How To Watch the 2026 Australian Open

The tennis calendar officially resets in the land down under, where the Australian Open welcomes the world’s best for the first Grand Slam of the 2026 season.

Dubbed the “Happy Slam” by Roger Federer, the tournament brings a positive atmosphere and warm summer vibes to the electric energy of Melbourne Park’s blue hard courts. It’s the ultimate wake-up call for sports fans (literally, given the time difference), but the high-octane drama is always worth the early mornings.

In the U.S., ESPN remains the exclusive TV home for the tournament, offering comprehensive coverage across its family of networks and streaming platforms. With first ball set for January 17, you’ll need a solid game plan to watch every serve and volley of the Australian Open.

I’ve compiled the guide below to help you navigate the schedule and choose the best TV provider.

Jump to:

• Australian Open channels
• Australian Open TV schedule
• Best Australian Open TV plans
• Watch Australian Open for free

What channels show the Australian Open?

You can watch the Australian Open on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN+, with Spanish-language coverage on ESPN Deportes. ESPN Unlimited, available through the ESPN app as a standalone service or through a qualifying TV provider, will also air action on specific courts throughout the earlier rounds of the tournament.

Tennis Channel will broadcast daily highlights, analysis, and replays. There’ll also be occasional highlight shows on ABC during the tournament’s final two weekends.

Additionally, ESPN Unlimited will air AO Animated, a type of alternate broadcast—originally streamed on YouTube—that features player matches in cartoon form so fans can watch the Australian Open all over the world.

2026 Australian Open TV schedule

The 2026 Australian Open promises thrilling encounters from every round. It starts with qualifying matches on January 11 and culminates with the Women’s and Men’s Championships on January 31–February 1.

Because of the time difference between Australia and the U.S., I recommend consulting the table below for coverage start times. But it’s important to note that day sessions start in primetime (typically 7:00 p.m. ET), and night sessions start around 3:00 a.m. ET.

You can also visit the official Australian Open Tennis Draws page for a detailed look at individual matchups.

Data effective as of post date. Start times don’t include encore presentations.

Best Australian Open TV plans

Hulu + Live TV is the ultimate TV plan for watching the Australian Open. Starting at $88.99 per month, it offers ESPN and ESPN2 alongside ESPN+ at no extra cost. The live TV streaming service also provides Tennis Channel in its Sports Add-on ($9.99 per month). Hulu + Live TV with the Sports Add-on will grant you access to every Grand Slam tournament and a wide range of ATP Tour, WTA Tour, and college tennis coverage.

But if Hulu + Live TV is out of your price range, I recommend a standalone ESPN Unlimited subscription. It costs $29.99 per month, includes every ESPN-owned channel, and will stream action from every court for most of the tournament. You just won’t find much other pro tennis coverage until Wimbledon and the U.S. Open.

Which TV providers carry the Australian Open?

Any TV provider with the basic ESPN channels will get you Australian Open action. In the table below, I’ve compiled a list of 12 leading providers and illustrated whether each offers ESPN, ESPN2, and Tennis Channel.

Data effective as of post date.

*May require a higher-tier plan or add-on package.

How to watch the Australian Open for free

You can watch ABC’s Australian Open recap shows for free using an over-the-air antenna. But a free live TV streaming trial is the only way to watch live matches without paying.

Fubo offers a solid five-day free trial for all its base plans. I recommend starting a free trial with Fubo’s Elite plan or higher to get Tennis Channel with ESPN and ESPN2. Just be sure to cancel before the trial ends.

How to watch the Australian Open FAQ

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