How to watch US Open 2026 for FREE: Live Streams & Channels | Tech Radar

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How to watch US Open 2026 for FREE: Live Streams, TV Channels & Schedule for final Grand Slam

Berrettini vs Wawrinka and Alcaraz vs Safiullin headline the Round 1 draw

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(Image credit: Darren Carroll/USTA via Getty Images)

US Open 2026 has served up a sensational Round 1 draw, headlined by Matteo Berrettini vs Stan Wawrinka, Rafael Jodar vs Thanasi Kokkinakis and Carlos Alcaraz vs Roman Safiullin. The hard-hitting Russian is a less-than-ideal opponent for the No.2 seed and reigning champion, who's been out of action since April with a wrist injury.

The tie that looks set to steal the show, however, is Berrettini's clash with 2016 champion Wawrinka. They met for the very first time at Wimbledon two months ago – and produced the match of the tournament. With Wawrinka set to hang up his racket this year, it could end up being his final ever appearance at a major.

The women's draw, topped by No.1 seed and back-to-back reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka, will get off to a slightly more low-key start, with Paula Badosa vs Daria Kasatkina and Venus Williams vs Sofia Kenin shaping up as the most intriguing matchups on paper.

Former world No.2 Badosa and former No.8 Kasatkina are both unseeded, while 46-year-old Williams' first meeting with 27-year-old Kenin will likely have the feel of an all-American celebration, both grand slam champions having received wildcards in a bid to maximise viewing figures.

However, there's a fascinating subplot concerning world No.1 status. By the end of the 2026 US Open, Sabalenka will have spent 99 straight weeks at the top of the rankings, and that's where it could end. Elena Rybakina, who won her first hard-court major at the Australian Open in January, will leapfrog Sabalenka if she reaches the last four.

Here's how to watch US Open 2026 from anywhere in the world. We've also listed the the seeds, recent winners and prize money below.

Yes. Free US Open 2026 coverage is being provided by Channel 9 and 9 Gem in Australia, with live streaming available via 9 Now.

Traveling abroad right now? You can use a VPN to watch US Open for free as if you were right at home.

A VPN is handy piece of software that can make your device appear as if it's back in your home country, so you can unlock your usual service. The best VPN right now? We recommend Nord VPN – it does everything and comes with up to 75% off.

Not having a VPN is like leaving your front door wide open in a busy city – anyone can walk right in and take a peek.

Tech Radar regularly reviews all the biggest and best VPN providers and Nord VPN is our #1 choice.

✅ Up to 75% off today ✅ 3 extra months free ✅ Unlocks 9 Now

How to watch US Open 2026 live streams in the US

US Open 2026 coverage is being provided by ESPN, ESPN2, ABC and ESPN Unlimited in the US.

ESPN Unlimited, which is live streaming every match on every court, costs

31.99/month or

319.99/year, but you can bundle it with Disney Plus and Hulu for $35.99/month.

New to ESPN's coverage this year is US Open Red Zone, a whiparound show that will air on ESPN Unlimited from Sunday, August 30 to Friday, September 4, between 11am and 6pm ET.

ESPN Unlimited includes streaming access to ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNEWS, ESPN Deportes, SECN, ACCN, ESPN+, ESPN on ABC, SECN+, ACCNX, NFL Network and CW Sports.

Alternatively, ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC are available through Sling – specifically the Orange & Blue plan, which starts at $60.99/month. It includes ABC, NBC and Fox in select locations, plus ESPN, ESPN2, FS1, USA Network, FX and more.

Outside of the US? Use a VPN while you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.

How to watch US Open 2026 live streams in the UK

In the UK, live US Open 2026 coverage is being provided by Sky Sports.

Sky Sports packages start at £35/month with £22/month pricing available for those who are already customers. Remember you can also access via NOW Sports.

If you're out of the UK but still want to tune in, explore the VPN route set out above, which will help you access your accounts from anywhere.

How to watch US Open 2026 live streams in Australia

US Open 2026 is free-to-air on Channel 9 and 9 Gem in Australia, with live streaming available via the 9 Now platform.

Stan Sport, meanwhile, will have exhaustive coverage of every court. Stan Sport costs AU

20/month on top of a Stan subscription, which itself starts at AU

9.99/month. It's also home to the Premier League, Rugby's Greatest Rivalry, Super Rugby, the Six Nations and the Nations Championship.

Not in Australia right now? You can simply use a VPN like Nord VPN to watch all the action as if you were back home.

How to watch US Open 2026 live streams in Canada

If you don't have cable, the TSN Plus streaming service costs CA

29.99/month or CA

249.99/year.

If you're out of Canada but still want to tune in, explore the VPN route set out above, which will help you access your accounts from anywhere.

2025 – Carlos Alcaraz 2024 – Jannik Sinner 2023 – Novak Djokovic 2022 – Carlos Alcaraz 2021 – Daniil Medvedev 2020 – Dominic Thiem 2019 – Rafael Nadal 2018 – Novak Djokovic 2017 – Rafael Nadal 2016 – Stan Wawrinka

2025 – Aryna Sabalenka 2024 – Aryna Sabalenka 2023 – Coco Gauff 2022 – Iga Swiatek 2021 – Emma Raducanu 2020 – Naomi Osaka 2019 – Bianca Andreescu 2018 – Naomi Osaka 2017 – Sloane Stephens 2016 – Angelique Kerber

108 million in prize money will be allocated to the players at the 2026 US Open, with the singles champions set to receive

5.5 million each.

2.8 million will go to each finalist,

1.45 million to each semi-finalist, and $780,000 to each quarter-finalist.

Players will earn

480,000 for reaching Round 4,

290,000 for Round 3,

190,000 for Round 2, and

140,000 for Round 1.

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Aatif is a freelance copywriter and journalist based in the UK. He’s written about technology, science and politics for publications including Gizmodo, The Independent, Trusted Reviews and Newsweek, but focuses on streaming at Future, an arrangement that combines two of his greatest passions: sport and penny-pinching.

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Key Takeaways

News, deals, reviews, guides and more on the newest computing gadgets
Start exploring exclusive deals, expert advice and more
Unlock and manage exclusive Techradar member rewards
Unlock instant access to exclusive member features
Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards