You’ve probably been clicking through your guide, getting more annoyed by the second. It’s a familiar feeling—you want to watch some high-stakes tennis, you’re looking for Flushing Meadows, but the screen just isn't cooperating. Honestly, the answer to what channel is the us open on today is a bit of a reality check.
The US Open isn't on.
It’s January 14, 2026. The humidity of New York in August is a distant memory, and the hard courts at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center are currently quiet. If you’re seeing "Tennis" on your TV schedule right now, you aren't looking at the US Open; you’re looking at the Australian Open lead-up or exhibition matches.
The Grand Slam Calendar Reality
Tennis fans often get the "Big Four" mixed up because they happen so fast. We've got the Australian Open in January, the French Open in late May, Wimbledon in July, and finally, the US Open to cap off the summer.
The 2026 US Open won't actually start until August 30, 2026.
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If you're asking about the "US Open" in January, you might be thinking of the Australian Open, which is literally starting in just a few days. That is the tournament everyone is talking about right now. It's easy to confuse the two since they both play on hard courts and both feature the same superstar roster.
Where is the Tennis Action Today?
Since we’ve established the US Open is months away, let’s talk about what is actually happening. Today, January 14, 2026, the tennis world is centered in Australia and New Zealand.
If you turn on your TV right now, you're going to find:
- ASB Classic (Auckland): Airing primarily on Tennis Channel.
- Adelaide International: Also taking place this week, with coverage on Tennis Channel and streaming via TC Plus.
- Kooyong Classic: An iconic exhibition tournament in Melbourne that serves as the final tune-up for the big one.
Basically, if you want to see tennis today, Tennis Channel is your home base. Most of these matches are happening overnight for US viewers because of the time difference. You're looking at a lot of 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM broadcast windows.
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What Channel Is the US Open On (When It Starts)?
When August finally rolls around and the actual US Open begins, the broadcast situation is very specific. ESPN has the exclusive rights locked down through 2037. It’s a massive deal—over $2 billion—so they don’t share much.
- ESPN and ESPN2: This is where 90% of the tournament lives. You’ll see the marquee matches on the main channel and the "court hopper" style coverage on the deuce.
- ABC: Usually, the big weekend matches—like the Middle Sunday or the Finals—get a broadcast window here to reach a wider audience.
- ESPN+: This is the secret weapon. If you want to watch a specific player on Court 17 who isn't a superstar yet, ESPN+ streams every single court.
- ESPN Deportes: The home for Spanish-language coverage in the States.
Why You’re Probably Confused
There's a weird phenomenon where "US Open" becomes a generic term for "big tennis tournament" in some people's heads. Also, if you’re a golfer, the U.S. Open (Golf) is a whole different beast that happens in June.
But for tennis, the confusion usually stems from the Australian Open. The Australian Open 2026 officially begins its main draw on Sunday, January 18, 2026 (though qualifying is happening right now).
For that tournament, the channels are almost identical to the US Open: ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+. So, if you were looking for tennis on ESPN today and found nothing, it's because the main draw hasn't quite kicked off.
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Streaming Options for Today’s Matches
If you don't have a traditional cable box, you aren't out of luck. Since the US Open and the Australian Open are both Disney/ESPN properties, the streaming path is the same.
- FuboTV or YouTube TV: These are great because they carry Tennis Channel (for today's matches) and the ESPN family (for the Slams).
- Hulu + Live TV: Includes all the ESPN channels you'll need once the Australian Open starts this weekend.
- Sling TV: You’ll need the "Orange" package to get ESPN.
A Quick Look at the 2026 US Open Schedule
Just so you can mark your calendar and stop searching for the channel in the middle of winter, here is the roadmap for the actual 2026 US Open in New York:
- Fan Week / Qualifiers: Starts August 23, 2026.
- Main Draw Round 1: Sunday, August 30.
- Labor Day Weekend (Rounds 3 & 4): September 4–7.
- Women’s Final: Saturday, September 12.
- Men’s Final: Sunday, September 13.
It’s going to be a massive event. Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner are the names everyone is chasing after their dominant runs, but a lot can change between this January and next August.
Actionable Next Steps
Since the US Open isn't on today, here is what you should actually do if you want to watch tennis:
Check the Tennis Channel schedule for the Adelaide and Auckland finals. These are happening right now and feature top-20 talent. If you're specifically looking for the next Grand Slam, set your DVR for ESPN2 starting the night of Saturday, January 17, which is when the Australian Open 2026 first-round coverage begins in the US.
If you really just miss the atmosphere of Flushing Meadows, the official US Open YouTube channel usually uploads "Full Match" classics from the previous year during the off-season. It's a decent way to kill time until the tour moves back to American soil this summer.