A Grand Slam match schedule is published one day at a time, so there is no single fixed list of match times for the whole tournament. The daily order of play shows which players are on each court, when play begins and which matches are scheduled for the day or night session.
As of October 11, 2026, all four Grand Slam tournaments have finished for the year. If you are checking a past match, use the tournament’s official results and draw pages; if you are planning for a future event, look for its daily order of play once the draw is set. Here is how to read the schedule and what to expect at each major.
2026 Grand Slam dates
The 2026 Grand Slam calendar ran from January to September. These are the tournament date ranges; individual match dates and start times depended on the draw and daily order of play.
| Tournament | Location | 2026 dates | Local time zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Open | Melbourne, Australia | January 18–February 1 | Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) |
| Roland-Garros (French Open) | Paris, France | May 24–June 7 | Central European Summer Time (CEST) |
| Wimbledon | London, England | June 29–July 12 | British Summer Time (BST) |
| US Open | New York, United States | August 30–September 13 | Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) |
These are overall event dates, not a promise that a particular player competed on a specific day. Rain, long matches and other delays can also change the running order. For exact past fixtures, check the tournament’s official results or archived order of play.
Where to find the Grand Slam match schedule
The official tournament website or app is usually the best place to check the schedule. Look for a page called Order of Play, Daily Schedule or Schedule of Play. It lists the day’s matches by court and session, and is normally released the evening before local time. Tournament social accounts and broadcaster listings can help, but the official order of play is the source to trust if details differ.
Schedules are shown in the host city’s local time. That matters when following a match from overseas: a Melbourne afternoon match may fall overnight in North America, while a New York evening session can begin in the early morning in parts of Asia. Check the time zone before setting an alarm, and confirm whether your device is displaying local or tournament time.
How to read an order of play
- Not before: The match will not start before the listed time, but it may begin later if earlier matches run long.
- Followed by: The match starts after the preceding match on that court ends. There may be no reliable start time.
- Session times: A session gives a broad window for play, not an exact start for every match in it.
- Court assignment: The same round can be spread across several courts. A marquee match may be placed on a main court, but the schedule can vary.
- Postponed or suspended: Weather, darkness or other delays can move a match to another time, court or day.
For example, if a match is listed as “followed by” at 1 p.m., it could start close to that time—or much later after a three-set battle. If you need to watch a particular player, check the order of play again on match day instead of relying on an estimated start from an earlier listing.
What a typical tournament day looks like
Day sessions usually begin in the late morning or around midday, depending on the tournament and round. Several singles and doubles matches can run at the same time on different courts. Main-court night sessions start later and often feature high-profile matches, though the exact lineup is announced separately.
| Part of the day | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Day session | Multiple matches across the grounds; start times can shift as earlier matches finish. |
| Night session | A smaller number of matches on a main court, with a later local start. |
| Late rounds | Fewer matches overall, often with singles matches spread across the main courts. |
The stages of the tournament affect the schedule, too. Early rounds have many matches and a busy court rotation. By the quarterfinals and semifinals, there are fewer singles matches, so each one gets more attention and can occupy a larger part of the day. Finals are usually scheduled as standalone headline matches, but local conditions and event plans still matter.
Why match times change
Tennis has no clock that forces a match to finish by a set time. A quick straight-sets win may take less than two hours; a tight five-set match can last much longer. When a match runs over, later matches on the same court are pushed back.
Weather is another major factor. At Roland-Garros, rain can interrupt outdoor play, although the main courts have roofs. Wimbledon and the Australian Open also have covered main courts, but a roof does not remove every scheduling issue across the grounds. Heat policies, darkness and medical delays may also affect play. The US Open’s night sessions can run late when matches are close.
That uncertainty is part of following a live tournament. If you are watching at home, use a live score page as well as the schedule. If you are attending, leave room between a planned match and travel or other commitments, especially when your match is listed after another one.
Match format and scheduling
Men’s singles at the Grand Slams is generally best of five sets, while women’s singles is best of three. Doubles and mixed doubles also have their own formats and court schedules. A match’s format can affect how long it lasts, but it cannot predict the finish time: a close three-set match may take longer than a one-sided contest.
For fans following several players, the daily order of play is useful for spotting overlaps. Two matches on separate courts may happen at once, so decide which one matters most or follow the other through live scores. Check the schedule for doubles as well; a singles player may return to court later the same day for a doubles match.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Grand Slam match schedule released?
The daily order of play is usually published the evening before the matches, in the tournament’s local time. Check again on the day in case a change has been made.
Are match start times exact?
Only some matches have a stated time, and even those can be delayed. “Followed by” means the match starts after the previous one on that court finishes.
What time zone does a Grand Slam schedule use?
It uses local time in the host city: Melbourne, Paris, London or New York. Convert the listed time to your own time zone before planning to watch.
Where can I find an old Grand Slam schedule?
Check the tournament’s official website for archived draws, results or daily orders of play. Results pages are often the easiest way to confirm when a match took place.
Final Thoughts
To follow a Grand Slam match schedule, start with the official daily order of play, note the host city’s time zone and treat “followed by” as an estimate rather than a fixed start. Match lengths and weather can change the day’s plan, so a quick schedule check before play is the simplest way to avoid missing the match you came to see.
