Key Takeaways: Watch the Australian Open 

• In the U.S., you can watch the Australian Open online via a live TV streaming service, such as fuboTV, or with ESPN+.
• It’s available to watch for free on Australia’s 9Now network, as well as Austria’s Servus TV.
• If you’re not in either of those countries, you can connect to a VPN server and access it. We recommend using ExpressVPN, though NordVPN and Surfshark are also good options.

This weekend we’ll see the first of 2024’s Grand Slam tournaments, with the Australian Open officially starting Sunday, Jan. 14. Fans head to Melbourne Park to see some big names take to the courts, including Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka as they seek to defend their titles. If you want to watch all the action online, this guide shares how to watch Australian Open matches from anywhere.

We’ll go over the Australian Open TV schedule, where you can watch the matches in the U.S. and abroad, and how to watch the Australian Open for free. However, if you regularly stream live sports or other content online, you’ll likely already be familiar with regional blocks. If not, they basically prevent viewers from accessing certain content and streaming services that aren’t available in their region. 

Using a VPN (virtual private network) helps to bypass such blocks, and we’ve provided a complete how-to guide using the best VPN, ExpressVPN. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know.

When Will the Australian Open 2024 Start?

The qualifying rounds for those not automatically included in the Australian Open main draw ran from Monday, Jan. 8 through Thursday, Jan. 11. The official start date for the Australian Open main draw is Sunday, Jan. 14.

The first, second, third and fourth round matches take us up to Monday, Jan. 22, with the quarter-finals and semi-finals taking us up through Friday, Jan. 26. Both men’s and women’s singles and doubles finals will be held over the last two days, with the tournament concluding Jan. 28.

Australian Open 2024 Schedule

Here are all the match dates for the 2024 Australian Open main draw, starting Jan. 14. This year marks the first time the tournament will start on a Sunday. The extra Sunday means it will run for a full two weeks. 

• Sunday,  Jan. 14: Men’s and women’s first round singles matches
• Monday, Jan. 15: Men’s and women’s first round singles matches
• Tuesday, Jan. 16: Men’s and women’s first round singles matches
• Wednesday, Jan. 17: Men’s and women’s second round singles matches
• Thursday, Jan. 18: Men’s and women’s second round singles matches
• Friday, Jan. 19: Men’s and women’s third round singles matches
• Saturday, Jan. 20: Men’s and women’s third round singles matches
• Sunday, Jan. 21: Men’s and women’s fourth round singles matches
• Monday, Jan. 22: Men’s and women’s fourth round singles matches
• Tuesday, Jan. 23: Men’s and women’s singles quarter-final matches
• Wednesday, Jan. 24: Men’s and women’s singles quarter-final matches
• Thursday, Jan. 24: Men’s and women’s singles quarter-final matches
• Thursday, Jan. 25: Women’s singles semi-final matches
• Friday, Jan. 26: Men’s singles semi-final matches
• Saturday, Jan 27: Women’s singles final & men’s doubles final 
• Sunday, Jan. 28: Men’s singles final & women’s doubles final

How to Watch the Australian Open Without Cable in the U.S.? 

If you’re in the U.S., you have plenty of options for watching the Australian Open online without cable. Plenty of live TV streaming services carry the cable channels that will air the Australian Open, meaning you can subscribe to one of those and get access at home or on the go. 

For instance, the ESPN channels will provide live coverage of the Australian Open in the U.S., and many live streaming services include at least one of these channels.

You will also find the Tennis Channel is included with some, which will broadcast daily highlights and replays of the tournament. Alternatively, you can subscribe to ESPN+, which will provide a live stream of every match.

What you do need to remember is that Melbourne, where the tournament is held, is 16 hours ahead of the East Coast of the USA. So, depending on where you’re based, prepare for some late nights and mid-slumber streaming if you want to watch live. Let’s go over the best options for watching the Australian Open without cable.

ESPN+

ESPN+ is ESPN’s standalone streaming service. This provides a direct place to watch every Australian Open match there is live. The ESPN app is available for many devices too, meaning you can watch in the comfort of your own home or on the go. If you are unable to watch a match live (perhaps because you’re sleeping), ESPN+ also provides access to on-demand replays.

