How to Watch the US Open 2026 for Free: Live Stream Tennis From Anywhere
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The US Open 2026 runs from Sunday, August 23rd, to Sunday, September 13th, 2026, at Flushing Meadows in New York. Qualifying and Fan Week open the event from August 23rd, with the main draw starting on Sunday, August 30th. Carlos Alcaraz defends the men's title after beating Jannik Sinner in last year's final, while Aryna Sabalenka chases a third consecutive women's crown.
The good news for viewers in Australia: the tournament streams live and free on 9Now and 9GemHD, with 14 days of live action confirmed by Nine. Stan Sport offers full ad-free 4K coverage as a paid alternative. Elsewhere, ESPN covers the US and Sky Sports holds exclusive UK rights.
If you are an Australian traveling abroad, a VPN can help you access the free 9Now stream from anywhere.
Where to watch the US Open 2026
Below is a complete overview of confirmed broadcasters by country.
| Country | Platform | Price | Coverage | Free trial | Notes |
| Australia | 9Now / 9GemHD | Free | Select live matches, around 2 per day | — | Free account required. Geo-restricted to Australia |
| Australia (full coverage) | Stan Sport | AU$20/month add-on (requires Stan base plan) | Every match, ad-free, 4K | — | Comprehensive multi-court coverage |
| United States | ESPN / ESPN+ | ESPN+ from $11.99/month | Full tournament | — | Additional coverage on ABC and ESPN2 |
| United Kingdom / Ireland | Sky Sports / NOW | Sky subscription or NOW Sports pass | Exclusive, all matches | — | Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+; NOW offers contract-free streaming |
| Canada | TSN / RDS | From CA$24.99/month | Full tournament | — | Streaming via TSN.ca and the TSN app; RDS for French coverage |
How to watch the US Open for free from anywhere with a VPN
The US Open streams live and free on 9Now in Australia, with select matches every day of the tournament and coverage also on 9GemHD. The stream is geo-restricted and only available with an Australian IP address. If you are outside Australia, a VPN can help you access the free broadcast.
- Choose a reliable VPN. We recommend NordVPN for streaming 9Now. It operates fast Australian servers, retained 86% speed in Cybernews testing, and reliably unblocks the platform from abroad.
- Download and install the VPN app on your device.
- Connect to an Australian server. This gives you an Australian IP address that 9Now accepts.
- Go to 9Now and create a free account if you do not have one.
- Find the live US Open coverage and start streaming for free.
How to watch the US Open while traveling
Australia. 9Now and 9GemHD carry select live matches free, typically around two per day across the tournament. For every match ad-free and in 4K, Stan Sport is the paid option as a AU$20/month add-on to a Stan base plan.
United States. ESPN holds the rights, with live coverage from Day 1 of the main draw on August 30th across ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and the ESPN app. ESPN+ streams additional courts from $11.99/month. There is no confirmed free US streaming option for live matches.
United Kingdom and Ireland. Sky Sports Tennis has exclusive live rights, with multi-court coverage on Sky Sports+. NOW offers a contract-free way to stream Sky Sports with a day or month pass. No free UK stream is confirmed.
Canada. TSN and RDS share coverage. TSN subscriptions start at CA$24.99/month, with streaming on TSN.ca and the TSN app.
Traveling subscribers. If you pay for Stan Sport, ESPN+, Sky Sports, or TSN at home, a VPN can help you access your usual streaming service while abroad. Connect to a server in your home country to get around restrictions. Australians overseas can use the same approach to reach the free 9Now stream.
Why you need a VPN
Grand Slam broadcast rights are sold country by country, and every platform geo-blocks its stream outside its home territory. 9Now works only with an Australian IP address, ESPN+ only in the US, and Sky Sports only in the UK and Ireland.
That creates two common problems. First, if you are an Australian abroad during the tournament, you lose access to the free 9Now coverage you would normally watch at home. A VPN may restore access by giving you an Australian IP address. Second, viewers in countries with no free option can use the same method to reach 9Now's confirmed free stream rather than paying for a full subscription elsewhere.
For a full comparison of VPN options, see our guide to the best VPNs for streaming.
US Open 2026 schedule and key dates
The tournament spans three weeks, including qualifying, Fan Week, and the 15-day main draw.
| Stage | Dates | Notes |
| Qualifying and Fan Week | August 23rd-29th, 2026 | Free-entry week at Flushing Meadows, including the revamped mixed doubles event |
| Main draw begins | Sunday, August 30th, 2026 | Sunday-start format continues for a second year |
| Round of 16 | September 6th-7th, 2026 | Second Sunday of the main draw |
| Quarterfinals | September 8th-9th, 2026 | — |
| Semifinals | September 10th-11th, 2026 | — |
| Finals weekend | September 12th-13th, 2026 | Women's final Saturday, men's final Sunday |
US Open 2026 preview: what's new and who to watch
The 2026 edition comes with a record-breaking backdrop. The USTA has raised total player compensation to $108 million, the largest prize pool in Grand Slam history, with each singles champion earning $5.5 million. The Sunday-start main draw, introduced in 2025, returns for its second year.
Carlos Alcaraz defends the men's title after defeating Jannik Sinner in four sets in last year's final. The Spaniard has not played since April because of a wrist injury and withdrew from the Cincinnati Open to reach New York at full fitness. His rivalry with Sinner has defined the men's game, and the world No. 1 arrives with his own fitness concern after a knee injury forced him out of Cincinnati.
Aryna Sabalenka targets a third consecutive US Open women's title. She also headlines the revamped mixed doubles event during Fan Week, partnering Novak Djokovic for a shot at the event's $1 million prize.
The women's draw has been hit by withdrawals, with Emma Raducanu, Victoria Mboko, and Hailey Baptiste among the high-profile absentees. That opens the door for Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Elena Rybakina to challenge Sabalenka's dominance.
Is the US Open free in Australia?
Yes. 9Now and 9GemHD stream select matches live and free, typically around two per day across the 14 days of main-draw action. You need a free 9Now account. For full ad-free 4K coverage of every match, Stan Sport is the paid option.
When does the US Open 2026 start?
Qualifying and Fan Week begin on Sunday, August 23rd, 2026. The main draw starts on Sunday, August 30th, and the tournament ends with the men's final on Sunday, September 13th.
Can I watch the US Open for free in the US or UK?
No confirmed free live streaming exists in either market. In the US, coverage is on ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, and ESPN+. In the UK, Sky Sports has exclusive rights, streamable via NOW. The confirmed free option is 9Now in Australia, which you can access from abroad with a VPN.
How can I watch the US Open if I am traveling abroad?
If you subscribe to Stan Sport, ESPN+, Sky Sports, or TSN, connect to a VPN server in your home country to access your usual service. If you do not have a subscription, the free 9Now stream in Australia is the best option and works with an Australian VPN server and a free account.
Can I watch the US Open on my phone or smart TV?
Yes. 9Now, Stan Sport, ESPN+, Sky Sports, NOW, and TSN all support smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs. NordVPN and other leading VPNs offer apps for the same devices.
