Australian Open 2026 Viewing Guide: Free and Online Options to Watch Live
Comprehensive global streaming and free access details for the season’s first Grand Slam tennis tournament
The 2026 Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the tennis season held at Melbourne Park, offers a broad array of ways for global audiences to watch live without a traditional cable subscription.
The tournament runs from January 12 to February 1, with qualifying beginning the week prior, drawing the world’s top players in men’s, women’s, doubles, mixed and wheelchair events.
In Australia, free-to-air television broadcaster Channel Nine holds the rights and will stream matches live online via its 9Now platform, allowing viewers to watch key matches at no charge after simple registration.
This free access is part of an ongoing rights deal that extends through 2029, ensuring fans in Australia can follow much of the action without pay-per-view or cable subscription.
Premium streaming and on-demand replays are also available on Stan Sport for comprehensive coverage throughout the tournament.
Outside Australia, rights are held by different partners in each region, with ESPN and the Watch ESPN app providing live streaming in the United States, Eurosport and Discovery+ serving viewers in many parts of Europe, and other national broadcasters offering local coverage.
For those in markets without free options, some global streaming platforms offer free trials that can be used to watch matches without long-term subscriptions.
In addition to paid and free streams, the official Australian Open digital channels, including the tournament’s YouTube presence, provide highlights, press conferences and additional content accessible worldwide.
Fans should check regional schedules and platform availability early, as broadcast rights and match times vary by territory and device.
The tournament runs from January 12 to February 1, with qualifying beginning the week prior, drawing the world’s top players in men’s, women’s, doubles, mixed and wheelchair events.
In Australia, free-to-air television broadcaster Channel Nine holds the rights and will stream matches live online via its 9Now platform, allowing viewers to watch key matches at no charge after simple registration.
This free access is part of an ongoing rights deal that extends through 2029, ensuring fans in Australia can follow much of the action without pay-per-view or cable subscription.
Premium streaming and on-demand replays are also available on Stan Sport for comprehensive coverage throughout the tournament.
Outside Australia, rights are held by different partners in each region, with ESPN and the Watch ESPN app providing live streaming in the United States, Eurosport and Discovery+ serving viewers in many parts of Europe, and other national broadcasters offering local coverage.
For those in markets without free options, some global streaming platforms offer free trials that can be used to watch matches without long-term subscriptions.
In addition to paid and free streams, the official Australian Open digital channels, including the tournament’s YouTube presence, provide highlights, press conferences and additional content accessible worldwide.
Fans should check regional schedules and platform availability early, as broadcast rights and match times vary by territory and device.
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