How to Watch the US Open 2026: Streaming Options and Schedule
The US Open has hit its stride. Round one is in the books, the New York heat has already claimed its first set of storylines, and Day 5 brings a slate that looks built for prime time: Alexander Zverev, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka, Gael Monfils – all on court, all with something to prove.
And you don’t need a cable subscription to see any of it.
Where the US Open Lives on TV
In the United States, the US Open is anchored on ESPN. That’s the home base, but not the whole picture. Matches spill across ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and the ESPN app, so if you’re trying to follow every point, you’ll want a setup that covers all three main channels.
For cord-cutters, that means a live TV streaming package or ESPN’s own streaming option:
- DirecTV: The base package starts at $59.99 for the first month and includes ABC and ESPN+.
- ESPN Unlimited: Direct access to live sports and archived ESPN programming from $29.99 per month.
- Fubo: Carries ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 in its Sports plan at $65.99 per month, with a quarterly billing option for those who prefer to pay less often.
- Sling: The Essentials plan includes ESPN and ESPN2 for $19.99 per month. For a one-off tennis binge, there’s also a Sling TV Day Pass at $4.99.
- YouTube TV: Its Sports Plan delivers ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 at $64.99 per month.
Pick any of those, and you’re inside the gates at Flushing Meadows.
How to Watch the US Open for Free
There is a way to get in without paying, at least for a while.
Several US streaming services offer free trials that line up neatly with the tournament window. DirecTV, FuboTV, and YouTube TV all run trial periods that can cover key rounds if you time your sign-up.
Outside the US, the most intriguing option sits in Australia. 9Now will stream the 2026 US Open for free. That’s a dream setup if you’re actually in Australia. If you’re not, this is where a VPN comes into play.
A virtual private network lets you connect to a server in another country and access content as if you were there. ExpressVPN, with its wide spread of global servers, is a popular choice for this kind of location spoofing.
To tap into the Australian feed on 9Now:
- Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN service such as ExpressVPN.
- Install the VPN app on your chosen device.
- Connect to a server located in Australia.
- Head to 9Now and start streaming the US Open.
Most of the better VPNs aren’t free long-term, but many offer free trials or money-back guarantees. Used smartly, that can mean wall-to-wall US Open coverage without a permanent subscription.
Fine-Tuning the Viewing Experience
Once you’re set up, one small tweak can change how the tennis looks on your screen. Turning on your TV’s motion-smoothing feature can make fast-paced rallies appear cleaner and more fluid.
Just don’t forget to turn it off once the tennis is done. Leave it on, and your favorite shows and films will drift into that glossy, unnatural “soap opera” look that directors hate and viewers rarely ask for.
Day 5: The Matches That Matter
The Day 5 schedule at Flushing Meadows starts at 11 a.m. ET, but a few ties jump straight off the order of play.
Women’s Singles – Round Two
- 11:30 a.m. ET: Naomi Osaka vs. Kateřina Siniaková Osaka, a four-time major champion, continues her latest comeback against the crafty Czech. It’s a test of power against angles and patience.
- 12:40 p.m. ET: Alex Eala vs. Oleksandra Oliynykova A chance for the rising talents to grab the spotlight in the afternoon heat.
- 7 p.m. ET: Coco Gauff vs. Paula Badosa Gauff, one of the faces of American tennis, takes the night session stage against the Spaniard Badosa in what shapes up as one of the marquee clashes of the day.
Men’s Singles – Round Two
- 11 a.m. ET: Félix Auger-Aliassime vs. Karen Khachanov Big serves, heavy groundstrokes, and very little margin for error. A heavyweight battle to open the day.
- 1 p.m. ET: Taylor Fritz vs. Mattia Bellucci Fritz, leading the American men’s charge, looks to impose his game in front of a home crowd.
- 7 p.m. ET: Learner Tien vs. Gael Monfils Youth against experience, with Monfils still capable of lighting up any stadium with one outrageous rally.
- 8:10 p.m. ET: Alexander Zverev vs. Quentin Halys The top seed steps into the night air, with expectations to match his ranking.
Miss one session and you risk missing a breakthrough, an upset, or a five-set epic that gets talked about for years.
The Shape of the 2026 Tournament
The 2026 US Open stretches across three packed weeks, running from Sunday, August 23 to Sunday, September 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York.
The structure is tight, almost relentless:
- Qualifying events: August 24–27
- Men’s and women’s singles main draw: August 30–September 13
- Mixed doubles: August 24–26
- Men’s and women’s doubles: September 3–12
- Junior events: September 3–12
- Wheelchair events: September 8–12
The business end of the tournament stacks up as follows:
- Women’s Doubles Final: Friday, September 11
- Women’s Singles Final & Men’s Doubles Final: Saturday, September 12
- Men’s Singles Final: Sunday, September 13
First played in 1881, the US Open is the second-oldest Grand Slam event, trailing only Wimbledon. The history runs deep, but the current field brings its own edge.
The Stars on Show
Seventeen former Grand Slam singles champions are in the 2026 draw, ten of them past US Open winners. The men’s side has lost one major name before a ball is struck: Jannik Sinner is out injured.
His absence reshapes the top of the seedings. Alexander Zverev comes in as the men’s No. 1, with Carlos Alcaraz at No. 2 and Félix Auger-Aliassime at No. 3. On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka leads the pack as top seed, followed by Elena Rybakina and American Jessica Pegula.
The United States has the largest presence in the main draw with 28 players. Pegula anchors the home hopes among the seeds, but she is far from alone. Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, and Venus Williams all carry the stars and stripes into the New York cauldron.
The stage is set. The field is loaded. The only question now is who will still be standing when the lights go down on the second Sunday in Queens.
