Australian Open 2026 Dates: Full Schedule & Key Info

Planning a trip to Melbourne for the year’s first Grand Slam means nailing down the exact dates. The Australian Open 2026 is officially set for 18 January to 1 February, with the opening week starting as early as 12 January. We’ve pulled together the confirmed schedule, ticket timelines, and a few things that are still up in the air — so you can plan with confidence.

Tournament dates: 18 Jan – 1 Feb 2026 ·
Opening week: 12–17 Jan 2026 ·
Main draw start: 18 Jan 2026 ·
Edition: 114th (58th Open Era) ·
Prize money: A$111,500,000

The official schedule breaks into two distinct phases: opening week and the main draw. Here’s how the seven key pieces fit together.

The pattern: the tournament stretches over three full weeks, but the core action for fans centers on the main draw window.

The tableseve facts, one pattern: the tournament stretches over three full weeks, but the core action for fans centers on the main draw window.

What are the key dates for Australian Open 2026?

Opening week schedule

• Opening Week runs from Monday 12 January to Saturday 17 January 2026 (Melbourne Park official guide).
• Qualifying matches take place 12–14 January, with sessions starting at 10 a.m. AEDT on 12–14 January and 11 a.m. on 15 January (ATP Tour official schedule).
• Kids Tennis Day and practice sessions fill the rest of opening week.

Main draw start and end dates

• The main draw begins on Sunday 18 January 2026 (LTA provisional schedule).
• Matches run through to the finals on Sunday 1 February 2026.
• Day sessions start at 11 a.m., night sessions at 7 p.m. AEDT (Melbourne Park official guide).

Finals weekend dates

• The doubles final is scheduled for Saturday 31 January 2026 at 12 noon AEDT (ATP Tour official schedule).
• The singles final takes place on Sunday 1 February 2026 at 7:30 p.m. AEDT (ATP Tour official schedule).

The pattern: the tournament’s structure hasn’t changed much in recent years, but the prize money jump to A$111.5 million signals a growing emphasis on player compensation.

When does the Australian Open 2026 main draw start?

Exact main draw start date

The main draw begins on Sunday 18 January 2026, as confirmed by multiple sources including the ATP Tour and the LTA.

Difference between opening week and main draw

• Opening week (12–17 January) includes qualifying, practice sessions, and special events — but no main draw matches.
• The main draw (18 January – 1 February) is the tournament’s competitive core: singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.

How main draw schedule is organized

• First round: 18–19 January
• Rounds 2–4: 20–25 January
• Quarterfinals: 26–27 January
• Semifinals: 28–30 January
• Finals: 31 January – 1 February

Session times shift as the tournament progresses: quarterfinal sessions start at 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m., while the semifinal day (30 January) has a 12 noon start for the first match (ATP Tour).

What are the Australian Open 2026 qualifying dates?

Qualifying rounds schedule

• Qualifying runs from Monday 12 January to Thursday 15 January 2026 (LTA).
• Sessions: 10 a.m. start on 12–14 January, 11 a.m. on 15 January (ATP Tour).
• The singles qualifying draw has 128 players (men and women), with 16 spots in the main draw up for grabs.

Where qualifying matches are played

All qualifying matches are held at Melbourne Park, primarily on the outer courts. The Melbourne Park official guide notes that the venue covers 40 hectares and includes multiple practice courts and show courts that host qualifying.

How to watch qualifying

• Streaming: Available on the official Australian Open website and selected broadcasters.
• Attendance: General admission tickets for qualifying are typically cheaper than main draw tickets.
• TV coverage: Limited — often via streaming only, though some matches air on sports channels.

Is Roger Federer playing the Australian Open 2026?

Federer’s current playing status

Roger Federer has not officially confirmed participation in the 2026 Australian Open. The 20-time Grand Slam champion has been sidelined since 2022 with knee injuries, and at 44 years old in January 2026, a competitive return is reportedly unlikely. ATP Tour does not list him on any projected entry list.

Official entry lists and wildcards

• Tennis Australia has not released the final entry list for the 2026 tournament.
• Wildcards are typically awarded in December 2025 or early January 2026.
• Speculation about Federer’s return remains unsubstantiated as of early 2026.

