The 2026 US Open tennis main draw runs August 30 through September 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, with ESPN carrying live coverage in the United States.
Key Takeaways
- Main draw: Aug 30 – Sep 13, 2026 (finals weekend Sep 12–13)
- Fan Week and qualifying run the week before — free admission
- TV: ESPN networks; streaming via ESPN’s app
- Day sessions start around 11 a.m. ET; night sessions 7 p.m. ET
Key dates for the 2026 tournament
| Dates | What happens |
|---|---|
| Week of Aug 24 | Fan Week: qualifying rounds, practice courts, open grounds — free entry |
| Sun, Aug 30 | Main draw begins (Round 1) |
| Sep 5–6 weekend | Rounds of 32 and 16 — the busiest grounds days |
| Sep 8–9 | Quarterfinals |
| Sep 10–11 | Semifinals |
| Sep 12–13 | Finals weekend |
Exact session assignments are posted on the tournament’s official schedule as each day’s order of play is announced — match times firm up only a day ahead.
How to watch in the U.S.
ESPN holds U.S. broadcast rights, spreading coverage across ESPN and ESPN2 with streaming on the ESPN app. That means any pay-TV package or live-TV streaming service with ESPN works — including Sling Orange, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, and Fubo. Night sessions and the finals typically headline the main ESPN channel.
The tournament also streams outer-court matches through its official platforms, useful during the first week when dozens of matches run simultaneously.
Going in person: the two-minute primer
- Fan Week is free — qualifying matches feature tour-level players with no ticket required, the best-kept value in tennis.
- Grounds passes during round one and two get you into every court except Arthur Ashe — first-week grounds passes are widely considered the best experience per dollar.
- Night sessions at Ashe are the marquee (and priciest) tickets; resale prices climb sharply for the second week.
- Getting there: the 7 train to Mets–Willets Point is the standard route from Manhattan.
FAQ
What time do matches start each day?
Day sessions typically begin around 11 a.m. ET on the outer courts and noon in stadiums, with night sessions at 7 p.m. ET. The daily order of play publishes the prior evening.
Who are the defending champions?
The 2025 titles were decided last September — check the tournament’s official site for the current champions and 2026 seedings as the draw is released the week before play.
Is the US Open on regular ESPN or do I need ESPN+?
Core coverage airs on ESPN’s main cable channels; the app extends coverage to additional courts. If your TV package includes ESPN, you are set for the marquee matches.
Planning your viewing week by week
The first week and the second week of the US Open feel like two different tournaments. Week one runs matches on every court from late morning until well past midnight, with dozens of players in action each day; it is the best time for grounds-pass holders and for TV viewers who like to channel-hop between the ESPN networks and the streaming feeds. Week two narrows to Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong stadiums, with two or four marquee matches per session, which makes it easier to plan around specific players. If you can only watch a few sessions, the quarterfinal and semifinal nights usually deliver the highest concentration of top seeds.
Ticket types explained
- Grounds pass: access to every court except Arthur Ashe, sold for the first week and cheapest early in the tournament.
- Arthur Ashe day or night session: a reserved seat in the main stadium plus grounds access; night sessions carry the premium.
- Louis Armstrong reserved: a mid-priced option with a reserved seat in the second stadium and full grounds access.
- Finals weekend: single-match tickets for the women’s and men’s finals, generally the most expensive of the fortnight and heavily resold.
Tickets are sold through the tournament’s official channels and verified resale, and prices move with demand; a weekday first-week session is often a fraction of a second-week night. If a specific player is your priority, wait for the draw, which is released the Thursday before play begins, before committing to a session.
Practical tips for a day at the grounds
Gates open about an hour before the first match, and the earlier you arrive the better your seat on the unreserved outer courts. Bags are subject to size limits and inspection, so pack light. Outside food is allowed within limits while drinks are restricted, and refill stations are available. The 7 train remains the simplest route from Manhattan, with the Long Island Rail Road offering a faster alternative to Mets-Willets Point during peak hours. Evening sessions routinely run late, so check the last train times before a night ticket.
What happens if it rains?
Both Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong have retractable roofs, so stadium matches continue through rain. Outer-court matches are suspended, and play is rescheduled into later sessions, which is why first-week schedules sometimes stretch into the early morning. Ticket policies for rain-affected sessions are set by the tournament each year and are worth reading before you buy.
How do I follow scores without a TV package?
The official tournament site and app publish live scores, the daily order of play, and results for every court free of charge, and radio coverage is available online. Highlights typically post on the tournament’s video channels shortly after each match.
Sources
- US Open official site (usopen.org) · ESPN press releases
Session details subject to tournament scheduling. Last updated August 26, 2026 · InfoBrief Staff