The final Grand Slam of the year returns to New York this summer, bringing three weeks of tennis to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows.
The 2026 US Open runs from August 23 through September 13, beginning with Fan Week before the men’s and women’s singles main draws start on Sunday, August 30.
The tournament concludes with the women’s singles final on Saturday, September 12, followed by the men’s championship on Sunday, September 13.
For viewers in the United States, ESPN remains the primary home of the US Open, with coverage across ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, ESPN Deportes and the ESPN App.
This is also the first US Open under ESPN and the USTA’s new long-term media agreement, bringing significantly expanded streaming coverage and access to every court.
Outside the US, coverage stretches across Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, TSN/RDS in Canada, Channel Nine and Stan Sport in Australia, Eurosport across much of Europe, WOWOW in Japan and numerous other regional broadcasters.
Whether you want to watch Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka defend their singles crowns, follow one specific player through every round, or keep multiple courts open during the chaotic first week, here’s how to watch the 2026 US Open live online from almost anywhere.
US Open 2026: The Essential Details
Before getting into streaming subscriptions, here are the dates that matter.
| US Open 2026 | Details |
|---|---|
| Tournament dates | August 23–September 13, 2026 |
| Fan Week | August 23–29 |
| Singles qualifying begins | August 24 |
| Mixed Doubles Championship | August 24–26 |
| Main draw begins | August 30 |
| Singles quarterfinals | September 8–9 |
| Women’s semifinals | September 10 |
| Men’s semifinals | September 11 |
| Women’s singles final | September 12, 4:00 p.m. ET |
| Men’s singles final | September 13, 2:00 p.m. ET |
| Venue | USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center |
| Location | Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York |
| Surface | Outdoor hard court |
| Defending men’s champion | Carlos Alcaraz |
| Defending women’s champion | Aryna Sabalenka |
Carlos Alcaraz enters as the defending men’s champion after defeating Jannik Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the 2025 final to claim his second US Open title.
Aryna Sabalenka successfully defended the women’s championship in 2025, defeating Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6(3) and becoming the first woman since Serena Williams to win consecutive US Open singles titles.
What’s Different About the 2026 US Open?
This isn’t simply another edition with new dates.
The US Open has expanded into a 22-day tennis and entertainment event, with Fan Week becoming a substantial part of the championship experience rather than merely the qualifying period.
The main singles draw also begins on Sunday, August 30. That creates three full days of first-round men’s and women’s singles matches running through September 1.
Another major change happens away from the court.
ESPN Begins Its New US Open Rights Agreement
ESPN and the USTA agreed to a new 12-year contract that begins with the 2026 US Open and keeps ESPN as the exclusive US rightsholder through 2037.
The deal expands ESPN’s streaming rights, guarantees daily access to play from every court and adds greater Fan Week coverage.
ESPN also plans a new fast-moving shot-to-shot whip-around program on ESPN+ during the first week of the main draw.
That makes 2026 particularly significant for cord-cutters: watching a match that isn’t selected for the main ESPN television feed should become considerably easier.
How to Watch the US Open Tennis 2026 in the United States
For American viewers, understanding one thing makes the whole setup easier:
ESPN owns the domestic US Open rights.
Instead of collecting subscriptions to several unrelated services, as you might need for NFL or soccer coverage, the US Open largely sits within one ESPN ecosystem.
The official 2026 US Open television plan includes 170+ hours on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC, more than 110 hours of Spanish-language coverage on ESPN Deportes, plus a digital grounds pass providing 1,000+ hours of matches and court feeds through the ESPN App.
ESPN and ESPN2
ESPN and ESPN2 will carry the core national television coverage throughout the tournament.
During the opening rounds, television coverage typically jumps between the biggest matches taking place on Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium and other courts.
As the draw progresses into the quarterfinals and semifinals, the main television feeds become increasingly focused on individual matches.
ESPN2 also has an expanded role during Fan Week. The new media agreement provides for daily live Fan Week coverage, including qualifying and special events.
ABC
ABC gives viewers a limited way to watch major US Open action without a cable subscription.
ESPN’s new agreement specifically preserves US Open coverage on ABC for Middle Sunday and Final Sunday, while the 2026 television schedule also includes ABC as part of the opening Sunday’s coverage.
