How to Watch the 2026 Australian Open Online: Dates, Streaming, and Top Players to Watch
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The Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, is currently underway, kicking off with qualifiers this week and the main draw beginning January 18th. The tournament will run through January and February, culminating in the women’s final on January 31st and the men’s final on February 1st. For tennis fans, here’s a complete guide on how to catch all the action live.
top Contenders in 2026
On the men’s side, Jannik Sinner is the reigning Australian Open champion.He will face stiff competition from Carlos Alcaraz, the no. 1-ranked player, who aims to complete a career Grand Slam with a victory in Melbourne. While Alcaraz has secured two titles each at the French Open,U.S.Open, and Wimbledon, the Australian Open has proven elusive, as he has yet to advance past the quarterfinals there.
The women’s competition is wide open, with American Madison Keys as the current champion. Coco Gauff, Iga Świątek, and Aryna Sabalenka have recently claimed victories at the French Open, Wimbledon, and U.S.Open, respectively. Świątek is within reach of a Career Grand Slam, needing only an Australian Open win, but a recent performance at the United Cup and injury concerns add pressure to the Polish star.
Where to Stream the Australian Open
The Australian Open is primarily streaming on ESPN+ [[3]], with additional coverage, commentary, and highlights available on the Tennis Channel. For those preferring live television, ESPN2 will air earlier rounds, with later-stage matches broadcast on ESPN. Here’s a breakdown of your streaming options:
* ESPN+: For $29.99 a month, ESPN+ provides access to all of ESPN’s linear channels, as well as exclusive content [[3]].
* DirecTV: DirecTV’s streaming service includes ESPN and ESPN Unlimited in its packages, with the Tennis Channel available through the Choice, Ultimate, and Premiere plans [[1]].
* Fubo: Fubo offers ESPN and ESPN2 in its channel lineup, ensuring coverage of the Australian Open. Plans start at $45.99 for the first month and $55.99 thereafter, with a five-day free trial available. Select packages also include the Tennis Channel [[2]].
Key Dates to Mark on Your Calendar
Keep these dates in mind as you plan to follow the tournament. Note that Melbourne is 16 hours ahead of New York and 19 hours ahead of Los Angeles, so some events may occur the day before depending on your time zone.
* Quarterfinals: January 27-28
* Women’s Semifinals: January 29
* Men’s Semifinals: January 30
* Women’s Final: January 31
* Men’s final: February 1
