US Open Tennis 2026, Schedule, Dates, and How to Watch the Matches

Quick Answer

The 2026 US Open runs from August 30 to September 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York. The tournament begins with qualifying rounds from August 24–27, while the main draw starts on August 30.

Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka enter as defending singles champions, with the women's final scheduled for Saturday, September 12, and the men's final on Sunday, September 13.

Key Facts

Dates: Qualifying runs August 24–27; main draw starts August 30 and concludes September 13, 2026
Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York
Surface: Outdoor hard courts (used since 1978; previously clay from 1975–77 and grass from 1881–1974)
Defending champions: Carlos Alcaraz (men's singles), Aryna Sabalenka (women's singles)
Prize money: The 2026 tournament offers $108 million in player compensation, the largest package in tennis history
Field size: 128 singles players per draw, 64 doubles teams per draw, plus a 16-team mixed doubles field
Finals schedule: Women's final on Saturday, September 12 at 4:00 p.m.; Men's final on Sunday, September 13 at 2:00 p.m.
Day session start times: 11:00 a.m. for most early rounds; night sessions begin at 7:00 p.m.
147th edition: The tournament was founded in 1881, with 2026 marking the 146th edition according to tournament records

What Makes the 2026 US Open Different This Year

The $108 Million Prize Pool

The 2026 US Open has made history before a single ball is struck in the main draw. The tournament's $108 million in player compensation represents the largest prize package in tennis history, according to tournament organizers.

This figure includes prize money across all events—singles, doubles, mixed doubles, and wheelchair competitions. To put this in perspective, the 2025 tournament offered $90 million in total prize money.

The jump to $108 million represents a significant year-over-year increase and signals the US Open's continued financial dominance among the four Grand Slams. The singles champions will each take home $5 million, with runners-up earning $2.5 million.

Even first-round losers in singles receive $110,000, making the tournament a meaningful payday for every player who earns a spot in the main draw. The prize money breakdown for singles runs as follows: semifinalists earn $1.26 million, quarterfinalists earn $660,000, and players reaching the round of 16 receive $400,000.

Doubles teams also benefit, with championship duos splitting $1 million.

The Reimagined Mixed Doubles Event Returns

For the second consecutive year, the US Open features its reimagined Mixed Doubles Championship. The event has drawn significant attention with its initial lineup announcement, which includes British players Jack Draper and Henry Patten confirmed for the competition.

The 2025 champions, Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori of Italy, will look to defend their title. The field also includes notable pairings, with Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz slated to meet Erin Routliffe and Lloyd Glasspool in the first round—a marquee matchup that has generated substantial buzz.

The mixed doubles final is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, alongside the women's singles final.

Wildcards and Farewells

This year's wildcard distribution has created several compelling storylines. Former champions Sloane Stephens and Venus Williams headline the first batch of wildcards announced for the tournament.

Venus Williams, who has won two US Open singles titles (2000 and 2001), returns to Flushing Meadows for another campaign. Stan Wawrinka, the 2016 US Open champion, has been given a late wildcard for what is expected to be his final US Open appearance.

The Swiss veteran, who has also won the Australian Open and French Open, is playing what appears to be a farewell tour in 2026. The Williams sisters—Venus and Serena—have also received a doubles wildcard, reuniting one of the most decorated partnerships in tennis history.

Serena Williams, who won six US Open singles titles, continues to make selective appearances, and her participation in the mixed doubles alongside Alcaraz has already made the event one of the most anticipated in recent memory.

The Road to the Finals Session-by-Session Breakdown

The Opening Week First Through Third Rounds

The main draw begins on Sunday, August 30, with day sessions starting at 11:00 a.m. and night sessions at 7:00 p.m.

The first three days are dedicated entirely to first-round matches across both the men's and women's draws. This opening stretch features 96 matches over six sessions, with 32 matches played per day split between the day and night sessions.

