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How to Watch the US Open in the UK
UK viewers can watch the 2026 US Open on Sky Sports Tennis, with extra live court feeds available through Sky Sports+. Sky holds the exclusive UK and Ireland television and digital rights through 2027. There are two straightforward streaming routes:- Existing Sky Sports customers: watch through Sky TV, Sky Go or the Sky Sports app, depending on your package and device.
- NOW Sports Membership: stream every Sky Sports channel and Sky Sports+ without taking a conventional Sky TV contract. Day and Month Memberships are available.
US Open Live Stream UK: Sky Sports and NOW
Sky Sports Tennis
Sky Sports Tennis is the main UK channel for the US Open. Sky's agreement with the United States Tennis Association gives it access to the tournament's individual court feeds, allowing coverage to move between the leading matches throughout the day. When several matches are being played at once, additional court streams can be found through Sky Sports+. Depending on your setup, those feeds may be available through Sky Q, Sky Stream, Sky Glass, the Sky Sports app or the red button. Sky Sports Tennis is also distributed through supported Virgin Media and EE TV packages. Package names and channel positions can change, so check your provider's current listing before the tournament.NOW Sports Membership
For readers comparing US Open live stream UK options without an existing Sky TV package, NOW is the most flexible official route. A Sports Membership includes all 12 Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+ streams on supported televisions, mobiles and computers. NOW currently advertises Sports Memberships from £14.99. Its Day Membership lasts for 24 hours, while a Month Membership is more practical if you want to follow the full two-week singles tournament. Saver offers can carry minimum terms and later renewal prices, so check the official NOW tennis plans before paying. NOW states that there is no free trial for its Sports Month Membership. A Day Membership is a paid 24-hour pass, not a trial.Is the US Open on Amazon Prime Video or ESPN Player?
No. Prime Video was previously the UK home of the US Open, but that information is now obsolete. Sky Sports regained the exclusive UK and Ireland rights from 2023 and holds them through 2027. ESPN Player is also not a current alternative for UK viewers. ESPN Player closed in Europe, the Middle East and Africa in 2023. ESPN coverage intended for the United States does not replace the official UK Sky Sports subscription.When Is the US Open 2026?
The complete 2026 US Open programme spans Sunday 23 August to Sunday 13 September at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. The dates need a little explanation. The first week is US Open Fan Week, which includes qualifying, practice sessions and the separate mixed doubles championship. The men's and women's singles main draws begin one week later on Sunday 30 August and conclude on Sunday 13 September.| Date | US Open stage | What UK viewers should know |
|---|---|---|
| 23 to 29 August | Fan Week | Qualifying, practices and other pre-main-draw events |
| 24 to 26 August | Mixed doubles championship | Played during Fan Week under its separate event format |
| 30 August | Singles main draws begin | Live Sky Sports and NOW coverage begins for the main tournament |
| 12 September | Women's singles final | Confirm the UK start time in Sky's listing nearer the match |
| 13 September | Men's singles final | The final day of the 2026 tournament |
What Time Does the US Open Start in the UK?
New York is normally five hours behind the UK during the US Open. A daytime session beginning at 11am Eastern Daylight Time therefore starts at approximately 4pm BST. A 7pm New York night session begins at approximately midnight in the UK and can continue into the early morning. These are session start conversions, not guaranteed start times for a particular match. A player scheduled second or third on court will begin only after the previous matches finish. For the most accurate UK viewing plan:- Check the official order of play once it is published.
- Confirm which match Sky Sports Tennis is showing.
- Look under Sky Sports+ for additional court feeds.
- Allow for delays caused by long earlier matches or weather.
How to Watch Your UK US Open Stream While Travelling
Sky states that customers are not entitled to stream its content outside the UK through Sky apps. An account that works at home can therefore display a location error when you travel. Some existing subscribers use a VPN to try to reach their normal UK service while temporarily abroad. A VPN routes the connection through a server in another location, changing the public IP address seen by the streaming service. If you are unfamiliar with the technology, read our guide to what a VPN is and how it works. For UK travellers, ExpressVPN is our leading choice. The provider offers UK server locations and apps for common laptops, phones, tablets and television devices. It is also useful for encrypting your connection on shared hotel, airport and café Wi-Fi. However, a VPN does not provide a Sky Sports or NOW subscription, change the territory attached to your account or guarantee that the broadcaster will accept the connection. Sky and NOW can identify and block VPN IP addresses, and their rights and terms continue to apply. If you already have a valid UK subscription and decide to try a VPN while abroad:- Set up before travelling: install the VPN and broadcaster apps, sign in and confirm your subscription works in the UK.
- Connect to a UK location: use a UK server rather than a US server.
- Open your normal service: launch Sky Go, the Sky Sports app or NOW and find Sky Sports Tennis.
- Check Sky Sports+: the match you want may be on an additional court stream rather than the main channel.
- Try another UK server if blocked: this changes the VPN IP address, although it still does not guarantee access.
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Best VPN for Watching the US Open Abroad: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is our first VPN recommendation for an existing UK subscriber who wants to try accessing Sky Sports or NOW while travelling. This is an editorial assessment based on its UK location choice, device coverage and suitability as a wider travel VPN; it is not a claim of guaranteed US Open access.
Why ExpressVPN is the leading option here
- UK server choice: several UK locations give travellers an alternative if one server is congested or blocked.
- Broad app support: the provider supplies apps for major computers, mobiles and several television platforms.
- Simple server switching: changing UK locations is straightforward if a particular IP address stops working.
- Public Wi-Fi protection: the encrypted VPN connection helps protect traffic between your device and the VPN server on shared networks.
- Refund policy: eligible purchases have a 30-day money-back guarantee, subject to the provider's current terms.
