ESPN Inks 12-Year, US Open TV Rights Extension

U.S. Open tennis matches will stay on ESPN’s networks through 2037 under a deal announced Wednesday.

The tie-up represents ESPN’s longest-term tennis agreement. Beyond America, it also includes broadcast rights in Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada. ESPN has aired the New York-based event since 2015. Financial details were not announced.

IMG brokered the deal as the media rep for the United States Tennis Association. “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,” IMG EVP and head of Americas, media Hillary Mandel said. 

Last year’s U.S. Open saw viewership jump 40% on championship weekend for its second highest mark on the channel. The women’s final, won by Coco Gauff, was ESPN’s most-viewed women’s final. The current tournament concludes September 8.

“I talked earlier about our continued commitment to women’s sports,” ESPN EVP, programming and acquisitions Rosalyn Durant said Wednesday. “Tennis is one of those sports that lends itself to that.”

The new agreement comes with expanded streaming rights for ESPN, something the network has prioritized as it prepares to launch a digital service next year. Among the new elements will be an ESPN+ exclusive whip-around show set to debut in 2026.

ESPN2, meanwhile, will carry live coverage during “Fan Week” before the main draw starts. ABC will air matches on the middle and final Sundays of the competition. ESPN has also retained limited sublicensing rights. The previous, 11-year deal was reportedly worth more than $825 million.

“This agreement reinforces our long-term dedication to tennis,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement.