Disney’s ESPN has announced that it has signed a new 12-year agreement with the United States Tennis Association (USTA), which will keep the US Open on ESPN until 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.

In the new agreement, 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.

ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement:

“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.”

Lew Sherr, USTA CEO and Executive Director also said in a statement:

“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.  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.”

Hillary Mandel, EVP and Head of Americas, Media at IMG added:

“This ESPN deal is groundbreaking, not only for the USTA and US Open, but for tennis globally.  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.”

Here are some interesting details about this new deal:

• Expanded streaming rights, giving ESPN flexibility to roll out additional ways for fans in the U.S. to consume US Open content
• Expanded Fan Week coverage, including daily live coverage on ESPN2 and distribution of the prime-time exhibition events that debuted this year on ESPN platforms
• Introduction of fast-paced, shot-to-shot whip-around coverage set to debut on ESPN+ the first week of the 2026 US Open main draw
• Annual coverage of the final Sunday and Middle Sunday on ABC
• Availability of all play across all courts daily
• Daily Spanish-language coverage in the U.S. on ESPN Deportes
• Provision to ESPN for limited sublicense rights

Roger’s Take:  Disney is ramping up its sports coverage, and it’s trying to get as many international rights as it can, which it can use as part of its ESPN brand.  Earlier this summer, an ESPN hub was added to Disney+ in Latin America, and later this year, ESPN will also be added as a hub in the United States.   The terms of “expanded” streaming rights could also see the US Open streamed on Disney+ in the future.

Are you interested in watching the US Open?  Let me know on social media!

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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