If you woke up today wondering what time is qualifying today, you’re probably looking for a specific engine roar or the squeak of a tennis shoe. It's Saturday, January 17, 2026. This isn't just a random weekend; it’s a massive transition point in the sports calendar where "qualifying" takes on a few different meanings depending on whether you’re into dirt tracks, gymnastics, or the start of the Grand Slam season.
Let’s get the big one out of the way first: AMA Supercross in San Diego. If you are looking for the dirt bike sessions, the Supercross qualifying today starts at 1:00 PM ET (10:00 AM PT). This is the "Race Day Live" window that fans usually look for on Peacock. It’s that crucial period where the riders like Cooper Webb and Chase Sexton try to figure out the technical rhythm sections at Snapdragon Stadium before the night show.
Supercross and Motor Sports Timings
The Supercross schedule is pretty tight. Honestly, if you miss the afternoon qualifying, you’re missing the best look at how the track is breaking down. Snapdragon Stadium is notorious for being technical.
- Practice Sessions: These actually start earlier around 12:30 PM ET (9:30 AM PT).
- Qualifying (The Main Event for Time-Seekers): 1:00 PM ET. This is when the gate picks are decided.
- The Night Show: This isn't qualifying, but for context, the Opening Ceremonies kick off at 6:30 PM ET, and the actual racing starts at 7:00 PM ET.
If you’re a NASCAR fan, don’t get confused. The Cup Series hasn't started its main engines yet, but the grassroots scene is on fire. The "Chilly Willy" at Tucson Speedway is running today. Qualifying for the Super Late Models, Pro Late Models, and Legends starts at 4:00 PM ET (1:00 PM PT). It's a massive event for the short-track community, and if you've never watched it, it’s basically chaos on a half-mile oval.
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What Happened to Australian Open Qualifying?
You might be searching for what time is qualifying today because you're a tennis fan. Here is the thing: the timing is a bit tricky due to the time zone difference with Melbourne.
Technically, the Australian Open qualifying tournament wrapped up on January 15 and 16. By today, Saturday, January 17, we are actually in the "Opening Week" festivities. The main draw begins tomorrow, Sunday, January 18 (which is Sunday morning for those in the US).
So, if you’re looking for a qualifying match to watch on the courts right now, you’ve mostly missed the boat. The 16 men and women who fought through the brackets—people like Sloane Stephens and Jason Kubler—have already secured their spots. Today in Melbourne is more about high-profile practice sessions and the "Million Dollar 1 Point Slam" exhibition stuff.
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Other "Qualifying" Events Today
Wait, there’s a weird one. If you’re into college sports, specifically Men’s Gymnastics, there is a "qualifying" event happening in Colorado Springs. The Rocky Mountain Open starts at 8:00 PM ET (7:00 PM CT).
Why does this matter? Because it’s a designated Winter Cup qualifying event. The top two all-around finishers tonight automatically qualify for the Winter Cup later this year. It’s a huge deal for the Oklahoma Sooners, who are the ones to watch there.
Why People Get This Saturday Mixed Up
Most people asking what time is qualifying today are usually looking for Formula 1. I’ll save you the search: There is no F1 qualifying today. The 2026 season doesn't kick off until March in Australia. Right now, the teams are still tucked away in their factories in Milton Keynes or Maranello, probably stressing over the new 2026 engine regulations.
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The NFL is also a big distraction today. It's the Divisional Round. While not "qualifying" in the literal sense, it’s the ultimate qualifier for the Conference Championships.
- Buffalo Bills vs. Denver Broncos: 4:30 PM ET.
- San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: 8:00 PM ET.
Quick Summary of Times
- AMA Supercross Qualifying: 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT
- Chilly Willy (NASCAR/Late Models) Qualifying: 4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT
- Rocky Mountain Open (Gymnastics Winter Cup Qualifier): 8:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM CT
- Australian Open: Qualifying is over; Main draw starts tomorrow (Sunday).
If you’re trying to stream the Supercross qualifying, Peacock is basically your only home for that. For the Chilly Willy, you'll need FloRacing. It's kinda annoying how fragmented the streaming landscape has become, but that's just where we are in 2026.
Essentially, your afternoon is booked if you’re a racing fan. If you're a tennis fan, use today to catch up on sleep before the 3:00 AM Melbourne sessions start tomorrow.
Check your local listings for any regional blackouts, especially for the NFL games, as those will dominate the late afternoon and evening airwaves on CBS and FOX. If you're looking for the Supercross qualifying, make sure your Peacock subscription is active at least 15 minutes before that 1:00 PM ET start time to avoid any login headaches. For the gymnastics fans, the Air Force YouTube page is the spot to catch the Winter Cup qualifying action live from Colorado.