The US Open is the final Grand Slam of the tennis calendar, and this year’s edition promises a packed programme of high‑stakes matches, historic milestones and plenty of British representation. From August 30 through September 13, Sky Sports will be the exclusive home for every live court action at Flushing Meadows, offering both traditional linear broadcasts and on‑demand streaming via Sky Sports+. Whether you are a casual fan or a die‑hard follower of the sport, here is a comprehensive guide to what you can expect, how to tune in, and the storylines that will shape the tournament. ### When and Where to Watch The tournament kicks off on Sunday, 30 August, with the first‑round singles matches for both men and women.
The schedule runs daily until the men’s singles final on Sunday, 13 September. Day sessions begin at 4 p.m. BST, while the evening sessions start at midnight, giving viewers a full slate of tennis across multiple time zones.
Sky Sports will carry every match live on the dedicated Sky Sports Tennis channel (linear channel 407). For subscribers using Sky Glass, the feed is on channel 410; Sky Q customers can find it on channel 412, and viewers in the Republic of Ireland on channel 416. If you prefer streaming, the Sky Sports+ app provides the same live coverage without the need for a set‑top box.
### How to Stream Without a Contract Not a Sky subscriber? No problem. You can still watch the US Open by signing up for a NOW Sports Day or Month Membership.
These contract‑free options grant you access to Sky Sports Tennis and the broader Sky Sports+ live stream portfolio, meaning you can follow the tournament on any device that supports the NOW app. This flexibility is ideal for occasional viewers who only want coverage for the two‑week event.
### Expanded Programme – Mixed Doubles Return One of the most exciting additions for 2026 is the return of the mixed‑doubles qualifying week. The event will feature a blend of doubles specialists and top singles players, including high‑profile names such as Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic. The mixed‑doubles schedule is as follows: - **Monday, 24 August:** Qualifying rounds - **Tuesday, 25 August:** First and second‑round matches - **Wednesday, 26 August:** Semi‑finals and final This revival adds another layer of intrigue, as mixed‑doubles often produces unexpected pairings and dramatic moments that can influence the atmosphere on the main courts. ### British Players to Watch British tennis will be well represented across all draws.
Cameron Norrie and rising star Arthur Fery will make their Flushing Meadows debuts after impressive runs at Wimbledon. In the women’s draw, the British No.
1 is unfortunately sidelined due to a stress fracture in her right leg sustained on grass, meaning she will miss the tournament entirely. Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu’s season has been hampered by recurring injuries, casting doubt over her participation. Despite these setbacks, the home crowd can still rally behind other UK competitors in singles, doubles and wheelchair events.
### Key Storylines and Records - **Men’s Singles History:** In the Open era, Roger Federer, Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors share the record for most men’s singles titles (five each). Novak Djokovic enters the tournament tied with Rafael Nadal and John McEnroe at four titles, chasing a record‑breaking 25th Grand Slam. - **Women’s Singles History:** Serena Williams and Chris Evert hold the joint record with six titles, followed by Steffi Graf (five) and Martina Navratilova (four).
Aryna Sabalenka aims to become the first woman since Serena (2012‑14) to win three consecutive US Opens. - **Defending Champions:** Carlos Alcaraz (men) and Aryna Sabalenka (women) are the reigning champions.
Other recent winners such as Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Emma Raducanu add depth to the field. - **Unique Qualification Note:** Since the ATP Masters format was introduced in 1990, every male champion has played at least one of the two preceding Masters events (Canada or Cincinnati).
Sinner and Alcaraz will break that pattern by skipping both, a bold strategic decision that could affect their form. ### Detailed Daily Schedule Below is a concise rundown of the match days for the main draws: - **30 Aug – 1 Sep:** Men’s & Women’s singles 1st round - **2 Sep:** Men’s & Women’s singles 2nd round (Women’s doubles 1st round) - **3 Sep:** Men’s & Women’s singles 2nd round, Women’s doubles 1st round - **4 Sep:** Men’s & Women’s singles 3rd round, Men’s & Women’s doubles 1st round - **5 Sep:** Men’s & Women’s singles 3rd round, Women’s doubles 2nd round, Men’s doubles 1st round - **6 Sep:** Men’s & Women’s singles 4th round, Men’s & Women’s doubles 2nd round - **7 Sep:** Men’s & Women’s singles 4th round, Women’s doubles 3rd round, Men’s doubles 2nd round - **8 Sep:** Quarter‑finals for singles and women’s doubles, Men’s doubles 3rd round, Wheelchair & Quad doubles QF - **9 Sep:** Singles quarter‑finals, Women’s doubles semi‑finals, Men’s doubles QF, Wheelchair & Quad singles 1st round - **10 Sep:** Women’s singles semi‑finals, Men’s doubles semi‑finals, Wheelchair & Quad singles QF, Wheelchair & Quad doubles SF - **11 Sep:** Women’s doubles final, Men’s singles semi‑finals, Men’s doubles semi‑finals, Wheelchair & Quad singles SF, Wheelchair & Quad doubles final - **12 Sep:** Women’s singles final, Men’s doubles final, Wheelchair singles final - **13 Sep:** Men’s singles final ### Additional Coverage and Features Sky Sports will complement live broadcasts with a suite of digital content: - **Live Text Commentary:** Available on the Sky Sports app and website for every match. - **Real‑Time Scores and Statistics:** Updated minute‑by‑minute throughout the tournament.
- **Video Highlights and Analysis:** Post‑match recaps, player interviews, and expert breakdowns. - **Social Media Integration:** Behind‑the‑scenes clips and fan interaction across Sky’s channels. ### Technical Tips for the Best Viewing Experience - Use the Chrome browser for optimal video player performance, especially when streaming via the Sky Sports app or NOW. - Ensure a stable internet connection (minimum 5 Mbps) to avoid buffering during high‑definition live streams.
- If you are watching on a TV, enable HDR settings for richer colours and sharper contrast on the courts. ### Final Thoughts The 2026 US Open is set to be a landmark event, blending historic narratives with fresh talent and a reinvigorated mixed‑doubles competition. Whether you are cheering for the world’s top stars, rooting for British hopefuls, or simply enjoying the spectacle of tennis at its highest level, Sky Sports provides every platform you need to stay connected. Mark your calendar, choose your preferred viewing method, and get ready for two weeks of unforgettable sport at Flushing Meadows.