What Channel Is the US Open On? Your Complete 2026 TV Guide

If you’re a tennis fan trying to figure out exactly where to watch the US Open this year, you’re not alone. With matches spread across multiple networks, streaming platforms, and time slots, the broadcast schedule can look confusing at first glance. The good news is that once you understand how the coverage is organized, following every serve, rally, and championship point becomes simple.

This guide breaks down exactly what channel the US Open is on in the United States, how the coverage changes as the tournament progresses, and how to make sure you never miss a match.

The Official US Open Broadcast Partner in the US

In the United States, the US Open is officially broadcast by ESPN. ESPN serves as the primary home network for the tournament, working alongside its family of channels — including ESPN2, ABC, ESPN Deportes, and the ESPN App — to deliver complete coverage of every round, from qualifying matches all the way through the championship finals. Tennis Channel also plays a supporting role earlier in the tournament and during pre-match programming.

Because the tournament runs for roughly three weeks and features dozens of courts running simultaneously, no single channel can carry everything. Instead, the coverage is distributed across a network of channels and digital platforms, each with a specific role depending on the day and stage of the tournament.

Fan Week and Qualifying Rounds

Before the main draw even begins, the US Open kicks off with Fan Week and the qualifying rounds, where players compete for a spot in the main tournament. During this early stage:

• ESPN2 typically airs a two-hour daily window of Fan Week programming and qualifying highlights.
• ESPN+ provides extended live coverage of qualifying matches across all courts, often for several hours longer than television broadcasts.
• Tennis Channel also carries qualifying matches for a large portion of the day, giving fans another way to catch early-round action.

This period is especially valuable for hardcore fans who want to see rising stars and lesser-known players before the spotlight shifts to the main draw.

Mixed Doubles and Pre-Tournament Events

In the days leading up to the singles main draw, the US Open also features mixed doubles competition. This tends to air on a mix of ESPN2, ESPN+, and ESPN, with the mixed doubles championship typically getting a dedicated primetime window on ESPN. Special programming, like tournament preview shows and player profiles, also airs during this stretch on ESPN2, giving fans context and storylines heading into the first round.

First Round Through Third Round Coverage

Once the main draw begins, the broadcast schedule becomes more structured and predictable. Here’s the general pattern fans can expect:

• Daytime coverage (late morning through early evening) is typically split between ESPN and, on the opening weekend, ABC. ABC often carries the very first day of first-round matches on marquee courts, while ESPN handles the bulk of daytime coverage on other days.
• ESPN2 frequently steps in for portions of daytime coverage as well, particularly during the first week when match volume is at its highest.
• Primetime coverage, generally starting around 7:00 PM Eastern, airs matches from the night session on ESPN, showcasing the tournament’s biggest stars under the lights.
• ESPN Deportes carries Spanish-language coverage throughout the day, often running in parallel with the English-language broadcasts on ESPN and ESPN2.
• US Open Match Point, a daily wrap-up and highlights show, airs in the early evening on either ESPN or ESPN2, bridging the gap between day and night sessions.

For fans who want access to every single match happening on every court, the ESPN App offers an “All Courts” live stream option, typically running from mid-morning until 11:00 PM Eastern. There’s also a dedicated Red Zone Feed available on the ESPN App during the first week, which cuts between courts to show the most exciting live action in real time — similar to the format football fans know from NFL RedZone.

Round of 16 and Quarterfinals

As the tournament advances into the second week, the schedule becomes a bit more concentrated, since fewer matches are being played each day. During the Round of 16 and quarterfinal rounds:

• ESPN carries the bulk of daytime match coverage.
• ABC occasionally picks up a portion of Round of 16 coverage on weekend afternoons, giving the matches access to a broader broadcast television audience beyond cable.
• Primetime coverage continues on ESPN or ESPN2 depending on the specific day, featuring the night session’s headline matchups.
• ESPN Deportes continues its parallel Spanish-language broadcast throughout these rounds.
• The ESPN App remains available for fans who want access to every court, typically streaming from midday through 11:00 PM Eastern.

