Australian Open
Hard court in Melbourne, 12 Jan to 1 Feb 2026.
The Australian Open in short
The Australian Open is a Grand Slam event held in Melbourne on hard courts, usually in January. The main singles draw holds 128 players.
Surface decides more here than most fans expect. Hard courts sit between clay and grass for speed, which is why they produce the fewest surprises of the three and why the ranking order tends to hold.
Our dates count the main draw only. Qualifying runs the week before and most calendars fold it in, which is why a start date printed elsewhere can be a week earlier than ours. The full draw with scores is updated while the tournament runs.
Where to watch Australian Open
Outside courts and early rounds
Matches away from the show courts are often not televised at all. Our betting partner streams them live to funded accounts. Which service you reach depends on the country you are watching from.
Paid link. How this works. 18+
Common questions
When is the Australian Open played?
The Australian Open main draw runs 12 Jan to 1 Feb 2026. Qualifying is played the week before and is not included in those dates.
What surface is the Australian Open played on?
Hard courts in Melbourne. It sits in the hard court, start of season part of the season.
Who won the men's title in 2026?
Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 in the final.
Who won the women's title in 2026?
Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the final.
How large is the draw?
128 players in the main singles draw, which is 7 rounds to the title.
Where can I watch it?
Coverage is split by country. ESPN carries it in the United States and Eurosport in most of Europe. Early rounds on the outside courts are frequently not televised anywhere, and a bookmaker stream is often the only legal option. Full guide to watching tennis.