The Australian Open 2026 is poised to be an exciting event, where players strive for tennis glory in Melbourne. Defending champions Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys are set to compete again, aiming to retain their titles.
Key Dates for the Australian Open 2026
The tournament will officially kick off on January 18 and conclude with the finals at the end of the month. Key dates include:
- Main Tournament Start: January 18
- Women’s Final: January 31
- Men’s Final: February 1
Main Draw Schedule
The draw for the men’s and women’s singles will take place on January 15 at 2:30 PM local time. This will see the top-ranked players automatically qualifying for the main draw.
Venue Details
The Australian Open will be held at Melbourne Park, a premier venue for tennis since 1988. It features three main courts:
- Rod Laver Arena: Capacity of 15,000
- John Cain Arena: Capacity of 10,500
- Margaret Court Arena: Capacity of 7,500
2026 Tournament Format and Match Schedule
The tournament includes various events, with matches scheduled every day. The schedule is as follows:
- January 18-20: First Round
- January 21-22: Second Round
- January 23-24: Third Round
- January 25-26: Fourth Round
- January 27-28: Quarter-finals
- January 29: Women’s Semi-finals
- January 30: Men’s Semi-finals
- January 31: Women’s Final at 8:30 AM UK/Ireland time
- February 1: Men’s Final at 8:30 AM UK/Ireland time
Prize Money Breakdown
This year, the total prize money for the Australian Open has seen a significant increase of 16%. Here’s how the prize money is allocated:
| Stage | Prize Money (A$) |
|---|---|
| Champion | 4,150,000 |
| Runner-up | 2,150,000 |
| Semi-finalists | 1,250,000 |
| Quarter-finalists | 750,000 |
| Fourth Round | 480,000 |
| Third Round | 327,750 |
| Second Round | 225,000 |
| First Round | 150,000 |
Top Contenders for the 2026 Title
Several stars will compete for the championship. Notable contenders for the women’s singles include:
- Aryna Sabalenka
- Iga Swiatek (POL)
- Coco Gauff (USA)
- Amanda Anisimova (USA)
- Elena Rybakina (KAZ)
On the men’s side, expected top contenders are:
- Carlos Alcaraz (ESP)
- Jannik Sinner (ITA)
- Alexander Zverev (GER)
- Novak Djokovic (SRB)
- Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN)
This year’s Australian Open promises to be an exhilarating start to the tennis season.