Final Sunday is particularly important because the men’s singles championship takes place Sunday, September 13 at 2 p.m. ET.
If you receive your local ABC affiliate with an over-the-air antenna, that portion of the tournament can be watched without paying a monthly streaming fee.
ESPN Unlimited
For a cord-cutter who wants the ESPN networks without buying a traditional cable package, ESPN Unlimited is the most straightforward direct option.
As of August 2026, ESPN lists its Unlimited plan at $29.99 per month. It includes ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Deportes and the wider collection of ESPN networks and services, along with ESPN+.
That distinction matters during the US Open because the tournament isn’t confined to ESPN+.
What About ESPN Select / ESPN+?
ESPN Select costs $12.99 per month and essentially provides ESPN+ content rather than the complete ESPN network lineup.
There will be US Open content on ESPN+. For example, ESPN has announced a new whip-around show for the first week of the 2026 main draw.
But Select should not be treated as a complete replacement for ESPN and ESPN2 if your goal is to watch the tournament from the opening round through both singles finals.
For full ESPN-network access, use ESPN Unlimited or authenticate the ESPN App with an eligible TV provider.
ESPN App: The Best Choice for Following One Player
The television broadcast can’t show every match simultaneously.
The ESPN App solves that problem.
The US Open says its 2026 digital grounds pass will provide more than 1,000 hours of coverage, matches and individual court feeds.
That is particularly useful during the first week, when dozens of singles and doubles matches can take place on the same day.
Instead of waiting for ESPN’s main broadcast to cut to your favorite player, you can select the appropriate court feed.
For serious tennis fans, this is arguably more valuable than the linear television broadcast.
Live TV Streaming Services
You can also receive ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC through live television services such as:
- YouTube TV
- Hulu + Live TV
- Fubo
- DIRECTV
- Sling TV
Channel availability varies by package and location, particularly for local ABC stations.
If the US Open is the only event you need, however, compare the cost of those full television bundles against ESPN Unlimited before subscribing.
A full live-TV bundle can make sense for households watching many networks, while the standalone ESPN option may be more efficient for a tennis-focused subscription.
Spanish-language Coverage
ESPN Deportes remains the exclusive Spanish-language home of the US Open in the United States.
The 2026 US Open is scheduled for more than 110 hours of Spanish-language television coverage.
How to Watch US Open 2026 Outside the USA
The US Open has a broad international television network, so viewers do not generally need an American streaming subscription.
The tournament’s official 2026 broadcast-partner list includes the following:
| Country / Region | Official US Open Broadcaster |
|---|---|
| United States | ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, ESPN Deportes, ESPN App |
| United Kingdom | Sky Sports |
| Ireland | Sky Sports |
| Canada | TSN, RDS |
| Australia | Channel Nine, Stan Sport |
| Much of Europe | Eurosport |
| Spain | Telefonica |
| Italy | Super Tennis / Sky Italia |
| Germany | Sporteurope.TV / Sky Deutschland |
| Austria | Sporteurope.TV / Sky Deutschland / Puls4 |
| Switzerland | Sporteurope.TV |
| Japan | WOWOW |
| Latin America | ESPN International |
| Caribbean | ESPN International |
| Brazil | ESPN International, SporTV |
| Middle East & North Africa | beIN Sports |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | SuperSport |
| Southeast Asia | SpoTV / Eclat |
| South Korea | CJ Media |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Taiwan | Sportcast |
| China | CCTV, MIGU |
Rights can differ between linear television and streaming, so check the broadcaster’s local schedule before the tournament starts.
Watching the US Open Tennis in the UK and Ireland
Sky Sports is the official 2026 broadcaster for the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Subscribers can follow tennis through Sky Sports Tennis, with additional feeds available through Sky Sports+ and the Sky Sports app.
For viewers who do not want a traditional Sky television contract, NOW provides streaming access to Sky Sports. Sky’s current tennis service advertises live streaming through a Sports Membership on NOW.
Sky’s US Open setup has historically included individual court feeds rather than limiting viewers to a single editorial broadcast, making it particularly useful during the early rounds.
