US Open
The US Open closes the Grand Slam season, running from 30 August to 13 September 2026 at Flushing Meadows. It is the fastest and loudest of the four majors, and the 15-day format used since 2025 gives the top seeds an extra day of recovery in the opening week.
Key Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Qualifying | 24 to 27 August |
| Main draw begins | Sunday 30 August |
| Women’s final | Saturday 12 September |
| Men’s final | Sunday 13 September |
| Venue | USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York |
Note the Sunday start. The main draw begins on 30 August, not the Monday, which is a change some calendars still get wrong.
The Men: Sinner, Alcaraz and a Question
Jannik Sinner arrives as world No. 1 and the reigning Wimbledon champion, having beaten Alexander Zverev in that final. He won this title in 2024 before losing it to Carlos Alcaraz in last year’s final.
Alcaraz is the defending champion and is entered as the No. 3 seed, but he has not played a major since the wrist injury that cost him Roland-Garros and Wimbledon. He has targeted the North American hard-court swing as his return, which makes Cincinnati the form line to watch.
The Women: Sabalenka Chasing Three
Aryna Sabalenka tops the rankings and is going for a third consecutive US Open title, something no woman has managed since Serena Williams from 2012 to 2014. New York suits her better than any other major: the court speed rewards first-strike tennis and asks fewer questions of her movement.
Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina are the most credible opposition.
The British Interest
Thinner than usual. Emma Raducanu, champion here in 2021, is a doubt with a leg stress fracture, and Jack Draper has an arm problem that may leave him needing a wildcard or a run through qualifying. The cut-off for direct entry was No. 101 for the men and No. 102 for the women.
Mixed Doubles in Qualifying Week
The revamped mixed doubles event is again staged during qualifying week rather than alongside the main draw, and it has attracted a far stronger field than the old format did.
How to Watch in the UK
Sky Sports Tennis holds the exclusive UK rights and shows the tournament through to both finals, with streaming via NOW. Full detail is in our US Open live stream guide.
FAQ
US Open FAQs
When is the US Open 2026?
The main draw runs from Sunday 30 August to Sunday 13 September 2026, with qualifying from 24 to 27 August.
Who are the defending champions?
Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka. Alcaraz beat Jannik Sinner in the 2025 men’s final and Sabalenka beat Amanda Anisimova in the women’s.
Are Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper playing?
Both are in doubt. Raducanu has a leg stress fracture and Draper an arm problem that may leave him needing a wildcard or a qualifying run.
What time are the US Open finals in the UK?
Both finals are afternoon sessions in New York, which puts them in the UK evening. The women’s final is on 12 September and the men’s on 13 September.
More Coverage
See our US Open predictions, betting tips, prize money breakdown and qualifying guide. Full coverage sits on our US Open hub, every event we follow is in the tournaments index, and the dates are in the 2026 tennis calendar.