US Open 2026 Day 1: Free live streams, TV channels, and schedule
The US Open kicks off Sunday at Flushing Meadows. Here's how to watch Day 1 action for free in Australia, the US, and other regions, plus the full order of play.
Tennis' final Grand Slam of the year begins Sunday at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. Day 1 features a packed schedule across Arthur Ashe Stadium and other courts, with top seeds and former champions in action.
TechRadar's guide to the US Open 2026 Day 1 outlines the key matches and all the ways to watch from anywhere in the world, including free streaming options.
Key matches on Arthur Ashe Stadium
The main court starts at noon ET with Jessica Pegula, the No. 3 seed and 2024 finalist, facing Elena Ruse. Daniil Medvedev, the 2021 champion and No. 7 seed, follows against Hugo Gaston.
The evening session begins at 7pm ET with Novak Djokovic, a four-time winner, taking on Mariano Navone. Djokovic is chasing a fifth US Open title, which would tie Roger Federer's record. The night cap is an all-American battle between Venus Williams, starting her 26th US Open, and Sofia Kenin.
Other notable players on the schedule include Tommy Paul, Cameron Norrie, Jasmine Paolini, and Elina Svitolina, spread across the grounds.
How to watch for free
For viewers in Australia, all Day 1 coverage is free-to-air on 9Gem, with live streaming available through the 9Now platform. That means tennis fans can watch without a subscription.
In the US, select matches are broadcast on ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC. These channels are available through cable and live-TV streaming services such as YouTube TV, which offers a 10-day free trial; DirecTV Stream, with a 5-day trial; and Hulu + Live TV, which has a 3-day trial.
For comprehensive coverage of every court, ESPN Unlimited is available as a standalone service for $31.99 a month or $319.99 for a year. It can also be bundled with Disney Plus and Hulu for $35.99 a month. Alternatively, Sling TV offers ESPN and ESPN2 in its Orange package, starting at $4.99 for a day, or its Essentials package from $19.99 a month. The Orange & Blue bundle includes ABC in select locations.
UK and Canada options
In the UK, Sky Sports holds the rights to the US Open. Day 1 matches air on the Sky Sports+ and Tennis channels, with subscribers able to stream via the Sky Go app. Sky Sports packages start at £35 a month, but existing customers can add it for £22 a month. NOW Sports Membership is another route.
Canadian viewers can watch exclusively on TSN. The action is spread across TSN 1 through 4, and the TSN streaming service offers coverage starting at CA$24.99 a month, with a premium tier at CA$29.99.
Using a VPN while traveling
If you're outside your home country, the TechRadar guide recommends using a VPN to access geo-blocked streams. A reliable VPN can make it appear you're browsing from your home country, so you can use your existing subscriptions. TechRadar highlights Norton VPN, which is currently offered at $4.49 per month with a 60-day money-back guarantee, and protects up to 20 devices.
It's worth noting that using a VPN must comply with the terms of service of the streaming platform, and TechRadar explicitly states it does not condone illegal or pirated content.
Full order of play
The guide includes a detailed schedule for all courts, from the Grandstand to Court 13. In addition to the Arthur Ashe matches, notable first-round contests include Jasmine Paolini vs Veronika Erjavec, Tommy Paul vs Coleman Wong, Elina Svitolina vs Solana Sierra, and Barbora Krejcikova vs Kamilla Rakhimova. The complete list of expected start times and court assignments is in the original article.
For tennis fans, Day 1 of the 2026 US Open offers a rich lineup and multiple ways to tune in, including several free and trial-based options. Whether you're following the top seeds or the legends, the coverage is extensive across streaming services and traditional TV.