How To Watch Us Open In Uk

So, you’re in the UK and you want to catch the US Open tennis? That’s brilliant, but let’s be real—the time difference is a proper beast. New York is five hours behind London, meaning those epic matches happen while you’re fast asleep. But don’t worry; we’re going to crack this nut together.

The Streaming Superstar: Sky Sports

First up, the big player: Sky Sports. They’ve got the exclusive live rights in the UK, so if you want to watch every ace and grunt as it happens, this is your go-to. You can grab a Now TV Sports Day Pass for about £12, or a Month Pass if you’re planning a tennis marathon.

Why is this cool? Because you can pause, rewind, and watch from the start of a match that began at 2 a.m. your time. It’s like having a personal time machine—except you’re just rewinding a sweaty tennis player. Handy, right?

The Freebie Option: BBC (Sort Of)

Here’s where it gets interesting: the BBC usually grabs the rights for the finals weekend. So if you’re a casual fan who just wants to see who wins, you’re in luck. You can stream it live on BBC iPlayer for free—no subscription needed, just a TV licence.

But here’s the catch: the BBC only shows the men’s and women’s singles finals from Saturday and Sunday night. It’s like getting a free taster of the best pie in town, but not the whole bakery. Still, for zero quid, that’s a win.

What About Amazon Prime Video?

You might remember Amazon Prime had the US Open a few years ago, but they don’t have it anymore in 2024. Sorry to burst that bubble. So if you’re looking for a simple add-on, skip that—stick with Sky or the BBC for the finale.

This is a common trap, like grabbing a can of what you think is Coke but it’s actually own-brand cola. Don’t be that person.

The Time Shift Trick

Here’s the real magic: you don’t have to watch live. Most matches are available on-demand through Sky’s catch-up service or Now TV’s library. So if you wake up at 7 a.m. and the final is happening in New York at 4 a.m., you can play it over your morning cuppa without knowing the result.

Just mute your phone and avoid social media like it’s a spoiler minefield. Seriously, one glance at Twitter and you’ll know if Carlos Alcaraz smashed a racket or not. Your self-control will be tested.

Why It’s Worth the Faff

Let’s be honest: the US Open has a vibe you don’t get at Wimbledon. It’s loud, brash, and played under floodlights in New York City. You get night sessions where the crowd is borderline rowdy—like a tennis match crossed with a rock concert. Watching it from your sofa in rainy London feels like a cheeky little escape.

Plus, you can wear your pyjamas and no one judges you. Fancy a glass of wine at 9 a.m.? In New York it’s 4 a.m., so technically it’s still “tennis time.” Live your best life.

The Ultimate Pro-Tip

If you want the smoothest experience, set an alarm for when the big matches start. The US Open usually kicks off around 6 p.m. UK time for day sessions and 1 a.m. for night sessions. Pick the finals (usually a Sunday night around 9 p.m. UK) if you want to watch live without destroying your sleep schedule.

And if you’re a tennis nerd who wants every point from Flushing Meadows, Sky’s dedicated US Open channel is a godsend. You get court-side angles, player interviews, and that dramatic slow-mo replay of a ball hitting the net cord. It’s basically tennis ASMR.

So here’s the deal: you have two main paths. One is Sky Sports for full access (buy a Now TV pass). The other is BBC iPlayer for the free finals weekend. Pick your level of commitment, set your DVR or streaming queue, and prepare for some serve-and-volley drama. The only thing left is to grab some popcorn—or a croissant, if you’re pretending you’re in Paris.

Now, go forth and watch the tennis. Just remember: stay off social media until you’ve hit play. You’ll thank me later.