Watching the US Open 2026 Live in Canada
Canadian viewers can watch through TSN in English and RDS in French.
Those rights are part of the same long-term ESPN/USTA agreement that begins in 2026, so Canada remains within ESPN’s North American US Open rights package.
Streaming availability depends on the subscriber’s TSN or RDS access.
Watching the US Open Tennis Online in Australia
Australia has one of the better viewing setups.
The official US Open broadcast list names Channel Nine alongside subscription service Stan Sport.
Stan Sport specifically advertises every US Open match live and on demand, making it the most complete option for viewers who want individual-match control rather than selected television coverage.
Stan also offers Grand Slam tennis in HD, with selected matches available in 4K on supported plans and devices.
Watching Across Europe
Eurosport remains one of the largest US Open partners internationally, carrying the 2026 championship across 49 European countries.
Several markets have separate agreements:
Spain uses Telefonica, while Italy has Super Tennis and Sky Italia. Germany, Austria and Switzerland have additional arrangements involving Sporteurope.TV, Sky Deutschland and Puls4 depending on the country.
Because European media rights vary by territory, do not assume that a subscription purchased in one country automatically carries the same US Open package in another.
Watching in Japan, Asia, the Middle East and Africa
WOWOW remains the US Open’s long-running rights partner in Japan. Its relationship with the tournament dates to 1992.
Elsewhere:
SpoTV/Eclat covers parts of Southeast Asia, CJ Media serves South Korea, PCCW carries coverage in Hong Kong, while CCTV and MIGU are partners in China.
Across the Middle East and North Africa, coverage comes through beIN Sports, while SuperSport handles Sub-Saharan Africa.
Check local listings immediately before the tournament because individual channel assignments can change day by day.
Can You Watch the 2026 US Open for Free?
You can watch portions of the tournament legally without buying a dedicated tennis subscription, but there isn’t a universal free stream carrying every court.
ABC over the air in the US
The most useful US option is ABC.
If your local ABC station is available with a television antenna, you can watch its scheduled US Open coverage without a monthly TV subscription.
ABC’s rights include Middle Sunday and Final Sunday, meaning free over-the-air viewers can receive some significant late-tournament action, including scheduled men’s-final coverage.
You will not receive every round this way.
Free Highlights
The official US Open website, app and social channels provide scores, clips, interviews, highlights and tournament updates without requiring a full television subscription.
The official US Open App is also useful for schedules, live match information and real-time notifications.
It should be treated as a tournament companion rather than a replacement for the ESPN App or your country’s licensed television service.
Free Trials
Streaming providers sometimes offer introductory trials or promotional periods.
Because these offers change frequently, verify the current terms shortly before subscribing rather than assuming a particular trial will still exist during the tournament.
Best Way to Watch Based on What Type of Fan You Are
Rather than asking which service is universally “best,” choose according to how you actually watch tennis.
| Viewer | Best Approach |
|---|---|
| US fan who wants everything | ESPN Unlimited + ESPN App |
| US cable/satellite subscriber | Authenticate ESPN App with provider |
| US casual viewer | ABC coverage + highlights |
| Spanish-speaking US viewer | ESPN Deportes |
| Fan following one specific player | Individual ESPN App court feeds |
| UK/Ireland viewer | Sky Sports / NOW |
| Canadian viewer | TSN / RDS |
| Australian viewer | Stan Sport |
| European viewer | Eurosport or local rights holder |
| International traveler | Use your provider’s supported travel/portability options |
The difference becomes most obvious during the opening round.
If you only watch the ESPN television channel, editors choose which match you see.
If your subscription provides the full collection of court feeds, you choose.
For a Grand Slam with simultaneous matches across a large number of courts, that distinction matters.
Can You Watch the US Open Live While Traveling Abroad?
Possibly, but streaming rights are geographical.
A US ESPN subscription doesn’t automatically become an international US Open subscription simply because you travel overseas. Likewise, Sky, Stan, Eurosport and other services have their own portability rules.
A VPN can change the apparent location of an internet connection, but streaming platforms may restrict VPN usage or require the account, payment method and physical location to match the licensed territory.
