The Australian Open is the first Grand Slam of the 2024 tennis season. Dubbed the “Happy Slam” by Roger Federer, the tournament brings positivity and excitement to Melbourne Park every year.
ESPN channels and platforms carry the most comprehensive Australian Open coverage. With the latest edition starting on Jan. 14, we’ve compiled the following guide to help you find the best ways to tune in.
What channels show the Australian Open?
Pro tip: Tennis fans can listen to the Australian Open through ESPN Radio on SiriusXM and online via AO Radio.
2024 Australian Open schedule
The 2024 Australian Open promises thrilling encounters from every round. It starts with qualifying matches on Jan. 7 and culminates with the Women’s and Men’s Championships on Jan. 26–27.
Because of the time difference between Australia and the U.S., we recommend consulting our table below for coverage start times. However, it’s important to note that day sessions start in primetime (usually 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.
| Event | Day | Start time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualifying | Sunday, Jan 7 | 6:00 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Qualifying | Monday, Jan 8 | 6:00 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Qualifying | Tuesday, Jan 9 | 6:00 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Qualifying | Wednesday, Jan 10 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+ |
| Singles First Round | Saturday, Jan 13 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, ESPN2 |
| Singles First Round | Sunday, Jan 14 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN, ESPN+, ESPN2 |
| Singles First Round | Monday, Jan 15 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, ESPN2 |
| Second Round | Tuesday, Jan 16 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, ESPN2 |
| Second Round | Wednesday, Jan 17 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, ESPN2 |
| Third Round | Thursday, Jan 18 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, ESPN, ESPN2 |
| Third Round | Friday, Jan 19 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, ESPN2 |
| Round of 16 | Saturday, Jan 20 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, ESPN2 |
| Round of 16 | Sunday, Jan 21 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, ESPN2 |
| Quarterfinals | Monday, Jan 22 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, ESPN2 |
| Quarterfinals | Tuesday, Jan 23 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, ESPN |
| Semifinals | Wednesday, Jan 24 | 7:00 p.m. | ESPN+, ESPN |
| Semifinals, Mix Doubles Final | Thursday, Jan 25 | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN+, ESPN |
| Finals | Friday, Jan 26 | 8:00 p.m. | ESPN+, ESPN |
| Finals | Saturday, Jan 27 | 3:30 a.m. | ESPN+, ESPN |
| Finals | Sunday, Jan 28 | 3:30 a.m. | ESPN+, ESPN |
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 $76.99 a month, it offers ESPN and ESPN2 alongside ESPN+ at no extra cost. The live TV streaming service also added Tennis Channel to its Sports Add-on ($9.99 a month) on Jan. 11, 2024.
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.
If Hulu + Live TV is out of your price range, we recommend a standalone ESPN+ subscription. It costs $10.99 a month and carries every Australian Open match. 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, we’ve compiled a list of 14 leading providers and whether they offer ESPN, ESPN2, and Tennis Channel.
| Provider | Price | ESPN | ESPN2 | Tennis Channel* | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | $61.00–$152.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | $69.99–$159.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV review |
| DIRECTV STREAM | $69.99–$159.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DIRECTV STREAM review |
| DISH | $84.99–$114.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read DISH review |
| Fubo | $32.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | $76.99–$89.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | $35.00–$125.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Optimum review |
| Philo | $25.00/mo. | — | — | — |
View plans Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | $40.00–$55.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | $69.99–$74.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | $69.00–$129.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Verizon Fios review |
| Vidgo | $69.99–$99.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Vidgo review |
| Xfinity | $20.00–$80.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | $72.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View plans Read YouTube TV review |
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 seven-day free trial for all its base plans. We 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
What date does the Australian Open start?
The 2024 Australian Open for U.S. viewers starts on Saturday, Jan. 13. However, the qualifying competition begins on Sunday, Jan. 7.
Where can I stream the Australian Open?
You can stream every match of the Australian Open in the U.S. on ESPN+. Any live TV streaming service that offers ESPN and ESPN2 will also get you match coverage.
Can I watch the Australian Open on YouTube TV?
Yes, you can watch the Australian Open on YouTube TV via ESPN and ESPN2. You can also get Tennis Channel’s extra coverage through YouTube TV’s Sports Plus add-on.
Does DIRECTV have expanded coverage of the Australian Open?
No, DIRECTV no longer shows the Australian Open on a mix channel. ESPN now owns the rights to expanded coverage, which it streams primarily on ESPN+.
Methodology
Our sports experts researched and tested the best ways to watch the Australian Open. We examined the linear TV networks and digital platforms showing the tournament. With that information, we determined our viewing recommendations—emphasizing channel lineups, pricing, and ease of use.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
