- Australian Open 2026: Sunday, January 18 to Sunday, February 1
- Daily start time: 7pm ET (-1 day) / 12am GMT / 11am AEDT
- FREE stream: 9Now (AUS)
- Access your usual streaming services with NordVPN (save 70% today)
Watch Australian Open 2026 live streams, as the biggest names in tennis descend on Melbourne Park for the first grand slam of the year. Nicknamed the Happy Slam for its positive vibes, searing heat and early-season fun Down Under, the tournament is the perfect winter warmer.
Carlos Alcaraz beat Alexander Zverev 7-5 in the fifth set of their semi that lasted five hours and 27 minutes. Alcaraz was cramping and took a medical timeout, which the German didn't approve of, but it was the world No1 who came through a thriller as he seeks to become the youngest man to complete the career slam.
Incredibly, that contest was bettered in the second semi as Novak Djokovic beat Jannik Sinner in a five-setter that lasted until 1.33am local time. The 10-time Melbourne champion, who was two sets down in his quarterfinal when Lorenzo Musetti was forced to retired, won 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to pull off arguably his greatest upset against the world No2. "There is a lot of experts that wanted to retire me," said Djokovic, who goes for a record 25th grand slam title in Sunday's final.
In the women's singles, Elena Rybakina stunned top seed Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set final on Saturday. Sabalenka had led 3-0 in the final set, but Rybakina went on all-out-attack mode and served liked a demon to win 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 with a display of brutal power hitting.
It's the men's finals on Sunday where some form of history will be made, whether it's Alcaraz's quest for the youngest men's career slam or Djokovic sealing a record 25th major.
It's the latter who leads the head-to-head record 6-5 with recent meetings delivering major drama. Alcaraz won most recently with a straight-sets swatting in the US Open semifinals last year, but Djokovic took the honors in this tournament last year at the last four stage and the Paris Olympics final in 2024. Alcaraz has won both previous grand slam final meetings, at Wimbledon in 2023 and 2024.
It's going to be a classic. Don't miss it.
Here's how to watch the Australian Open 2026 tennis from anywhere, including worldwide TV channels, broadcasters and any free live streams below.
Australian Open 2026 order of play Day 15 - Sunday, February 1
Rod Laver Arena
From 3.30am ET / 12.30am PT / 8.30am GMT / 7.30pm AEDT
Carlos Alcaraz (1) vs Novak Djokovic (4)
How to watch Australian Open 2026 for FREE
For tennis fans who live in Australia, you're in luck – Channel 9 and its streaming service 9Now is again the home of the Australian Open 2026 Down Under.
They will be showing every game of the tournament, including the main draw, doubles and even juniors.
You will need an account with a valid Aussie postcode (e.g. 2002).
Traveling outside Australia for the tournament? Use NordVPN to get past geo-blockers and tune in to the 9Now coverage.
Use a VPN to watch any Australian Open 2026 stream
The Australian Open 2026 is being streamed all over the world, but what if you are outside your usual country and can't watch your home stream?
Don't worry – this is where a VPN comes in very handy. A VPN allows you to appear as though you're still at home from anywhere in the world, meaning you don't have to miss out because of geo-blockers. We recommend NordVPN, it's the best on the market:
It's really straightforward to use a VPN to watch the Australian Open 2026.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For example, if you want to watch the 9Now stream, select 'Australia' from the listed countries.
3. Sit back and enjoy the action. Head to 9Now's website and tune into the Australian Open 2026.
How to watch Australian Open 2026 live streams in the US
In the US, the Australian Open 2026 is being shown on ESPN and the Tennis Channel, which offers a FREE 7-day trial to new users.
A Tennis Channel subscription then costs $109.99 per year or $9.99 per month.
ESPN Select will broadcast the whole tournament. A standalone subscription costs $12.99 a month or $129.99 a year, but you can also get their ESPN Unlimited package that includes everything ESPN has to offer. Or you can watch through the Disney Plus/Hulu/ESPN bundle, which costs from $19.99.
Looking for an 'over the top' streaming option that carries hundreds of other channels? The Tennis Channel and ESPN are also available on Sling TV and Fubo.
