If you want to know where to watch tennis at the US Open in the United States, the answer is ESPN. ESPN has been the tournament’s exclusive U.S. broadcaster since 2015, and a 2024 extension keeps the US Open with ESPN from 2026 through 2037. Matches air across ESPN’s TV networks and stream in the ESPN app, which is where you find coverage of the outer courts as well as the main stadiums.
The 2026 tournament ran from August 30 to September 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. This guide explains how coverage works, which subscriptions give you access, and how to plan ahead for the 2027 US Open.
Who broadcasts the US Open in the U.S.
| Platform | What it shows | How to access |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN and ESPN2 | Main TV coverage of day and night sessions | Cable, satellite, live TV services, ESPN app |
| ESPN app | Live streams from many courts, including outer courts, plus replays | ESPN Unlimited or a TV provider login |
| US Open official app and site | Scores, draws, schedules and some live video | Free |
Under the new contract, the USTA took over production of the tournament’s world feed from ESPN, while ESPN kept U.S. rights and added extra digital rights and a whiparound show during the early rounds. For viewers, that mostly means more streaming coverage in the ESPN app.
How to stream the US Open without cable
ESPN Unlimited is the standalone way to get ESPN’s TV networks and full streaming coverage without a cable contract. It costs about $31.99 a month or $319.99 a year at the time of writing, after a price increase on September 17, 2026. ESPN Select, at about $13.99 a month, includes ESPN+ content but not the ESPN TV channels, so check ESPN’s current listings before relying on it for the main show courts.
Live TV streaming services that include ESPN and ESPN2 also give you access. You can sign in to the ESPN app with your provider login and get the same streams.
| Option | Includes ESPN and ESPN2 TV channels | Approx. monthly cost |
|---|---|---|
| ESPN Unlimited | Yes | $31.99 |
| Disney+, Hulu and ESPN Unlimited bundle | Yes | Check Disney’s current bundle price |
| YouTube TV | Yes | $82.99 |
| Sling TV Orange | Yes | Varies by market |
| Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, DirecTV Stream | Yes | Varies by plan |
Prices are U.S. advertised rates at the time of writing. If you only want the tournament, subscribing to ESPN Unlimited monthly for the two weeks of the event and cancelling afterwards is usually the cheapest legal route. Our guide to the cheapest way to watch ESPN compares every ESPN option in more detail.
Getting the most out of ESPN’s court coverage
The US Open runs many matches at once, so the ESPN app matters more than the TV channels for serious fans. A few tips:
- Use the app’s court list. During the early rounds, the ESPN app lists live streams by court, so you can follow a specific player even if ESPN’s TV channel is showing another match.
- Watch the whiparound show. The new contract includes a whiparound format during the early rounds that jumps between key moments across courts.
- Check the order of play daily. The US Open’s official site and app publish the schedule the evening before.
- Use replays. Full matches are usually available on demand in the ESPN app after they finish.
A reliable streaming device makes switching between courts easier. Our guide to the best streaming devices compares the main options, and if streams stutter, our article on why streams buffer covers common fixes.
Planning for the 2027 US Open
The next US Open takes place in late summer 2027, with the exact dates published by the USTA. Because ESPN’s deal runs through 2037, the same setup will work next year. A sensible plan:
- Subscribe to ESPN Unlimited a few days before the main draw starts, or confirm your live TV service still includes ESPN and ESPN2.
- Download the official US Open app for the daily order of play and scores.
- Set a reminder to cancel a monthly subscription after the final if you do not need ESPN the rest of the year.
Other tennis on TV through the year
The US Open is ESPN’s, but tennis coverage overall is split. ESPN also carries the Australian Open and Wimbledon in the U.S., while Tennis Channel covers many ATP and WTA tour events. If you follow tennis year-round, a live TV package that includes both ESPN and Tennis Channel gives the widest coverage, though Tennis Channel is not included in every package, so check before you subscribe.
Some fans prefer a single IPTV subscription with many sports channels. Our own plan, IPTV Journal, is $89 for 12 months. Always make sure any service is licensed for what it carries. IPTV is legal technology, but unlicensed restreams of ESPN or other networks are not.
Which option should you choose?
For most U.S. fans, ESPN Unlimited during the two weeks of the tournament is the simplest and cheapest legal option. If you already pay for a live TV service with ESPN, you do not need anything else, just sign in to the ESPN app.
FAQ
What channel is the US Open on?
In the U.S., the US Open airs on ESPN networks, mainly ESPN and ESPN2, with streams of many courts in the ESPN app.
Can I watch the US Open without cable?
Yes. ESPN Unlimited gives you ESPN’s channels and streams without a cable contract. Live TV services such as YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo and DirecTV Stream also include ESPN.
How long does ESPN have the US Open?
ESPN signed an extension in 2024 that covers the US Open from 2026 through 2037. It has been the exclusive U.S. broadcaster since 2015.
Can I watch outer court matches?
Yes, through the ESPN app. During the early rounds, ESPN streams matches from many courts beyond Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium, which you can choose from a court list.
Is the US Open free to watch anywhere?
Live match coverage requires ESPN access in the U.S. The official US Open site and app are free for scores, draws and highlights. If ESPN puts any session on its ABC broadcast network, that session can be watched free with an antenna.
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