How to watch Roland Garros (French Open) – round of 16
Our in-house cybersecurity experts and journalists, renowned for major reports like The Mother of All Breaches, conduct transparent, unbiased VPN testing and in-depth analysis.
With 750+ articles crafted based on real-world research, we empower readers to make informed purchasing decisions through first-hand expertise.
Learn more
Roland Garros 2026 has reached the round of 16 stage in Paris, with the remaining contenders now just two wins away from the semi-finals at Court Philippe-Chatrier. The opening week delivered a mix of expected results and breakthrough moments, including strong starts from top seeds such as Iga Świątek, Elena Rybakina, and Amanda Anisimova, while French teenager Moïse Kouamé grabbed headlines with a stunning first-round win over former US Open champion Marin Čilić.
The round of 16 takes place on Sunday, May 31, and Monday, June 1, with play starting each day at 11 AM local time (CEST). Both men’s and women’s singles headline the schedule, alongside doubles and junior events, as the tournament enters its business end.
You can stream for free in select regions. In France, matches air live on France Télévisions via france.tv, while viewers in Australia can watch selected round-of-16 action on 9Gem and stream it through 9Now.
Outside these regions, access is restricted due to broadcasting rights. Below, I break down how to watch the Roland Garros 2026 round of 16 live online, where free streams are available, and how to access your usual coverage while traveling abroad.
Where to watch Roland Garros 2026
Here’s a full breakdown of where to watch the 2026 French Open across different countries.
| Country | Streaming Service | Price | Notes |
| Australia | 9Now / 9Gem | Free | Free English-language coverage continues through the round of 16 starting May 31. Good free option. |
| United States | Max / TNT / truTV | From $9.99/month | TNT Sports has US rights. Coverage is spread across TNT, truTV, and Max, with Max positioned as the main streaming option. |
| United Kingdom | TNT Sports / Eurosport | From £30.99/month | UK coverage is through TNT Sports, with streaming via HBO Max after TNT Sports moved there from discovery+. |
| Canada | TSN / RDS | From CA$19.99/month | TSN carries English-language coverage, and RDS covers French-language coverage. |
| France | France Télévisions / Prime Video | Free / subscription | Best free option. Covers all daytime matches up to and including the quarterfinals. France.tv also offers digital coverage throughout the tournament. |
How to watch Roland Garros 2026 for free
You can stream Roland Garros 2026 for free in select regions, but access varies depending on where you are and how deep the tournament has progressed. The most complete free coverage comes from France, where France Télévisions holds domestic rights and broadcasts matches across the tournament, including live daytime action from the opening rounds through the later stages. Select high-profile matches and key knockout ties are also shared alongside Prime Video, especially as the competition intensifies.
Australia also offers free coverage. Matches air on 9Gem and are available to stream via 9Now, making it the main free English-language option for early-round and selected live coverage. That said, not every court is streamed, with full access reserved for Stan Sport, the paid service.
Outside these regions, access to free streams is restricted due to broadcasting rights. However, using a VPN, you can get full access by routing your connection through a supported country:
- Pick a streaming-optimized VPN. I recommend NordVPN – now with a 75% discount. It offers a large global server network spanning 221 locations (including Australia) and delivers stable performance for live sports thanks to its NordLynx protocol.
- Install the VPN app on your device. It’s available on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, smart TVs, or streaming sticks.
- Connect to a server in France or Australia. Simply open the VPN app, connect to a preferred server, and your IP address will change accordingly.
- Open france.tv or 9now.com.au. Sign in or create a free account if needed.
- Search for Roland Garros coverage. Go to the live TV section or search for the French Open. Select your court and start streaming once the live broadcast is active.
How to watch Roland Garros 2026 in Australia
Roland Garros 2026 coverage in Australia is split between free-to-air broadcaster Nine and the paid streaming service Stan Sport, with access depending on how much of the tournament you want to follow.
For the round of 16 stage (May 31–June 1), free coverage is still available via 9Now and 9Gem, with selected matches shown live or as featured broadcasts. Streaming requires a free Nine account, and coverage typically focuses on key court matches rather than every fixture.
For full, uninterrupted access to all courts, Stan Sport remains the main option. It provides live and on-demand coverage of every match throughout the tournament, including the round of 16, with broadcasts continuing daily across all sessions.
How to watch Roland Garros 2026 in the United States
In the US, Roland Garros 2026 is shown across TNT, truTV, and Max, with Warner Bros. Discovery holding full broadcast rights. Max serves as the primary streaming platform, while TNT and truTV carry select live coverage throughout the tournament.
For the round of 16 stage, coverage continues across all three platforms, with key singles matches and featured courts streamed live on Max and select broadcasts appearing on TNT and truTV during the day and early morning US time.
Access to Max is available either as a standalone subscription or as part of TV bundles that include TNT and truTV. Coverage typically begins in the early morning US time zone, with live play starting around 5 AM ET as matches get underway in Paris.
If you’re traveling outside Australia and want to access your usual 9Now free coverage while in the US, a reliable VPN like NordVPN can help restore access. By connecting to an Australian server, you can unlock 9Now and stream selected Roland Garros matches as if you were back home.
How to watch Roland Garros 2026 in the United Kingdom
In the UK, Roland Garros 2026 is broadcast exclusively through TNT Sports, which holds full rights to the tournament across the region. Every court is available to stream live, giving UK viewers complete coverage of the action as the competition enters the second week.
