With the main draw of the 2024 US Open underway in New York City, ESPN and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) have extended their relationship with a new, 12-year agreement that will keep the tennis Grand Slam with ESPN through 2037. The deal, which starts in 2026 and is ESPN’s longest-term tennis agreement, also continues to make ESPN the home of the entire US Open in Latin America and the Caribbean and in Canada on TSN and RDS. ESPN Deportes likewise continues as the exclusive Spanish-language home of the US Open in the United States. The deal was brokered by IMG, the USTA’s media rights representative.
The new deal expands streaming rights, providing ESPN with greater flexibility to offer additional viewing options for fans in the U.S. It includes expanded coverage of Fan Week with daily live broadcasts on ESPN2, along with prime-time exhibition events on ESPN platforms. Starting in 2026, ESPN+ will debut fast-paced, shot-to-shot whip-around coverage during the first week of the US Open main draw. The deal also ensures annual broadcasts of the final and Middle Sundays on ABC, and daily Spanish-language coverage on ESPN Deportes. Additionally, ESPN will have access to all matches across all courts and limited sublicense rights.
Moreover, USTA will take over host broadcaster duties from ESPN beginning in 2026 as ESPN focuses its production resources on the more than 260 hours of annual coverage planned for the U.S., as well as hundreds of hours for international territories.
“We take tremendous pride in our 15-year relationship with the USTA,” said ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro. “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.”
“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,” stated 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 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,” added Hillary Mandel, EVP and Head of Americas, Media at IMG. “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.”
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