For access to ESPN and the Tennis Channel, you'll want Sling Orange, which costs $45.99 a month, with 50% off your first month. You get access to over 30 channels, including the Tennis Channel, ESPN, Disney Channel and CNN.
To access via Fubo, after the aforementioned 7-day free trial, it's $84.99 a month ($20 off your first month) after the trial.
Outside the US for this tournament? Use NordVPN to unlock your stream of the Australian Open 2026.
How to watch Australian Open 2026 live streams in the UK
TNT Sports' various channels, which are available via Discovery+, will be broadcasting the Australian Open 2026 in the UK.
You can get the channel by adding TNT Sports to your Sky, Virgin Media or EE TV package, or pay from £30.99 per month for a Discovery+ plan that includes TNT Sports.
Don't want to miss any of the Australian Open 2026? Use a VPN to watch Discovery+ from abroad.
How to watch Australian Open 2026 live streams in Australia
Tennis fans Down Under are amongst the luckiest in the world as they will be able to watch FREE Australian Open live streams via 9Now.
Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like NordVPN to watch all the action on 9Now as if you were back home.
However, if you're someone who wants to watch in 4K then Stan Sport is where you want to go. It costs $20 a month on top of a regular Stan subscription costing from $12 a month.
How to watch Australian Open 2026 live streams in Canada
Tennis fans in Canada can live stream the Australian Open 2026 on the TSN network of channels.
If you don't have cable, the TSN Plus streaming service costs CA$8 a month or $80 each year.
Outside Canada while the Australian Open is on? Simply use a VPN to watch from abroad.
How to watch Australian Open 2026 live streams in New Zealand
Sky Sport NZ is the Australian Open 2026 TV rights holder in New Zealand.
You can access Sky Sport through satellite TV or get a live stream with the Sky Sport Now subscription service starting at $29.99 per day or $54.99 per month.
Missing a game due to work commitments abroad? NordVPN will give you access to your home streaming service.
How to watch Australian Open 2026 live streams anywhere else
Across Europe, Eurosport (and streaming service Discovery+) has blanket coverage of the Australian Open 2026.
In the Middle East, beIN Sports has the tennis live streams. In Africa beIN Sports and SuperSport are the places to go, depending on your country.
In India and the subcontinent, it's Sony Sports Network, while CCTV in China and WOWOW in Japan are the most prominent broadcasters in Asia.
A handy list of broadcasters from all around the world is provided by tournament organizers here.
Away from home at the moment? Don't forget NordVPN will give you access to your regular streaming service.
Australian Open 2026 Q&A
Who are the Australian Open 2026 seeds?
Australian Open 2026 seeds
Men's seeds
1. Carlos Alcaraz (ESP)
2. Jannik Sinner (ITA)
3. Alexander Zverev (GER)
4. Novak Djokovic (SRB)
5. Lorenzo Musetti (ITA)
6. Alex de Minaur (ESP)
7. Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN)
8. Ben Shelton (USA)
9. Taylor Fritz (USA)
10. Alexander Bublik (KAZ)
11.Daniil Medvedev
12. Casper Ruud (NOR)
13. Andrey Rublev
14. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (ESP)
15. Karen Khachanov
16. Jakub Menšík (CZE)
17. Jiří Lehečka (CZE)
18. Francisco Cerúndolo (ARG)
19. Tommy Paul (USA)
20. Flavio Cobolli (ITA)
21. Denis Shapovalov (CAN)
22. Luciano Darderi (ITA)
23. Tallon Griekspoor (NED)
24. Arthur Rinderknech (FRA)
25. Learner Tien (USA)
26. Cameron Norrie (GBR)
27. Brandon Nakashima (USA)
28. João Fonseca (BRA)
29. Frances Tiafoe (USA)
30. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE)
31. Valentin Vacherot (MON)
32. Corentin Moutet (FRA)
Women's seeds
1. Aryna Sabalenka
2. Iga Świątek (POL)
3. Coco Gauff (USA)
4. Amanda Anisimova (USA)
5. Elena Rybakina (KAZ)
6. Jessica Pegula (USA)
7. Jasmine Paolini (ITA)
8. Mirra Andreeva
9. Madison Keys (USA)
10. Belinda Bencic (SUI)
11. Ekaterina Alexandrova
12. Elina Svitolina (UKR)
13. Linda Nosková (CZE)
14. Clara Tauson (DEN)
15. Emma Navarro (USA)
16. Naomi Osaka (JAP)
17. Victoria Mboko (CAN)
18. Liudmila Samsonova
19. Karolína Muchová (CZE)
20. Marta Kostyuk (UKR)
21. Elise Mertens (BEL)
22. Leylah Fernandez (CAN)
23. Diana Shnaider
24. Jeļena Ostapenko (LAT)
25. Paula Badosa (ESP)
26. Dayana Yastremska (UKR)
27. Sofia Kenin (USA)
28. Emma Raducanu (GBR)
29. Iva Jovic (USA)
30. Maya Joint (AUS)
31. Anna Kalinskaya
32. Markéta Vondroušová (CZE)
What is the Australian Open 2026 tournament preview?
