Australian Open 2026 preview and where to watch
The Australian Open returns to Melbourne, Australia for its 2026 edition, played from 18 Jan – 1 Feb on Hard.
Quick facts
Venue: Melbourne ParkFirst held: 1905
Singles draw: 128 men, 128 women
Prize money: AUD 96.5 million (2025 reference)
Format: Men best of 5, Women best of 3
What's at stake in 2026
As one of the four Grand Slams, this is the highest-paying tournament of the season and the largest ranking-points haul on tour: 2,000 points to the singles winners. The two-week, best-of-five (men) format means depth and durability matter as much as form.
2025 men's final: Jannik Sinner d. Alexander Zverev 6-3 7-6 6-3
2025 women's final: Madison Keys d. Aryna Sabalenka 6-3 2-6 7-5
The 2026 edition of the Australian Open has wrapped. The recap, full results and dates for the 2027 edition are below.
The conditions
Hard court is the global default, medium-paced, true-bouncing, tactically neutral. In Melbourne form, fitness and serve quality usually decide who goes deep, more than any quirk of the surface.
Three retractable-roof show courts (Rod Laver, Margaret Court, John Cain Arena) make the Australian Open the most heat-and-rain-proof Slam on the calendar.
Storylines for 2026
- Sinner chases a third straight men's title after winning 2024 and 2025.
- Madison Keys defends her breakthrough 2025 women's crown.
- Djokovic's pursuit of an 11th Australian Open title is the historic subplot of the men's draw.
Recent champions
Men's past champions
| Year | Champion | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Jannik Sinner | Alexander Zverev | 6-3 7-6 6-3 |
| 2024 | Jannik Sinner | Daniil Medvedev | 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 6-3 |
| 2023 | Novak Djokovic | Stefanos Tsitsipas | 6-3 7-6 7-6 |
| 2022 | Rafael Nadal | Daniil Medvedev | 2-6 6-7 6-4 6-4 7-5 |
| 2021 | Novak Djokovic | Daniil Medvedev | 7-5 6-2 6-2 |
| 2020 | Novak Djokovic | Dominic Thiem | 6-4 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-4 |
Women's past champions
| Year | Champion | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Madison Keys | Aryna Sabalenka | 6-3 2-6 7-5 |
| 2024 | Aryna Sabalenka | Zheng Qinwen | 6-3 6-2 |
| 2023 | Aryna Sabalenka | Elena Rybakina | 4-6 6-3 6-4 |
| 2022 | Ashleigh Barty | Danielle Collins | 6-3 7-6 |
| 2021 | Naomi Osaka | Jennifer Brady | 6-4 6-3 |
| 2020 | Sofia Kenin | Garbiñe Muguruza | 4-6 6-2 6-2 |
All-time records
Most men's titles: Novak Djokovic (10).
Most women's titles: Margaret Court (11).
Where to watch live
Below is the broadcaster breakdown for the Australian Open in your country, including OTT options for fans without traditional pay-TV. Switch the country in the header to see the rightsholder where you live, and use the daily order-of-play page on match days to track start times in your local timezone.
Frequently asked
The Australian Open 2026 runs from 18 Jan – 1 Feb in Melbourne, Australia.
The Australian Open is played on Hard.
Coverage of the Australian Open 2026 is available on the broadcasters listed in your country guide. Tennis TV streams the BOTH globally for fans without a regional rightsholder.
Key facts
Surface: Hard
Tour: Men & Women
Category: Grand Slam
Dates: 18 Jan – 1 Feb
Prize money: AUD 96.5M
Status: Completed