An ESPN+ subscription costs $10.99 per month or $109.99 per year. Alternatively, you can get the Disney Plus-Hulu-ESPN+ bundle for $14.99 per month.

Fubo

FuboTV is a live TV streaming service that focuses on providing sports channels in its packages. Its three main packages, which start at $79.99 per month, all include ESPN and ESPN2. However, you’ll need the Elite or Premier plan if you want the Tennis Channel. These packages also include 1,000 hours of cloud storage, which is handy if you can’t watch the matches live.

Alternatively, you can opt for the Latino package if you want ESPN Deportes. This costs $32.99 per month and includes 250 hours of cloud storage. All fuboTV packages come with a seven-day free trial, too.

Hulu + Live TV

Hulu + Live TV is Hulu’s answer to cutting the cord. It includes Hulu’s on-demand streaming service and a bundle of live TV channels, including ESPN and ESPN2.

Plus, Hulu + Live TV is bundled with Disney Plus and ESPN+, so you’re getting a two-in-one Australian Open streaming solution. Hulu + Live TV starts at $76.99 per month and also comes with unlimited cloud DVR.

Sling TV

Sling TV is split between two packages — Orange and Blue — depending on your channel preferences. That said, you’ll need the Orange plan to watch the Australian Open, since it includes the ESPN channels.

To be exact, you get ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN3 — it’s the only service on this list to include ESPN3. Plans cost $40 each per month, though your first month is at half price and you get 50 hours of cloud DVR. 

How to Watch the Australian Open Overseas?  

Outside of the U.S., there are plenty of other options for watching the Australian Open — you’ll just need to use a VPN to watch the matches. We’ve provided a table below with some of the most popular options abroad, including the best way to watch the Australian Open online for free — Australia’s 9Now network.

How to Watch the Australian Open Online for Free

We have a solution for you if you don’t want to spend on the subscriptions we mentioned above. The matches are available to stream live for free on Channel 9, but this channel is available only to Australian residents. You can also watch it for free on Austrian channel Servus TV.

Thankfully, with a virtual private network, you can circumvent Channel 9 or Servus TV restrictions and watch the games from anywhere. 

Why Use a VPN to Watch the Australian Open Online? 

Because of licensing restrictions, the Australian Open, like other Grand Slam tennis tournaments, is available for streaming in select countries, such as Australia, the U.K., Canada and the U.S.

The streaming services with licensing rights check users’ IP addresses to decide whether they are within their allowed distribution region. For example, if you try to access Channel 9 outside Australia, you’ll get the error message “access is not available in your area.”

A VPN assigns you a unique IP address based on the VPN server location you connect to, which can make you appear to be in a different country than your current country of residence. For example, when you connect to a VPN server in Australia, it assigns you an Australian IP address, enabling you to access Channel 9 without restrictions. 

If you’re a tennis fan from the U.K., U.S. and other countries with broadcast rights, you’ll lose access to local streaming services such as Eurosport and ESPN when you travel abroad. With a VPN, you only need to connect to a server in your home country to access local streaming services. 

How to Watch the Australian Open Online for Free With a VPN 

In this section, we’ll show you how to access Channel 9 using ExpressVPN — the best VPN for Australian Open matches. If you want a completely free experience, you can trial ExpressVPN using its 30-day money-back guarantee.

1. Sign Up for the Best VPN for Streaming

   Sign up for a good VPN for streaming with servers in Australia, like ExpressVPN.

   

2. Download and Install the VPN app

   Download and install the VPN on your streaming devices. If you are watching the Australian Open matches on your smartphone, install the app from Apple’s app store or Google Play store.

   

3. Connect to an Australian Server

   Complete the setup process and connect to a server in Australia.

   

4. Access the Streaming Service

   Do a DNS leak test to confirm that you got the preferred IP address. Open Channel 9 and create an account (you’ll need an Australian address to sign up: any hotel address in Australia will do). Watch the Australian Open matches without limitation.

   

If you’re using a VPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee as a free trial, make sure to cancel within 30 days to get your refund.

