Where to Watch the US Open in the UK

The Grand Slam calendar of 2026 reaches its final stop as the US Open 2026 is set to kick off at Flushing Meadows, New York, from 30 August to 13 September. As always, action is set for the outdoor hard courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, the host venue from 1978. This year it arrives with a record $108 million prize purse — a 20% jump from 2025, with $5.5 million on hold for each singles champ. Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka return as the reigning champions set to defend their crowns.

Alcaraz returns from a wrist injury and will be bidding to become the first back-to-back US Open champ since Roger Federer in 2008. There’s plenty of tough competition for the Spaniard. On the women’s side, Aryna Sabalenka will have to prove she still has it after a somewhat underwhelming outing in the last two slams. Below is our full guide on where and how to watch the US Open in the UK. 

Is the US Open on TV in the UK?

Yes, the 2026 US Open is going to be on TV, but there’s one thing to know before anything else. Unlike Wimbledon, the US Open is not free-to-air. Both tournaments have completely different broadcasting arrangements, meaning you’re going to have to rely on Sky, which is the official broadcaster.

Official TV Broadcaster of the 2026 US Open in the UK – Sky

In the UK and Ireland, Sky Sports holds the exclusive live licence to the US Open. Their deal runs through 2027. That means that fans need a Sky Subscription or a NOW membership to watch any singles, doubles, mixed doubles, junior or wheelchair matches live.

BBC Coverage Limited

The BBC’s involvement for this year is limited. They provide audio and text-only coverage. You’ll have commentary on 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds, plus live text updates on the BBC Sport website, but no tele coverage.

Shortlist of All Viewing Options

• Sky Sports Tennis – dedicated channel and main hub for live TV coverage
• Sky Go – best way to watch on mobile or tablet for existing Sky customers
• NOW – streaming for viewers without a Sky subscription
• BBC Radio 5 Live Sport & BBC Sounds – audio commentary
• ATP, WTA & US Open websites – live scores and breaking news
• 7Bet IN–PLAY section – live scores with betting options
• Flashscore – point-by-point coverage with all scores

US Open 2026 UK Schedule & Start Times (BST)

Unlike Wimbledon with its single daily start, the US Open has its own unique scheduling system running two separate sessions (day & night) for most of the tournament. While TV coverage is available on the aforementioned channels regardless, each session is sold as its own ticketed event on show courts.

Here is a layout of the provisional schedule for the single draws with local NYC time and BST equivalents:

Treat this as a reference only. As with any other outdoor Grand Slam, the weather can affect play. New York’s late summer can throw a few curveballs in the shape of heavy thunderstorms or rain showers. Always check the official US Open Schedule & daily order of play published on the tournament’s website the evening before next day’s matches. 

Once play is under way, live odds and in-running markets for every match are available on the 7bet IN-PLAY page, and the US Open sub-section so that you can follow the action and the odds side by side.

US Open Favourites for 2026

Gentlemen’s Singles

After he conquered the New York courts in 2025, Carlos Alcaraz looked like the best player in tennis. Even though the Spaniard won the subsequent 2026 Australian Open, a serious wrist injury forced him to miss Roland Garros and Wimbledon. While the champ makes a return, his fitness is still in doubt, meaning the competition will try to capitalise. If Carlos Alcaraz manages to repeat, he’ll be the first man since Roger Federer in 2008 to do so.

At the forefront of the fierce competition would probably be the current World No.1 and Alcaraz’s biggest rival – Italian Jannik Sinner, the 2024 champion. However, his camp recently announced that a right knee injury is going to keep Sinner sidelined from the final Grand Slam of the year.

Novak Djokovic remains a credible threat as he continues the pursuit of a record-extending major title. Alexander Zverev claimed his first Grand Slam title this year, and the German will be looking to continue that amazing run. Home favourites Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz are also players to watch, while Felix Auger-Aliassime, Alex de Minaur, Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Jodar round out the outside contenders.

Women’s Singles

Aryna Sabalenka is the defending champion and will also be a notable name in the returning mixed doubles event alongside Novak Djokovic. While she won last year, the World’s No.1 has been far from dominant in 2026 and is set to face a genuinely open field.

Elena Rybakina, Mirra Andreeva and Linda Noskova are all firmly in the conversation. They all have won Grand Slams this year and have shown excellent quality when the lights are brightest. Iga Swiatek is in the conversation, too.

Finally, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff and Madison Keys round out the list of solid contenders, while also being home crowd favourites.

How to Find Free US Open 2026 Highlights & Match Recaps?

If you can’t watch every match live or want to stay in the loop without pulling an all-nighter, here are the best free ways to catch up:

• Official US Open YouTube Channel – find daily highlight reels, all individual match recaps, behind-the-scenes content and top promo material.
• The Official US Open App and Website – for live scores, draw updates, and point-by-point commentary on every day of the tournament.
• US Open on Social Media – Sky Sports’ accounts post highlights, reactions, and other clips on Instagram, X, and TikTok shortly after matches finish or throughout the game.

We don’t recommend looking for pirated streams. First, it’s a copyright infringement. Secondly, they are hard to find, extremely unstable, and you risk missing out on the very big moments. 

US Open Betting in the UK

As the last Grand Slam of the season, and the one that often shapes the year-end rankings, the US Open draws serious UK betting interest. A wide range of outright, pre-match and IN-PLAY betting markets is available on our US Open Betting hub. Some of the most popular picks include:

• Men’s Singles Winner (Outright)
• Women’s Singles Winner (Outright)
• Match Winner 
• Game Total (Over/Under)
• Set Handicap
• Game Handicap
• Correct Scores
• Plenty of Specials

While pre-match and outright odds move as the tournament unfolds, the IN-PLAY markets are even more dynamic, with prices changing in real time. 

Remember, you must be 18 or over and have a verified account with accessible funds to place real-money wagers at 7bet. Always enable Responsible Gaming limits to help form healthier gaming habits. Approach staking as entertainment only, and not as a means to make money.

FAQ

Where Can I Watch the US Open in the UK?

Sky Sports Tennis is the exclusive live TV rights holder for the US Open in the UK and Ireland. Identical coverage is also available through NOW for viewers without a Sky subscription. The BBC carries audio commentary-only on 5 Live Sport and BBC Sounds.

What Time Do the US Open Finals Start in the UK?

The Women’s Singles Final is scheduled for Saturday, 12 September at 4:00 PM local time. That’s 9:00 PM BST. Men’s Final is set for Sunday, 13 September at 2:00 PM local time, or 7:00 PM BST. As with any event, times can shift slightly, so check out Sky Sports’ schedule on the day.

Is Carlos Alcaraz Playing in the 2026 US Open?

Yes, the 2025 champ returns after missing two previous Grand Slams. His wrist is healed, and the Spaniard will be looking to hit the ground running in New York. A fit Alcaraz remains a huge threat to the rest of the men’s field, but his sharpness is in doubt.

How Much Prize Money is on Offer at the 2026 US Open?

The 2026 US Open carries a record total purse of $108 million, with $5.5 million for each of the singles champions and even a first-round exit guaranteeing $140,000. 

Why is Jannik Sinner Out of the US Open 2026?

The World No. 1 from Italy announced that he has a right knee injury and decided to withdraw.

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