The quest for the Claret Jug is on. From July 17 to 20, the world’s best golfers will battle the elements at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland for The Open Championship. It’s the oldest and arguably most challenging of the four men’s golf majors.
In the U.S., NBC Sports is the exclusive home for all live coverage of The Open. The broadcaster partnered with tournament organizer The R&A to secure the TV rights in 2015. That media deal will conclude after the 2029 edition.
To help you watch this year’s British Open from the first tee shot to the final putt, I’ve broken down the complete U.S. TV schedule and streaming options below.
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What channel is The Open Championship on?
You can watch the 2025 Open Championship across NBC, USA Network, and Peacock in the U.S. Additionally, Golf Channel will air its Live From the Open Championship studio show throughout the entire tournament week.
Featured groups and event highlights will also stream for free on R&A TV and The Open app.
Want radio coverage? You can listen to The Open Championship live on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio (ch. 92). A free audio stream will also air on The Open Radio.
2025 Open Championship TV schedule
The 153rd Open Championship will tee off along the shores of Northern Ireland on Thursday, July 17, and wrap up on Sunday, July 20.
For viewers in the U.S., the five-hour time difference from the East Coast means you’ll need to set your alarms early. Live coverage of the opening rounds will begin in the middle of the night, while Rounds 3–4 will start in the early morning hours.
Check out the full British Open TV schedule below for exact start times and U.S. channel listings.
| Date | Time (ET) | Channels |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, July 18 (Round 1) | 1:30 a.m.–4:00 a.m. | Peacock |
| 4:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | USA Network | |
| Friday, July 19 (Round 2) | 1:30 a.m.–4:00 a.m. | Peacock |
| 4:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | USA Network | |
| Saturday, July 20 (Round 3) | 5:00 a.m.–7:00 a.m. | USA Network |
| 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. | NBC, Peacock | |
| Sunday, July 21 (Round 4) | 4:00 a.m.–7:00 a.m. | USA Network |
| 7:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | NBC, Peacock |
Data effective as of post date. Schedule subject to change.
Best TV plans for watching the British Open Golf Championship
To watch the complete British Open, you’ll need access to USA Network and Peacock (which simulcasts all NBC coverage). The tricky part is that USA Network requires a live TV subscription, while Peacock is a standalone streaming service.
With the tournament fast approaching, here are three of the most affordable ways to tune in without a long-term commitment.
- Antenna TV: A one-time purchase of a digital antenna gives you free access to weekend coverage on your local NBC station. It’s the perfect way to watch the final two rounds without a subscription. I explain this option more in the free section below.
- Peacock: For just $7.99 a month, Peacock offers the most comprehensive coverage in a single service. It streams every televised hour from NBC, plus exclusive live windows, bonus feeds, and multiview options.
- Sling TV: Starting at $45.99 a month, Sling TV is the most affordable way to get USA Network for its four-day coverage. But you might still need Peacock or an antenna to watch the weekend coverage on NBC, as Sling TV only offers NBC in select cities.
Which TV providers carry The Open?
| Provider | Type | Price | NBC* | USA Network | Golf Channel | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox | Cable | $71.00–$162.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Cox Read Cox review |
| DIRECTV | Satellite | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV Read DIRECTV review |
| Stream with DIRECTV | Streaming | $89.99–$169.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DIRECTV STREAM Read Stream with DIRECTV review |
| DISH | Satellite | $96.99–$126.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for DISH Read DISH review |
| Frndly TV | Streaming | $6.99–$11.99/mo. | — | — | — |
View Plans for Frndly TV Read Frndly TV review |
| Fubo | Streaming | $14.99–$94.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for FuboTV Read Fubo review |
| Hulu + Live TV | Streaming | $81.99–$95.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Hulu Read Hulu + Live TV review |
| Optimum | Cable | $15.00–$140.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Optimum Read Optimum review |
| Philo | Streaming | $28.00/mo. | — | — | — |
View Plans for Philo Read Philo review |
| Sling TV | Streaming | $19.99–$60.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Sling TV Read Sling TV review |
| Spectrum | Cable | $40.00–$110.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Spectrum Read Spectrum review |
| Verizon Fios | Cable | $95.00–$139.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Verizon Read Verizon Fios review |
| Xfinity | Cable | $35.00–$90.00/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for Xfinity Read Xfinity review |
| YouTube TV | Streaming | $82.99/mo. | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
View Plans for YouTube TV Read YouTube TV review |
Data effective as of post date.
*Available in select markets.
How to stream The Open for free
There are several excellent options for watching The Open Championship for free, from the tournament’s official app to over-the-air (OTA) TV.
The most convenient way to follow the action for free is through The Open app. While you won’t get the main TV broadcast, you can access multiple live feeds, including featured groups, and listen to The Open Radio for live audio-only commentary. The app is also the perfect companion for die-hard fans who want to track every shot and keep tabs on the course.
To watch the main TV broadcast for free, your best option is to use a live TV streaming service’s free trial. I like Fubo’s free trial because it’s long enough to cover the four-day event and includes NBC, USA Network, and Golf Channel. You’ll only miss out on coverage exclusive to Peacock.
Beyond streaming, you can also watch The Open for free using a digital antenna to pick up your local NBC station. You’ll first want to confirm you’re within range of an NBC affiliate by entering your zip code into the FCC’s Reception Map Tool or Antenna Direct’s TV Transmitter Locator. Then, you can head over to our Best OTA Antennas guide to find the right model for your home setup.
How to watch the British Open internationally
With its global appeal, The Open Championship has broadcast partners in nearly 200 countries and territories. While anyone can access free coverage on R&A TV with a One Club membership (the same content found in The Open app), you’ll likely find a more comprehensive broadcast elsewhere.
To help you tune in internationally, I compiled a quick list of where you can watch The Open on TV in 14 golf-centric countries below.
The Open Championship broadcasters by country
- Australia (Fox Sports Australia)
- Brazil (ESPN Latin America)
- Canada (TSN/RDS)
- Denmark (V Sport Golf)
- France (Canal Plus)
- Germany (Sky DE)
- Japan (U-Next/JGN)
- New Zealand (Sky TV)
- Republic of Ireland (Sky Sports)
- South Africa (SuperSport)
- South Korea (JTBC)
- Sweden (V Sport Golf)
- United Kingdom (Sky Sports)
- United States (NBC Sports)
How to watch The Open Championship FAQ
Where will the British Open be played in 2025?
The 2025 Open Championship will take place at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Portrush, Northern Ireland.
How does The Open tournament work?
The Open is a 72-hole stroke play tournament open to qualifying professionals and amateurs. The field is cut to the top 70 players (and ties) after 36 holes, with a three-hole aggregate playoff deciding the winner in the event of a tie.
Who is the British Open’s defending champion?
Xander Schauffele won the 2024 Open Championship at Royal Troon after shooting a winning score of 275 to win the Claret Jug. Schauffele also won the PGA Championship that same year.
Will The Open be broadcast in 4K?
Yes, you can watch The Open in 4K HDR resolution through select TV providers. For example, DIRECTV showed The Open in 4K on channel 105 in 2024.
Why you should trust us
At CableTV.com, we evaluate the best ways to watch marquee sporting events by comparing top TV providers head-to-head. For this guide, I researched NBC Sports’ complete broadcast plan for The Open Championship to ensure accurate TV schedule and channel data. I then determined my viewing recommendations based on channel availability, pricing, and ease of use, while also considering access to other major golf tours.
Check out our How We Rank page to learn more about our methods.
