The Australian Open opens the 2027 tennis season, and Indian fans have a clear way to follow it. Here is what we know about the dates and where to watch.
Australian Open 2027 dates
The tournament runs from 11 to 31 January 2027 at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. The main draw is scheduled for 17 to 31 January, with qualifying and lead-in events in the days before.
The format
It is a hard-court Grand Slam with singles draws of 128 players, doubles draws of 64 pairs and a mixed doubles draw of 32 pairs. The winners of the men’s singles title earn 2,000 ranking points.
Where to watch in India
Sony Sports Network has been the official broadcaster in India, and SonyLIV carries the live stream. Reports say Sony extended its Australian Open rights until 2028. Check the channel and app listings before the tournament begins.
Time difference
Melbourne is 5.5 hours ahead of India in January. A match at 11 am in Melbourne would start at 5:30 am IST, and an evening session at 7 pm local would begin at 1:30 pm IST. The night sessions at Rod Laver Arena are therefore easier for Indian viewers to watch.
Why the Australian Open matters
It is the first Grand Slam of the year and sets the tone for the season. A deep run earns valuable ranking points, which feed into the ATP and WTA rankings through the rest of the year. Our guide to ATP ranking points explains how those points are counted.
Tips for Indian viewers
Because many matches fall in the early hours in India, plan your viewing around the sessions you care about most. The streaming app lets you catch up on replays, and the official tournament site publishes the order of play each day. Check these a day ahead to avoid missing a match.
Preparing early
Check the official schedule and the order of play, which are released as the tournament nears. If you plan to watch on SonyLIV, make sure your subscription is active in advance.
For more tennis coverage, visit our Tennis section.