When is the Shanghai Masters 2026 and how can you watch it in the UK?
The Shanghai Masters 2026 arrives with a slightly altered skyline. Jannik Sinner is out with a knee injury, but the Shanghai Masters draw still has Carlos Alcaraz, Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev and defending champion Valentin Vacherot. For British viewers, the main draw runs from 7 to 18 October, with Shanghai Masters UK TV coverage on Sky Sports Tennis and NOW.
What does the Shanghai Masters draw look like?
This is a 96-player ATP Masters 1000 draw, so the 32 seeds receive first-round byes. Alcaraz is seeded second and begins against Juan Manuel Cerundolo or a qualifier, while four-time Shanghai champion Djokovic sits in the opposite half of the draw to the Spaniard.
Djokovic’s route begins with Hubert Hurkacz or James Duckworth. Zverev, Medvedev, Ben Shelton and Arthur Fils are among the other leading names, while Vacherot returns carrying the unusual pressure of defending the biggest title of his career.
“Unfortunately, I won’t be able to play at the Rolex Shanghai Masters this year as I had hoped.”: Jannik Sinner
Which British players are in Shanghai?
Britain has two singles players in the main draw:
- Arthur Fery v Marin Cilic, with Karen Khachanov waiting in round two.
- Cam Norrie v Denis Shapovalov, with Tomas Martin Etcheverry next for the winner.
A Norrie run could bring Medvedev into view in the round of 32. Fery, meanwhile, arrives as British No.1 after a season that has pushed him firmly into the ATP conversation. That makes the opening week unusually important for British fans.
Shanghai Masters 2026 schedule and UK times
Shanghai is seven hours ahead of the UK during BST, so early sessions require coffee rather than commitment.
| Round | Date |
|---|---|
| First round | 7-8 October |
| Second round | 9-10 October |
| Third round | 11-12 October |
| Last 16 | 13-14 October |
| Quarter-finals | 15-16 October |
| Semi-finals | 17 October |
| Final | 18 October |
Daily order-of-play times can move, but Sky’s listings begin from early morning in Britain. The semi-finals are scheduled for 09:30 and 12:00 UK time, with the singles final listed for 09:30 on Sunday 18 October.
Shanghai Masters odds: who leads the market?
Sinner’s withdrawal removes one heavyweight and reshapes the outright market. Alcaraz is the clear favourite, but Shanghai’s long format rewards players who manage energy as much as shot-making.
Odds checked 6 October and may move.
How much is the Shanghai Masters prize money?
The 2026 prize pool is $9,415,725. The singles champion earns $1,151,380 and 1,000 ATP ranking points, while the runner-up receives $612,340. Semi-finalists collect $340,190 and quarter-finalists $193,645.
That money matters, but the ranking points may matter more in October, when Turin qualification and year-end positioning become increasingly unforgiving.
Where can you watch the Shanghai Masters in the UK?
Sky Sports Tennis has exclusive live UK coverage, with streaming available through NOW. The tournament begins on Wednesday 7 October and concludes with the singles and doubles finals on Sunday 18 October.