For the round of 16 stage, coverage continues in full across TNT Sports platforms, with all singles matches available live alongside key doubles action as the draw narrows on Sunday, May 31, and Monday, June 1.
You can access TNT Sports through discovery+ or via TV packages from Sky, Virgin Media, or BT TV. Matches typically begin at 10 AM BST, making the morning sessions fully accessible for UK audiences.
How to watch Roland Garros 2026 in Canada
If you’re in Canada, Roland Garros 2026 is broadcast on TSN for English coverage and RDS for French-language coverage, with both networks carrying extensive daily match coverage throughout the tournament.
For the round of 16 stage, TSN continues its full coverage across its TV channels and TSN+ streaming platform, showing key singles matches as the draw tightens on Sunday, May 31, and Monday, June 1. RDS provides parallel French-language coverage of selected matches.
Access is available through a TSN subscription or via participating cable providers that include TSN networks. Matches from Paris typically begin early in the morning in Canada, around 5 AM ET, as play gets underway on the clay courts.
Why do you need a VPN to watch Roland Garros 2026
9Now offers free access to Roland Garros 2026 in Australia, but that access is locked to local viewers. The platform relies on IP detection to enforce broadcasting rights, meaning anyone trying to stream from outside Australia will be blocked automatically due to regional licensing rules held by the Nine Network. If you try to open 9Now while abroad, you’ll typically see a location-based error message that prevents playback.
A VPN bypasses this restriction by masking your real IP address and routing your connection through an Australian server. Once connected, 9Now recognizes your connection as within Australia and restores access to its free live coverage.
This is commonly used by Australian travelers, expats who want to keep up with Nine’s sports broadcasts, and viewers in regions where no free Roland Garros stream is available.
Best VPNs to watch Roland Garros 2026
The VPNs listed below have been tested for live sports streaming performance. They offer strong speeds, consistent access to geo-blocked broadcasters, and stable HD playback – essential when you’re streaming long five-set matches from abroad.
- NordVPN – best overall for streaming. NordVPN starts at $3.49/month and offers strong performance for unblocking sports platforms. It offers extensive Australian server coverage and uses the NordLynx protocol, which maintains around 86% of baseline speeds. It also includes Smart DNS support, making it compatible with devices like smart TVs that don’t natively support VPN apps. Read our full NordVPN review for more details.
- Surfshark – best budget VPN. Surfshark costs $2.49/month and stands out for its unlimited device support, letting you secure every device under a single account. With 4,500+ servers across 100 countries and support for WireGuard, it maintains roughly 80% of baseline speeds – more than enough for smooth HD streaming of Roland Garros matches without buffering. See our Surfshark review for the full picture.
- Proton VPN – best for privacy-focused users. Based in Switzerland, Proton VPN benefits from some of the strongest privacy protections in the industry while still delivering reliable streaming access. It operates 20,300+ servers across 148 countries and offers both a free tier and premium plans starting at $2.99/month. Its Australian servers perform consistently well for accessing 9Now from abroad while maintaining a strong privacy-first architecture. Read our Proton VPN review for the full breakdown.
Roland Garros 2026 schedule
Roland Garros 2026 has now moved into the round of 16 stage, taking place on May 31st and June 1st in Paris. The main draw is well underway following the opening week and early rounds, with players now competing for a place in the quarter-finals. All matches are played on outdoor clay courts, with action beginning at 11:00 AM CEST each day.
| Stage | Paris (CEST) | AEST (Australia) | BST (UK) | ET (US) |
| Round of 16 | May 31–June 1 | 7 PM AEST | 10 AM BST | 5 AM ET |
| Quarterfinals | June 3–4 | 7 PM AEST | 10 AM BST | 5 AM ET |
| Women's semifinal | June 5 | 7 PM AEST | 10 AM BST | 5 AM ET |
| Men's semifinal | June 5–6 | 7 PM AEST | 10 AM BST | 5 AM ET |
| Women's final | June 6 | 7 PM AEST | 10 AM BST | 5 AM ET |
| Men's final | June 7 | 7 PM AEST | 10 AM BST | 5 AM ET |
FAQ
Can I watch Roland Garros from outside Australia for free?
Yes, if you use a VPN. 9Now is geo-restricted to Australia, but connecting to an Australian server with a VPN gives you access to the free stream from anywhere in the world. NordVPN is my recommended option for this. The stream itself remains free – you only pay for the VPN service, and there's also a 3-day free trial.
Is Roland Garros free to watch in Australia?
Yes, Roland Garros 2026 is free to watch in Australia on 9Now, the Nine Network's streaming platform. It also airs on Channel 9 and 9Gem on free-to-air television. No subscription is required, though you will need a free Nine account to stream on 9Now.
What time does Roland Garros start in Australia?
Day sessions in Paris begin at 11 AM CEST, which is 7 PM AEST. Evening sessions in Paris start at around 8 PM CEST, which lands after midnight in Australia. Most of the day's main matches are therefore watchable in the early evening Australian time, with finals and later rounds often wrapping up late at night.
What channel is Roland Garros on in Australia?
Roland Garros 2026 airs on Channel 9, 9Gem, and 9Go, depending on your state. The full live stream is available on 9Now. The Nine Network has held Australian broadcast rights for Roland Garros since 2021.
Who are the favorites to win Roland Garros 2026?
On the men's side, Jannik Sinner is the top favorite following Carlos Alcaraz's withdrawal before the tournament. Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev are considered the other main contenders. On the women’s side, Iga Świątek enters as one of the leading title contenders.
