Everything You Need to Know About Watching the US Open Tennis Live on Sky Sports

The US Open, the final Grand Slam of the tennis calendar, kicks off on August 30 and runs through September 13, 2026. Fans across the UK and Ireland can tune in to Sky Sports Tennis for comprehensive, live coverage of every match, from the opening rounds to the championship finals. Below is a detailed guide that answers the most common questions, outlines the broadcast schedule, highlights the key players, and explains how you can watch the tournament on TV or via streaming. ### When Does the US Open Take Place?

The 2026 edition of the US Open will be staged at the iconic Flushing Meadows‑Corona Park in New York City. The tournament begins on **Sunday, 30 August** and concludes on **Sunday, 13 September**. Daily sessions are split into a daytime block that starts at **4 p.m. BST** and an evening block that begins at **midnight BST**, ensuring that viewers in the UK can catch both the afternoon and night action.

### How to Watch on Sky Sports Sky Sports has secured exclusive live rights to the entire event. The matches are broadcast on the linear channel **Sky Sports Tennis (channel 407)**.

For customers with the Sky Glass platform, the feed is also available on **channel 410**; Sky Q users can find it on **channel 412**, and viewers in the Republic of Ireland can watch on **channel 416**. In addition, every match can be streamed without a contract through the **NOW Sports** service, which offers a Day or Month membership for a flexible, contract‑free experience.

### Streaming Options and the Sky Sports App If you prefer to watch on a mobile device, tablet, or computer, the **Sky Sports app** provides a seamless streaming experience. Inside the app, navigate to the **‘Watch’** section and select the US Open from the list of live events. The app also delivers live text commentary, real‑time scores, post‑match analysis, video highlights, and feature pieces.

For those without a Sky subscription, a NOW Sports membership grants full access to the same live streams, plus a library of on‑demand sport content. ### Tournament Schedule at a Glance Below is a day‑by‑day breakdown of the main draws, including mixed doubles, wheelchair events, and qualifying rounds: - **Monday 24 August** – Mixed‑doubles qualifying begins. - **Tuesday 25 August** – First and second rounds of mixed doubles. - **Wednesday 26 August** – Mixed‑doubles semi‑finals and final.

- **Thursday 27 August** – General qualifying for men’s and women’s singles. - **Sunday 30 August to Tuesday 1 September** – First‑round matches for both men’s and women’s singles.

- **Wednesday 2 September** – Second‑round singles and first‑round women’s doubles. - **Thursday 3 September** – Continuation of second‑round singles; women’s doubles first round. - **Friday 4 September** – Third‑round singles and first‑round men’s doubles. - **Saturday 5 September** – Third‑round singles, women’s doubles second round, men’s doubles first round.

- **Sunday 6 September** – Fourth‑round singles and men’s/women’s doubles second round. - **Monday 7 September** – Fourth‑round singles, women’s doubles third round, men’s doubles second round. - **Tuesday 8 September** – Quarter‑finals for singles, women’s doubles quarter‑finals, men’s doubles third round, wheelchair & quad doubles quarter‑finals.

- **Wednesday 9 September** – Quarter‑finals continue, women’s doubles semi‑finals, men’s doubles quarter‑finals, wheelchair & quad singles first round. - **Thursday 10 September** – Women’s singles semi‑finals, men’s doubles semi‑finals, wheelchair & quad singles quarter‑finals, wheelchair & quad doubles semi‑finals. - **Friday 11 September** – Women’s doubles final, men’s singles semi‑finals, men’s doubles semi‑finals, wheelchair & quad singles semi‑finals, wheelchair & quad doubles final.

- **Saturday 12 September** – Women’s singles final, men’s doubles final, wheelchair singles final. - **Sunday 13 September** – Men’s singles final, the tournament’s climax. ### Key Players and Storylines The US Open always attracts a blend of seasoned champions and rising stars. Here are the headline names to watch in 2026: - **Novak Djokovic** enters the tournament tied with Rafael Nadal and John McEnroe at four US Open titles, seeking his fifth to join the elite club of Federer, Sampras and Connors.

- **Carlos Alcaraz** returns as the defending men’s champion, aiming to retain his crown despite skipping the Canadian and Cincinnati events—a rarity since the Masters‑1000 format began in 1990. - **Aryna Sabalenka**, the world No. 1, targets a historic third consecutive US Open women’s title, a feat not achieved since Serena Williams (2012‑14). - **Emma Raducanu** faces a challenging comeback after a stress fracture in her right leg forced her out of Wimbledon; her health will be a major talking point.

- **Jannik Sinner** is sidelined with injury, meaning the field is wide open for other contenders. - **British hopefuls** such as **Cameron Norrie**, **Arthur Fery**, **Jacob Fearnley**, **Jack Pinnington‑Jones**, **Toby Samuel**, **Billy Harris**, **Fran Jones**, **Katie Swan**, **Heather Watson**, and **Jodie Burrage** will all be battling for places in the main draw and possibly pulling off upsets. ### Mixed Doubles Returns After a hiatus, mixed doubles returns to the US Open program this year, adding extra excitement for fans. The draw features top singles players like Novak Djokovic teaming up with legends such as Serena Williams, as well as specialist doubles teams.

The event will run from the qualifying stages on 24 August through to the final on 26 August. ### Wheelchair and Quad Competitions The tournament continues its commitment to inclusive sport by featuring wheelchair and quad events across singles and doubles.

These matches are broadcast alongside the main draws, giving them equal visibility and showcasing the incredible athleticism of these competitors. ### How to Get the Most Out of Your Viewing Experience 1. **Set up reminders** for the sessions you don’t want to miss; the evening block often hosts the marquee matches.

2. **Use the Sky Sports app** for live text commentary if you’re on the go, and switch to video highlights for quick recaps.

3. **Engage on social media** – Sky Sports’ digital channels provide behind‑the‑scenes interviews, player insights, and fan polls. 4.

**Consider a NOW Sports Day pass** if you only want to watch a few key matches without a long‑term commitment. 5. **Check your browser** – the platform recommends Chrome for the most reliable video playback.

### Historical Context and Records In the Open Era, the men’s singles record for most US Open titles is shared by Roger Federer, Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors, each with five victories. Novak Djokovic’s quest for a fifth title would place him alongside those legends. On the women’s side, Serena Williams and Chris Evert hold the record with six titles each, followed by Steffi Graf (five) and Martina Navratilova (four). These milestones add an extra layer of intrigue as the 2026 edition unfolds.

### Final Thoughts Whether you are a die‑hard tennis aficionado or a casual viewer, the 2026 US Open promises a blend of high‑stakes drama, historic milestones, and the emergence of new talent. Sky Sports offers the most comprehensive coverage, with every match available live on TV, via the Sky Sports app, or through the contract‑free NOW Sports streaming service. Mark your calendars, set up your streaming preferences, and get ready for two weeks of world‑class tennis at Flushing Meadows. For more information on subscription options, channel numbers, and how to access the Sky Sports+ streams, visit the official Sky Sports website or the NOW Sports portal.

Enjoy the tournament!