Full Breakdown
Sky Sports Secures Extended US Open Broadcast Rights Through 2030
8/27/2026, 11:32:01 AM
Extended Broadcast Deal
Sky Sports has signed a three-year extension that will keep its live coverage of the US Open on air until 2030. The agreement, to be announced when the singles draw opens next week, guarantees more than 12 hours of live tennis each day across the three-week Grand Slam, including the reinstated mixed-doubles event. Sky has held exclusive UK rights to the US Open since 2023, when it replaced Amazon Prime after Emma Raducanu’s 2021 victory.
Background & Context
Sky withdrew from tennis broadcasting in 2017, allowing Amazon to acquire both the US Open and the ATP/WTA tour packages. The broadcaster returned in 2023 with a five-year US Open deal and, in 2024, secured exclusive UK rights to the ATP and WTA tours through 2028. Negotiations are already under way to prolong that partnership.
Data & Statistics
- Coverage volume: > 12 hours of live tennis per day, plus mixed-doubles matches.
- Audience composition: 60 % female viewership in 2025, nearly double the 31 % share for Sky’s overall programming.
- Prize money: US $108 million total (? £80 million), a 20 % increase for the second year in a row. Singles champions receive US $5.5 million (? £4 million); first-round prize money exceeds £100 000.
- Mixed-doubles prize: $1 million grand prize for the winning pair.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It's great to be back in New York,” — Roger Federer
- “Being fourth seed is really, really important because if he gets in that five through eight range in the seedings, he could potentially have to play three players in the top four in the world all the way through.” — Ryan Harrison
- “It will be really interesting to see how Zverev handles that kind of pressure,” — Annabel Croft
Timeline of Key Dates
- 24 August (occurred): Qualifying rounds begin.
- 30 August (scheduled): Main-draw competition starts; live coverage on Sky Sports begins.
- 3 September (scheduled): Williams sisters’ women’s-doubles opening match.
- 11 September (scheduled): Women’s-doubles final.
- 13 September (scheduled): Tournament concludes.
Why It Matters
The extended contract reinforces Sky’s strategy of using tennis to attract a predominantly female audience, a demographic that commands higher advertising rates and diversifies revenue. By delivering extensive daily coverage and incorporating mixed-doubles, Sky differentiates itself from competitors such as TNT Sports, which holds rights to the Australian and French Opens. The record-setting prize fund underscores the US Open’s status as the sport’s most lucrative event, influencing player participation and the economics of professional tennis.
What’s Next
The three-year extension runs through 2030, and Sky is already in talks to prolong its ATP and WTA tour partnership beyond 2028. The broadcaster will continue to promote mixed-doubles as a crowd-pulling feature and may seek further opportunities to capitalize on its strong female viewership in upcoming seasons.
