Tennis at Flushing Meadows will continue to be broadcasted by ESPN in the US after the sports network agreed a new rights deal with the US Tennis Association (USTA) for the US Open.
The new 12-year broadcast rights agreement will see ESPN continue to remain as the exclusive broadcaster of the US tennis major until 2037, the longest tennis rights agreement ESPN has ever signed.
The new extension will begin in 2026 and will see ESPN broadcast the US Open across the US, Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada on TSN and RDS. ESPN Deportes will also showcase the competition for its Spanish-speaking audiences in the US.
ESPN will also expand its US Open coverage to its streaming platforms for additional and flexible viewing for consumers, as well as expanded fan week coverage, daily live broadcasts on ESPN2 and coverage of the annual main draw.
ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro, commented on the new extension: “We take tremendous pride in our 15-year relationship with the USTA.
“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.
The announcement of the broadcast rights extension comes timely as the 2024 edition of the tournament has already begun, which has already featured previous year’s winners Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff.
Last year’s Women’s Singles Final between Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka was the most-watched women’s final of any tennis major in the history of ESPN, also becoming the most-streamed women’s match also on ESPN+.
23-time major winner Serena Williams continues to hold the record for the most-watched tennis game on ESPN with 4.8 million viewers in her final game of her career at Arthur Ashe Stadium against Alja Tomljanović.
For the men’s, the 2015 US Open final between Djokovic and Roger Federer remains the most-watched men’s final and match for 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,” added Lew Sherr, USTA CEO and Executive Director.
“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 energised 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.”
