The Australian Open returns for another thrilling edition, kicking off the tennis season with bigger stakes, more Australian contenders, and added pressure on the sport’s returning stars to perform. Here’s everything you need to know. The Australian Open main draw, taking place on Thursday, 15 January.
The 2026 Australian Open begins on Sunday, 18 January, with the main draw getting underway at Melbourne Park. The women’s singles final will be played on Saturday, 31 January, followed by the men’s final on Sunday, 1 February.
Qualifying rounds will run from 12–15 January, with 16 places available in both the men’s and women’s singles draws.
Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Świątek are each one Australian Open title away from completing the Career Grand Slam, having already claimed major victories at the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
Read on for everything you need to know about the 2026 Australian Open draw and how to watch the world’s best tennis players compete in Melbourne this month.
When Is The 2026 Australian Open Draw?
The main draw will be revealed on Thursday, 15 January, at 2:30 p.m. AEDT.
Fans can watch the draw live on:
- ausopen.com
- Australian Open YouTube channel
- Official Australian Open Facebook page
For the first time, the draw will also be staged on the Grand Slam Oval fan stage, with live broadcasts shown across Melbourne Park.
2026 Australian Open Women’s Seeds And Entry List
Rankings are accurate as of Friday, 9 January 2026. Below are the top 20 seeded players in the women’s singles draw at the Australian Open 2026:
- Aryna Sabalenka
- Iga Świątek (Poland)
- Coco Gauff (USA)
- Amanda Anisimova (USA)
- Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan)
- Jessica Pegula (USA)
- Madison Keys (USA)
- Jasmine Paolini (Italy)
- Mirra Andreeva
- Ekaterina Alexandrova
- Belinda Bencic (Switzerland)
- Clara Tauson (Denmark)
- Linda Nosková (Czechia)
- Elina Svitolina (Ukraine)
- Emma Navarro (USA)
- Naomi Osaka (Japan)
- Ludmila Samsonova
- Victoria Mboko (Canada)
- Karolina Muchová (Czechia)
- Elise Mertens (Belgium)
2026 Australian Open Women's Wildcards
Eight players have accepted wildcard entries:
- Priscila Hon (Australia) – Rank 119
- Rakotomanga Rajaonah Tiantsoa (France) – Rank 121
- Talia Gibson (Australia) – Rank 122
- Emerson Jones (Australia) – Rank 150
- Elizabeth Mandlik (USA) – Rank 182
- Taylah Preston (Australia) – Rank 195
- Zarina Diyas (Kazakhstan) – Rank 283
- Venus Williams (USA) – Rank 577
Additionally, 16 players from the qualifying rounds will complete the 128-player women’s draw.
Notable Absentees:
- Zheng Qinwen (China)
- Veronika Kudermetova
2026 Australian Open Men’s Seeds And Entry List
Rankings as of Friday, 9 January 2026:
- Carlos Alcaraz (Spain)
- Jannik Sinner (Italy)
- Alexander Zverev (Germany)
- Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
- Félix Auger-Aliassime (Canada)
- Taylor Fritz (USA)
- Alex de Minaur (Australia)
- Lorenzo Musetti (Italy)
- Ben Shelton (USA)
- Alexander Bublik (Kazakhstan)
- Casper Ruud (Norway)
- Daniil Medvedev (Russia)
- Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (Spain)
- Andrey Rublev (Russia)
- Jiri Lehecka (Czechia)
- Karen Khachanov (Russia)
- Jakub Menšík (Czechia)
- Tommy Paul (USA)
2026 Australian Open Men's Wildcards
Eight players have accepted wildcard entries:
- James Duckworth (Australia) – Rank 106
- Jordan Thompson (Australia) – Rank 108
- Christopher O’Connell (Australia) – Rank 114
- Patrick Kypson (USA) – Rank 117
- Bu Yunchaokete (China) – Rank 120
- Rinky Hijikata (Australia) – Rank 127
- Kyrian Jacquet (France) – Rank 138
- Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland) – Rank 156
Additionally, 16 players from the qualifying rounds will complete the 128-player men’s draw.
Notable Absentees:
- Jack Draper (Great Britain)
- Arthur Fils (France)
Australian Open 2026 Dates and Schedule
The 2026 Australian Open runs from 15 January to 1 February, following the tournament’s extended 18-day format. Qualifying rounds will take place from January 15–17. The main draw begins on Sunday, 18 January, with matches split into day and night sessions. Day play typically starts between 11:00 AM and 12:00 PM, while night sessions kick off at 7:00 PM.
Tournament Dates: 15 January – 1 February (18-day format)
- Qualifying: 15–17 January
- Main Draw Begins: Sunday, 18 January
- Day Sessions: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Night Sessions: 7:00 PM
Key Rounds:
- First Round: 18–20 January
- Second Round: 21–22 January
- Third Round: 23–24 January
- Fourth Round: 25–26 January
- Quarterfinals: 27–28 January
- Women’s Semifinals: Thursday, 29 January
- Men’s Semifinals: Friday, 30 January
Finals Weekend:
- Saturday, 31 January: Women’s singles final, Men’s doubles final
- Sunday, 1 February: Women’s doubles final, Men’s singles final
Daily orders of play are released the evening before each session.
