How to Watch the 2026 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open in the US and Canada

The professional tennis calendar moves at a relentless pace, and as the dust settles on the year’s first Grand Slam in Melbourne, the spotlight shifts to the gleaming hard courts of the Middle East. The 2026 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is back, promising a week of high-octane WTA 500 action. For fans in North America, catching every baseline winner and clinical ace requires a bit of planning, particularly with the significant time difference.

Whether you are cheering from the skyscrapers of New York, the coastal beauty of Vancouver, or the vibrant streets of Toronto, here is your comprehensive guide on how to tune in and what to expect from this prestigious event.

Broadcast Partners in Canada

Tennis fandom in Canada has reached an all-time high, fueled by a generation of homegrown stars. To ensure fans don’t miss a second of the action, several platforms will provide extensive coverage of the tournament.

TSN (The Sports Network): As Canada’s sports leader, TSN is the primary destination for linear television coverage. Expect daily broadcasts on their primary channels, with additional matches often available via the TSN+ streaming service.
TVA Sports: For French-speaking fans, TVA Sports offers dedicated coverage, ensuring that the excitement of the Abu Dhabi courts is accessible in both official languages.
DAZN: Known for its robust sports streaming portfolio, DAZN continues to be a major player for tennis in Canada. Subscribers can stream matches live and on-demand, making it a flexible option for those on the move.
WTA TV: If you are a hardcore fan who wants access to every single court—including outside courts during the early rounds—WTA TV is the official direct-to-consumer streaming service. It provides a “total access” experience that is hard to beat.

Broadcast Partners in the United States

South of the border, the coverage is more centralized but no less comprehensive.

Tennis Channel: The Tennis Channel remains the “Home of Tennis” in the United States. They will provide wall-to-wall coverage of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, featuring expert analysis, courtside reporting, and live match play. For those who have “cut the cord,” the Tennis Channel Plus streaming app usually offers additional court feeds not shown on the main television network.

Conquering the Clock: The Time Difference

Abu Dhabi operates on Gulf Standard Time (GST), which is UTC+4. For North American viewers, this means the tournament follows a “night owl” or “early bird” schedule depending on your coast.

Here is how the time difference breaks down for major North American cities:

Eastern Time (e.g., New York, Toronto, Montreal): Abu Dhabi is 9 hours ahead. When a match starts at 11:00 AM in Abu Dhabi, it is 2:00 AM in New York. The evening sessions in Abu Dhabi (typically starting around 6:00 PM) will air at 9:00 AM ET.
Central Time (e.g., Chicago, Winnipeg): Abu Dhabi is 10 hours ahead. An 11:00 AM start in Abu Dhabi is 1:00 AM for you.
Mountain Time (e.g., Denver, Calgary): Abu Dhabi is 11 hours ahead. An 11:00 AM start is Midnight the previous night.
Pacific Time (e.g., Los Angeles, Vancouver): Abu Dhabi is 12 hours ahead. This is the easiest to calculate: simply flip the AM and PM. An 11:00 AM morning match in Abu Dhabi begins at 11:00 PM the night before in Los Angeles.

Pro Tip: Most final matches in Abu Dhabi take place in the late afternoon or evening locally, which translates to a perfect breakfast-time viewing experience for East Coasters and a late-night treat for West Coasters.

Fan Tips for the Best Viewing Experience

Watching a tournament half a world away requires a strategy. Follow these tips to stay ahead of the game:

Download the WTA App: Use the official WTA app to set alerts for your favorite players. With the time difference, it’s easy to sleep through a match; notifications will ensure you know exactly when your favorites are walking onto the court.
Leverage On-Demand Replays: If the 2:00 AM starts are too much for your schedule, platforms like DAZN, Tennis Channel Plus, and WTA TV offer full-match replays. You can wake up, avoid social media spoilers, and watch the match with your morning coffee.
Watch the Weather: Abu Dhabi is an outdoor hard-court event. While rain is rare, high winds or extreme heat can occasionally shift schedules. Keep an eye on the tournament’s official social media feeds for real-time updates.
Check the “Order of Play”: The daily schedule (Order of Play) is usually released late in the evening (Abu Dhabi time) for the following day. Check it before you go to bed in North America to plan your viewing for the next morning.

Tournament Essentials: What is the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi?

The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open has quickly established itself as a premier stop on the WTA Tour. Since its inception, it has served as a bridge between the Australian Open and the massive WTA 1000 events in Doha and Dubai.

The Venue: The tournament is held at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City. It features world-class facilities and a stadium court known for its intimate yet electric atmosphere.
The Format: As a WTA 500 event, it features a 28-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw. Because the draw size is smaller than a Grand Slam, the density of talent is incredibly high—often featuring several Top 10 players from the very first round.
The Stakes: Players compete for a total prize pool exceeding $1,200,000 USD and, perhaps more importantly, 500 vital ranking points. Success here can often determine a player’s seeding for the upcoming “Sunshine Double” (Indian Wells and Miami) in March.
Past Champions: The honor roll in Abu Dhabi includes superstars like Aryna Sabalenka, Belinda Bencic, and Elena Rybakina, proving that only the very best rise to the top in the desert.

As the 2026 edition unfolds, the combination of Abu Dhabi’s stunning backdrop and the world’s elite female athletes promises a spectacle that is well worth the lost sleep. Grab your remote, set your alarms, and enjoy world-class tennis at its finest!