ESPN+ To Stream AO Qualifying and Charity Matches

By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, January 8, 2026
Photo credit: ESPN

American viewers can watch every Australian Open qualifying match next week—for a price.

ESPN+ will stream every qualifying match from Melbourne Park live, the network announced today.  

Daily coverage will be available beginning at 6 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday, January 11th through Tuesday, January 13th and starting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, January 15th through the conclusion of play.

The Australian Open main draw is set for Sunday, January18th through Sunday, February 1st.

If you don’t already get ESPN+ through your provider, you can buy a monthly package of ESPN Unlimited for $29.99, which includes ESPN+ according to the network.

Here’s part of the statement from ESPN’s AO news release today:

Within the ESPN App, subscribers can access Multiview on mobile and connected TV devices to watch up to four matches simultaneously. Additionally, Catch Up To Live allows subscribers to watch quick-turn highlights of all the key plays they missed or replay the entire match with “Play from Start” at any time.

In addition to the qualifying matches, ESPN+ will stream all charity matches during qualifying week, supporting the Australian Tennis Foundation and its work benefiting children in need. The charity matches will feature star players and special guests. To close the week, Roger Federer will return to Rod Laver Arena as part of the inaugural Opening Ceremony. Federer will also be featured in an exhibition match alongside Andre Agassi, Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt.

Within the ESPN App, subscribers can access Multiview on mobile and connected TV devices to watch up to four matches simultaneously. Additionally, Catch Up To Live allows subscribers to watch quick-turn highlights of all the key plays they missed or replay the entire match with “Play from Start” at any time.

ESPN+ will also be televising the charity exhibition matches from Melbourne Park.

On Saturday, January 17th, ESPN+ will stream the showdown of former world No. 1 champions featuring Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Lleyton Hewitt and Patrick Rafter.

Here’s the schedule:

Richard Pagliaro is Tennis Now Managing Editor. He is a graduate of New York University and has covered pro tennis for more than 35 years. Richard was tennis columnist for Gannett Newspapers in NY, served as Managing Editor for TennisWeek.com and worked as a writer/editor for Tennis.com. He has been TennisNow.com managing editor since 2010.

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