US Open 2026: How to Watch Today's Matches Live
The US Open has hit its stride. Round one is in the books, the New York crowds have found their voice, and Day 5 brings a slate that feels more like a second-week lineup than an early checkpoint.
Alexander Zverev against Quentin Halys under the lights. Coco Gauff facing Paula Badosa in a primetime test of nerve and shot-making. Naomi Osaka, Taylor Fritz, Gael Monfils, Félix Auger-Aliassime — the names alone tell you what kind of day this is.
But before the first ball is tossed, there’s one question every fan outside Queens has to solve: how to actually watch it all.
Where the US Open Lives on TV
In the United States, the US Open is anchored to a familiar home: ESPN. The network controls the main broadcast rights, with matches spread across ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and the ESPN app. Miss one of those, and you miss a chunk of the tournament.
Cord-cutters aren’t shut out, but they do need the right setup. ESPN’s own streaming platform carries live sports and archived programming starting at $29.99 per month. Live TV streamers fill in the rest:
- DirecTV’s base package runs $59.99 for the first month and includes ABC and ESPN+.
- Fubo’s Sports plan delivers ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 at $65.99 per month, with a quarterly option for those who prefer to commit in blocks.
- Sling’s Essentials plan brings ESPN and ESPN2 for $19.99 per month, or you can grab a Sling TV Day Pass at $4.99 if you’re only in it for a single packed day of tennis.
- YouTube TV’s Sports Plan includes ABC, ESPN, and ESPN2 at $64.99 per month.
If you still have a traditional cable bundle with those channels, you’re set. If not, the above mix is your route into Flushing Meadows.
How to Watch for Free
There are ways to watch without paying — at least at first.
In the US, free trials are the key. DirecTV, FuboTV, and YouTube TV all offer trial periods that can cover a crucial stretch of the tournament. Time it right and you can ride through some of the heaviest action without touching your wallet.
Outside the US, the picture changes. In Australia, 9Now will stream the 2026 US Open for free. That makes it one of the most attractive options for global viewers willing to take an extra step.
For fans in the US, UK, or elsewhere, a virtual private network (VPN) can unlock that Australian feed. A service such as ExpressVPN — with servers scattered across the globe — lets users connect to an Australian server and access geo-restricted content like 9Now’s US Open coverage.
The process is straightforward:
- Subscribe to a streaming-friendly VPN.
- Download the VPN app on your chosen device.
- Connect to a server in Australia.
- Head to 9Now and start streaming.
Most of the better VPNs aren’t free, but many offer short-term trials for first-time users. Used smartly, that can turn into a no-cost pass to the US Open.
One more technical note for those watching on a big screen: switch on your TV’s motion-smoothing setting if you want an ultra-smooth look for live sport. Just remember to turn it off when the tennis ends, unless you like your dramas and movies with that glossy “soap opera” sheen.
Today’s Order of Play: September 2
The day’s action begins at 11 a.m. ET, with the schedule quickly stacking up with marquee singles clashes on both the men’s and women’s sides.
Women’s singles highlights:
- 11:30 a.m. ET: Naomi Osaka vs. Kateřina Siniaková
- 12:40 p.m. ET: Alex Eala vs. Oleksandra Oliynykova
- 7 p.m. ET: Coco Gauff vs. Paula Badosa
Men’s singles highlights:
- 11 a.m. ET: Félix Auger-Aliassime vs. Karen Khachanov
- 1 p.m. ET: Taylor Fritz vs. Mattia Bellucci
- 7 p.m. ET: Learner Tien vs. Gael Monfils
- 8:10 p.m. ET: Alexander Zverev vs. Quentin Halys
It’s the kind of slate that doesn’t really allow for a casual drop-in. Pick a window and you’re likely catching a storyline that could shape the rest of the tournament.
A Three-Week New York Marathon
The 2026 US Open stretches across three weeks, from Sunday, August 23, to Sunday, September 13, all at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York.
The opening phase is about survival and opportunity. Qualifying dominates the early days, with hopefuls fighting for a place in the main draw:
- Qualifying events: August 24–27
- Mixed doubles: August 24–26
Then the real grind begins:
- Men’s and women’s singles: August 30–September 13
- Men’s and women’s doubles: September 3–12
- Junior events: September 3–12
- Wheelchair events: September 8–12
The final weekend, as always, is stacked. The Women’s Doubles Final lands on Friday, September 11. Saturday, September 12, brings both the Women’s Singles Final and the Men’s Doubles Final. The Men’s Singles Final closes the tournament on Sunday, September 13, with the sport’s biggest stage under the New York lights.
First played in 1881, the US Open is the second-oldest Grand Slam tournament, trailing only Wimbledon. History weighs on every match, whether it’s a junior on Court 15 or a star on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Who’s Chasing the Title in 2026?
This year’s field is loaded with pedigree. Seventeen former Grand Slam singles champions are in the draw, ten of them past US Open winners. That’s a depth of experience few tournaments can match.
On the men’s side, the story has already taken a twist. Jannik Sinner, one of the sport’s leading lights, is out through injury. His absence reshapes the top of the seeding and the narrative of the fortnight.
Alexander Zverev comes in as the top seed, Carlos Alcaraz as No. 2, and Félix Auger-Aliassime as No. 3. Each brings a different flavor: Zverev’s baseline weight, Alcaraz’s electric all-court game, Auger-Aliassime’s blend of power and precision.
The women’s draw is just as sharp at the top. Aryna Sabalenka leads the field as No. 1 seed, Elena Rybakina sits at No. 2, and American Jessica Pegula rounds out the top three. Their presence, combined with the home-court energy around Coco Gauff and the enduring pull of names like Naomi Osaka and Venus Williams, gives the women’s event a particular edge.
The United States boasts 28 players in the main draw, the most of any nation. Beyond Pegula and Gauff, the home contingent includes Amanda Anisimova, Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, and Venus Williams — a mix of rising talent and veteran gravitas.
For the locals in Queens, that means plenty of American flags in the stands and no shortage of home stories to follow deep into the night.
The stage is set. The only question now is which of these names will still be standing when New York’s last Sunday rolls around.
