Why you will love the Australian Open Tennis Qualifying Tournament

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Welcome to the Australian Open Qualifying Tournament. In Melbourne, our Aus Open flags are already flying, and you can get into tennis fever early at Melbourne Park for AO Opening Week, 12-17 January 2026. The Australian Open sees the world’s best tennis players competing for the year’s first Grand Slam title.

Did you know you can enjoy a wonderful day of tennis at the Australian Open Qualifying Tournament during Opening Week, 12 – 17 January 2026?

Won’t you come for a wander with me?

What is AO Opening Week?

Opening Week is held before the Australian Open main draw when Melbourne Park is open for the Qualifying Singles Tournament (Monday-Thursday, January 12-15) and a whole heap more!

In addition to the Qualifying tournament, you can also buy tickets to attend showdown matches (player participation is subject to change) in Rod Laver Arena:

Tuesday 13th January: 5 pm Qinwen Zheng V Elana Rybakina, 7 pm Zverev Vs Musetti

Wednesday 14th January: 5 pm Svitolina V Anisimova, followed by AO 1 Point Slam featuring top players

Thursday 15th January: Alcaraz Vs De Minaur

Friday 16th January: Friday showdown Sinner Vs Auger-Aliassime

Saturday 17 January: Opening Week concludes with Kids Tennis Day

It is your opportunity to enjoy Melbourne Park without the crowds at a bargain price. Tickets are available via Ticketmaster.

Why we love the Qualifying Singles Tournament

We started hosting professional tennis players, their partners, and coaches competing at the Australian Open in 2008, which has given us a unique insight into the world of professional tennis.

Some years, this involved the qualifying tournament. Much as every player would love to walk straight into the Asia Pacific Grand Slam, entry via ‘Qualies’  into the main draw is particularly exciting for us all.

What is the Australian Open Qualifying Tournament?

The 2026 AO Qualifying Tournament offers 128 male and female players, just outside the world’s top 100 pro tennis players (including 18 wildcard players), an opportunity for one of 16 qualifying places in the Australian Open main draw. To achieve this, they must play and win three consecutive matches.

This year, the Qualifying Tournament will be held from Monday, 12th January, to Thursday, 15th January 2025. It is your opportunity to watch the next generation’s brightest stars battle for a chance to qualify for AO26.

Where is the Aus Open Qualifying Tournament held?

It’s held at Melbourne Park, home of the Australian Open. What I enjoy most about attending ‘Qualies’, as the players call it, is getting a taste of the AO26 before most people. Sure, not everything is open, but you get a real sense of the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into putting on one of the world’s best sporting events.

The Qualifying Tournament is held in Kia Arena, 1573 Arena, and on the outside courts from Court 3 to Court 17.

You never know who you might bump into as you wander around.

Who is playing in the Qualifying Tournament in 2026

Full details of players are found below:

Men’s AO Qualifying Singles

Women’s AO Qualifying Singles

This year’s Women’s lineup includes world No. 106 Katie Boulter (UK), and Taylor Townsend (US), along with 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens, and former top-10 star Kristina Mladenovic, who are all using protected rankings to enter the field.

The AO website points us to “Look out for rising stars Lilli Tagger (the 2025 Roland Garros junior winner) and Alina Korneeva (who won the girls’ title at AO 2023) will offer fans a glimpse of the sport’s promising future.

The men’s qualifying entry list is led by world No.104 Yannick Hanfmann of Germany, while fans will note other well-known names like former world No.4 Kei Nishikori, Dan Evans, Nicholas Jarry, Dusan Lajovic, Yoshihito Nishioka, Mackenzie McDonald, Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Wu Yibing”.

Many eyes will again be on Cruz Hewitt, who, at age 17, and with an ATP Ranking of 759, is one of the youngest member of the Australian men’s qualifying contingent.

How much does it cost?

This year, Qualifying Tournament entry costs $20 per ticket via Ticketmaster.

What makes the Australian Open Qualifying Tournament so special?

• It’s a bargain, not quite so much of a bargain when it was free, but at $20 per ticket, it keeps tennis accessible.
• There are virtually no queues, and you can walk straight in – enjoy.
• Gates open at 9.30 am, and matches start at 10 am AEDT. Find the 2026 Match Schedule here
• The matches can be amazing. The 2026 total prize money is A$111.5 million ($75 million USD). There is a lot at stake.
• The Aus Open shop is open. Buy your favourite tennis shirt, hat, or towel before stocks run out.

Empty Seats!

What’s the first thing you notice? Answer: all the empty seats! You won’t find this in the following weeks. Where else in the world can I invite all my girlfriends to join me in watching professional tennis, and we can have the whole grandstand for ourselves?

Watching Practice Matches

In addition to the qualifying competition matches, fans can watch practice matches featuring some high-profile players.

Kids Tennis Day

Whether you’re a big or little kid, I have always enjoyed this Saturday when future Champions overrun Melbourne Park! The Aus Open has always been fantastic for all the extra things that happen around tennis. The schedule this year is phenomenal!

Kids Tennis Day, presented by Emirates, is the smash hit for the whole family! Grab the kids and join us for a day of non-stop fun and excitement these summer holidays. Jam-packed with performances, character appearances, arena spectaculars, and so much more.

Melbourne Park

Tennis Australia recognises that the rest of Asia would love to get their hands on this Grand Slam. Every year, the impressive investment in the tournament ensures new ‘wows’ to exceed players’ and fans’ expectations. But don’t just take my word for it, get yourselves down to Melbourne Park and see what you think, it won’t break the bank!

It’s exciting wandering Melbourne Park before the crowds. Every year at Melbourne Park, the changes are incredible, and it’s fun to see what’s new.

Australian Open Qualifying Tournament Final Details

• All the entry requirements and tickets are here.
• For all the latest information, be sure to check out the Australian Open website here.
• Little Wandering Wren’s What to Pack for the Australian Open
• Little Wandering Wren’s Keeping your cool at the Australian Open.
• Download the AO App to have all the information needed at your fingertips.

I may be completely biased towards our Happy Slam, as the players call the Australian Open, but I reckon watching world-class tennis for $20 is the best value tennis ticket in town; you’d be mad to miss out.

Have fun at the Australian Open Qualifying Tournament. Happy watching!

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