Sky Sports has finalized a three‑year extension to its broadcasting agreement for the US Open, guaranteeing that both Sky Sports and the NOW streaming service will continue to serve as the exclusive platform for the tournament across the United Kingdom and Ireland through the close of 2030. This renewal builds on an existing partnership with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and ensures that viewers in the region will retain access to live, uninterrupted coverage of every facet of the event, from the marquee men’s and women’s singles matches to doubles, mixed doubles, junior contests and wheelchair competitions. The extension was brokered by IMG, the media‑rights specialist that works on behalf of the USTA. In addition to the traditional television feed, Sky will make a wealth of supplementary content available via its digital and social channels.
Fans can expect a steady stream of short clips, highlight reels, and behind‑the‑scenes footage that will be posted on Sky’s website, mobile apps, and social media platforms, allowing them to relive key moments or catch up on action they missed. Over the past year Sky has pushed the boundaries of tennis broadcasting by integrating a suite of advanced technologies.
Augmented‑reality graphics have been overlaid onto the court to illustrate player positioning, shot speed and trajectory in real time. Data‑rich visualisations provide deeper insight into serve percentages, break points and rally lengths, while touchscreen‑enabled analysis segments let pundits manipulate replays on‑screen, zooming in on footwork or racquet swing mechanics. These innovations, combined with exclusive behind‑the‑scenes interviews and player features, have brought spectators closer to the drama of the tournament than ever before.
The on‑air team is anchored by presenter Gigi Salmon, whose experience and enthusiasm set the tone for each broadcast. She is joined by former Grand Slam champions Tim Henman and Laura Robson, who deliver expert commentary and tactical breakdowns. Additional analysts and co‑commentators are deployed throughout the three‑week event to provide specialist insight, particularly during matches featuring emerging talent or high‑stakes showdowns. The primary match commentary is delivered by Jonathan Overend, whose clear, descriptive style helps viewers follow the fast‑paced action.
The announcement of the extension arrives against the backdrop of a particularly eventful US Open. The tournament witnessed the stunning first‑round upset of 24‑time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, a result that sent shockwaves through the tennis world.
In the men’s final, American Ben Shelton edged out Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz in a historic showdown that concluded in the early hours of the morning, at 3:33 am local time, marking one of the latest finishes in the event’s storied history. On the women’s side, a highly anticipated final is set to feature world No.
1 Aryna Sabalenka against world No. 2 Elena Rybakina, promising a clash of contrasting styles and a potential shift in the WTA hierarchy.
Jonathan Licht, Chief Executive Officer of Sky Sports UK & Ireland, commented on the renewal: "The US Open is one of the highlights of the sporting calendar, featuring the biggest names in both the men's and women's games, all set against the spectacular New York backdrop. We're delighted to extend our partnership with the USTA, reinforcing our shared commitment to embracing innovation, showcasing the best in the sport and delivering world‑class coverage for viewers. This renewal further cements Sky Sports' position as the home of sport in the UK and Ireland, offering fans unrivalled breadth and value all year round." Kirsten Corio, Chief Commercial Officer of the USTA, added: "The US Open and Sky Sports have been trusted partners for many years, and we're excited to continue such a strong relationship with this renewal.
Sky shares our commitment to delivering innovative and cutting‑edge coverage to a great audience of tennis fans in the U.K. and Ireland, and we're confident that our continued partnership will have a direct impact on tennis' extraordinary growth and deepen fans' connection with the game." Beyond the US Open, Sky Sports provides year‑round tennis coverage. The network holds rights to the ATP Tour and the WTA Tour, broadcasting key tournaments, rankings events and seasonal finals across its linear channels and through the NOW streaming platform as well as the Sky Sports app. In total, Sky is slated to air more than 4,000 matches across 80 tournaments during the current season, underscoring its commitment to delivering comprehensive tennis content.
The US Open extension further bolsters Sky's already extensive sports portfolio in the UK and Ireland. The broadcaster has secured long‑term rights to a wide array of premier competitions, including roughly 1,500 Premier League football matches, the Women's Super League, English Football League and Scottish Professional Football League fixtures. Sky also maintains exclusive live coverage of every Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend until 2034, England’s men’s and women’s international cricket matches, all four golf majors, year‑round darts events, high‑profile boxing bouts from promoters such as Zuffa and MVP, and a host of other sports including the NFL, Netball Super League and rugby league. The US Open will commence live broadcast on Sky Sports on August 30, with streaming options available on NOW and the Sky Sports app for viewers who prefer to watch without a traditional contract.
In addition to the tennis action, Sky will also televise related events such as the Laver Cup, which will be shown live from The O2 in London between 25‑27 September. This comprehensive coverage strategy ensures that tennis enthusiasts in the UK and Ireland have continuous access to top‑level competition, expert analysis, and immersive viewing experiences throughout the year.