US Open 2026 | Betting Tips, Predictions & Complete Guide

The 2026 US Open takes place from 31 August to 13 September at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York. Carlos Alcaraz defends his men’s singles title after a dominant 2025 victory over Jannik Sinner, while Aryna Sabalenka returns as women’s champion having won back-to-back US Open titles in 2024 and 2025.

The US Open is the final Grand Slam of the tennis season, played on DecoTurf hard courts under the lights of New York. Known for its electric atmosphere, deafening night sessions, and a history of producing first-time Grand Slam champions, the US Open occupies a unique place in the tennis calendar. Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest tennis venue in the world at 23,771 capacity, provides a stage unlike any other in the sport.

Below you will find everything you need: tournament details, key contenders for both draws, complete winners’ history, betting odds and predictions, trends and statistics, schedule, and how to watch in the UK.

US Open 2026 Overview

Detail	Info
Dates	31 August – 13 September 2026
Venue	USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York
Surface	Hard court (DecoTurf, outdoor)
Draw size	128 Men’s Singles / 128 Women’s Singles
Prize money (est.)	~$65,000,000 (~$5,000,000 per singles champion)
Men’s defending champion	Carlos Alcaraz
Women’s defending champion	Aryna Sabalenka
UK TV	Sky Sports / Amazon Prime Video

The US Open is the loudest, most theatrical Grand Slam. The DecoTurf surface plays slightly faster than the Australian Open’s GreenSet, rewarding aggressive baseliners with big serves and powerful groundstrokes. Night sessions under the Ashe Stadium lights create an atmosphere closer to a boxing match than a traditional tennis event, and the crowd’s energy has lifted home favourites and rattled visiting players for decades.

The tournament also has a rich history of producing surprise champions. In recent years, Emma Raducanu (2021, as a qualifier), Carlos Alcaraz (2022, at 19 years old), and Coco Gauff (2023, at 19) all won their maiden Grand Slam titles in New York. That tradition of breakthrough performances, combined with the unique pressure of being the season’s final Slam, makes the US Open one of the most exciting events in the sporting calendar.

US Open 2026 Key Contenders: Men’s Singles

Carlos Alcaraz (Defending Champion)

Alcaraz is the two-time US Open champion (2022, 2025) and the undisputed best player in men’s tennis. His 2025 victory over Sinner was clinical: a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 performance that showcased his ability to raise his level in the biggest moments. Alcaraz’s 2026 season has already included an Australian Open title and a career Grand Slam, and he will arrive in New York looking to cap a potentially historic year.

The DecoTurf surface suits Alcaraz’s game perfectly. His explosive movement allows him to dominate from the baseline, his serve has improved year on year, and his ability to produce clutch shot-making under pressure is unmatched in the current era. At 23, he is in the sweet spot of his career, with the physical tools and mental maturity to sustain dominance across the entire season.

Jannik Sinner

Sinner won the 2024 US Open, defeating Taylor Fritz in the final, and lost the 2025 final to Alcaraz. His record at Flushing Meadows is excellent, with a title and a runner-up finish in consecutive years. The Italian’s flat, aggressive baseline game translates well to the slightly faster DecoTurf surface, and his improved serve gives him more free points than in earlier seasons.

Sinner’s consistency at Grand Slams is remarkable for a player of his age. He has reached at least the semi-finals of his last six Slam appearances and his ability to maintain concentration across five-set matches is elite. He is the most likely challenger to Alcaraz’s title defence.

Novak Djokovic

The four-time US Open champion (2011, 2015, 2018, 2023) has an outstanding record at Flushing Meadows. Djokovic’s 2023 title, defeating Daniil Medvedev in the final, proved he can still win the tournament when conditions align. At 39 by the time the 2026 US Open begins, his physical condition will be the key variable. The hard courts suit his game, and his tactical intelligence is undiminished, but the demands of a two-week Grand Slam at the end of a long season are considerable for a player of his age.

Taylor Fritz

The American reached the 2024 US Open final and carries the hopes of the home crowd. Fritz’s powerful serve and forehand are ideally suited to the DecoTurf surface, and the Ashe Stadium crowd gives him a genuine home-court advantage. His 2024 final run, which included victories over Zverev and Tiafoe, demonstrated he has the game to compete at the highest level. A first Grand Slam title would be a huge moment for American tennis.

