US Open
Qualifying is the week most people miss. It runs from 24 to 27 August 2026, before the main draw begins on Sunday 30 August, and it decides the last 16 places in each singles draw. Entry is free to spectators, which makes it the best-value week of the tennis year for anyone who can get to Flushing Meadows.
US Open 2026 Qualifying Dates
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Singles qualifying | Monday 24 August to Thursday 27 August |
| Mixed doubles qualifying | From Monday 24 August |
| Mixed doubles final | Concludes Wednesday 26 August |
| Main draw ceremony | Thursday 27 August |
| Main draw begins | Sunday 30 August |
How US Open Qualifying Works
Each singles qualifying draw has 128 players competing for 16 main-draw places. Players must win three matches, all best of three sets, to come through. The draw is seeded on ranking, and a handful of wildcards are handed out by the USTA, usually to American juniors and to players returning from injury.
The cut-off for direct entry to the 2026 main draw was No. 101 for the men and No. 102 for the women, based on the rankings of 20 July. Anyone below that line either needs a wildcard or has to play the qualifying week.
Mixed Doubles Returns to Qualifying Week
The revamped mixed doubles event is again played during qualifying week rather than alongside the main draw. It has drawn a stronger field than the old format ever did, with Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka among the headline entries.
Why It Matters This Year
The British interest is unusually concentrated on this week. Jack Draper has been managing an arm problem and may need either a wildcard or a qualifying run to reach the main draw, and Emma Raducanu is a doubt with a leg stress fracture. Qualifying is also where players ranked just outside the top 100 can turn a season around, since a main-draw first-round appearance at a Grand Slam pays more than most full ATP or WTA Tour weeks.
How to Watch Qualifying
Qualifying gets far less broadcast coverage than the main draw. Sky Sports carries selected matches as part of its exclusive UK rights, and the USTA streams outside courts through the official US Open channels. Our US Open live stream guide covers the main-draw broadcast schedule.
FAQ
US Open Qualifying FAQs
When is US Open 2026 qualifying?
Qualifying runs from Monday 24 August to Thursday 27 August 2026. The main draw begins on Sunday 30 August.
How many players qualify for the US Open main draw?
Sixteen in each singles draw. There are 128 players in each qualifying draw and they must win three best-of-three matches to come through.
What was the US Open 2026 entry cut-off?
No. 101 for the men and No. 102 for the women, based on the ATP and WTA rankings of 20 July 2026. Players below that line need a wildcard or must play qualifying.
Is US Open qualifying free to attend?
Yes. Entry to the grounds during qualifying week is free, which is why it is one of the best-value weeks in tennis for spectators.
More Coverage
See the US Open final page for the schedule, our predictions for the main draw, and the betting tips for outright markets. 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.