Japan Open
The Japan Open 2026 runs from 30 September to 6 October at Ariake Tennis Forest Park in Tokyo, and the draw is out. Carlos Alcaraz is back as defending champion and top seed, and Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz, who met in the 2022 final, are seeded second and third.
Tokyo is played in the same week as the ATP China Open in Beijing, so the two ATP 500s split the field. Alcaraz won the title in 2025, beating Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in the final.
Japan Open 2026: Key Facts
| Detail | Info |
| Dates | 30 September to 6 October 2026 |
| Venue | Ariake Tennis Forest Park, Tokyo |
| Surface | Hard court (outdoor) |
| Category | ATP 500 |
| Draw | 32 singles |
| Winner’s prize | $437,955 and 500 ranking points |
| Total prize money | $2,342,275 |
| Singles final | Tuesday 6 October, not before 6pm local (10am UK) |
| Defending champion | Carlos Alcaraz |
The Seeds
| Seed | Player | Ranking |
| 1 | Carlos Alcaraz | 3 |
| 2 | Frances Tiafoe | 8 |
| 3 | Taylor Fritz | 10 |
| 4 | Rafael Jódar | 14 |
| 5 | Brandon Nakashima | 16 |
| 6 | Casper Ruud | 17 |
| 7 | Tommy Paul | 18 |
| 8 | Valentin Vacherot | 19 |
Rankings as printed on the ATP draw sheet on 28 September 2026.
The Draw, Quarter by Quarter
Alcaraz and Paul in the top quarter
Alcaraz opens against Alex Michelsen, a US Open quarter-finalist this year. Tommy Paul, the No. 7 seed, plays Alejandro Tabilo after withdrawing from the Laver Cup with an elbow injury; Alcaraz beat him 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the fourth round of the US Open. Denis Shapovalov, Matteo Arnaldi and the Japanese wildcards Rei Sakamoto and Sho Shimabukuro complete the section.
Fritz and Ruud in the second quarter
Fritz, the 2022 champion, opens against a qualifier. The standout first-round match is Lorenzo Musetti against Britain’s Arthur Fery, who reached the Wimbledon semi-finals this year as a wildcard. Holger Rune, who missed the US Open with a left Achilles injury, meets Kyrian Jacquet, in the draw as a special exempt after reaching the Hangzhou semi-finals, and Casper Ruud, the No. 6 seed, plays Luciano Darderi.
Jódar and Nakashima in the third quarter
Brandon Nakashima, the No. 5 seed, starts against Ugo Humbert, runner-up here in 2024. Jiří Lehečka plays Zizou Bergs, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina meets Matteo Berrettini, and Rafael Jódar, the No. 4 seed, opens against a qualifier.
Tiafoe and Vacherot in the bottom quarter
Tiafoe, a US Open semi-finalist this year, faces the wildcard Kei Nishikori, who won the title in 2012 and 2014 and is still the last Japanese champion. The ATP says he is competing in Tokyo for the final time. Valentin Vacherot, the No. 8 seed, plays Alexander Blockx, and Tomás Martín Etcheverry and Luca Van Assche each meet a qualifier.
Qualifying: Fils and Tsitsipas
Two familiar names are in qualifying, which runs on 28 and 29 September. Arthur Fils, the 2024 champion, beat Martin Damm 2-6, 6-1, 6-1 in the first round and meets Lorenzo Sonego or Kamil Majchrzak in the final round. Stefanos Tsitsipas beat Yoshihito Nishioka 7-5, 6-2 and plays Rinky Hijikata. Four qualifiers reach the main draw.
What Is at Stake
The champion earns 500 ranking points. On the ATP’s live Race to Turin on 28 September, Alcaraz was fourth on 4,050 points, Tiafoe sixth on 3,330, Jódar ninth on 2,509, Fritz tenth on 2,480 and Paul eleventh on 2,385. The top eight qualify for the ATP Finals in November, so for Jódar, Fritz and Paul a big week in Tokyo could decide whether they make it.
Schedule and UK Start Times
Tokyo is eight hours ahead of the UK. These are the ATP’s published start times for the main draw.
| Day | Local start | UK start |
| Wed 30 Sep to Sun 4 Oct | 11am and 4pm | 3am and 8am |
| Mon 5 Oct | From 2pm | 6am |
| Tue 6 Oct, doubles final | 2pm | 6am |
| Tue 6 Oct, singles final | Not before 6pm | 10am |
How to Watch the Japan Open
The tournament is live in the UK on Sky Sports Tennis, with streaming through NOW, and Tennis TV carries it too. Our guide to watching the Japan Open has the detail.
FAQ
Japan Open 2026 FAQs
When is the Japan Open 2026?
From 30 September to 6 October 2026 at Ariake Tennis Forest Park in Tokyo. The singles final is on Tuesday 6 October, not before 6pm local time (10am UK).
Who is the defending Japan Open champion?
Carlos Alcaraz, who beat Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in the 2025 final. He is the top seed again in 2026.
Who has won the most Japan Open titles?
Stefan Edberg, with four. Kei Nishikori, champion in 2012 and 2014, is the last Japanese man to win the title.
Is Kei Nishikori playing the Japan Open 2026?
Yes. Nishikori has a wildcard and plays the No. 2 seed Frances Tiafoe in the first round. The ATP says it is his final appearance in Tokyo.
More Coverage
Our Japan Open betting tips have the outright picks, and the prize money breakdown and full list of Japan Open winners cover the rest. In the same week, our ATP China Open preview covers Beijing. Full coverage sits on our Japan Open hub, every event we follow is in the tournaments index, and the dates are in the 2026 tennis calendar.