When does the Australian Open 2026 start? How to get to Melbourne Park and key dates for opening Grand Slam

In 2026, the Australian Open celebrates its 115th edition, bringing fresh drama to Melbourne Park’s hard courts. The main draw opens on Sunday, 18 January, and the tournament culminates with the women’s final on Saturday, 31 January, followed by the men’s final on Sunday, 1 February.

While the champions have yet to be determined, betting markets suggest Aryna Sabalenka is among the early favourites in the women’s field, closely followed by Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek. On the men’s side, Jannik Sinner leads the odds, with strong competition expected from a deep lineup.

Beyond the on-court action, AO 2026 promises a full festival experience. Qualifying week runs from 12 to 17 January, featuring open practices, charity exhibitions, and the popular Opening Week festivities. Fans will enjoy Melbourne Park’s renowned amenities featuring three retractable roof stadiums, vibrant fan zones, live entertainment, and the iconic “Happy Slam” atmosphere.

The 2026 Australian Open begins on Sunday, 18 January 2026 and will conclude with the men’s singles final on Sunday, 1 February 2026. The choice to start on a Sunday rather than the traditional Monday was first adopted in 2024. Organisers found that an extra weekend session at the start allowed more fans to attend early round matches, and gave TV partners an extra prime-time slot, and spread out the scheduling load for players. This also means that the tournament will now run across 15 days rather than the traditional 14.

The women’s singles final is scheduled for Saturday, 31 January, while the men’s final is the following evening. Both finals are played in Rod Laver Arena, under the lights, and are among the most-watched tennis events globally.

The Australian Open’s home is Melbourne Park, an internationally recognised tennis complex on the banks of the Yarra River in Melbourne, Victoria.

1. Rod Laver Arena, 14,820 seat centre court with a retractable roof.
2. Margaret Court Arena – 7,500 seats, also with a roof, offering a more intimate but still grand experience.
3. John Cain Arena – 10,500 seats, known for raucous fan energy and general admission seating for early rounds.
4. Kia Arena – a 5,000-seat partially covered stadium opened in 2022, bridging the gap between main arenas and outside courts.

A network of outdoor courts for singles, doubles, juniors, wheelchair events, and practice sessions. The entire precinct is pedestrian-friendly, with food markets, entertainment stages, sponsor activations, and plenty of shaded areas, essential in the Australian summer.

The Australian Open is one of tennis’s four Grand Slam tournaments, alongside the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. It is the year’s first major, making it a tone-setter for the ATP and WTA tours. The tournament was founded in 1905 and has been held in several cities before settling permanently in Melbourne in 1972. It was traditionally played on grass courts until 1988, when it moved to Melbourne Park and switched to hard courts. Initially using Rebound Ace, the tournament switched to Plexicushion in 2008 and then to GreenSet in 2020, a surface praised for its consistency and moderate pace.

In addition to the main men’s and women’s singles and doubles, the AO also hosts:
1. Mixed doubles
2. Juniors (Boys’ and Girls’ singles and doubles)
3. Wheelchair events
4. Legends and exhibition matches

The Australian Open is nicknamed the “Happy Slam”, a phrase popularised by Roger Federer, because of its lively, festival-like atmosphere.

For international visitors The nearest major airport is Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine), around 23 km from Melbourne Park. You can take:
- SkyBus (express service to Southern Cross Station)
- Taxi or rideshare (about 30 minutes, traffic depending)
- Private shuttle transfers (often included in travel packages)

From central Melbourne
- Train: Take any train from Flinders Street Station to Richmond Station, then follow the pedestrian footbridge to Melbourne Park. This is often the fastest and most scenic route.
- Tram: Routes 70, 75, and 48 stop within walking distance.
- On foot: From Federation Square, it’s about a 15-minute riverside walk. Accessibility Melbourne Park is fully accessible, with lifts, ramps, wheelchair seating, and companion ticketing.

Qualifying Week running 12–17 January 2026, this is open to the public for a small fee or sometimes free entry. It’s a chance to see emerging talent and established players getting match ready.

