How to stream the 2023 US Open tennis tournament

Five-year-old ESPN+ remains a bewildering and frustrating experience for sports fans. On the one hand, it offers a surprising amount of live and on-demand sports coverage; On the other hand, there is no SportsCenter equivalent on the major ESPN cable network, while ESPN mainstays such as Monday Night Football Available intermittently only. In short, ESPN+ is it Appendix to the ESPN cable network, not its simulcast.

As for the US Open tennis tournament, ESPN+ will broadcast a number of matches this year in addition to all of the qualifiers (which run August 22-25), but don’t expect that to be covered. all Match of the main tournament. So if you want wall-to-wall coverage of the US Open, you should also consider the live TV service’s sub-stream of ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3 (the latter can be accessed via the ESPN app, as is ESPN+). As you’ll learn in a moment, Hulu with Live TV (detailed below) comes bundled with ESPN+, along with the other major ESPN networks. You also get ESPN+ as part of a Disney bundle that also includes Disney+ and Hulu ($19.99 without ads, $12.99 with ads).

(Note: On October 12, 2023, the price of ESPN+ will increase to $10.99 per month.)

Want to stream the major cable network ESPN without paying full price for a live TV service? If so, Sling TV might be your best bet, both for the US Open and beyond. Along with CNN, AMC, TBS, and other major cable networks, Sling Orange offers ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN3, all for just $40 a month, much less than the extra $70 you’ll spend on a typical live TV plan. If you’re wondering why Sling Orange is so much less expensive than regular live TV services, here’s why: local TV affiliates aren’t included. (Sling TV Do It offers local ABC, Fox, and NBC affiliates in select markets, but only if you sign up for a Sling Blue or Sling Orange + Sling Blue package.)

Hulu + Live TV isn’t the best cable replacement service, but for some cord cutters, it may be the best value. For $70 a month, you get a wide variety of streaming and cable TV channels, including ESPN and ESPN2. Even better, you also get the full Disney package, including Disney+ with ads, Hulu on-demand service, And ESPN+, which means you’ll have more ways to watch the action on the field in Flushing. If you’re a fan of tennis who’s already paying for Disney+ or Hulu, then breaking into Hulu + Live TV at the US Open is a no-brainer. (Note: On October 12, 2023, the price of Hulu + Live TV with ads will increase to $76.99, while the ad-free version will increase to $89.99).

YouTube TV isn’t quite the value it used to be, but it’s still a compelling alternative to more expensive cable and satellite TV packages. For $73 a month, you get wide local channel coverage, a wide selection of entertainment channels, and popular news and sports channels — including, of course, ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN News, perfect for keeping tabs on the US Open tennis tournament. All of this comes in a simple interface with a cloud DVR that lets you skip commercials in your recordings. However, YouTube TV’s DVR setup takes some getting used to, and competition Hulu + Live TV delivers more for your money at $70 per month — a price that also includes Disney+ and ESPN+.

In the world of live TV services, DirecTV Stream is on the expensive side. Its sports coverage—including ESPN, which means catering to your US Open tennis needs—is peerless, and there aren’t huge gaps in its lineup, provided you’re willing to pay the price. Formerly known as AT&T TV and DirecTV Now before that, DirecTV Stream nods to cable with its excellent network guide, easily accessible DVR menu, and the way it goes straight to live TV at launch. But with a starting price of $75 per month, DirecTV Stream is also one of the more expensive live TV services, and the addition of regional sports pushes the price up to $100 per month or more.

Fubo (formerly FuboTV) is a well-designed live TV service with a heavy focus on sports – and for US Open tennis, Fubo offers both ESPN and ESPN2, giving you live coverage of the entire tournament. Besides national sports, Fubo’s $75 per month pro plan offers a wide range of sports, news, and entertainment channels, including regional sports coverage that many other services lack. Even so, Fubo presents its own set of tradeoffs. You’ll forgo TBS and TNT, two important sources for basketball, baseball, and hockey, and miss some of the popular channels found on cheaper services.