The 2026 Australian Open schedule is officially set, with qualifying matches beginning in early January and the main draw kicking off later in the month.
Fans around the world will be watching to see when top stars like Coco Gauff and Jannik Sinner take to the court as the first Grand Slam of the tennis season gets underway in Melbourne Park.
The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam of the year and traditionally sets the tone for the entire tennis calendar. It runs across two weeks and includes a qualifying tournament, early main draw matches, and finals that conclude in early February.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Australian Open schedule, the key match days for Gauff and Sinner, and how to watch all the action live.
Qualifying, main draw dates, and when Coco Gauff and Jannik Sinner play
The 2026 Australian Open will be held at Melbourne Park in Australia from January 12 through February 1, 2026, with qualified competition starting slightly earlier.
Qualifying rounds begin on Monday, January 12, and finish on Thursday, January 15, when the final spots in the main draw are finalised.
The main draw itself begins on Sunday, January 18, and runs through to Sunday, February 1, when the men’s singles final takes place.
Coco Gauff and Jannik Sinner are both seeded players and expected to begin their 2026 Australian Open campaigns during the opening days of the main draw.
Given the main draw begins on January 18, Gauff and Sinner are anticipated to make their first appearances on either January 18 or January 19, depending on the tournament’s official order of play once the draw is confirmed.
The tournament includes multiple 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 2026 Australian Open live
Coverage of the Australian Open will be available across 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 whip-around streaming for early rounds and full sessions for later rounds. Qualifying matches are also included in this coverage window.
For fans in the United Kingdom and Europe, coverage is typically provided through Eurosport and discovery+ platforms. Local listings and broadcast packages vary by region, but major sessions are generally available for both day and night matches.
Official Australian Open digital platforms and the tournament app also provide highlights, live scores, and schedules throughout the event.
With the 2026 edition kicking off another season of tennis and featuring strong lineups including Gauff and Sinner, viewers can expect world-class competition from the very first day of the main draw.
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