With nearly 150 years of history behind it, the US Open is one of the oldest tennis championships in the world and has been held at Flushing Meadows since 1978. Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest tennis stadium in the world with a capacity of 23,200, provides the stage for the tournament’s biggest matches, while the women’s singles event promises another fiercely competitive battle for Grand Slam glory.
Tournament Overview
The 2026 edition features a 128-player women's singles draw and a 64-team doubles draw, with the tournament running from August 30 to September 13. Aryna Sabalenka returns as the defending women's singles champion, while the US Open continues to provide one of the biggest stages in tennis, led by the 23,200-seat Arthur Ashe Stadium.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Category | Grand Slam |
| Surface | Outdoor Hard |
| Location | Queens, New York, USA |
| Venue | USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center |
| Founded | 1881 |
| Dates | August 30 – September 13, 2026 |
| Singles Draw | 128 |
| Doubles Draw | 64 |
| Defending Champion | Aryna Sabalenka |
History
The US Open began in 1881 as the U.S. National Championships, with the first edition played on grass courts at Newport Casino in Rhode Island. The women's singles championship followed in 1887, and the tournament gradually grew into one of the most prestigious events in world tennis.
The event moved to New York in 1915 and later entered the Open Era in 1968, when professionals were allowed to compete. In 1978, the tournament moved to Flushing Meadows and switched to hard courts, where it has remained ever since.
Ranking Points & Prize Money Breakdown
The 2026 US Open offers a total prize pool of US$90 million, with the women's singles champion earning US$5.5 million and 2,000 WTA ranking points. Players can also earn significant prize money and ranking points at every stage of the tournament.
| Round | Prize Money | Ranking Points |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | US$5,500,000 | 2,000 |
| Finalist | US$2,800,000 | 1,300 |
| Semifinal | US$1,450,000 | 780 |
| Quarterfinal | US$780,000 | 430 |
| Round of 16 | US$480,000 | 240 |
| Third Round | US$290,000 | 130 |
| Second Round | US$190,000 | 70 |
| First Round | US$140,000 | 10 |
Playing Conditions & Court Speed
The US Open is played on outdoor hard courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, with conditions generally considered medium-fast. The courts reward aggressive tennis, with strong serving and first-strike play particularly effective, while the relatively consistent bounce also allows powerful baseliners to dictate rallies.
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Surface Speed | Medium-fast hard court |
| Court Type | Outdoor hard |
| Bounce Level | Medium and consistent |
| Rally Length | Short to medium rallies |
| Key Strengths Rewarded | Powerful serving, aggressive baseline play, first-strike tennis, athletic movement |
Top 8 Seeds
The 2026 US Open features a strong women's field led by defending champion and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff complete the top four seeds, while Mirra Andreeva, Linda Noskova, Karolina Muchova and Elena Rybakina round out the top eight.
| Seed | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Aryna Sabalenka |
| 2 | Elena Rybakina |
| 3 | Jessica Pegula |
| 4 | Coco Gauff |
| 5 | Mirra Andreeva |
| 6 | Linda Noskova |
| 7 | Karolina Muchova |
| 8 | Iga Swiatek |
Recent Champions
The US Open has produced a strong mix of champions in recent years, with several of the biggest names in women's tennis lifting the trophy. Aryna Sabalenka has been the dominant force most recently, winning back-to-back titles in 2024 and 2025.
| Year | Champion | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Aryna Sabalenka | Amanda Anisimova | 6-3, 7-6(3) |
| 2024 | Aryna Sabalenka | Jessica Pegula | 7-5, 7-5 |
| 2023 | Coco Gauff | Aryna Sabalenka | 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 |
| 2022 | Iga Swiatek | Ons Jabeur | 6-2, 7-6(5) |
| 2021 | Emma Raducanu | Leylah Fernandez | 6-4, 6-3a |
Players to Watch
Aryna Sabalenka
Sabalenka returns as the defending champion and world No. 1, but her recent form has been below her usual standards. With several strong challengers in the field, she faces a major test if she is to successfully defend her title.
Iga Swiatek
Swiatek has finally rediscovered her best form after several difficult months and arrives as one of the biggest threats to the defending champion. If she maintains that level, she has every chance of challenging for the title.
Elena Rybakina
Rybakina is always a dangerous player on hard courts and comes into the tournament in good form. Her powerful game makes her one of the strongest contenders in the field.
Jessica Pegula
Pegula has been in excellent form and will also have the backing of the home crowd in New York. Fatigue could be a concern after a busy schedule, but she remains a serious threat if she can stay fresh.
Coco Gauff
The former champion and local favourite arrives in strong form after winning the Cincinnati title. With momentum and home support behind her, Gauff will be one of the players to watch closely.
How to Watch – Women's US Open 2026
If you’re not watching on TV, platforms like bet365 provide live streaming coverage:
How to Watch on bet365:
- Register a bet365 account
- Fund your account (minimum balance may apply)
- Go to the Live Streaming section
- Select Women's US Open and start watching live
🔐 Note: Streaming availability may vary by region. Most platforms require an active, funded account.