Ben Shelton

Shelton is the most exciting young American talent. His left-handed serve regularly exceeds 140mph, making him one of the most dangerous servers in the sport. He reached the US Open semi-finals in 2023 at just 20 years old, and the electric New York crowd adores him. His powerful but occasionally erratic game is perfectly suited to the fast conditions and partisan atmosphere at Flushing Meadows. If Shelton can harness his talent consistently across seven matches, he could be the next first-time Slam champion to emerge in New York.

US Open 2026 Key Contenders: Women’s Singles

Aryna Sabalenka (Defending Champion)

Sabalenka is the back-to-back US Open champion, having won in 2024 (defeating Jessica Pegula) and 2025 (defeating Amanda Anisimova). She is the first woman to win consecutive US Open titles since Serena Williams in 2013-2014, and her hard-court record is the best in the women’s game. Sabalenka’s powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes are perfectly suited to the DecoTurf surface, where her ability to hit through opponents is maximised.

The world No 1 will be targeting a three-peat, which would be the first at the US Open since Williams won three straight from 2012 to 2014. Her consistency at this event is remarkable, and she has the game to dominate on this surface for years to come.

Coco Gauff

Gauff won her maiden Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open, defeating Sabalenka in the final, making her the youngest American Grand Slam champion since Serena Williams in 1999. The home crowd at Ashe Stadium is a genuine factor in Gauff’s favour; the atmosphere during her 2023 run was electric, and the partisan support can be worth a break of serve in tight sets.

Gauff’s game has continued to develop since her 2023 breakthrough. Her serve is more reliable, her forehand more aggressive, and her tactical awareness has sharpened. She has proven she can handle the biggest stage in American tennis, and at 22, she is approaching the peak years of her career. Another US Open title is a realistic target.

Iga Swiatek

Swiatek won the 2022 US Open, demolishing Ons Jabeur 6-2, 7-6 in the final during her remarkable 37-match winning streak. The Pole’s heavy topspin game is effective on hard courts, though the DecoTurf surface is not her ideal playground (she is most dominant on clay). However, her six Grand Slam titles and competitive intensity mean she is always a factor at any major. Swiatek’s challenge at the US Open is adapting to the faster pace and handling the high-pressure night sessions, which suit power players more naturally than grinders.

Elena Rybakina

Rybakina’s 2026 Australian Open victory established her as a force on hard courts. Her serve is the biggest weapon in the women’s game, and the faster DecoTurf surface amplifies its effectiveness. Rybakina’s flat, aggressive ball-striking produces more aces and winners than almost any player on tour, making her ideally suited to the quick conditions at Flushing Meadows. If she arrives in New York healthy and in form, she is a genuine title contender.

US Open Winners: Men’s Singles History (Open Era)

Most US Open Men’s Singles Titles (Open Era)

Player	Titles	Years
Roger Federer	5	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
Pete Sampras	5	1990, 1993, 1995, 1996, 2002
Jimmy Connors	5	1974, 1976, 1978, 1982, 1983
Novak Djokovic	4	2011, 2015, 2018, 2023
Rafael Nadal	4	2010, 2013, 2017, 2019
John McEnroe	4	1979, 1980, 1981, 1984
Carlos Alcaraz	2	2022, 2025

Recent Men’s Singles Champions

Year	Champion	Runner-up	Score
2025	Carlos Alcaraz	Jannik Sinner	6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4
2024	Jannik Sinner	Taylor Fritz	6-3, 6-4, 7-5
2023	Novak Djokovic	Daniil Medvedev	6-3, 7-6, 6-3
2022	Carlos Alcaraz	Casper Ruud	6-4, 2-6, 7-6, 6-3
2021	Daniil Medvedev	Novak Djokovic	6-4, 6-4, 6-4
2020	Dominic Thiem	Alexander Zverev	2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6
2019	Rafael Nadal	Daniil Medvedev	7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4
2018	Novak Djokovic	Juan Martin del Potro	6-3, 7-6, 6-3

Key records: Federer’s five consecutive US Open titles (2004-2008) is a feat unlikely to be repeated. Connors remains the only player to have won the US Open on three different surfaces (grass, clay, and DecoTurf), a record that can never be broken since the tournament now plays exclusively on hard courts. The US Open was the first Grand Slam to introduce a final-set tiebreak at 6-6 in the deciding set, a format that has since been adopted by other majors. Thiem’s 2020 title, won behind closed doors during the pandemic, remains one of the most unusual Grand Slam victories in history.