Best VPN for Watching the Australian Open Live Stream

We’ve already mentioned ExpressVPN as one of the best VPNs to watch the Australian Open live. In this section, we’ll delve into what makes ExpressVPN the best VPN for streaming the Australian Open. We’ll also discuss its weakness and recommend two of the best ExpressVPN alternatives. 

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming, and it’s no surprise that it claims the top spot here. It has servers in five Australian locations: Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane. The fleet of servers gives you a large pool of IP addresses to access streaming channels in Australia. 

What sets ExpressVPN apart from the rest is its excellent unblocking ability. During our testing, ExpressVPN accessed Channel 9 without a hitch and enabled us to watch the qualifying matches without interruption, thanks to its fast speeds. If that performance is anything to go by, you should enjoy flawless streaming with Discovery Plus, Eurosport and ESPN.

The only quibble is that ExpressVPN is pricey. The monthly plan costs $12.95, but you can bring the price down to $6.66 per month when you subscribe to the one-year plan. However, you can also try it with the 30-day money-back guarantee. Learn more in our ExpressVPN review. 

ExpressVPN Plans

• Unlimited GB
• 8
• Yes

30-days money-back guarantee

1-month plan, 6-months plan

1-month plan

$12.95/month

6-months plan

$9.99/month

$59.94 billed every 6 month

Save 22%

15-months plan

$6.66/month

$99.95 billed first 15 months and 12 months thereafter

Save 48%

2. NordVPN

NordVPN is a safe bet if you’re looking for a VPN that’s nearly as good as ExpressVPN but comes at a cheaper price. Like our top pick, NordVPN offers a large pool of Australian IP addresses with more than 190 servers in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. 

Even if a server struggles to access a streaming service, such as BBC iPlayer, you can switch between servers to find one that works with the tennis streaming channels. We didn’t have to change servers when accessing Channel 9, though we never tested other tennis streaming channels. 

Even better, we enjoyed a lag-free, HD streaming performance thanks to NordVPN’s consistently high international download speeds. Remember: NordVPN is currently the fastest VPN. Whether you’re connecting to an Australian server from Asia or North America, the streams are so smooth that you won’t even notice the VPN is on.

NordVPN is cheaper than ExpressVPN on extended plans. The monthly plan costs $12.99, which is still on the higher side of the pricing spectrum. The one-year plan goes for $5.74 per month and the two-year plan costs $3.48 per month. You can also try NordVPN with its 30-day money-back guarantee. Read our NordVPN review to learn more. 

30-days money-back guarantee

Basic

• *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
• Unlimited GB
• 6
• Yes

1-month plan, 1-year plan

1-month plan

$12.99/month

1-year plan

$5.74/month

$68.85 billed every year

Save 55%

2-year plan

$3.48/month

$83.43 billed every 2 years

Save 73%

Plus

• *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
• Unlimited GB
• 6
• Yes

1-month plan, 1-year plan

1-month plan

$13.99/month

1-year plan

$6.86/month

$82.35 billed every year

Save 50%

2-year plan + 3 months

$3.99/month

$107.73 billed every 2 years

Save 71%

Complete

• *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
• Unlimited GB
• 6
• Yes

1-month plan, 1-year plan

1-month plan

$15.99/month

1-year plan

$9.36/month

$112.35 billed every year

Save 41%

2-year plan + 3 months

$5.99/month

$161.73 billed every 2 years

Save 62%

3. Surfshark

Surfshark is owned by the same company as NordVPN, but it doesn’t rival NordVPN’s server fleet. However, with 20 Australian servers in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne, it should be easy to cloak your actual IP address to access Channel 9 from anywhere. 

During our testing, it found a way around Channel 9 geoblocks without a struggle. If you want to unblock other streaming options such as ESPN, Discovery Plus or Eurosport, Sufshark will find a way on the first attempt. Plus, with its fast download speeds, you’ll enjoy lag- and buffer-free HD streaming.

Surfshark’s unlimited simultaneous connections make it a great pick for large families who want to split the bill. You need a single subscription to protect all devices at home. Because it offers unlimited data and bandwidth, speed won’t dip if everyone in the household is streaming Australian Open on their device. 

