Australian Open 2026: Schedule, session start times, draw, how to watch and live stream in UK

The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam of the 2026 tennis season, with the top stars from the ATP and WTA tours aiming for glory Down Under. Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys won in Melbourne in 2025, but who will triumph this time around? With the tournament nearing its conclusion, here are the details of the full schedule, start times and how to watch every match in the UK.

The 2026 Australian Open is at its business end, with the singles finals fast approaching.

Novak Djokovic faces Carlos Alcaraz in a blockbuster men's final.

Djokovic, 38, is looking to win a record 25th Grand Slam title while Alcaraz is aiming to become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam.

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The women's final is set as world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka takes on fifth seed Elena Rybakina.

Sabalenka beat Rybakina in three sets in the 2023 Australian Open final but lost their last meeting in the final of the 2025 WTA Finals.

With all the action from the 2026 Australian Open live on TNT Sports and discovery+, here’s the schedule, start times, draw details, and how to watch…

When is the 2026 Australian Open?

The main draw of the 2026 Australian Open started on Sunday, January 18 and runs until the men’s final on Sunday, February 1.

The women's final is played on Saturday, January 31.

Sinner, Musetti and Pegula star in best shots from Day 11 of Australian Open

Video credit: TNT Sports

When does play start at the 2026 Australian Open?

The singles finals start at 8.30am on Saturday, January 31 and Sunday, February 1.

Australian Open 2026 schedule

• Saturday, January 31: Women’s singles final, men’s doubles final, women's doubles final
• Sunday, February 1: Men’s singles final

How has the 2026 Australian Open played out?

Fresh from their off-season break, the top stars on the ATP and WTA tours were all in action in Melbourne - with the exception of British No. 1 Jack Draper, who continues his recovery from injury.

Djokovic is seeking a record 25th Grand Slam title, while Alcaraz is bidding to complete his set of Grand Slam titles aged just 22.

Sabalenka is aiming for a third Melbourne title, having relinquished her hold on the Australian crown to Keys in a thrilling final last year.

Rybakina is looking for her second Grand Slam victory after winning Wimbledon in 2022.

Highlights: Djokovic survives huge scare to reach semis as Musetti retires when leading

Video credit: TNT Sports

Alcaraz without Ferrero for first time

Alcaraz is bidding to become the youngest male player to complete the career Grand Slam in his first major tournament appearance since his split with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.

The world No. 1 announced in December that the pair had "decided to part ways", having worked together since he was a teenager. 

Alcaraz won six major tournaments while working with Ferrero, but has been without him for the first tournament of the year, so far, rising to the challenge of the new dynamic.

TNT Sports expert Tim Henman believes that, aside from injury, Alcaraz’s coaching shake-up is the most likely obstacle to prevent another showdown with Sinner in the final.

The former British No. 1 told TNT Sports: "If I were going to give two scenarios as to why Alcaraz and Sinner will not play in the Australian Open final, the first one is injury.

Highlights: Alcaraz powers past De Minaur to reach semis

Video credit: TNT Sports

"There's no doubt that the first tournament of the year, any player can be vulnerable going into best-of-five-set matches. 

"That is one element that both Alcaraz and Sinner have to overcome, and I hope they will.

"The second variable only applies to Alcaraz, and that is not having Juan Carlos Ferrero in his corner, and whether that will affect him psychologically, whether that will distract him with his concentration on the court. 

"Only time will tell. I was very surprised that they finished their partnership. And I will be really interested to hear what Alcaraz actually says himself."

How to watch the 2026 Australian Open

All the action from Melbourne will be available live and on-demand via TNT Sports and its streaming platform, discovery+.

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports and entertainment in one destination.

You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

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