The Australian Open returns to Nine in 2026, with the broadcaster and Stan Sport promising more than 500 hours of live coverage across free-to-air and streaming.
From Sunday 18 January, every match from Melbourne Park will be available live on Channel 9, 9Gem, 9Now and Stan Sport, including qualifying and exhibition play.
Nine will offer live and exclusive coverage on Channel 9HD and 9GemHD, while 9Now will stream every point of every match free.
Stan Sport will simulcast every match live and on demand in 4K for subscribers, giving audiences multiple ways to follow the first Grand Slam of the year.
Free AO coverage on Channel 9 and 9Now
Across the tournament, Nine will broadcast more than 500 hours of Australian Open content, with coverage spanning the main draw, qualifying and exhibition matches.
All live free-to-air action will run on Channel 9HD and 9GemHD, supported by comprehensive streaming coverage on 9Now.
Opening week action will air on Channel 9, including the Million Dollar 1 point slam on Wednesday, an exhibition between Alex de Minaur and Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday, and the inaugural AO Opening Ceremony on Saturday at 7.30pm AEDT.
The ceremony will feature legends Roger Federer, Andre Agassi, and Pat Rafter, as well as a performance from rock band Crowded House.
From Monday, 12 January, every game of the Australian Open qualifying series will be available live and free on 9Now.
The platform will also house full match replays of finals, Match Highlights, AO Daily Top Moments and all the off-court colour from AO Morning Serve.
Stan Sport adds 4K and shoulder programming
Stan Sport will carry every match live and on demand in 4K, targeting hardcore tennis fans who want uninterrupted coverage.
Tournament shoulder programming will include Grand Slam Daily, hosted by Chris Stubbs and streaming every morning exclusively on Stan Sport.
Between Nine’s free-to-air schedule, 9Now’s digital offering and Stan Sport’s premium streams, the Australian Open will sit at the centre of Nine Entertainment’s summer sport strategy once again.
Star-studded fields and Australian hopes
On the men’s side, the singles draw will be led by world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, reigning champion Jannik Sinner as he pursues a hat-trick of AO titles, and 10-time Melbourne Park winner Novak Djokovic.
Women’s top seed and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka returns, aiming to go one better after her 2025 final loss, while Iga Swiatek (No. 2) chases a first Australian Open crown following her 2025 Wimbledon win. They headline a strong pack of American contenders led by 2025 AO champion Madison Keys, Amanda Anisimova (No. 3), Coco Gauff (No. 4) and Jess Pegula (No. 6).
Australian hopes include Alex de Minaur (No. 6), Maya Joint (No. 32), Alexei Popyrin (No. 50), Adam Walton (No. 77), Ajla Tomljanovic (No. 78), Aleksander Vukic (No. 87), Tristan Schoolkate (No. 97), Kim Birrell (No. 106) and Thanasi Kokkinakis. Also in the women’s field is world No. 40 Daria Kasatkina.
Wildcard entrants Emerson Jones, Rinky Hijikata, James Duckworth, Priscilla Hon, Taylah Preston, Talia Gibson and Christopher O’Connell will all chase second-week runs. Crowd favourite Nick Kyrgios will feature in the men’s doubles draw.
Every court and category covered on 9Now
Beyond the main draws, 9Now will stream every match of the Juniors Girls and Boys Championships, Wheelchair Championships, Junior Wheelchair Championships, Asia Pacific Elite 14 and Under, AO25 Deaf Championships and AO25 Intellectual Disability Championships.
The platform’s expanded highlights slate will include clips featuring Australian players, as well as short-form recaps designed for mobile viewing, positioning 9Now as the central digital hub for AO content.
On-air team and AO formats return
Nine’s Wide World of Sports has assembled a large hosting and commentary team across its broadcast and streaming platforms to cover every court at Melbourne Park.
Expert commentary will be provided by Jim Courier, Jelena Dokic, John McEnroe, Todd Woodbridge, Lleyton Hewitt, Sam Stosur, Dylan Alcott, John Millman, Casey Dellacqua, Sam Smith and Alicia Molik.
On Channel 9, hosting duties will be shared by James Bracey, Sylvia Jeffreys and Tony Jones. On 9Gem, the coverage will be fronted by Georgie Parker, Nick McArdle and Brett Phillips.
Reporters Bronte Gildea and Marlee Silva will capture colour from around the precinct, with additional off-court reporting from Natalie Yoannidis and Sam McClure. Match calling will come from Brenton Speed and Peter Psaltis.
Entertainment format The Hundred also returns, with Andy Lee joined by Sophie Monk and Mike Goldstein for a special Australian Open edition.
‘The AO is the greatest sporting event’
Nine’s director of sport, Brent Williams, said the tournament remains central to the network’s summer schedule. “The AO is the greatest sporting event and festival of fun on the Australian summer calendar.”
Brent Williams
“The world’s best are making their way to Melbourne for 15 days and nights of brilliant on-court action, while around the grounds the entire precinct comes to life with a thriving festival of food, music and family entertainment. What could be better than that!
“The action never stops, and you won’t miss a moment with unprecedented access and comprehensive coverage of the biggest matches and moments on Channel 9, streaming platforms 9Now and Stan Sport, plus additional coverage on 9News.”
Australian Open 2026 begins Sunda,y 18 January, live and free on Channel 9 and 9Now, with every match live and on demand in 4K on Stan Sport.