How to Watch the 2026 Australian Open Live in the US and Canada
The Australian Open 2026 is officially underway, kicking off the Grand Slam season with record-breaking stakes and world-class tennis at Melbourne Park. For fans in North America, tuning in requires a bit of planning due to the significant time difference, but the coverage options are more robust than ever.
Here is your complete guide on how and where to watch the 2026 Australian Open in the USA and Canada, along with essential tips to enhance your viewing experience.
Where to Watch: USA & Territories
In the United States, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands, ESPN retains the exclusive rights to the tournament, offering comprehensive “first ball to last ball” coverage across its linear channels and digital platforms.
- TV Channels: Live coverage is split primarily between ESPN and ESPN2. You can catch marquee matches, including the semifinals and finals, on these main networks.
- Streaming (The Best Option): For the most complete experience, ESPN+ is essential. It streams every single match from every court live. If you want to follow a specific player on an outer court who isn’t playing on Rod Laver Arena, ESPN+ is the only way to do it.
- Tennis Channel: While ESPN holds the live rights for the matches, Tennis Channel provides excellent supplementary coverage, including daily highlights, analysis, studio shows, and replays during US daytime hours (when live play has concluded).
Official Broadcaster Links:
Where to Watch: Canada
Canadian fans have dedicated options for both English and French coverage.
- English Broadcast: TSN is the official home of the Australian Open in Canada. They provide extensive coverage across their multiple linear channels (TSN1, TSN2, etc.). For digital-first viewers, TSN+ allows you to stream matches that may not be on the main TV feed, similar to ESPN+.
- French Broadcast: RDS provides French-language coverage for Francophone viewers, with matches available on RDS and RDS2, as well as streaming via RDS Direct.
Official Broadcaster Links:
Tips for Watching Live in North America
Because Melbourne is 16–19 hours ahead of North American time zones, watching “live” often means becoming a night owl or an early bird. Here is how to manage the schedule:
1. Embrace the “Night Session” Breakfast The “Night Session” in Melbourne usually starts at 7:00 PM local time.
- Eastern Time (ET): This is around 3:00 AM. The biggest matches (Djokovic, Gauff, Alcaraz, Sabalenka) often happen while the US East Coast is sleeping, finishing just as you wake up for breakfast.
- Pacific Time (PT): This is 12:00 AM (Midnight). West Coast viewers can watch the primetime matches late at night before bed.
2. The Day Session is Your Prime Time The “Day Session” matches in Melbourne start at 11:00 AM local time.
- In the US/Canada: This translates to 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT on the previous calendar day. This is the easiest time to watch live tennis comfortably in the evening.
3. Use “Spoiler-Free” Features If you cannot stay up until 4:00 AM, most streaming apps (like ESPN+ and TSN+) allow you to watch replays on demand. Be careful checking social media before you log in, as spoilers will be everywhere.
Key Features: Australian Open 2026
If you are just tuning in, here are the critical details you need to know about this year’s edition:
1. Dates and Schedule
- Qualifying & Opening Week: January 12 – January 17, 2026.
- Main Draw Starts: Sunday, January 18, 2026.
- Finals Weekend: The Women’s Singles Final is scheduled for Saturday, January 31, and the Men’s Singles Final for Sunday, February 1.
2. The Venue The tournament takes place at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Victoria. It is famous for its three retractable-roof stadiums—Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena, and John Cain Arena—which ensure that play continues even during extreme heat or rain, a common occurrence in the Australian summer.
3. Record-Breaking Prize Money The 2026 tournament features a historic prize pool, solidifying its status as the “Happy Slam” for players.
- Total Prize Pool: AUD $111.5 million (approx. USD $74.9 million). This is a massive 16% increase from 2025.
- Champions’ Check: The winners of the men’s and women’s singles titles will each take home AUD $4.15 million (approx. USD $2.79 million).
- Early Rounds: Even players who lose in the first round of the main draw will earn AUD $150,000, ensuring financial sustainability for lower-ranked competitors.
