising talents aiming to make breakthrough runs.
The women’s draw features veteran champions and emerging stars with momentum from lead-up events. Sabalenka, Swiatek and Gauff are positioned so they would meet only in the tournament’s later phase, preserving intrigue deep into the second week.
Australia’s home hopes, such as Alex de Minaur in the men’s draw and several seeded Aussie women, add local interest, though tough assignments could lie ahead in early rounds.
Beyond Singles: Broader Tournament Events
The Australian Open extends beyond singles play. Doubles and mixed doubles competitions attract specialist teams and global pairings, while junior and wheelchair events showcase rising talents and Paralympic-level athletes.
Melbourne also hosts fringe events like the AO Pickleball Slam and exhibition contests, enriching the fan experience during the fortnight. Qualifying rounds and warm-up tournaments, including community-oriented and pro-am formats, build momentum in the lead-up to Grand Slam action.
As the Australian Open properly begins on January 18, anticipation is building for some unforgettable matches, potential upsets and the crowning of new champions. With major prize money, packed stadiums and a global audience, the 2026 tournament encapsulates tennis at its most exciting, where rising stars and seasoned champions collide on the sport’s first grand stage of the calendar year.
