If you’ve ever sat through a three-hour Wimbledon final on a slow internet connection, you know how frustrating it is to miss a backhand winner because the stream buffers. Or worse - you’re stuck with a broadcaster that cuts away during tiebreaks. Watching tennis live shouldn’t feel like a gamble. With Wimbledon and the US Open happening every year, knowing where to stream them reliably matters. And no, just because you have a Netflix subscription doesn’t mean you’re covered.
Why you can’t just use regular streaming services
Most big streaming platforms like Disney+, Hulu, or Amazon Prime don’t carry Grand Slam tennis. That’s not an accident. Tennis rights are tightly controlled. The All England Club owns Wimbledon. The USTA owns the US Open. They sell broadcast rights to specific networks - not to general entertainment giants. If you try to find Wimbledon on Apple TV+, you’ll hit a wall. Same with the US Open on Max. These tournaments are exclusive to sports-focused channels, and those channels often require separate subscriptions.Even if you have a cable package, you might still be out of luck. Some providers only carry one of the two majors. In the UK, BBC has Wimbledon. In the US, ESPN and Amazon Prime Video split US Open coverage. If you’re outside those regions, you need to know exactly which local broadcaster holds the rights - and how to access them.
Where to stream Wimbledon in 2025
Wimbledon runs in late June and early July. For 2025, here’s where you can watch it live, depending on where you are:- UK: BBC iPlayer - free, no subscription needed. They show every match on Centre Court and Court 1, plus highlights and expert analysis.
- US: ESPN and ESPN+ - ESPN airs the finals and key matches on TV. ESPN+ has every single match from every court, including qualifying rounds. You need both to get full coverage.
- Australia: Seven Network and 7plus - free-to-air with live streams. They’ve held the rights since 2021 and offer full match replays.
- Canada: TSN and TSN+ - TSN broadcasts select matches on TV. TSN+ gives you every match, including practice sessions.
- New Zealand: Spark Sport (now part of Sky Sport) - Sky Sport 1 and Sky Sport Now carry all matches. You’ll need a subscription, but they offer a 7-day free trial.
- Europe: Eurosport (via discovery+) - covers most matches across the continent. In France, beIN Sports has exclusive rights.
Don’t assume your local TV provider shows everything. In Germany, for example, ARD and ZDF only show the finals. The rest? You need a Eurosport subscription. Always check the official Wimbledon website for your country’s broadcaster - they list every partner with direct links.
Where to stream the US Open in 2025
The US Open takes place in late August and early September. It’s the most widely televised tennis event in the world, but coverage is split across platforms - and not always in the same way as Wimbledon.- US: ESPN and ESPN+ - same as Wimbledon. ESPN broadcasts the finals and top matches. ESPN+ streams every single match, including qualifying rounds and night sessions. You can’t watch the US Open on Peacock, Hulu, or YouTube TV unless they bundle ESPN.
- Canada: TSN and TSN+ - again, same as Wimbledon. Full access with a subscription.
- UK: Amazon Prime Video - since 2022, Amazon has held exclusive UK rights. You need a Prime membership, but it’s included. No extra fee. You get 100+ hours of live tennis, including the final on Centre Court.
- Australia: Nine Network and 9Now - free-to-air for the finals and key matches. 9Now offers live streaming with no login required.
- New Zealand: Sky Sport Now - again, full coverage. Same as Wimbledon.
- Europe: Eurosport (discovery+) - most matches, but not all. In Spain, Movistar+ has exclusive rights. In Italy, DAZN carries the tournament.
One big difference between Wimbledon and the US Open? The US Open has night sessions. Those are almost always on ESPN+ in the US, and Amazon Prime in the UK. If you want to see the big names playing under the lights, you need the premium stream.
How to watch from anywhere - without a VPN
You’re in New Zealand. Your favorite player is playing at Wimbledon, but BBC iPlayer won’t load. You’re tempted to use a VPN. But here’s the truth: most official broadcasters block VPNs now. And if you get caught, you risk having your account suspended.Instead, use the official broadcaster’s international streaming app. Sky Sport Now (NZ), TSN+ (Canada), and discovery+ (Europe) all work globally. You don’t need a local address or credit card. Just sign up with your real location and pay in your local currency. Some even let you watch on multiple devices at once.
For example, if you’re in Japan and want to watch the US Open, you can subscribe to DAZN directly from your phone. It’s in Japanese, supports local payment methods, and streams in 1080p. No VPN needed. No risk. Just clean, legal access.
Free options? Yes - but limited
There are free ways to watch parts of these tournaments. But they’re not full access.- BBC iPlayer - free in the UK. You get every match on Centre Court and Court 1. No catch-up after 30 days.
- 7plus (Australia) - free for Wimbledon and US Open finals. Also streams some early rounds.
- 9Now (Australia) - same as 7plus. Free finals and key matches.