Main Draw Dates
18–19 Jan – 1st Round begins
20–22 Jan – Completion of 1st & 2nd Rounds
23–24 Jan – 3rd Round matches
25–26 Jan – 4th Round matches
27–28 Jan – Quarterfinals
29 Jan – Women’s Semifinals
30 Jan – Men’s Semifinals
31 Jan – Women’s Singles Final
1 Feb – Men’s Singles Final

Exact doubles schedules will run parallel, often sharing show court slots. The main draw though will start on the 18th January with the schedules released 6pm AEDT the day before.

Men’s Singles – Jannik Sinner
Sinner’s victory in 2025 cemented his status as one of the sport’s most exciting new stars. He defeated Daniil Medvedev in a four-set final, showing composure and relentless baseline play.
Women’s Singles – Madison Keys
Keys upset two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, winning her first Grand Slam title after years of battling injuries and near-misses. Both enter 2026 with different kinds of pressure: Sinner aiming to defend in a stacked men’s field, and Keys looking to prove 2025 was the start of a sustained elite run.

Types of Tickets
1. Ground Pass – Access to all outside courts, John Cain Arena (first come, first served), practice sessions, and entertainment precincts. Affordable and great for early rounds.
2. Rod Laver Arena Reserved Seats – For premium viewing of the biggest matches.
3. Margaret Court Arena Reserved Seats – Slightly cheaper, with high-level matches and doubles action.
4. Hospitality & Premium Packages – Combine tickets with dining, lounge access, and sometimes player meet-and-greets.

Where to Buy
The official Australian Open site and authorised resellers release tickets in stages. General sale usually starts in October. Travel packages from companies like Sportsnet Holidays and Grand Slam Tennis Tours can secure seats months earlier.

Tickets are available from October 7 2025 for the 2026 edition and are set to be available from Ticketmaster Australia for those wanting to book for the event on either a single day pass or for the whole tournament.

Tips for Success
Early round night sessions in Rod Laver Arena often feature top seeds at lower prices than finals. If on a budget, combine a Ground Pass with a seat in Kia Arena or John Cain Arena for value. Finals weekend tickets sell out within minutes of release.

- Australia – Broadcast on the Nine Network (Nine, 9Gem) and streamed on 9Now.
- United States – ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ABC, and ESPN+ streaming.
- UK & Ireland – TNT Sports. Europe – Eurosport and Discovery+ have rights in most countries.
- Asia Pacific – Coverage varies; many territories use local sports networks.

Festival Feel – With live bands, street food markets, art installations, and interactive sponsor zones, the AO feels like part sporting event, part summer festival.
Night Sessions – The AO pioneered regular night matches under lights, creating electric atmospheres and drawing big TV audiences in Europe and the Americas.
Extreme Heat Management – The AO’s Extreme Heat Policy and three retractable-roof arenas ensure play can continue even in 40°C+ conditions.
Proximity to City Life – Unlike Roland Garros or Wimbledon, Melbourne Park is a short walk from the CBD, making it easy for fans to explore the city before or after matches.
Equality in Prize Money – The AO was among the early Slams to commit to equal prize money for men and women.
Record Attendance – In 2025, AO set a Grand Slam attendance record with over 1.2 million fans across qualifying and main draw sessions.
Fan Access – Players often sign autographs after practice or even during match warm-ups — much more accessible than at some other majors.

Men’s Field
Jannik Sinner – Defending champion with a booming serve and fearless groundstrokes.
Novak Djokovic – The most decorated AO men’s champion in history; still dangerous on hard courts.
Carlos Alcaraz – Explosive and inventive; already a multi-Slam winner before turning 23.
Daniil Medvedev – Tactical mastermind with two AO finals appearances.

Women’s Field
Madison Keys – Power hitter whose 2025 title run proved she can dominate in Melbourne conditions.
Iga Swiatek – World No. 1 for much of the last few years; thrives on rhythm and fitness.
Aryna Sabalenka – Former two-time AO champion with blistering pace from the baseline.
Coco Gauff – Fast-improving 21-year-old with a complete game and championship mentality.

Several factors point to the 2026 edition being particularly memorable:
It’s the 115th edition of the tournament, a milestone that could see commemorative events and special exhibitions.
Sinner and Keys are both attempting to defend their titles against deep, hungry fields.
Novak Djokovic may be chasing another AO title to further cement his dominance in Melbourne.
The new Sunday start format, now in its third year, continues to evolve and could draw record crowds again.
Melbourne Park’s continued upgrades — including more shaded seating and expanded fan zones — will improve the spectator experience.