The final Grand Slam of the tennis season is almost here. The 2026 US Open runs from Sunday, August 23 through Sunday, September 13, with Fan Week and qualifying leading into a 15-day main draw that begins Sunday, August 30, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.
**How the schedule breaks down**
The tournament’s now-familiar Sunday-start format, introduced in 2025, continues in 2026. That means both men’s and women’s first-round matches begin the very first day of the main draw, spread across day and night sessions on Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium.
**What to expect week by week**
– **August 23-29:** Fan Week and qualifying rounds, giving fans free grounds access and a first look at rising players fighting for a main-draw spot
– **August 30:** Main draw begins with first-round singles matches across both draws
– **Early September:** Second week action moves through the fourth round and quarterfinals, with the mixed doubles championship also taking place during Fan Week
– **September 11-13:** Semifinals and finals weekend, capping off the Grand Slam season
**Why this Open carries extra weight**
With the ATP and WTA rankings tightening throughout the year — see our explainers on [how ATP rankings work](atp-rankings-explained) and [how WTA rankings work](wta-rankings-explained) — the US Open represents the last major opportunity for players to bank the 2,000 ranking points a Grand Slam title carries before the season winds down.
**A tournament with serious stakes**
Beyond ranking points, the US Open has consistently offered the largest prize pool in tennis, and 2026’s edition is expected to continue that trend. For a look at who arrives in New York as the players to beat, check out our breakdown of the [top tennis players in 2026](top-tennis-players-in-2026).
Whether you’re planning to attend in person or simply clearing your calendar for two weeks of late-night tennis, the 2026 US Open promises to be one of the most competitive editions in recent memory.