Top-Ranked Players Confirmed
Officials have confirmed that 99 of the world’s top 100 men and 98 of the top 100 women will compete in Melbourne Park this January. The only notable absence in the men’s field is world No.15 Holger Rune, who is sidelined after suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon at the Stockholm Open.
How And Where To Watch The Australian Open 2026?
In Australia, the tournament is broadcast live and free on Channel 9, with selected matches shown across Nine’s TV channels and digital platforms. Matches are also available via subscription on Stan Sport.
Internationally, broadcast rights vary from country to country. Major providers include:
- Europe: Eurosport
- United States: ESPN
- India & Subcontinent: Sony Sports Network
Fans can also follow live scores, highlights, and match schedules via the official Australian Open website and the Australian Open app.
Prize Money Breakdown
The tournament’s total prize pool has reached a record $111.5 million, surpassing the $100 million mark for the first time in its history. This represents a 16% increase over 2025’s $96.5 million.
Significant portions of the increase have been directed toward lower-ranked players, with qualifying-round prize money rising by 16%, alongside expanded player support, enhanced travel assistance, and strengthened welfare initiatives.
At the same time, the winners and runners-up will also benefit from record payouts, highlighting the tournament’s continued commercial growth.
Singles – Men’s & Women’s
| Round | Prize Money | Increase vs 2025 |
| Winner | $4,150,000 | +19% |
| Runner-up | $2,150,000 | +13% |
| Semifinalist | $1,250,000 | +14% |
| Quarterfinalist | $750,000 | +13% |
| Fourth Round | $480,000 | +14% |
| Third Round | $327,750 | +13% |
| Second Round | $225,000 | +13% |
| First Round | $150,000 | +14% |
Qualifying Rounds
| Round | Prize Money | Increase vs 2025 |
| Q3 | $83,500 | +16% |
| Q2 | $57,000 | +16% |
| Q1 | $40,500 | +16% |
What’s New For Players In 2026?
Tennis Australia has introduced several player-focused initiatives for 2026, recognising the long-haul travel commitments of competitors, particularly those ranked outside direct entry cut-offs. Travel assistance has been boosted by 67%, easing the burden on international players.
The expanded 18-day schedule is designed to improve player well-being, spreading singles matches across nine days per round. This reduces late-night finishes followed by next-day matches, a crucial consideration given Melbourne’s summer temperatures, which often exceed 30°C.
Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley highlighted the renewed support for lower-ranked players:
“From boosting qualifying prize money by 55% since 2023 to enhancing player benefits, we’re ensuring professional tennis is sustainable for all competitors.”
Australian Players to Watch
Singles Contenders
- Alex de Minaur leads the local charge as a top-10 seed, fresh off a career-best quarterfinal run last year.
- Rising star Maya Joint (No.32) is seeded at a Grand Slam for the first time.
- Other women’s main draw Australians include Ajla Tomljanovic, Kimberly Birrell, Priscilla Hon, and wildcard entrants Talia Gibson, Emerson Jones, and Taylah Preston. Former Russian Daria Kasatkina will also compete under the Australian flag for the first time.
- Men’s main draw Australians include Alexei Popyrin, Aleksandar Vukic, Thanasi Kokkinakis, Adam Walton, Tristan Schoolkate, James Duckworth, and Rinky Hijikata, alongside de Minaur.
Doubles Highlights
Homegrown talent also features prominently in doubles.
- Olivia Gadecki and John Peers return as reigning mixed doubles champions.
- Other key players include Matt Ebden, Ellen Perez, and Jordan Thompson, fresh off a US Open doubles title with Max Purcell.
Australian juniors and wheelchair players will also make an impact, with Cruz Hewitt, Daniel Jovanovski, and top quad stars Jin Woodman and Heath Davidson expected to shine in the second week.
What to Eat and Drink at AO 2026
The Australian Open 2026 promises a world-class food and drink experience across Melbourne Park:
Garden Square Highlights
- Shake Shack debuts in Australia with Angus beef burgers and hand-spun shakes.
- Hector’s Deli serves cult sandwiches.
- Layla by Shane Delia brings Middle Eastern flavours.
- Entrecôte offers French baguettes and cheeseburgers.
- Vic’s Meat delivers a gourmet take on the classic Aussie sausage in bread.
Grand Slam Oval Highlights
- Ho Jiak – modern Malaysian cuisine
- JollyGood – Melbourne-style burgers
- Stalactites x Taverna – Greek collaboration
- D.O.C – Italian street pizza
- Fishbowl – signature poke bowls
- Wonder Pies – nostalgic tuck shop for families
AO Reserve & Premium Dining
- Peter Gilmore (Bennelong, Quay)
- Simon Rogan (L’Enclume)
- Alejandro Saravia (Farmer’s Daughters)
- Shimpei Raikuni (Sushi Room)
- SK Steak & Oyster – Brisbane-based fine dining
- Grey Goose Courtside Bar
Returning atop Court 6, with a French-inspired menu by Nik Hill (Porcine). Signature cocktails include the Lemon Ace, aiming to rival the viral Honey Deuce from the US Open.