The safest method is to check your provider’s travel policy first. If your subscription does not work at your destination, use the official US Open broadcaster for the country you are visiting.
This also avoids discovering halfway through a five-set night match that the platform has blocked your connection.
What Devices Can Stream US Open Tennis 2026 Live?
Most major broadcasters support the devices people commonly use for live sports:
- Smart TVs
- Roku
- Amazon Fire TV
- Apple TV
- Google TV / Chromecast
- iPhone
- Android phones
- iPad and Android tablets
- Windows PCs
- Macs
- Supported game consoles
Device support varies by broadcaster and country.
For the ESPN App specifically, using a streaming box or smart-TV app makes it easier to switch from the main broadcast to an individual court feed.
A useful setup during the first week is to keep the featured match on your television while following another court or live scores on a tablet.
Your US Open 2026 Calendar: When the Biggest Rounds Happen
Unlike a weekly league schedule, Grand Slam tennis gets progressively easier to follow as the field shrinks.
Here’s how the tournament unfolds.
August 24–27: Qualifying
Men’s and women’s singles qualifying begins Monday, August 24.
Qualifying continues through Thursday, August 27, as players fight for the remaining positions in the 128-player singles main draws.
ESPN’s expanded 2026 agreement includes greater live coverage of qualifying, while the ESPN App will carry extensive Fan Week action.
August 30–September 1: First Round
The main event begins Sunday, August 30.
Instead of squeezing the first round into two days, the US Open spreads men’s and women’s first-round singles across three days: Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
This is the stage when the digital court feeds become especially valuable.
A seeded star could be playing on Arthur Ashe while another top-10 player competes on Louis Armstrong and several popular Americans appear simultaneously on outer courts.
September 2–3: Second Round
The surviving field moves into Round 2 on Wednesday and Thursday.
Women’s doubles also enters the schedule during this portion of the tournament.
September 4–5: Third Round
The third round runs Friday and Saturday.
By this stage, early upsets have generally reshaped part of each draw, while more matches begin pairing seeded players against one another.
September 6–7: Round of 16
The second week begins with the final 16 players in each singles draw.
Round-of-16 matches run across Sunday, September 6, and Labor Day Monday, September 7.
September 8–9: Quarterfinals
Singles quarterfinals occupy Tuesday and Wednesday.
Most marquee singles action is now concentrated around Arthur Ashe Stadium, making television coverage considerably easier to navigate.
September 10: Women’s Semifinals
Both women’s singles semifinals are scheduled for Thursday evening, September 10, with the session beginning at 7 p.m. ET.
September 11: Men’s Semifinals
The men’s semifinals take place Friday.
The first semifinal is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET, while the second follows in the evening session beginning at 7 p.m. ET.
September 12: Women’s Final
The women’s singles championship begins at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 12.
September 13: Men’s Final
The men’s singles final closes the tournament at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, September 13.
All times remain subject to tournament scheduling changes and weather-related adjustments.
Don’t Ignore Fan Week and Mixed Doubles
One of the biggest reasons this article starts the tournament on August 23 rather than August 30 is that the modern US Open now offers meaningful competition before the singles main draw.
The 2026 Mixed Doubles Championship runs August 24–26 and continues the radically redesigned format introduced in 2025.
August 24: Mixed Doubles Qualifying
Eight teams compete in qualifying for two available positions.
Matches begin at 11 a.m. ET on Grandstand.
August 25: First Round and Quarterfinals
The main Mixed Doubles Championship begins with matches in Louis Armstrong Stadium and Arthur Ashe Stadium.
August 26: Semifinals and Final
The semifinals and championship move to Arthur Ashe Stadium for a prime-time session beginning at 7 p.m. ET.
The Scoring is Deliberately Faster
Mixed doubles does not use the normal singles format.
From qualifying through the semifinals, teams play best-of-three matches with:
- Sets to four games
- No-ad scoring
- A tiebreak at 4-4
- A 10-point match tiebreak instead of a third set
The championship match uses regular six-game sets but retains no-ad scoring and a 10-point deciding match tiebreak instead of a full third set.
ESPN is carrying qualifying and the Mixed Doubles Championship as part of its expanded Fan Week package.