Second-round play runs from September 2–4, while third-round matches begin on Friday, September 4, at noon and continue through Saturday, September 5, with an 11:00 a.m. day session and a 7:00 p.m.

night session. By the end of the first week, the field will have been reduced from 128 players to 16 in each singles draw.

The first week at the US Open is known for its chaotic energy—qualifiers looking to make a name, veterans trying to extend their careers, and young players attempting to announce themselves on the sport's biggest stage. With the tournament's night sessions regularly extending past midnight, the atmosphere in Arthur Ashe Stadium is unlike anything else in tennis.

The Second Week Round of 16 Through the Finals

The round of 16 begins on Sunday, September 6, with matches split across day (11:00 a.m.) and night (7:00 p.m.) sessions, continuing through Monday, September 7. Quarterfinals start on Tuesday, September 8, with an 11:30 a.m.

day session and a 7:00 p.m. night session, and conclude on Wednesday, September 9, with the same session times.

The women's semifinals are scheduled for Thursday, September 10, as a single night session beginning at 7:00 p.m. Both semifinals will be played in Arthur Ashe Stadium, with the winners advancing to Saturday's final.

The men's semifinals take place on Friday, September 11, with the first semifinal at 3:00 p.m. and the second at 7:00 p.m.

This split-session format allows fans to watch each match in its entirety without overlap. Saturday, September 12, features the men's doubles final at noon, followed by the women's singles final at 4:00 p.m.

The mixed doubles final is also scheduled for this day. The tournament concludes on Sunday, September 13, with the men's singles final at 2:00 p.m.—the traditional slot for the last Grand Slam match of the season.

Day Sessions vs. Night Sessions What to Know

Ticket holders should understand the distinction between day and night sessions. A day session ticket grants access to all matches scheduled during that day session, which typically includes multiple matches across the various courts.

Night session tickets provide access to the evening matches, usually featuring the marquee matchups in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Day session start times shift slightly as the tournament progresses.

Early rounds begin at 11:00 a.m., but quarterfinal days start at 11:30 a.m. The women's semifinal night session begins at 7:00 p.m., while the men's semifinal split sessions start at 3:00 p.m.

and 7:00 p.m. respectively.

Champions to Watch and Storylines That Matter

Carlos Alcaraz Defending Under Pressure

Carlos Alcaraz enters the 2026 US Open as the defending men's singles champion, having won the title in 2025. The Spaniard's road to this year's tournament has been complicated by injury uncertainty.

Reports from the tournament indicate that Alcaraz has dealt with "intrusive thoughts" related to his fitness, and his draw has been described as a true test of his physical condition. Alcaraz's practice sessions at the 2026 US Open have drawn significant attention, with observers analyzing every movement for signs of lingering issues.

If healthy, Alcaraz remains one of the most dangerous players on hard courts, with the ability to beat any opponent from any position. His combination of power, touch, and court coverage makes him a legitimate threat to repeat.

The men's draw has been characterized as particularly challenging for the top seeds. With several former champions and multiple Grand Slam winners scattered throughout the bracket, Alcaraz's path to the final will require him to be at his best from the opening round.

Aryna Sabalenka Going for Three Straight

Aryna Sabalenka won the women's singles title in 2025 and enters the 2026 tournament as the defending champion. The Belarusian has established herself as the dominant force on hard courts, with her powerful serve and groundstrokes proving particularly effective on the fast surface in New York.

Sabalenka's record in New York has been exceptional. She won the title in 2024 and 2025, and the tournament's honor roll shows her name appearing in consecutive years.

A third consecutive title would place her alongside some of the most dominant champions in US Open history. The women's field, however, is loaded with threats.

Coco Gauff won the title in 2023 and remains a formidable opponent on home soil. Iga Swiatek, who has won multiple Grand Slams on other surfaces, continues to improve her hard-court game.

The qualifying rounds have also produced several dangerous unseeded players, including former champions and established tour veterans looking to make deep runs.

