U.S. Open 2026: How to watch today — TV schedule, streaming options and what to expect

The U.S. Open 2026 is underway at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens. If you want to watch matches today in the United States, here’s the verified TV and streaming information, the key match window for prime-time night sessions, and practical options to access every court.

Lead: where to watch in the U.S. today

Television coverage in the United States is on the ESPN family of networks and ABC, with every match available to stream through ESPN Unlimited, which the organizers and broadcasters have positioned as the multi‑court streaming product that carries every match live. Select featured matches also air on ESPN and ESPN2 and ABC for linear viewers.

Streaming and pay‑TV options

ESPN Unlimited is the only service confirmed to stream every match from every court live. Published pricing and bundle notes in U.S. reporting show ESPN Unlimited as a standalone offering and as part of Disney bundles; a price example cited is $31.99 per month (source reporting lists $31.99–$35.99 in different packages). The service also includes streaming access to the broader ESPN lineup and ESPN on ABC.

If you prefer traditional or virtual pay‑TV, the ESPN linear channels carrying U.S. Open matches (ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC) are available through major streaming TV providers. Multiple outlets name these options as ways to watch with short free trials for new users:

• YouTube TV — offers ABC and ESPN family channels to subscribers and typically offers a trial for new users.
• DirecTV Stream — listed among providers that carry ESPN/ABC with a brief trial period.
• Hulu + Live TV — likewise carries ESPN and ABC with a short free‑trial window for new subscribers.
• FuboTV and Sling — cited as carrying ESPN networks; Sling’s Orange & Blue plan and FuboTV packages were noted as options to reach ESPN channels.

News coverage also points out that ESPN Unlimited is included free in select FuboTV and DirecTV plans, depending on the package, and that ESPN Unlimited can be purchased separately.

Today’s TV schedule highlights (U.S. times)

Multiple U.S. local outlets have published day‑by‑day schedules that combine featured matches broadcast on ESPN/ESPN2 and the mult‑court streams on ESPN Unlimited. For example, one Day 5 schedule (Sept. 3) started national coverage at 11 a.m. ET and listed evening night‑session marquee matches beginning around 7–8:30 p.m. ET, including top seeds in Arthur Ashe night sessions. Another day’s order of play (Sept. 5) showed Arthur Ashe matches beginning at roughly 11:30 a.m. ET with later night‑session matches at 7 p.m. ET.

Two examples of what local viewers can expect on a typical tournament day:

• Daytime coverage: ESPN Unlimited carries early‑day and middle‑day matches from multiple courts beginning with the tournament’s morning session (around 11 a.m. ET).
• Night session: featured matches on Arthur Ashe and Armstrong Stadium typically begin in the 7:00–8:30 p.m. ET window and are picked up by ESPN/ESPN2 or ABC for linear national audiences.

For viewers looking for a specific player’s start time, local outlets published court assignments and start windows: for instance, a third‑round match involving American Ben Shelton was scheduled no earlier than 7 p.m. ET as the second match of the Arthur Ashe night session (reporting attributed to local coverage of Shelton’s match schedule).

How to stream every match and practical tips

1. ESPN Unlimited subscription: subscribe directly if you want access to every court and every match live. News reports list it as the central multi‑court streaming product for this U.S. Open.
2. Subscribe to a live‑TV streaming provider that carries ESPN and ABC: sign up for a service such as FuboTV, DirecTV Stream, YouTube TV or Hulu + Live TV if you prefer a bundled option; some packages include short free trials for new customers.
3. Check package bundles: ESPN Unlimited is advertised as available as a standalone product and also as part of discounted bundles with Disney+ and Hulu in some offers; some live‑TV providers include ESPN Unlimited in select plans.
4. Use the ESPN app if included with your provider: many providers pass through ESPN access to the ESPN app, allowing live streaming and on‑demand replays tied to your TV subscription credentials.

International viewers and free broadcasts abroad

While this article focuses on U.S. viewing, international coverage varies: Australian free‑to‑air Channel 9 and 9Gem are carrying matches with live streaming on 9Now, and in the U.K. Sky Sports holds rights. Those networks are sometimes reachable via national streaming services or pay packages specific to each country; U.S. reports note that viewers traveling overseas commonly use those national services or shared bundles to watch the event.

Context and what this means for U.S. viewers

The U.S. Open remains one of the most widely broadcast tennis events in the United States. For 2026, broadcasters leaned into a two‑track approach: featured matches on linear ESPN/ABC channels for large national audiences and a paid streaming mult‑icourt product (ESPN Unlimited) for viewers who want every match live. That approach mirrors the broader industry trend of combining linear marquee coverage with subscription multi‑court streaming for dedicated fans.

Unresolved items and where to confirm game times

Exact start times for many matches remain posted as approximate windows on daily orders of play; courts and session assignments can shift. For the most up‑to‑date start times and any late schedule changes, rely on the official U.S. Open order of play and the ESPN/ESPN app for live updates.

Quick checklist to watch today

• Decide whether you need every match (subscribe to ESPN Unlimited) or just featured matches (linear ESPN/ABC via a live‑TV provider).
• If you don’t have a subscription, consider a short free trial from YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, FuboTV or Hulu + Live TV for immediate access.
• Use the ESPN app with your provider login for mobile and on‑demand access.
• Check local listings or the tournament’s order of play for the exact court and start window for a match you want to watch.

Reporting for this piece relies on U.S. coverage of the U.S. Open broadcast plan and published day‑by‑day TV schedules and streaming notes. For the latest, consult ESPN and the official U.S. Open order of play.