Note: The 2026 Australian Open will be available to watch in the U.S. through ESPN, with the entire tournament available to stream from start to finish.

Tennis is finally back. The first major of the New Year is upon us, as the best in the game take to the hardcourt in Melbourne for the next two weeks. After a big win in the US Open to close out 2025, world number 1 Carlos Alcaraz will be desperate to claim his first Australian Open title here, the only Grand Slam Trophy missing from his cabinet.

Here is a comprehensive guide on how, where, and when you can catch the 2026 Australian Open from the United States, so that you don’t miss a minute of Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Madison Keys, and more stars of the game.

Who has the rights to the Australian Open in the U.S.?

Tennis Australia has partnered with ESPN to broadcast the event to American audiences since 1984, and they re-upped their deal with the sports media giant in 2022. The new deal extends their collaboration through 2031, meaning ESPN will retain the exclusive rights to the Australian Open for the foreseeable future.

How can I watch the Australian Open in the U.S.?

Thankfully for stateside tennis fans, the tourney will be available to view through various cable TV channels and streaming methods, with the latter offering more extensive coverage of the event from mid-January through February 1st.

Where is the Australian Open Streaming?

ESPN Select or ESPN Unlimited offers the most comprehensive coverage of the 2026 Australian Open. The network’s new direct-to-consumer streaming service will show the entirety of the tournament from start to finish.

The Tennis Channel will be included in ESPN’s coverage of the event, providing encore matches, expert analysis, interviews, press conferences, previews, and recaps of all the action.

What TV Channel is showing the Australian Open in the?

ESPN and ESPN2 will be showing all live matches from the Australian Open over the course of the tournament’s two-week duration. Available through most Cable TV providers, ESPN2 alone will host all of the matches until the quarterfinals stage, when ESPN swoops in to carry the heavy hitters. ESPN Deportes will also carry Spanish-language coverage of the event.

Service name	Price range	ESPN	ESPN2	Tennis Channel
YouTube TV	$82.99 / month	✔ Yes	✔ Yes	✔ Yes (Sports Plus add-on)
Fubo Sports	From $55.99 / month	✔ Yes	✔ Yes	✔ Yes
Sling TV	From $56.99 / month	✔ Yes (Orange plan)	✔ Yes (Orange plan)	✔ Yes (Sports add-on)

How can I watch the Australian Open via Tennis Channel

The Tennis Channel is available through various cable and satellite providers such as DirecTV, Xfinity, Spectrum, and YoutubeTV, typically as an add-on or part of a separate sports package. All Tennis Channel Content surrounding the tournament is also available online by either signing in through your TV provider or purchasing a separate Tennis Channel streaming subscription.

Will Tennis Channel be showing live matches from the Australian Open?

No, the Tennis Channel will not be broadcasting matches live from the tournament. ESPN exclusively holds those rights. However, the Tennis Channel does provide live coverage of the tournament, with analysis, interviews, and press conferences complemented by full match replays once all of the action has wrapped up for the day.

Can I watch the Australian Open for free?

No, there is currently no free plan or free trial for ESPN’s own streaming service or its linear ESPN channels.

That said, the Australian Open can be watched at no cost by using a free trial from a live TV streaming service. Platforms such as Fubo and YouTube TV offer short free trials that include access to ESPN’s linear channels and ESPN’s streaming coverage.

Keep in mind that these trial periods are shorter than the full length of the Australian Open, so you’ll need to time your trial carefully if you plan to rely on this option.

Find today’s Australian Open TV schedule

To find today’s Australian Open matches on TV, it helps to have a single, up-to-date schedule that shows start times and viewing options in one place. Our Australian Open TV schedule is updated daily and lists every match, including broadcast channels and streaming availability, so you can quickly see what’s on and when, without jumping between multiple sources.

How to watch the Australian Open - FAQ

Is ESPN showing the Australian Open?

Yes. ESPN and ESPN2 are the primary homes for the tournament on cable, with limited matches and highlights showing on ABC from the quarterfinals stage onwards. Furthermore, ESPN’s flagship streaming service is the best way for non-cable customers to keep up with the tournament.

What is the cheapest way to watch the Australian Open tennis?

The surest and cheapest way to watch the Australian Open would be to purchase an ESPN streaming plan, starting at $12.99/month. There is always the option of streaming via 9Now with a VPN, but that method is far less secure.

Will the Australian Open be on Hulu Live TV?

Yes, the Australian Open will be available on Hulu Live TV. This subscription plan includes coverage from ESPN and Disney+, making it possible to follow every match from the Australian Open with a Hulu subscription.

Can I watch the Australian Open on YouTube TV?

Yes, the Australian Open will be shown on YouTube TV through the ESPN coverage.

Is the Australian Open tennis on Amazon Prime?

No, the Australian Open is not on Amazon Prime. The tournament streams exclusively on ESPN.

How do I watch the Australian Open without Cable?

Various streaming platforms will be showing the ESPN coverage of the Australian Open, not least the eponymous ESPN flagship streaming service. Other non-cable TV providers such as Fubo, YoutubeTV and SlingTV carry ESPN channels and are therefore also a viable viewing option.

What time of day do the matches begin?

For viewers on the East Coast of the United States, the tournament will typically start around 7:00 pm. For those on the West Coast, that’s around 4:00 pm.

Where can I watch the Australian Open highlights?

While ESPN and Tennis Channel broadcasts will show the highlights sporadically. The best place to see the synthesized action from Melbourne is the Australian Open YouTube channel, where highlights are posted for each match shortly after its conclusion.

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