The US Open mixed doubles championship returns to New York with a loaded, star-studded 16-pair field blending major champions and powerhouse pairings. According to official tournament announcements, the second edition of the revitalized tournament runs from Monday, August 24, through Wednesday, August 26, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, serving up high-intensity tennis just ahead of the year’s final Grand Slam singles draws.
Format, Schedule, and Scoring Rules for the US Open Mixed Doubles
The tournament utilizes a condensed, fast-paced format designed to maximize drama and accommodate top singles competitors. According to tournament regulations, matches from the qualifying rounds through the semifinals feature best-of-three sets with sets to four games using a no-advantage scoring system and a tiebreak at 4-4. If players split the opening two sets, a 10-point match tiebreak decides the winner. For the championship match on Wednesday night, the format shifts slightly to sets of six games with a tiebreak at 6-6, while maintaining the no-advantage scoring and the 10-point match tiebreak decider.
Play begins on Monday, August 24, with the qualifying rounds at the Grandstand, where eight teams battle for two main draw spots starting at 11:00 a.m. local time, with entry free to fans holding a Fan Access Pass according to Tenis.com.ar. The action moves to the Louis Armstrong Stadium on Tuesday, August 25, for first-round and quarterfinal matches starting at 10:00 a.m., alongside matches at the Arthur Ashe Stadium beginning at 11:00 a.m. The semifinals and final take place on Wednesday, August 26, at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, with the championship showdown scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start.
Direct Entries and Wild Cards Highlight the Main Draw
The main draw features a balanced mix of direct entries determined by players’ individual rankings and high-profile wild-card selections. According to tournament entry lists, the direct acceptance list includes heavyweight combinations such as Aryna Sabalenka paired with Novak Djokovic, Elena Rybakina teaming with Taylor Fritz, Diana Shnaider alongside Daniil Medvedev, Iga Swiatek partnered with Casper Ruud, Belinda Bencic alongside Flavio Cobolli, and Amanda Anisimova paired with Learner Tien.
The wild-card contingent brings further global star power to Flushing Meadows. Notable pairings feature Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, Alex Eala and Felix Auger-Aliassime, Leylah Fernandez and Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Townsend and Alexander Zverev, and Elina Svitolina alongside Gael Monfils as reported by Tenis.com.ar. Two additional spots in the main draw are reserved for teams advancing through the qualifying tournament.
Qualifying Field and Entry Criteria
Eight tandems fight through the qualifying draw for the final two main-draw berths. The qualifying entry list includes established doubles specialists and singles threats, featuring Katerina Siniakova and Henry Patten, Gabriela Dabrowski and Harri Heliövaara, Luisa Stefani and Neal Skupski, Aleksandra Krunic and Mate Pavic, Jelena Ostapenko and Marcelo Arevalo, and Erin Routliffe alongside Lloyd Glasspool.
According to tournament guidelines outlined by Puntodebreak, direct entry into the mixed qualifying draw relies on the best combination of each player’s singles or doubles ranking, while singles rankings take priority for direct entry and seedings into the main draw. This criteria ensures elite singles competitors are heavily incentivized to form cross-tour partnerships.
Broadcasting and Ticket Information
Fans hoping to catch the action live on-site can secure tickets through Ticketmaster or the official tournament portal at US Open. For those watching from home, ESPN holds the broadcast rights for the 2026 tournament, covering both the opening qualifying rounds on Monday, August 24, and the championship rounds through Wednesday night, with full broadcast schedules to be released closer to the event.
Related reading
