Tennis fans can watch the 2026 Australian Open by subscribing to Sling Orange, which provides full tournament coverage on ESPN and ESPN2. The tournament is set to run from January 18 to February 1, showcasing premier tennis action at Melbourne Park.
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The main draw begins on Sunday, January 18, following a week of qualifying matches. Live coverage will feature critical singles, doubles, and mixed doubles matches, all vying for part of the record $111.5 million prize pool. Defending champions Madison Keys and Jannik Sinner, along with other top athletes, will compete throughout the tournament.
To access the full tournament, viewers can subscribe to Sling Orange, which includes ESPN and ESPN2. Alternatively, individual matches can be viewed with a 1, 3, or 7 Day Pass.
Live matches are scheduled primarily overnight in the U.S. due to the time difference, with replays available during the day. The broadcast schedule includes the Women’s Championship on Saturday, January 31, from 3:30 to 5:30 a.m. ET, with an encore at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2. The Men’s Championship will take place on Sunday, February 1, from 3:30 to 6:30 a.m. ET on ESPN, followed by an encore presentation at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN2.
Key storylines for this year's tournament include the return of top seeds Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz, as well as the participation of Novak Djokovic, who is a four-time champion and ranked No. 4 for this tournament. The event also features an exciting opening week from January 12 to 17, with charity matches and fan events designed to build excitement.
As the tournament approaches, ongoing speculation about potential champions continues, with betting odds available for both the men’s and women’s singles.
Upcoming tennis majors for 2026 include the French Open (May 24-June 7), Wimbledon (June 29-July 12), and the U.S. Open (August 31-September 13), all of which will also be available through Sling subscriptions.