ESPN and the USTA have announced a groundbreaking 12-year extension worth over $2 billion, extending their partnership through 2037. This deal cements ESPN’s role as the “home of the Grand Slams,” granting it exclusive domestic rights to the U.S. Open, Wimbledon, and the Australian Open, while excluding the French Open, which remains under Warner Bros. Discovery’s control.
The new agreement, starting in 2026, significantly surpasses the previous 11-year deal worth $847 million. ESPN will enhance its coverage with more than 260 hours of annual content, including a new Red Zone-style show on ESPN+ for the U.S. Open. This show aims to provide a dynamic viewing experience by guiding fans through peak moments across multiple courts.
“We bring everybody through here for the two weeks — it’s like the world and his wife,” said Tim Bunnell, ESPN’s senior vice president of programming. “Our three powerful networks — ABC, ESPN, and ESPN+ — allow us to offer extensive coverage and innovative programming.”
The deal also includes expanded hospitality rights for ESPN and the responsibility for producing court feeds. ESPN’s new programming commitments, such as the Red Zone-style show and potential alternative broadcasts, are designed to enhance fan engagement and viewership.
USTA CEO Lew Sherr highlighted ESPN’s unique capacity to draw global attention to the U.S. Open, emphasizing its ability to focus the world on the event during its brief but high-impact duration. The partnership is set to revolutionize how tennis is covered and experienced in the U.S., solidifying ESPN’s dominance in the sport’s broadcasting landscape.