- YouTube - official tournament channels post highlights. Not live. Sometimes they stream one match per day during the first week.
- Facebook Watch - occasionally, local broadcasters stream short clips or press conferences.
Don’t waste time on unofficial streams. They’re low quality, full of ads, and often taken down mid-match. You’ll miss the deciding point because the stream crashed. And if you’re in a country with strict copyright laws, you could get flagged.
What about mobile and smart TV apps?
Most official broadcasters have apps that work on Apple TV, Roku, Android TV, Fire Stick, and smartphones. But they’re locked to your region.For example:
- ESPN+ works on iOS, Android, Roku, and Xbox - but only if you’re in the US.
- Amazon Prime Video’s tennis stream works globally - but only if you’re in the UK, Germany, or Austria.
- Discovery+ works on most smart TVs - but only if you’re in Europe or Latin America.
The trick? Download the app before you travel. Log in with your account. Then use your home country’s login credentials. Many apps let you stream abroad as long as you’re already subscribed. Sky Sport Now, for instance, lets New Zealand subscribers watch Wimbledon from Australia without changing anything.
Best value for money
If you only care about the finals, free options like BBC iPlayer or 7plus are enough. But if you want to follow your favorite players from qualifying rounds to the final, you need a subscription.Here’s what you get for your money:
| Service | Region | Wimbledon Access | US Open Access | Price (USD/month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESPN+ | US | All matches | All matches | $10.99 |
| Amazon Prime Video | UK | All matches | All matches | $8.99 (with Prime) |
| Sky Sport Now | New Zealand | All matches | All matches | $29.99 |
| discovery+ | Europe | Most matches | Most matches | $7.99 |
| DAZN | Japan, Italy | Most matches | All matches | $19.99 |
Amazon Prime Video is the best deal if you’re in the UK. You get both majors included with your Prime membership. ESPN+ is the most comprehensive for Americans. Sky Sport Now is pricey but worth it if you’re serious about tennis - you get every match, every year, without ads.
What to do if your stream fails
Even the best services glitch. Buffering. Audio lag. Black screen. Happens to everyone.Here’s what to try:
- Restart your router - yes, really. Most buffering issues are network-related.
- Switch from Wi-Fi to Ethernet if you’re on a TV or computer.
- Lower the video quality in the app settings. 720p loads faster than 4K.
- Use a different device. If your phone works but your smart TV doesn’t, the issue is with the TV’s app.
- Check the broadcaster’s social media. If they’re posting ‘technical difficulties,’ you’re not alone.
Never give up on the match. Most streams have a 15-minute delay. If you’re on a slow connection, you can still follow the score on the official tournament app. Then catch up on the replay later.
Final tip: Set reminders
Tennis schedules change. Weather delays. Match times shift. Don’t rely on your calendar app alone.Subscribe to the official Wimbledon or US Open email alerts. They send match schedules 24 hours in advance. You’ll get a push notification if a match moves from Centre Court to Court 18. You’ll know when the night session starts. You won’t miss a single point.
And if you’re watching with friends? Share the link. Most official streams let you cast to Chromecast or AirPlay. No need to crowd around one screen. Everyone can watch on their own device - even if they’re in a different country.
Can I watch Wimbledon and US Open for free?
Yes - but only partially. In the UK, BBC iPlayer streams all matches on Centre Court and Court 1 for free. In Australia, 7plus and 9Now offer free access to finals and select matches. But if you want to watch every match from every court, you’ll need a paid subscription like ESPN+, Amazon Prime Video, or Sky Sport Now.
Is Amazon Prime Video the only place to watch Wimbledon in the UK?
Yes. Since 2022, Amazon Prime Video has held exclusive live rights to Wimbledon in the UK. BBC still broadcasts highlights and radio coverage, but you need a Prime membership to watch the live matches. There’s no extra fee - it’s included with your Prime subscription.
Can I watch US Open on Netflix or Hulu?
No. Neither Netflix nor Hulu carries live Grand Slam tennis. The US Open is broadcast exclusively through ESPN and ESPN+ in the US. Outside the US, it’s on Amazon Prime Video (UK), Sky Sport Now (NZ), or DAZN (Japan/Italy). These are sports-specific rights, not entertainment deals.
Do I need a VPN to watch tennis from New Zealand?
No. Sky Sport Now, available in New Zealand, offers full coverage of both Wimbledon and the US Open with no need for a VPN. You can watch from anywhere in the world using your New Zealand account. Most official broadcasters now support international access - as long as you’re a paying subscriber.
Which service gives the most matches - ESPN+ or Sky Sport Now?
Both offer every match from every court, including qualifying rounds and practice sessions. ESPN+ has more coverage in the US, while Sky Sport Now has deeper coverage in New Zealand and the Pacific. In terms of quantity, they’re equal. The difference is in regional language commentary and extra features like player stats and live scoring.