Stream with ExpressVPN
30-day money-back guarantee
Other VPNs to Compare
ExpressVPN is the leading option for this travel use case, but another provider may suit you better if price, simultaneous connections or a particular device matters more. The comparison below covers the main alternatives.
What to Look for in a US Open VPN
- Several UK locations: alternative servers are useful when an IP address is busy or restricted.
- Consistent performance: long tennis matches need a stable connection, not just a high headline speed.
- Apps for your actual devices: check the laptop, mobile, tablet or television device you plan to use before subscribing.
- Fast reconnection: changing location should not involve lengthy manual configuration.
- Clear refund terms: check the eligibility, payment method and request procedure rather than assuming the policy is a free trial.
- Credible privacy practices: favour a clear logging policy, modern protocols and published independent audits.
Can You Watch the US Open Free in the UK?
There is no confirmed free-to-air UK broadcaster for complete live coverage of the 2026 US Open. Sky Sports holds the exclusive live television and digital rights in the UK and Ireland, so full live viewing requires eligible access to Sky Sports or NOW. Official highlights, clips, scores and selected interviews may be available through Sky Sports, the US Open website and their official social channels. Availability can change, and short clips are not a replacement for full live matches. Do not treat a VPN refund period as a way to watch for free. The VPN must be paid for upfront, refund conditions apply, and the VPN does not include the required sports subscription.Should You Use a Free VPN for the US Open?
A free VPN can be adequate for light browsing, but most free plans are a poor fit for a tournament lasting several weeks. Common limitations include small data allowances, crowded servers, reduced speeds and very few UK locations. Shared free-server IP addresses can also be easier for streaming platforms to identify. Not every free VPN is unsafe. The more important question is whether the operator clearly identifies itself, explains its data practices and provides enough bandwidth for lengthy live sport. Avoid unknown apps that make vague privacy promises or do not explain how the service is funded. For regular use while travelling, a reputable paid service is normally more practical. ExpressVPN is our first choice for this article, while the comparison above includes lower-cost alternatives. None can guarantee access to Sky Sports or NOW.Stream with ExpressVPN
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US Open Stream Not Working? Try These Fixes
If you are in the UK
- Disconnect any VPN, proxy or Smart DNS service.
- Confirm that your Sky Sports or NOW Sports Membership is active.
- Check Sky Sports+ if the match is not on the main Tennis channel.
- Close and reopen the app or browser.
- Restart your device and router.
- Update the broadcaster app and clear old browser cookies or app cache.
If you are travelling
- Remember that Sky does not officially entitle customers to stream through its apps outside the UK.
- If using a VPN, confirm that it is connected to a UK location.
- Close the streaming app fully before changing VPN servers.
- Clear cached browser or app data, then sign in again.
- Check that your subscription includes the required Sky Sports access.
- If the service continues to reject the connection, there may be no supported way to stream it from that location.
What a VPN Can and Cannot Do
A VPN encrypts traffic between your device and the VPN server. This can protect the connection on shared networks and reduce what the local network or internet provider can see about the services you contact. The VPN provider becomes part of the trust chain, so choosing a reputable operator still matters. A VPN does not make you anonymous, guarantee a faster connection or prevent every kind of online tracking. It cannot supply a Sky Sports subscription, unlock a package you have not paid for or promise that a broadcaster will accept its IP address. VPN use is generally lawful in the UK, but it does not override laws, broadcasting rights or service terms. This is general information, not personalised legal advice.Conclusion
The 2026 US Open runs from 23 August to 13 September, while the men's and women's singles main draws take place from 30 August to 13 September. The correct US Open live stream UK route is Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+, accessed through an eligible Sky Sports package or a NOW Sports Membership. Prime Video and ESPN Player are obsolete UK recommendations and should no longer appear on this page. Viewers in Britain do not need a VPN for normal access. For an existing UK subscriber travelling abroad, ExpressVPN is our leading VPN recommendation because it combines UK server choice with broad device support. Sky does not officially permit streaming through its apps outside the UK, VPN traffic may be blocked and access is not guaranteed. Check the current offer and refund conditions only if the VPN remains useful to you beyond a single match.Stream with ExpressVPN
30-day money-back guarantee
When is the US Open 2026?
The complete 2026 US Open runs from Sunday 23 August to Sunday 13 September. Fan Week comes first, while the men's and women's singles main draws begin on Sunday 30 August.
What UK channel is showing the US Open?
Sky Sports is the exclusive live television and digital home of the US Open in the UK and Ireland through 2027. Coverage is centred on Sky Sports Tennis, with additional court streams through Sky Sports+.
Can I watch the US Open on NOW?
Yes. A NOW Sports Membership includes Sky Sports Tennis and Sky Sports+ streams on supported devices. Day and Month Memberships are available, but current prices and minimum terms can change.
Is the US Open on Amazon Prime Video in the UK?
No. Prime Video previously held the UK rights, but Sky Sports regained exclusive UK and Ireland coverage from 2023 and holds those rights through 2027.
What time does the US Open start in the UK?
A typical 11am New York day session begins at about 4pm BST, while a 7pm night session begins at about midnight. Individual match times vary with the order of play and earlier results.
Do I need a VPN to watch the US Open in the UK?
No. Viewers in the UK can watch with an eligible Sky Sports package or NOW Sports Membership. A VPN is mainly relevant to an existing UK subscriber who encounters a location restriction while temporarily travelling.
Will a VPN let me watch my UK US Open stream abroad?
A UK VPN server may help an existing subscriber try to reach Sky Sports or NOW while travelling, but Sky does not entitle customers to stream its apps outside the UK and broadcasters may block VPN traffic. Access is not guaranteed, and a valid sports subscription is still required.
