ESPN and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) have extended their relationship with a new 12-year media rights agreement that will keep the US Open tennis tournament on ESPN through 2037. The deal begins in 2026 and marks the longest-term tennis agreement at ESPN, which will also make the network the home of the entire tournament in Latin America, as well as the Caribbean and in Canada on TSN and RDS. ESPN Deportes will continue serving as the exclusive Spanish-language home of the US Open in the United States. The deal was brokered by IMG, which represents the USTA for media rights.
Under the new deal, the United States Tennis Association will assume host broadcaster duties from ESPN starting in 2026. At that time, ESPN will focus its production resources on over 260 hours of annual coverage planned for the United States, along with hundreds of hours for international territories. The deal grants ESPN expanded streaming rights, allowing the network to roll out more ways for fans in the United States to consume content. Additionally, ESPN2 will present daily live coverage during Fan Week and distribution of prime-time exhibition events that debuted this year on ESPN platforms.
“We take tremendous pride in our 15-year relationship with the USTA,” Jimmy Pitaro, chairman of ESPN, said in a statement. “This agreement reinforces our long-term dedication to tennis, our capacity to showcase one of the premier events on the annual sports calendar and, as the world’s first sporting event to offer equal purses for its female and male competitors, The Walt Disney Company’s industry-leading commitment to women’s sports.”
ESPN coverage of the US Open’s final Sunday and middle Sunday will air on ABC, and there will be availability of all play across all courts daily. The company will also introduce a fast-paced, shot-to-shot whiparound coverage style that will debut on ESPN+ during the first week of the main draw within the 2026 US Open. The tournament set viewership records last year, with the Women’s Championship between Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka becoming the most-viewed women’s final of any tennis major event in ESPN history and the most-streamed women’s match on ESPN+.
“After many remarkable years of partnership, we are thrilled to extend our partnership with ESPN and the Walt Disney Company, a collaboration that has driven extraordinary growth for the US Open,” Lew Sherr, chief executive officer and executive director of the United States Tennis Association, said in a statement. “This year’s US Open is well on its way to being the most spectacular Championship in our history and together with ESPN, we are energized by an even brighter future. Our shared commitment to expanding the reach of tennis has contributed to significant increase in participation. Together, we will continue to leverage the US Open as a powerful platform to promote our mission to inspire healthier people and communities.”
“This ESPN deal is groundbreaking, not only for the USTA and US Open, but for tennis globally,” Hillary Mandel, executive president and head of Americas, Media at IMG, added in a statement. “The new agreement will super-charge this iconic, captivating Grand Slam’s exposure, production, promotion, content, and economic investment, ensuring record year-on-year growth for the next decade and beyond.”
