The US Open is expanding its footprint this year with an earlier start and enhanced TV coverage, as ESPN announced the broadcast plan for its August slate.
Qualifying action kicks off Monday, August 18, with live coverage on ESPN2 and ESPN+, beginning at 11 a.m. Eastern time. Over the four days of qualifying, ESPN+ will stream all matches, while ESPNEWS and ESPN2 will air select sessions, as 128 men and 128 women compete for the final 16 slots in each 2025 singles draw.
New for 2025 is a reimagined Fan Week, highlighted by a revamped Mixed Doubles tournament. The event will feature eight men and six women ranked inside the top 10 in singles, along with nine Grand Slam champions, competing for a total prize pool of $1 million. Mixed Doubles action is scheduled for rounds one and two on Tuesday, August 19, at 11 a.m. ET on ESPN2 and ESPN+, with 1 p.m. ET on ESPNEWS and ESPN+. The semifinals and final will stream on Wednesday, August 20, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Fans will also get a taste of the atmosphere with Stars of the Open, a fan-focused exhibition featuring notable players such as Coco Gauff, Andre Agassi, Venus Williams, João Fonseca, Andy Roddick, John McEnroe, Juan Martín del Potro, Dana Mathewson, Casey Ratzlaff, and others. This exhibition airs on ESPN2 on August 21 at 7 p.m. ET.
Following Fan Week, ESPN will deliver exclusive “first ball to last ball” coverage of the 2025 US Open. For the first time in US Open history, coverage begins Sunday, August 24 at noon on ABC, a day earlier than the traditional Monday start. The tournament will be staged as a full 15-day event, marking a milestone in the event’s broadcast history.
Value for fans is clear: more matches on streaming and broadcast TV, expanded early-round action, and a new sense of event reach with a longer, live-heavy schedule.
Key dates and schedule highlights
– US Open Qualifying: Aug 18–21, streaming on ESPN+; airings on ESPNEWS and ESPN2
– Rounds One and Two (Qualifying): Tue, Aug 19, 11 a.m. ET (ESPN2/ESPN+) and 1 p.m. ET (ESPNEWS/ESPN+)
– Mixed Doubles (Fan Week): Aug 19, 11 a.m. ET (ESPN2/ESPN+) and 1 p.m. ET (ESPNEWS/ESPN+); Semifinals and Final on Aug 20 at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
– Stars of the Open exhibition: Aug 21, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
– US Open main coverage (first ball): Aug 24, noon ET on ABC; full 15-day tournament
Summary
The 2025 US Open will begin earlier and run longer than ever, with robust ESPN+ streaming for qualifying, a reimagined Fan Week featuring top-10 players in the mixed doubles arena, and broadcast expansion to ABC for the opening weekend. The new format aims to deliver more live action, more accessibility, and a broader celebration of tennis as New York hosts a full 15 days of major-court action.
If you’re optimistic about the event, this rollout suggests a more immersive, fan-friendly experience with greater convenience for viewers who prefer streaming, plus the excitement of a longer, more inclusive tournament arc.