At a Glance
- The 2026 Australian Open starts Sunday at 11 a.m. local time (7 p.m. Saturday EST)
- Prize money jumps 16% to $75 million, with singles champions earning $2.8 million
- Defending champions Madison Keys and Jannik Sinner return to Melbourne Park
- Why it matters: Fans get more access and bigger payouts as tennis kicks off its Grand Slam season
The first Grand Slam of the tennis season launches this weekend with historic prize money, expanded fan activities, and the return of Venus Williams at age 45. The tournament runs through February 1, culminating with the women’s final on January 31 and the men’s final on February 1.
Defending Champions Back on Court
Madison Keys ended a Grand Slam drought for American women by stunning world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 2-6, 7-5 in the 2025 final. The victory gave Keys her first major trophy. On the men’s side, Jannik Sinner successfully defended his crown, defeating Alexander Zverev 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3.
Both champions return to Melbourne Park looking to repeat, though Sinner faces added pressure after a pre-tournament exhibition saw an amateur local player beat him in the viral 1 Point Slam event, pocketing one million Australian dollars.
How to Watch and When Play Begins
Singles action begins Sunday at 11 a.m. local time (7 p.m. Saturday EST) across Melbourne Park’s outside courts. The first match inside Rod Laver Arena starts 30 minutes later at 11:30 a.m. (7:30 p.m. Saturday EST).
U.S. viewers can catch every serve and volley on:
- ESPN
- Tennis Channel
Night sessions return, meaning matches stretch well past sunset under the retractable roofs of the three main arenas.
Sunday’s Can’t-Miss Matches
Rod Laver Arena schedule:
- Jasmine Paolini (seeded 7th) vs. Aliaksandra Sasnovich – opening match
- Alexander Zverev (men’s No. 3) vs. Gabriel Diallo
- Night session: Aryna Sabalenka vs. Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah, then Carlos Alcaraz vs. Adam Walton
Margaret Court Arena finale: Emma Raducanu vs. Mananchaya Sawangkaew
John Cain Arena closer: Venus Williams vs. Olga Danilovic
Top Seeds and Draw Details
Aryna Sabalenka enters as the women’s top seed after securing the No. 1 ranking. Carlos Alcaraz heads the men’s field. The official draw took place Thursday, setting the path to the finals.
What Makes the Australian Open Unique
The tournament unfolds on outdoor hard courts at Melbourne Park, nestled along the Yarra River near downtown Melbourne. Retractable roofs top Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, and John Cain Arena, shielding play from Australia’s summer heat and summer storms.
Match formats differ by gender:
- Women: best-of-three sets with a first-to-10, win-by-two tiebreaker at 6-all in the third
- Men: best-of-five sets with a tiebreaker at 6-all in the fifth
Night sessions, a feature shared with the U.S. Open and French Open, create prime-time drama for global audiences. The event traditionally lands during Australia’s school summer break, boosting attendance and festive vibes.
New for 2026: Opening Week and Fan Festivals
Tennis Australia expanded the fan experience with an “opening week” that opens Melbourne Park gates during qualifying. Organizers staged live music every night at Grand Slam Oval, turning the precinct into a festival ground.
Fans also gained access to open practice sessions inside Rod Laver Arena, watching stars dial in their games before the main draw. Tournament officials report more than 175,000 visitors attended from Monday to Friday of opening week.
Comebacks and Ceremonies
Venus Williams accepted a wild card, becoming at 45 the oldest woman ever to contest an Australian Open main draw. She eclipses Japan’s Kimiko Date, who was 44 when she played in 2015.
Roger Federer returns in a non-playing role, headlining Saturday night’s opening ceremony. On Friday, Federer stepped onto Rod Laver Arena for the first time since 2020, hitting with Casper Ruud in a packed exhibition that drew roaring applause.
Complete Singles Schedule
| Date | Round |
|---|---|
| Jan. 18-20 | First Round (Women and Men) |
| Jan. 21-22 | Second Round (Women and Men) |
| Jan. 23-24 | Third Round (Women and Men) |
| Jan. 25-26 | Fourth Round (Women and Men) |
| Jan. 27-28 | Quarterfinals (Women and Men) |
| Jan. 29 | Women’s Semifinals |
| Jan. 30 | Men’s Semifinals |
| Jan. 31 | Women’s Final |
| Feb. 1 | Men’s Final |
Record Prize Money Breakdown
Tournament organizers lifted total prize money 16% to a record 111.5 million Australian dollars ($75 million), up from 96.5 million in 2025.
Singles champions will pocket 4.15 million Australian dollars ($2.8 million), marking a 19% boost from last year’s winner’s cheque.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 Australian Open starts Sunday with bigger prizes and broader fan access
- Venus Williams, at 45, becomes the oldest female competitor in tournament history
- $75 million total purse and $2.8 million champion’s payday set new records
- Night sessions, retractable roofs, and summer-break timing keep Melbourne Park buzzing through February 1
