US Open 2026 preview and where to watch
The US Open returns to New York, United States for its 2026 edition, played from 31 Aug – 13 Sep on Hard.
Quick facts
Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New YorkFirst held: 1881
Singles draw: 128 men, 128 women
Prize money: USD 75 million (2025 reference)
Format: Men best of 5, Women best of 3
What's at stake in 2026
As one of the four Grand Slams, this is the highest-paying tournament of the season and the largest ranking-points haul on tour: 2,000 points to the singles winners. The two-week, best-of-five (men) format means depth and durability matter as much as form.
2025 men's final: Carlos Alcaraz d. Jannik Sinner 6-2 3-6 6-1 6-4
2025 women's final: Aryna Sabalenka d. Amanda Anisimova 6-3 7-6
The US Open starts in 116 days. The draw lands a few days before the first ball is struck and lands here as soon as it is set.
The conditions
Hard court is the global default, medium-paced, true-bouncing, tactically neutral. In New York form, fitness and serve quality usually decide who goes deep, more than any quirk of the surface.
Night sessions at Arthur Ashe under lights are the loudest atmosphere in tennis, and the surface (a Laykold hard court) tends to play medium-fast with a true bounce.
Storylines for 2026
- Alcaraz defends a US Open title built on serving over 130mph and finishing rallies at net.
- Aryna Sabalenka chases a third US Open title after winning in 2024 and 2025.
- Arthur Ashe Stadium is the largest tennis venue on earth at 23,771 seats.
Recent champions
Men's past champions
| Year | Champion | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Carlos Alcaraz | Jannik Sinner | 6-2 3-6 6-1 6-4 |
| 2024 | Jannik Sinner | Taylor Fritz | 6-3 6-4 7-5 |
| 2023 | Novak Djokovic | Daniil Medvedev | 6-3 7-6 6-3 |
| 2022 | Carlos Alcaraz | Casper Ruud | 6-4 2-6 7-6 6-3 |
| 2021 | Daniil Medvedev | Novak Djokovic | 6-4 6-4 6-4 |
| 2020 | Dominic Thiem | Alexander Zverev | 2-6 4-6 6-4 6-3 7-6 |
Women's past champions
| Year | Champion | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Aryna Sabalenka | Amanda Anisimova | 6-3 7-6 |
| 2024 | Aryna Sabalenka | Jessica Pegula | 7-5 7-5 |
| 2023 | Coco Gauff | Aryna Sabalenka | 2-6 6-3 6-2 |
| 2022 | Iga Świątek | Ons Jabeur | 6-2 7-6 |
| 2021 | Emma Raducanu | Leylah Fernandez | 6-4 6-3 |
| 2020 | Naomi Osaka | Victoria Azarenka | 1-6 6-3 6-3 |
All-time records
Most men's titles: Jimmy Connors / Pete Sampras / Roger Federer (5).
Most women's titles: Molla Mallory (8).
Where to watch live
Below is the broadcaster breakdown for the US Open in your country, including OTT options for fans without traditional pay-TV. Switch the country in the header to see the rightsholder where you live, and use the daily order-of-play page on match days to track start times in your local timezone.
Frequently asked
The US Open 2026 runs from 31 Aug – 13 Sep in New York, United States.
The US Open is played on Hard.
Coverage of the US Open 2026 is available on the broadcasters listed in your country guide. Tennis TV streams the BOTH globally for fans without a regional rightsholder.
Key facts
Surface: Hard
Tour: Men & Women
Category: Grand Slam
Dates: 31 Aug – 13 Sep
Prize money: USD 75M
Status: Upcoming