Storylines Beyond the Singles Draws

Beyond the singles competitions, several narratives are developing at this year's tournament. Katie Boulter, the British number one, has complained that the smell of cannabis in the stands is distracting players during matches—an issue that has become more prevalent at outdoor events in recent years.

Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon champion, has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against a four-year ban, with the case drawing attention during the tournament's opening week. The Williams sisters' doubles appearance adds nostalgia to the event, while the mixed doubles pairing of Williams and Alcaraz creates a cross-generational storyline that transcends tennis.

Their first-round match against Routliffe and Glasspool is one of the most anticipated contests of the tournament's opening days.

How to Watch the 2026 US Open

Television Coverage

The US Open is broadcast across multiple networks and platforms. In the United States, ESPN holds the rights to the tournament, with coverage split between ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3.

Day sessions typically begin at 11:00 a.m. Eastern, with night sessions starting at 7:00 p.m.

International viewers can access the tournament through their local broadcast partners. The ATP Tour's official website provides links to the appropriate broadcasters for each region, and the WTA's official site offers similar information for women's matches.

Streaming Options

ESPN+ provides comprehensive streaming coverage of the US Open, including matches from outer courts that may not receive main television coverage. The service offers multiple simultaneous streams, allowing viewers to switch between matches as the action unfolds.

For viewers outside the United States, the tournament's official website provides information on authorized streaming partners in each region. Many international broadcasters offer their own streaming platforms with comprehensive coverage of all courts.

Following the Action

Live scores are available through the official US Open website, the ATP Tour's live scoring platform, and the WTA's scores portal. These services provide real-time updates on all matches, including those not featured in primary broadcast coverage.

Social media channels for the tournament provide highlights, player interviews, and behind-the-scenes content throughout the two weeks. The tournament's official accounts regularly post updates on schedule changes, weather delays, and notable moments from the day's play.

Attending in Person

Tickets for the US Open are available through the tournament's official website. Day session and night session tickets are sold separately, and grounds passes provide access to the outer courts.

The tournament offers a range of hospitality packages, including premium seating in Arthur Ashe Stadium and access to exclusive lounges. Fans attending should plan for New York's late-summer weather, which can range from hot and humid to rainy.

The tournament's retractable roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium ensures that matches in the main stadium continue regardless of weather conditions, but matches on outer courts may be delayed or postponed.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the 2026 US Open start and end?

The 2026 US Open main draw runs from Sunday, August 30, through Sunday, September 13. Qualifying rounds take place from Monday, August 24, through Thursday, August 27.

The women's final is on Saturday, September 12, and the men's final is on Sunday, September 13.

Who are the defending champions at the 2026 US Open?

Carlos Alcaraz is the defending men's singles champion, having won the title in 2025. Aryna Sabalenka is the defending women's singles champion, also from 2025.

In doubles, Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos hold the men's title, while Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe are the defending women's champions.

How much prize money is the 2026 US Open offering?

The 2026 US Open offers $108 million in total player compensation, the largest prize package in tennis history. Singles champions receive $5 million each, with runners-up earning $2.5 million.

Prize money extends through all rounds, with first-round losers in singles earning $110,000.

What time do matches start at the US Open?

Day sessions for most early rounds begin at 11:00 a.m. Eastern, with night sessions starting at 7:00 p.m.

Quarterfinal day sessions begin at 11:30 a.m., and the women's semifinal night session starts at 7:00 p.m. The men's semifinals on Friday, September 11, are scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

and 7:00 p.m., while the women's final on Saturday begins at 4:00 p.m. and the men's final on Sunday starts at 2:00 p.m.

Where is the US Open played?

The US Open is played at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York. The tournament has been held at this venue since 1978 and features outdoor hard courts.

The facility includes Arthur Ashe Stadium, which has a retractable roof, along with Louis Armstrong Stadium and numerous outer courts.

Reference Notes

Information in this article is based on publicly available sources. Some details may change over time.

Verify with official sources before acting.

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