Implications for the 2026 draw

If Federer does not play, it will be the first Australian Open since 1999 without either Federer, Nadal, or Djokovic in the men’s singles draw — a symbolic shift. For now, the draw will likely be headlined by Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner.

Where does the Australian Open 2026 take place?

Venue: Melbourne Park

The Australian Open 2026 is held at Melbourne Park, a 40-hectare sports and entertainment precinct on the banks of the Birrarung (Yarra River) in Melbourne, Victoria (Melbourne Park official guide). The venue includes three primary show courts:

The three main stadiums range from 7,500 to 14,820 seats, each with a retractable roof for weather contingency.

The implication: while all three show courts offer covered play, each serves a different seating experience and ticket price tier.

Best entrance and transport options

• Grand Slam Entrance: Primary entry for Rod Laver Arena patrons, located near the corner of Olympic Blvd and Batman Ave.
• Garden Square Entrance: Best for Margaret Court Arena and show courts, accessible from the Birrarung Marr side.
• Public transport: Flinders Street Station is a 15-minute walk; Richmond Station connects via a footbridge directly into the venue.

On-site facilities and seating

Melbourne Park offers shaded seating, food courts, and a fan zone with live music. The venue has full wheelchair accessibility and dedicated entry gates for patrons with mobility needs.

What is the best entrance for the Australian Open 2026?

Main entrances at Melbourne Park

Melbourne Park has several gates. The primary ones are: For those planning ahead, you can find the confirmed schedule for the Australian Open 2026 here: Australian Open 2026.

• Gate 1 (Grand Slam Entrance): Rod Laver Arena and northern concourse.
• Gate 3 (Garden Square): Margaret Court Arena and show courts 2–5.
• Gate 5 (Flinders Park): Outer courts and practice area.
• Gate 8 (Richmond Station): Direct access from the train station.

Recommended gates for different courts

• Rod Laver Arena: Gate 1 (Grand Slam Entrance).
• Margaret Court Arena: Gate 3 (Garden Square).
• John Cain Arena: Gate 5 (Flinders Park).
• Outer courts: Gate 8 (Richmond Station) for fastest access to court 10–15.

Accessibility and public transport access

Gate 2 is dedicated for patrons with accessibility needs. The venue is a 20-minute walk from Flinders Street Station or a 5-minute walk from Richmond Station via the footbridge (ausopen.com visit page).

Australian Open 2026 timeline

• 12–14 January 2026: Qualifying matches (opening week)
• 15–17 January 2026: Opening week continues (practice, exhibitions, Kids Tennis Day)
• 18 January 2026: Main draw begins (first round)
• 19–25 January 2026: First week of main draw (rounds 1–4)
• 26–31 January 2026: Second week (quarterfinals, semifinals)
• 1 February 2026: Finals day (men’s and women’s singles finals)

What we know and what’s still unclear

What they’re saying

“The 2026 Australian Open will run from Monday 12 January to Sunday 1 February 2026 at Melbourne Park.”

— Tennis Australia, official press release, 21 March 2025 (Tennis Australia)

“The main draw commences on Sunday 18 January 2026, with the singles final scheduled for Sunday 1 February 2026 at 7:30 p.m. AEDT.”

— ATP Tour, schedule announcement (ATP Tour)

“Opening Week runs from Monday 12 January to Saturday 17 January, and the main draw runs from Sunday 18 January to Sunday 1 February. Day sessions start from 11:00 a.m. and night sessions from 7:00 p.m.”

— Melbourne Park, official fan guide (Melbourne Park)

For fans planning their 2026 tennis calendar, the choice is clear: book your travel around the main draw window (18 Jan – 1 Feb) if you want to see the biggest names, but consider arriving during opening week for cheaper tickets and a more relaxed atmosphere. The A$111.5 million prize pool guarantees high stakes from the first round — and with no Federer in the draw, a new generation will compete for the title.

Frequently asked questions

Fans planning their 2026 tennis calendar should book travel around the main draw window (18 Jan – 1 Feb) for top matches, but opening week offers cheaper tickets and a relaxed atmosphere. The A$111.5 million prize pool guarantees high stakes from round one.