The Ultimate Summer of Tennis 2026: Your Complete Grand Slam Guide
Tennis fans, mark your calendars. The 2026 tennis season delivers four Grand Slam tournaments spanning continents, surfaces, and unforgettable moments. From the hard courts of Melbourne to the hallowed grass of Wimbledon, this is your complete guide to the biggest events in tennis. Our team of experts are here to support you with any questions.
2026 Grand Slam Calendar
| Tournament | Dates | Location | Surface | Main Court | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Open | January 12th-25th | Melbourne, Australia | Hard (Plexicushion) | Rod Laver Arena | 15,000 |
| French Open | May 24th – Jun 7th | Paris, France | Clay | Philippe-Chatrier | 15,000 |
| The Championships, Wimbledon | June 29th – July 12th | London, UK | Grass | Centre Court | 15,000 |
| US Open | August 25th – September 7th | New York, USA | Hard (DecoTurf) | Arthur Ashe Stadium | 23,771 |
Australian Open | 12th – 1st February, 2026
🏆 Defending Champions: Jannik Sinner (Men’s), Madison Keys(Women’s)
The tennis season kicks off Down Under with the “Happy Slam.” Played under the scorching Australian summer sun at Melbourne Park, the tournament combines world-class tennis with a festival atmosphere. The blue Plexicushion hard courts provide medium-pace conditions that reward aggressive baseline play, while Rod Laver Arena’s retractable roof ensures play continues regardless of weather or extreme heat.
What Makes It Special: Melbourne Park buzzes with energy beyond the courts. Garden Square becomes a fan hub, while evening sessions regularly produce electric atmospheres. The Australian Open’s willingness to embrace innovation—from technology to extreme heat protocols keeps it at the forefront of modern tennis.
2026 Storylines: Can Jannik Sinner defend his maiden Grand Slam title? Will Madison Keys gain a second Australian Open titles?
Travel Tips: January is peak summer in Melbourne. Expect 25-40°C. Book accommodation early as the tournament brings 800,000+ spectators. Combine tennis with Melbourne’s world-class dining, coffee culture, and sporting heritage.
French Open (Roland-Garros) | 24th MAY – 7th June, 2026
🏆 Defending Champions: Carlos Alcaraz (Men’s), Coco Gauff (Women’s)
The only clay-court Grand Slam and tennis’s most demanding physical test. Set in Paris’s 16th arrondissement, Roland-Garros represents the pinnacle of clay-court tennis. The distinctive red clay surface, made from crushed brick, slows the ball and produces high bounces rewarding patience, strategy, and stamina over raw power.
What Makes It Special: The clay. The five-set marathons. The Parisian atmosphere in late spring. Roland-Garros combines old-world tennis tradition with the romance of Paris. Clay-court tennis rewards different skills; sliding, constructing points over 20+ shots, mental endurance through marathon matches that can extend beyond five hours.
2026 Storylines: Can Coco Gauff extend her clay-court dominance? Carlos Alcaraz seeking to prove his clay credentials against a resurgent field.
Travel Tips: Late May/early June offers perfect Paris weather, mild temperatures, long daylight hours. Combine tennis with Parisian culture: Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Champs-Élysées all within reach. Stay in the 16th arrondissement for easy access.
The Championships, Wimbledon | 29th June – 12th July 12, 2026
🏆 Defending Champions: Jannik Sinner (Men’s), Iga Świątek (Women’s)
The most prestigious tournament in tennis. The Championships, Wimbledon is tradition personified—all-white clothing, strawberries and cream, Royal Box, and the only Grand Slam played on grass. The perfectly manicured grass courts at the All England Club produce the fastest surface in tennis, rewarding serve-and-volley play, quick reactions, and tactical intelligence.
What Makes It Special: Everything. The all-white dress code. “Quiet please” before every point. The queue where fans camp overnight for ground tickets. Pimm’s and strawberries (28,000kg consumed annually). Grass-court tennis is unique—lower bounces, faster pace, unpredictable skids. The Championships, Wimbledon rewards big servers, natural athletes, and quick adapters.
2026 Storylines: Can Jannik Sinner defend his title and establish a grass-court dynasty? British hopes for home success. The evolution of grass-court tennis in the modern era.
Travel Tips: Peak London tourist season, book early. If you’re looking to attend Wimbledon you can explore our experiences here.
US Open | 23rd August – 13th September, 2026
🏆 Defending Champions: Carlos Alcaraz (Men’s), Aryna Sabalenka (Women’s)
The final Grand Slam of the year and tennis’s biggest party. The US Open embraces everything that makes New York special- energy, diversity, entertainment, and celebration. Arthur Ashe Stadium, the world’s largest tennis stadium with 23,771 seats, provides an electric setting for night session matches that become legendary.
What Makes It Special: The energy. The crowds. The late-night matches. The US Open embraces entertainment—music, celebrity sightings, Honey Deuce cocktails. The famous “Night Session” under lights creates an atmosphere unlike any other slam. New York in late August brings heat, humidity, and challenges that test mental strength as much as physical ability.
2026 Storylines: Can Carlos Alcaraz complete a hard-court double by winning both Australian and US Opens? Is Aryna Sabalenka set to gain a back-to-back US Open hattrick by winning again in 2026?
Travel Tips: Late August/early September can be hot and humid. Flushing Meadows is accessible via subway (7 train). Night session matches provide the quintessential US Open experience. Book NYC hotels early.
Experience a SUMMER OF TENNIS with Sportsworld
As a leading sports hospitality provider with 45 years of experience, Sportsworld offers a variety of tennis events throughout the 2026 calendar including The Championships, Wimbledon, Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic and more.