US Open Winners: Women’s Singles History (Open Era)

Most US Open Women’s Singles Titles (Open Era)

Player	Titles	Years
Chris Evert	6	1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1982
Serena Williams	6	1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014
Steffi Graf	5	1988, 1989, 1993, 1995, 1996
Aryna Sabalenka	2	2024, 2025

Recent Women’s Singles Champions

Year	Champion	Runner-up	Score
2025	Aryna Sabalenka	Amanda Anisimova	6-3, 6-4
2024	Aryna Sabalenka	Jessica Pegula	7-5, 7-5
2023	Coco Gauff	Aryna Sabalenka	2-6, 6-3, 6-2
2022	Iga Swiatek	Ons Jabeur	6-2, 7-6
2021	Emma Raducanu	Leylah Fernandez	6-4, 6-3
2020	Naomi Osaka	Victoria Azarenka	1-6, 6-3, 6-3

Key records: Evert and Serena Williams share the Open Era record with 6 titles each. Raducanu’s 2021 victory remains one of the most remarkable achievements in tennis history; she won the title as a qualifier without dropping a set across 10 matches, a feat never before accomplished at a Grand Slam. Sabalenka is the first woman to win back-to-back US Open titles since Williams in 2013-2014, placing her in elite company. Four different women won the US Open from 2020-2023 before Sabalenka’s streak began, highlighting the tournament’s reputation for producing unexpected champions.

US Open 2026 Betting Odds & Predictions

Outright winner odds for the 2026 US Open will be available closer to the tournament, typically in early August. Check back here for updated odds from Bet365 once the market opens.

Based on current form and hard-court pedigree, the likely market shape will be:

Men’s favourites: Carlos Alcaraz will be the clear favourite as the defending champion with a sensational 2026 season behind him. Jannik Sinner will be close behind as the 2024 champion and 2025 finalist. Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz (home favourite) and Daniil Medvedev will form the next tier. Ben Shelton is a potential dark horse at attractive odds, with his big serve and the New York crowd behind him.

Women’s favourites: Aryna Sabalenka will be the strong favourite as the two-time defending champion and the dominant hard-court player in the women’s game. Coco Gauff (2023 champion, home favourite) will attract significant support, with Iga Swiatek (2022 champion) and Elena Rybakina as the main challengers.

For detailed betting tips when the tournament begins, visit our tennis betting tips page.

US Open Betting Trends & Statistics

The US Open has its own distinctive betting patterns. Here are the key trends to consider:

• First-time champions are common: The US Open has produced more first-time Grand Slam champions than any other major in recent years. Raducanu (2021), Alcaraz (2022), Gauff (2023), and Thiem (2020) all won their maiden Slam titles in New York. The atmosphere and the end-of-season timing seem to favour players who ride momentum rather than those managing fatigue.
• Home advantage is real: American players consistently overperform at the US Open. Fritz reached the 2024 final, Gauff won in 2023, Shelton reached the 2023 semi-final, and the crowd’s support is a tangible factor. When an American faces a non-American in a night session on Ashe, the home player has a significant edge in tight moments.
• Night sessions suit power players: The slightly cooler evening conditions and slower court speed after dark favour big hitters who can impose their game. Aggressive players with powerful serves tend to perform better in the Ashe night session than defensive counterpunchers.
• Season fatigue is a factor: The US Open sits at the end of a long season. Players who have managed their schedule carefully and arrive in New York fresh often outperform those who are battling physical issues. Look for players who have skipped or gone easy in the North American hard-court swing (Montreal, Cincinnati) if they show good form in the early rounds.
• Sabalenka’s dominance on women’s side: Sabalenka has reached at least the semi-finals at three consecutive US Opens (2023-2025), winning two of the last two. Her power game is ideally suited to the DecoTurf surface. Betting against her requires strong evidence of form decline or injury.
• The tiebreak factor: The US Open uses a standard tiebreak at 6-6 in the final set (not the first-to-10 super tiebreak used at the Australian Open). This can produce dramatic finishes and tends to favour the better server in crunch moments. Players with strong serve statistics in tiebreaks are worth noting for live betting purposes.