US Open 2026 Finals: Dates and Start Times
If you only plan to watch championship weekend, save these two dates.
Women’s Singles Final
- Saturday, September 12, 2026
- Start time: 4:00 p.m. ET
Aryna Sabalenka won the previous two women’s singles titles in New York and will enter the 2026 tournament as the two-time defending champion.
Men’s Singles Final
- Sunday, September 13, 2026
- Start time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Carlos Alcaraz is the defending men’s champion after defeating Jannik Sinner in the 2025 title match.
The US television agreement includes Final Sunday coverage on ABC, alongside ESPN’s wider tournament coverage.
FAQs
When is the US Open Tennis 2026?
The full 2026 US Open runs from August 23 through September 13. Fan Week takes place first, qualifying begins August 24, and the men’s and women’s singles main draws begin August 30.
What channel is the US Open on in the USA?
ESPN is the exclusive domestic media partner. Coverage appears across ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, ESPN Deportes and the ESPN App.
Can I stream every US Open match?
ESPN says its 2026 digital grounds pass will provide more than 1,000 hours of coverage, matches and courts through the ESPN App, while the broader rights agreement guarantees availability of play from every court each day. International availability depends on the broadcaster in your country.
Is the US Open on ESPN+?
Yes, ESPN+ will carry US Open content, including a new first-week whip-around program. However, ESPN+ alone should not be confused with the full ESPN/ESPN2 television package. ESPN Unlimited includes ESPN’s full network lineup as well as ESPN+.
Can I watch the US Open without cable?
Yes. In the US, ESPN Unlimited provides direct access to ESPN’s network lineup without a traditional cable package. Live TV services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DIRECTV and Sling also offer ESPN in qualifying packages.
Is the US Open on ABC?
Yes. The long-term rights agreement guarantees ABC coverage on Middle Sunday and Final Sunday, and the 2026 domestic schedule also includes ABC coverage on the opening Sunday.
Where can I watch the US Open in the UK?
Sky Sports is the official UK and Ireland broadcast partner. Subscribers can watch through Sky Sports Tennis and supported Sky streaming platforms, while non-Sky TV customers can access Sky Sports through NOW.
Where can I watch the US Open in Canada?
TSN carries English-language coverage, while RDS provides French-language coverage in Canada.
Where can I watch the US Open in Australia?
Channel Nine and Stan Sport are the official Australian partners. Stan Sport advertises every US Open match live and on demand.
Who won the 2025 US Open?
Carlos Alcaraz won the men’s singles championship by defeating Jannik Sinner. Aryna Sabalenka defeated Amanda Anisimova to win the women’s title for the second consecutive year.
When is the women’s US Open final?
The 2026 women’s singles final is scheduled for Saturday, September 12 at 4 p.m. ET.
When is the men’s US Open final?
The men’s singles championship is scheduled for Sunday, September 13 at 2 p.m. ET.
Can I watch US Open qualifying?
Yes. Qualifying begins August 24, and ESPN’s expanded rights package includes live Fan Week and qualifying coverage. The ESPN App will also carry extensive tournament streams.
The Simplest Way to Watch
Watching the 2026 US Open doesn’t require assembling half a dozen subscriptions.
In the United States, start with ESPN. If you already receive ESPN through a television provider, authenticate the ESPN App so you can move beyond the main television feed and access the wider collection of courts.
Cord-cutters who want the complete ESPN network lineup can look at ESPN Unlimited.
If you only want occasional marquee matches, ABC gives US viewers limited free over-the-air coverage.
Outside America, use the tournament’s licensed broadcaster in your country: Sky Sports in the UK and Ireland, TSN/RDS in Canada, Channel Nine or Stan Sport in Australia, Eurosport across much of Europe, and the appropriate regional partner elsewhere.
And don’t wait until the traditional first round to start watching.
With qualifying and the star-heavy Mixed Doubles Championship now occupying Fan Week, meaningful US Open tennis begins on August 24, almost a full week before the singles main draw.
From there, it’s 21 days of competition until the men’s champion lifts the final Grand Slam singles trophy of 2026 inside Arthur Ashe Stadium on September 13.
