The Australian Open order of play lists every match for one day of the tournament, court by court, in the order it will be played. It is published the evening before, and the list below shows match times in your own time zone.
In the US, each Melbourne day starts the evening before: day play at 7:00 PM ET and night sessions at 3:00 AM ET. Use Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow to switch days.
Main-draw play runs from January 17 to 31, 2027. For round dates, see the full Australian Open 2027 schedule.
How to Read the Australian Open Order of Play
Only the first match on each court has a fixed start time. Every match after it follows on as soon as the court is free.
- Starts at: the time the first match on that court begins.
- Followed by: the match starts after the one before it ends, so the time can move by hours.
- Not before: the match will not start earlier than this time, but it can start later.
- Day session and night session: separate sessions on the show courts, each with its own ticket. The night session starts at 7:00 PM Melbourne time.
Australian Open Courts in the Order of Play
| Court | Roof | What plays there |
|---|---|---|
| Rod Laver Arena | Yes | Top seeds, night sessions and both singles finals |
| Margaret Court Arena | Yes | Seeded players and night sessions |
| John Cain Arena | Yes | Seeded players and night sessions |
| Other arenas and outside courts | No | Early-round singles, doubles, juniors and qualifying |
Matches on the three roofed arenas keep going in rain or extreme heat. Outside courts can be delayed, so their later matches often move.
When Is the Australian Open Order of Play Released?
The order of play for each day is released the evening before, Melbourne time. In the US that is usually the early morning of the same calendar day, so check this page after breakfast ET for that evening’s matches.
Late changes happen when a player withdraws or a match runs long. This page refreshes from the live feed, so it always shows the current version.
What Happens When It Rains or Gets Too Hot?
Rain stops play on the outside courts until the surface is dry, and unfinished matches resume when play restarts. The roofs on Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena can close, so their matches continue.
In extreme heat, the Australian Open’s heat policy lets officials suspend play on outside courts and close the roofs on the show courts. Delays push the rest of that court’s order of play back.
FAQ About the Australian Open Order of Play
What is the difference between the schedule and the order of play?
The schedule shows which rounds are played on which dates. The order of play shows the exact matches, courts and start times for a single day.
Can Australian Open match times change?
Yes. Only the first match on each court has a fixed time. Later matches depend on how long earlier matches last.
Where can I watch today’s Australian Open matches?
In the US, on ESPN, ESPN2 and the ESPN app. See our how to watch guide for every country.
Check the Australian Open order of play here each evening, then follow every match as it happens on Australian Open scores.