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US Open 2026: How to watch tournament in the UK

Aryna Sabalenka is the reigning US Open Women's Champion
Aryna Sabalenka is the reigning US Open Women's ChampionAL BELLO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

The US Open signals the last Grand Slam in the tennis calendar and will see some of the best players in the world descend on New York. Below, you can read about how to watch the action in the UK.

The 2026 US Open is officially underway at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, after the special mixed doubles tournament started last week.

The main draw runs from August 30th to September 1st, giving Tennis fans two weeks of high-octane hard-court action as the world's best players compete in the final Grand Slam of the calendar season.

Whether you are staying up late for the marquee night sessions or tuning in during the late afternoon, to follow the tournament live in the UK, all you need to do is read below.

Main UK Broadcaster: Sky Sports & Sky Sports+

Sky Sports holds the exclusive live broadcast rights for the US Open in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Viewers can tune in daily via Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports Main Event to watch all the action.

To ensure supporters do not miss a single rally from outer courts, Sky Sports+ provides simultaneous live streams of up to 16 courts throughout the fortnight, with Sky’s Red Button giving access to individual court feeds, allowing fans to select specific matches during early rounds.

Contract-Free Streaming with NOW TV

For viewers without a traditional cable or satellite TV package, NOW TV offers flexible streaming access to every Sky Sports tennis broadcast.

Through a NOW Sports Membership, fans can select short-term passes to stream live matches across smart TVs, mobile platforms, and gaming consoles.

Tournament Schedule and UK Viewing Times

Because New York operates on Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), which is five hours behind British Summer Time (BST), matches extend late into the night for British viewers.

Day sessions begin in the late afternoon UK time, while night sessions inside Arthur Ashe Stadium test the stamina of night-owl tennis supporters.

Day sessions (Rounds 1–4): 16:00 BST

Night sessions (Rounds 1–4): 00:00 BST

Quarter-finals day/night: 05:00/00:00 BST

Women's semi-finals: 00:00 BST (Friday, September 11th)

Men's semi-finals: 20:00/00:00 BST (Friday, September 11th)

Women's singles final: 21:00 BST (Saturday, September 12th)

Men's singles final: 19:00 BST (Sunday, September 13th) 

Free options and alternative coverage

While live television rights remain behind a subscription paywall, several free platforms keep UK sports fans updated throughout the tournament.

BBC Radio 5 Live & 5 Sports Extra: live audio commentary, match-by-match analysis, and regular tennis podcasts.

Official YouTube Highlights: The official US Open YouTube channel posts match recaps, top-play compilations, and post-match press conferences daily.

Flashscore Live Tracking: Follow point-by-point live scores, real-time match statistics, player head-to-head records, and updated draw brackets directly within the Flashscore app.

Spotlight on British tennis players

British tennis enters Flushing Meadows with high expectations across both singles and doubles draws. Supporters looking to track domestic contenders will find primary focus on show court allocations.

However, stars Jack Draper and 2021 champion Emma Raducanu have withdrawn through injury, meaning Britain's hopes lie in the experienced Cameron Norrie and Katie Boulter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which UK TV channel is showing the 2026 US Open?

The 2026 US Open is broadcast exclusively in the UK on Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports Main Event, with multi-court coverage on Sky Sports+.

Can I watch the 2026 US Open for free on UK television?

No live video broadcast is available on free-to-air UK television channels. However, free audio commentary is broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live, and official match highlights are published daily on YouTube.

How can I stream the US Open without a long-term Sky subscription?

You can purchase a NOW Sports Day or Month Membership, providing contract-free live streaming access to all Sky Sports channels on smart devices and TVs.

What time do night session matches start in UK time (BST)?

Night sessions at Arthur Ashe Stadium start at 19:00 local time in New York, which translates to 00:00 BST in the UK.

Is the US Open available to stream on Amazon Prime Video in the UK?

No, Amazon Prime Video no longer holds UK broadcast rights for the tournament. Live rights belong exclusively to Sky Sports.

Where can I listen to live radio commentary of the US Open in the UK?

Live radio commentary and ball-by-ball coverage are available on BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.

How do I access multi-court coverage on Sky Sports+?

Sky Sports subscribers can press the red button on their TV remote or log in to the Sky Go app to select individual court feeds via Sky Sports+.