The 2026 US Open, held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, will stream for free via 9Now with a VPN or free trials from DirecTV, FuboTV, or YouTube TV. Key matches include Serena and Venus Williams’ women’s doubles appearance on September 5.
The tournament, running from August 23 to September 13, includes a women’s doubles clash between Serena and Venus Williams and their opponents Chan Hao-ching and Maya Joint on September 5. Viewers outside Australia can access free live streams through 9Now by using a VPN like ExpressVPN to connect to an Australian server, while U.S. audiences may leverage free trials from major streaming services.
How to Watch the 2026 US Open for Free
Free access to the 2026 US Open requires workarounds due to geo-restrictions. In Australia, 9Now streams the tournament without charge. For viewers in the U.S., UK, or elsewhere, a virtual private network (VPN) like ExpressVPN allows access to 9Now by mimicking an Australian IP address. Alternatively, free trials from DirecTV, FuboTV, or YouTube TV provide temporary access to ESPN, ABC, and ESPN 2, which broadcast matches. These trials require a credit card but incur no charges if canceled before the trial ends.
Streaming services also offer standalone plans for US Open coverage. DirecTV’s base package starts at $59.99 for the first month, including ABC and ESPN+. FuboTV’s Sports plan costs $65.99 monthly, while Sling’s Essentials plan is $19.99 per month. A Sling TV Day Pass for $4.99 offers short-term access to key matches.
Key Matches and Schedule
The women’s doubles match between Serena and Venus Williams and Chan Hao-ching and Maya Joint on September 5 is a highlight. Other notable matches include Carlos Alcaraz’s men’s singles clash with Yibing Wu and Jessica Pegula’s showdown with Leylah Fernandez.
The tournament’s timeline includes qualifying events from August 24–27, main draws from August 30–September 13, and doubles competitions from September 3–12. Junior and wheelchair events run concurrently, with wheelchair finals on September 12. The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center hosts all matches, following the tournament’s tradition of hard-court play since its 1881 inception.
Streaming Services and Coverage Details
ESPN remains the exclusive broadcaster for the US Open, with select matches airing on ABC or the ESPN app. Viewers without cable must subscribe to services offering access to these channels. DirecTV, FuboTV, and YouTube TV include ABC and ESPN in their packages, while Sling TV offers ESPN and ESPN 2 through its Essentials plan. ESPN Unlimited provides access to live sports and archived content for $29.99 monthly.
For those seeking free options, 9Now’s Australian stream requires a VPN. ExpressVPN, recommended for its global server network, enables access to geo-blocked content. Users should connect to an Australian server, then visit 9Now to stream. While premium VPNs are typically paid, some offer free trials to test compatibility with the service.
Who’s Playing and What It Means
The 2026 US Open features 17 former Grand Slam singles champions, including 10 former US Open winners. Men’s top seeds include Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, and Felix Auger-Aliassime, while Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, and Jessica Pegula lead the women’s field. The U.S. has 28 players in the main draw, the highest representation of any nation. Jannik Sinner’s absence due to injury shifts the men’s singles dynamics.
For fans, the combination of free streaming options and star matchups ensures broad accessibility. The Williams sisters’ appearance underscores the tournament’s blend of legacy and contemporary tennis.