Semifinals, Doubles Finals, and Championship Weekend

The final days of the US Open bring the most concentrated and highly anticipated coverage of the tournament:

• The Women’s Semifinals typically air in a single primetime window on ESPN (and simultaneously on ESPN Deportes).
• The Women’s Doubles Championship usually airs earlier in the day on ESPN2.
• Men’s Singles Semifinals are generally split into two separate windows — an afternoon match and an evening match — both broadcast on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
• The Men’s Doubles Championship is typically streamed via the ESPN App rather than broadcast on a traditional TV channel.
• On Women’s Final Saturday, a preview show airs on ESPN Deportes before the Women’s Singles Championship itself airs on ESPN and ESPN Deportes in the afternoon.
• On Men’s Final Sunday, preview shows air on both ABC and ESPN Deportes, followed by the Men’s Singles Championship, which is broadcast on the widely accessible ABC network alongside ESPN Deportes. ESPN2 usually airs an encore broadcast of the men’s final later that evening for fans who missed the live telecast.

Using ABC for the men’s singles final is significant because it means the tournament’s biggest match is available on free, over-the-air broadcast television, not just cable or streaming — making it accessible to the widest possible audience.

Tennis Channel’s Role Throughout the Tournament

Even though ESPN is the primary rights holder, Tennis Channel plays a consistent supporting role from the very first day of the tournament through the final weekend. Tennis Channel typically airs a daily “Tennis Channel Live at the US Open” studio show, usually in the mid-to-late morning before the day’s matches get underway. This program offers analysis, predictions, and storylines to set the stage for that day’s action.

Streaming Options: ESPN+ and the ESPN App

For fans who prefer streaming over traditional cable, the US Open offers strong digital options:

• ESPN+ is the go-to platform during the earlier stages of the tournament, especially for qualifying rounds and Fan Week, offering coverage of matches across all courts.
• The ESPN App becomes the primary streaming hub once the main draw begins, offering both the “All Courts” feed (access to every live match) and, during the first week, the special Red Zone Feed that jumps between the most exciting action happening at that moment.

These streaming options are particularly useful for fans who want to follow lesser-known matchups or keep tabs on multiple courts at once, something that traditional television broadcasts can’t always accommodate.

Watching From Outside the United States

It’s worth noting that broadcast rights differ by country. While ESPN holds the rights in the United States, official broadcast partners vary significantly around the world. If you’re watching from outside the US, it’s best to check the official US Open website’s international broadcast guide, which lists the authorized network for each specific region and country.

Quick Summary: Where to Watch the US Open

To sum it all up, here’s a simple breakdown of who broadcasts what:

• ESPN – Main daytime and primetime coverage throughout the tournament, including most singles matches and both semifinals.
• ESPN2 – Fan Week, qualifying highlights, mixed doubles, select primetime windows, and the men’s final encore.
• ABC – Opening weekend first-round matches, select Round of 16 coverage, and the Men’s Singles Championship.
• ESPN Deportes – Spanish-language coverage running parallel to English broadcasts throughout the tournament.
• Tennis Channel – Daily studio show and early qualifying round coverage.
• ESPN+ – Streaming coverage, especially strong during qualifying and Fan Week.
• ESPN App – “All Courts” streaming, Red Zone Feed, and coverage of the Men’s Doubles Championship.

With matches spread across so many platforms, the easiest approach is to keep the ESPN App handy throughout the tournament. It typically offers the widest range of live coverage, letting you jump between courts and catch every match that matters — no matter where you happen to be watching from.

Whether you’re settling in for a lazy Saturday of Round of 16 action or staying up late for a primetime showdown on Arthur Ashe Stadium, knowing exactly which channel to turn to makes following the US Open a whole lot easier.