Surfshark is the cheapest of the three VPNs on our list. The monthly plan is still pricey at $15.45, but long-term plans offer significant discounts. The one-year plan sets you back $3.22 per month and the two-year plan costs $2.29 per month. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee you can use. Read our comprehensive Surfshark review to learn more.

30-days money-back guarantee

Surfshark Starter

• Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Plans renew: $185.40 for one year, $370.80 for two years
• Unlimited GB
• Unlimited
• Yes

1-month plan, 1-year plan + 2 months

1-month plan

$15.45/month

1-year plan + 2 months

$3.22/month

$41.86 billed every year

Save 79%

2-year plan + 2 months

$2.29/month

$59.54 billed every 2 years

Save 85%

Surfshark One

• Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Plans renew: $191.40 for one year, $380.80 for two years.
• Unlimited GB
• Unlimited

1-month plan, 1-year plan

1-month plan

$15.95/month

1-year plan

$4.09/month

$49.08 billed every year

Save 74%

2-year plan

$3.19/month

$76.56 billed every 2 years

Save 80%

Surfshark One+

• Everything in One, plus Data removal Plans renew: $215.40 for one year, $430.80 for two years
• Unlimited GB
• Unlimited

1-month plan, 1-year plan

1-month plan

$17.95/month

1-year plan

$6.49/month

$77.88 billed every year

Save 63%

2-year plan

$4.97/month

$119.28 billed every 2 years

Save 72%

Can I Use a Free VPN to Stream the Australian Open? 

Yes, you can use a free VPN to watch the Australian Open online, but only if you find one that offers fast speeds, unlimited data and servers in Australia. Sadly, you’ll struggle to find a free VPN that brings all these qualities to the table. 

You can find one with unlimited data, such as Proton VPN, but it doesn’t offer a server in Australia. The story is the same for Windscribe, which has fast speeds but offers only up to 15GB of data per month and has no servers in Australia. 

Lastly, TunnelBear has Australian servers, but it only offers 2GB of data per month, which will run out pretty quickly while streaming.

If you want to watch the Australian Open free of charge, we recommend using the money-back guarantee of a premium VPN. That way you get all the features of the paid VPN, and you’ll get refunded no problem.

Final Thoughts 

By now, you know how to watch the Australian Open online. Get a VPN in advance and set it up on your device so that you don’t miss the action as the world’s best tennis players put in the shift on the hardcourts of Melbourne Park. 

Be ready to witness Novak Djokovic’s magic as he hunts his eleventh Grand Slam tournament title on Australian soil and his 99th singles title of his whole career. We recommend getting started with ExpressVPN, thanks to its excellent streaming abilities. If ExpressVPN’s price is a put-off, NordVPN and Surfshark are cheaper alternatives.

If you’d like to watch other live sports, worry not. We have numerous guides on where to watch live sports such as:

• U.S. Open
• French Open
• FA cup games
• Masters Golf Tournament
• Indian Premier League cricket matches

Who do you think will lift the Australian Open title? Have you used a VPN to stream a grand slam tennis tournament? Which VPN service did you use? Would you recommend that VPN service, and why? We’d love to hear about it in the comment section. As always, thanks for reading.

FAQ: 2024 Australian Open

• How Can I Watch the Australian Open in the U.S.?

  The Australian Open is available on the ESPN channels in the U.S. If you don’t have cable, you can use a live TV streaming service to watch it or sign up for ESPN+. Alternatively, you can connect to a VPN server and watch it for free on Australia’s 9Now network.

• Who Will Play in the Australian Open 2024?

  The 2023 champions, Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka, are in the line-up to defend their title. We’ll also see Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Daniil Medvedev, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and women’s number one Iga Swiatek. We won’t, however, see Rafael Nadal in this tournament due to him recovering from a hip injury. Naomi Osaka and Emma Raducanu will return after some time out.

• How Can a VPN Help Me Watch the Australian Open?

  If you’re traveling or in a country that doesn’t air the Australian Open, you can connect to a VPN server in another country to watch it. This will fool the service into thinking you’re actually in the country. For instance, you can connect to an Australian VPN server and watch the tournament for free on the 9Now network online.