Australian Open 2026: Dates, Schedule, Players List, TV Coverage & Record Prize Money

Australian Open 2026 kicks off on January 18 in Melbourne, bringing you the biggest prize pool in the tournament’s 114-year history. We’re talking A$111.5 million (£55 million, US$74.9 million) up for grabs, a massive 16% jump from last year. The Australian Open draw features 128 players battling across 15 intense days at Melbourne Park, and the stakes have never been higher.

Breaking Down the Record Prize Money

Here’s what makes this year different. The singles champions walk away with A$4.15 million (£2.05 million, US$2.79 million), that’s 19% more than what Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys, the Australian Open 2025 winners, pocketed last year.

But what is the real story? First-round losers now get A$150,000 (£74,000, US$100,750). That’s a 14% increase. Even if you crash out early, you’ll still leave with serious cash.

Craig Tiley, CEO of Tennis Australia, put it simply: “This increase demonstrates our commitment to supporting tennis careers at every level.”

Prize Money Breakdown (Singles, AUD)

• Winner: $4.15M (+19%)
• Runner-up: $2.15M (+13%)
• Semifinalists: $1.25M (+14%)
• Quarterfinalists: $750K (+13%)
• Fourth Round: $480K (+14%)
• Third Round: $327.75K (+13%)
• Second Round: $225K (+13%)
• First Round: $150K (+14%)

Qualifiers aren’t left behind either. Each qualifying round now pays 16% more:

• Q1: $40.5K
• Q2: $57K
• Q3: $83.5K

The Revenue Debate You Should Know About

Tennis Australia earned A$697.2 million in total revenue last year, according to the Australian Financial Review. That means this year’s prize pot represents roughly 16% of their revenue.

Sounds generous? Top players don’t think so. Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, and Alexander Zverev led a group of elite athletes demanding that the Grand Slams increase their share to 22%, matching what some ATP and WTA combined events offer.

A source close to the negotiations told BBC Sport the players are “likely to be disappointed” because their demands were “largely ignored.” They wanted better pension contributions, healthcare support, and maternity benefits too.

The US Open currently offers 16% of its revenue to players. Wimbledon? Just 13%. The French Open doesn’t even publish its figures.

Australian Open 2026 Dates and Schedule

Australian Open 2026 dates run from January 18 through February 1. Qualifying rounds start earlier on January 15.

Australian Open 2026 Key Dates at a Glance

• Qualifying: January 15-17
• First Round: January 18-20
• Second Round: January 21-22
• Third Round: January 23-24
• Fourth Round: January 25-26
• Quarterfinals: January 27-28
• Women’s Semifinals: January 29
• Men’s Semifinals: January 30
• Women’s Final: January 31
• Men’s Final: February 1

The Australian Open 2026 schedule follows the standard Grand Slam format. Day sessions begin at 12:00 PM local time (11:00 AM on outer courts). Night sessions start at 7:00 PM. UK fans, that’s around 12:30 AM GMT for day sessions.

Rod Laver Arena hosts the finals, with its 14,820 seats packed with fans from across the globe. Margaret Court Arena runs concurrent matches throughout the fortnight.

Seeds and Players List

The Australian Open draw places the top 32 ATP and WTA players as seeds. Here’s who you’ll be watching:

Men’s Top 10 Seeds

1. Carlos Alcaraz
2. Jannik Sinner (defending champion)
3. Alexander Zverev
4. Novak Djokovic
5. Felix Auger-Aliassime
6. Alex de Minaur
7. Lorenzo Musetti
8. Ben Shelton
9. Taylor Fritz
10. Jack Draper

Women’s Top 10 Seeds

1. Aryna Sabalenka
2. Iga Swiatek
3. Amanda Anisimova
4. Coco Gauff
5. Elena Rybakina
6. Jessica Pegula
7. Madison Keys (defending champion)
8. Jasmine Paolini
9. Mirra Andreeva
10. Ekaterina Alexandrova

Men’s Singles Main Draw Participants

The initial men’s field included 99 of the top 100 players, with the last direct acceptance being Thiago Agustin Tirante. 

• Top Players: Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Casper Ruud, Andrey Rublev, Alex de Minaur, Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, and Frances Tiafoe are all in the main draw.
• Other Notable Entries: The list includes players such as Matteo Berrettini, Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, Thanasi Kokkinakis (protected ranking), Denis Shapovalov, Karen Khachanov, and rising stars like Jack Draper, Joao Fonseca, and Jakub Mensik.
• Australian Contingent: Six Australian men are in the main draw, including Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin, Jordan Thompson, Aleksandar Vukic, Adam Walton, and Tristan Schoolkate.
• Wildcards Announced: Wildcards have been awarded to Bu Yunchaokete, James Duckworth, Rinky Hijikata, Kyrian Jacquet, and Patrick Kypson. 

Women’s Singles Main Draw Participants

The women’s field is similarly strong, with 98 of the top 100 players initially entering. 

• Top Players: The field is headlined by Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Madison Keys, Elena Rybakina, and Jessica Pegula.
• Other Notable Entries: The list also includes former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova (protected ranking), Naomi Osaka, Amanda Anisimova, Mirra Andreeva, and Emma Navarro.
• Australian Contingent: Four Australian women made the direct entry list: Maya Joint, Kimberly Birrell, Ajla Tomljanovic, and Daria Saville.
• Wildcards Announced: Wildcards have been given to Venus Williams, Priscilla Hon, Talia Gibson, Taylah Preston, Emerson Jones, Zarina Diyas, Elizabeth Mandlik, and Tiantsoa Rakotomanga Rajaonah. 

Sinner’s hunting his third straight title. Djokovic owns 10 Australian Open crowns. Sabalenka won back-to-back titles in 2023-24 before Keys shocked everyone last year.

Where the Australian Open Stands Among Grand Slams

This year’s A$111.5 million prize pot puts Melbourne ahead of Wimbledon (£53.5 million in 2025) and the French Open (£47.5 million in 2025). The US Open still leads at £67.4 million, though.

Tennis Australia isn’t just throwing money at the Australian Open either. They’re investing A$135 million across the entire Australian summer swing. That includes the United Cup and ATP 250 events in Brisbane, Hobart, and Adelaide.

Tiley framed it as building the sport’s foundation: “By supporting players at all levels, we’re building deeper talent pools and more compelling storylines for fans.”

Australian Open Live Tennis TV Coverage

Australian Open live tennis coverage varies by region:

• UK: TNT Sports and Discovery+ carry full coverage. Day sessions start around 12:30 AM GMT.
• Australia: Channel 9 provides free-to-air coverage with 24/7 streaming.
• USA: ESPN holds broadcast rights with matches starting late evening ET.
• India: Sony Sports networks deliver comprehensive coverage.

What’s Changed Since Last Year

Beyond the prize money bump, not much. Melbourne Park’s infrastructure remains world-class. The heat rule stays in place (matches suspended when temperatures hit extreme levels). The retractable roofs on Rod Laver Arena and Margaret Court Arena provide relief during scorching days or rain.

There’s been a quiet change that players now want better conditions and more influence. That conversation isn’t going away, regardless of this year’s prize increase.

Last Words

Australian Open 2026 offers you the richest prize pool in tournament history, elite competition across both draws, and two weeks of drama under the Melbourne sun. Whether you’re watching for Sinner’s three-peat bid, Djokovic’s quest for number 11, or the next Madison Keys-style upset, the action delivers from January 18.

This time the money’s bigger. The stakes are higher. The Australian Open remains tennis’s best way to start the season.

Save the date. Make sure your alarms are set for the night matches. The first Grand Slam of 2026 is almost here.

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