US Open 2026 Schedule

Date	Round	Notes
25-28 Aug	Qualifying	Flushing Meadows
31 Aug – 1 Sep	First Round	All courts in action
2-3 Sep	Second Round
4-5 Sep	Third Round
6-7 Sep	Fourth Round (R16)	“Super Sunday” / “Manic Monday”
8-9 Sep	Quarter-finals
10-11 Sep	Semi-finals
12 Sep	Women’s Singles Final	4pm ET (9pm BST)
13 Sep	Men’s Singles Final	4pm ET (9pm BST)

The US Open features day sessions starting at 11am ET (4pm BST) and night sessions beginning at 7pm ET (midnight BST). For UK viewers, the day session matches are accessible in the late afternoon and evening, while the marquee night session matches typically start around midnight BST. The night sessions on Arthur Ashe Stadium are the most coveted tickets in tennis and produce the most memorable atmospheres.

How to Watch the US Open 2026 in the UK

The US Open is broadcast in the UK on Sky Sports and Amazon Prime Video. Sky Sports provides live coverage across its dedicated tennis channel, while Amazon Prime Video has shared broadcasting rights in recent years. Check the latest broadcasting schedule closer to the tournament for confirmed channel allocations.

Bet365 also offers live streaming of US Open matches for account holders with a funded account or who have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. This is particularly valuable for the early rounds when Sky Sports cannot cover all courts simultaneously, and it allows you to watch the action while tracking your bets in real time.

To access Bet365 live streaming:

1. Go to Bet365.com via this special link
2. Register an account, make a first deposit and bet £10 to receive £30 in Bet Credits. See our Bet365 tennis offer guide*
3. Navigate to Tennis and select any US Open match with the play icon

*18+ only. New Customers only. Bet £10* & Get £30* in Free Bets. T&Cs apply. Registration required. GambleAware.org.

US Open Match Previews & Tips

Check back closer to the tournament for match previews, daily accumulator tips, and outright winner predictions. Our expert analysis covers every round from first round to final, with data-driven predictions and recommended bets for every session.

In the meantime, follow our tennis betting tips for coverage of the current ATP and WTA season, and visit our best tennis betting offers page for the latest bookmaker promotions. You can also explore our tennis live streaming guide to find out where to watch every match across the tour.

FAQs

When is the US Open 2026?

The 2026 US Open runs from Monday 31 August to Sunday 13 September. Qualifying takes place from 25-28 August at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.

Where is the US Open held?

The US Open is held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York City. The main show court is Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest tennis venue in the world with a capacity of 23,771.

Who is the favourite to win the US Open 2026?

Carlos Alcaraz is expected to be the men’s favourite as defending champion and the world’s best player. Aryna Sabalenka is likely to lead the women’s market as the two-time defending champion. Updated odds will be available from Bet365 closer to the tournament.

Who won the US Open 2025?

Carlos Alcaraz won the men’s singles, defeating Jannik Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. Aryna Sabalenka won the women’s singles, defeating Amanda Anisimova to claim her second consecutive US Open title.

How to watch the US Open in the UK?

The US Open is broadcast on Sky Sports and Amazon Prime Video in the UK. Bet365 live streaming also covers matches for account holders with a funded account. Day session matches begin at around 4pm BST, with night sessions starting at midnight BST.

Who has won the most US Open titles?

Roger Federer, Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors share the Open Era men’s record with 5 titles each. Federer’s five were consecutive (2004-2008). Chris Evert and Serena Williams share the women’s record with 6 titles each.

What surface is the US Open played on?

The US Open is played on DecoTurf, an acrylic hard-court surface. It plays slightly faster than the Australian Open’s GreenSet and rewards aggressive baseline play and big serving. The US Open is the only Grand Slam to use a standard tiebreak at 6-6 in the final set.