2026 US Open: Schedule, Preview, and How to Watch with DISH
New York hasn't even reached the singles main draw yet, and the 2026 US Open is already bringing the drama. Serena Williams returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium and teamed up with defending men's champion Carlos Alcaraz for one of the most delightfully random superstar pairings imaginable. They won their opener before Belinda Bencic and Flavio Cobolli knocked them out in the mixed doubles quarterfinals.
But Serena isn't done. She and Venus Williams just received a wild card into the women's doubles draw, marking their first Grand Slam appearance together since the 2022 US Open. The sisters have won 14 Grand Slam women's doubles titles together, including two in New York. Yeah, we're watching that.
On the men's side, the biggest pre-tournament news isn't nearly as fun: Jannik Sinner is out with a lingering right knee injury. That leaves Alcaraz, who returns to defend his 2025 title after recovering from his own wrist injury, at the center of a suddenly wide-open men's field. And we haven't even played a singles point yet. Welcome to the 2026 U.S. Ope
How to Watch the 2026 U.S. Open on DISH
ESPN is once again the exclusive domestic broadcast partner of the US Open, with more than 170 hours of television coverage across ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. Fan Week coverage is underway ahead of the start of the main draw on Sunday, August 30. Live coverage continues through the men's championship on Sunday, Sep. 13. To watch the U.S. Open on ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC with DISH subscribe to a DISH package that includes ESPN.
What are the biggest storylines at the 2026 U.S. Open?
Carlos Alcaraz takes center stage
With Sinner out, the men's tournament suddenly looks very different. Carlos Alcaraz returns as the defending US Open champion after defeating Sinner in the 2025 final, but he's also making his way back from the wrist injury that has kept him off tour since April. His mixed doubles run with Serena gave New York its first look at his return to competition.
Alcaraz won't have a free ride. Alexander Zverev arrives as the reigning Roland Garros champion, Novak Djokovic remains a four-time US Open winner with 24 major singles titles, and Americans Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz give the home crowd some serious rooting interest.
The full men's singles draw will be revealed Thursday, Aug. 27, so the potential collision courses are still to come.
Can Aryna Sabalenka make it three straight US Open titles?
Now that's a story. Aryna Sabalenka enters New York as the two-time defending women's singles champion and will attempt to become the first woman since Serena Williams from 2012-14 to win three consecutive US Open singles titles.
The challengers are plentiful. Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, former US Open champion Coco Gauff, 2025 finalist Amanda Anisimova, two-time champion Naomi Osaka and plenty of others could turn the women's bracket into a free-for-all. ESPN's own pre-tournament analysts described both the men’s and women’s singles fields as wide open and noted that Sabalenka has shown some vulnerability entering New York.
Serena and Venus. Together again.
Honestly, do we need another reason to watch this year’s tournament? Serena and Venus Williams are playing women's doubles together at the US Open.
Their wild card entry marks their first Grand Slam tournament together since the 2022 US Open and just their third major appearance as a team since winning Wimbledon in 2016. Their résumé is absurd: 14 Grand Slam women's doubles championships, including US Open titles in 1999 and 2009.
They'll play their opening match on either Thursday, Sep. 3, or Friday, Sep. 4, with the women's doubles final scheduled for Sep. 11. Clear the calendar.
Can an American make a run in New York?
There's no shortage of possibilities. The United States had 28 players earn direct entry into the singles main draws, more than any other country. On the women's side, that group includes Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff and Amanda Anisimova. The American men are led by Top 10 players Ben Shelton and Taylor Fritz.
And these aren't just hometown hopefuls. Gauff won the US Open in 2023, while Pegula, Fritz and Anisimova have all reached a singles final in New York. Shelton made the semifinals in 2023. If one fo them gets rollings, expecxt Flushing Meadows to get very, very loud.
What is the 2026 US Open Schedule?
The US Open runs from Aug. 23 through Sep. 13, with Fan Week and qualifying preceding the singles main draw. The official schedule has the first round beginning Sunday, Aug. 30, and Championship Weekend concluding with the men's final on Sep. 13.
Fan Week: Aug 23-29
Singles Qualifying: Aug 24-27
Mixed Doubles Championship: Aug 25-26
Singles First Round: Aug 30-Sep. 1
Singles Second Round: Sep. 2-3
Singles Third Round: Sep. 4-5
Singles Round of 16: Sep. 6-7
Singles Quarterfinals: Sep. 8-9
Women's Singles Semifinals: Sep. 10 at 7PM ET
Men's Singles Semifinals: Sep. 11 at 3PM and 7PM ET
Women's Singles Final: Sep. 12 at 4PM ET
Men's Singles Final: Sep. 13 at 2PM ET
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 US Open?
The 2026 US Open runs from Aug. 23 through Sep. 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York. The singles main draw begins Sunday, Aug. 30.
What channel is the 2026 US Open on?
US Open coverage airs across ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. ESPN is the tournament's exclusive domestic broadcast partner and will provide more than 170 hours of television coverage.
How can I watch the US Open with DISH?
US Open coverage on ESPN and ESPN2 is available with Sling Essentials, Sling Orange, or a Day Pass subscription. ABC is available with Sling Blue or Sling Select in designated markets.
Is Jannik Sinner playing in the 2026 US Open?
No. Sinner withdrew from the 2026 US Open due to a lingering right knee injury. The former US Open champion had originally been entered in the men's singles field.
Are Serena and Venus Williams playing doubles at the 2026 US Open?
Yes. Serena and Venus received a wild card into the women's doubles tournament and will compete together at a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2022 US Open.
Who are the defending US Open singles champions?
Carlos Alcaraz is the defending men's champion, while Aryna Sabalenka is the two-time defending women's champion. Sabalenka is seeking her third consecutive US Open title in 2026.
When are the 2026 US Open finals?
The women's singles final is Saturday, Sep 12 at 4PM ET. The men's singles final is Sunday, Sep 13 at 2PM ET.