Having shared the past eight grand slams between them, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will again start as hot favorites to reach the men's final. Two-time defending champion Sinner is seeking a three-peat, while Alcaraz is the world number one seeking to win the one major that still eludes him. Should the Spaniard do so, at 22 he'll be the youngest to complete the set, but is without regular coach Juan Carlos Ferrero after their split late last year.
Elsewhere for the men, home hopeful Alex De Minaur arrives in Melbourne ranked at a career-high 6th, while former Olympic champion Alexander Zverev seeks his first major after reaching the 2025 final. Keep an eye, too, for Stan Wawrinka, who begins his final year on tour at the tournament he won in 2014.
In the women's singles, it's the big two who seem likely to go all the way again. Aryna Sabalenka is a two-time winner here and since 2023 her win-loss record in Melbourne is a ludicrous 20-1. The 27-year-old Belarusian won the Brisbane International, last week, so is already in good form. Sabalenka's biggest test is likely to come from Iga Swiątek, the world number two who won unexpectedly at Wimbledon in 2025. The Pole may prefer the clay to hard courts, but her movement and will to win are peerless – the 24-year-old also complete the career slam if she lifts the trophy.
Since Madison Keys beat Sabalenka and Swiątek back-to-back to take the title 12 months ago, the American has struggled for form but there will be fond memories of Melbourne that could spark a revival. US compatriot Coco Gauff is also in the mix, especially after she beat Swiątek at the United Cup recently.
Finally, in the first round, don't miss Venus Williams' return to the Aussie Open. The 45-year-old is back after five years away thanks to a wild card and is a two-time finalist. You'd have to have a heart of stone not to wish for a couple of big wins.
Who are the recent Austalian Open champions?
Recent Australian Open champions
Men's champions
2025 – Jannik Sinner (ITA)
2024 – Jannik Sinner (ITA)
2023 – Novak Djokovic (SRB)
2022 – Rafael Nadal (ESP)
2021 – Novak Djokovic (SRB)
2020 – Novak Djokovic (SRB)
2019 – Novak Djokovic (SRB)
2018 – Roger Federer (SUI)
2017 – Roger Federer (SUI)
2016 – Novak Djokovic (SRB)
Women's champions
2025 – Madison Keys (USA)
2024 – Aryna Sabalenka
2023 – Aryna Sabalenka
2022 – Ash Barty (AUS)
2021 – Naomi Osaka (JAP)
2020 – Sofia Kenin (USA)
2019 – Naomi Osaka (JAP)
2018 – Caroline Wozniacki (DEN)
2017 – Serena Williams (USA)
2016 – Angelique Kerber (GER)
What is the Australian Open 2026 schedule?
Schedule
12-15 January: Qualifying
18-20 January: Round 1
21-22 January: Round 2
23-24 January: Round 3
25-26 January: Round 4 (Round of 16)
27-28 January: Quarterfinals
29 January: Women's semifinals
30 January: Men's semifinals
31 January: Women's singles final
1 February: Men's singles final
What are the daily Australian Open 2026 start times?
Afternoon session
From 7pm (-1 day) ET / 4pm PT (-1 day) / 12am GMT / 11am AEDT.
Play on show courts starts at 8pm ET / 5pm PT / 1am GMT / 12pm AEDT.
Evening session
From 3am ET / 12am PT / 8am GMT / 7pm AEDT.
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