Golf Australia has confirmed the dates for the 2026 Crown Australian Open at Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, with the iconic event to be held from Thursday December 3 to Sunday, December 6.

Fans will be excited to see the famed event back on the Melbourne Sandbelt in 2026 with five-time major champion Rory Mcllroy once again the headline act, with Kingston Heath (pictured above) to host the Open after also hosting the event in 2024.

Significant demand for the Australian Open and in particular at Melbourne’s famous sandbelt region is obvious with General Admission tickets exhausted on Saturday and Sunday for this year’s Australian Open, held this week at one of the world's most prestigious courses at Royal Melbourne. 

Golf Australia CEO James Sutherland said that this year’s event has reached new heights.

 
“This year’s Crown Australian Open will set a new benchmark for the tournament, not just in the quality of the field, but the fan experience and global attention,” Sutherland said. "The presentation of the course will be another reminder as to why Royal Melbourne and the Melbourne Sandbelt are revered around the world.
“We’re proud to work with the Victorian Government and Visit Victoria to deliver an event that drives the visitor economy, and brings more people to our sport.”

General public tickets for the 2026 Crown Australian Open will go on sale on Tuesday, December 9 via Ticketek.

With the 2026 Australian Open and the 2028 Presidents Cup tournaments in mind, Kingston Heath superintendent Hayden Mead and his crew last week completed some minor course works to facilitate both events. A new tee on the club's par four 378-metre 11th hole (which plays as tournament 4) has been built, adding an extra 51m in length, while the tournament/club 13th and 18th tees have been re-levelled and widened.

 Tournament drawcard Rory McIlroy also checked out the 2026 Open venue briefly after jetting into Melbourne early Monday and touring the Sandbelt that afternoon. As well as playing a few holes in front of Royal Melbourne members, the Northern Irishman also visited Kingston Heath, Commonwealth and Victoria golf clubs, playing a par three at each course. At Kingston Heath he played the famous par three 15th where he flushed an 8-iron into a stiff breeze to the back left ‘Sunday’ tournament pin position to record an easy par.

Story: Nick Creely/Brett Robinson; Photo: Brett Robinson