ESPN is bringing a new viewing experience to the 2026 US Open, launching a RedZone-style whip-around broadcast that jumps between all 16 courts during the tournament’s action-packed early rounds. It marks the first time this format has been used in ESPN’s tennis coverage.
## How It Works
The new coverage, called RedZone at the US Open, runs from August 30 through September 4 and streams on the ESPN App for Unlimited plan subscribers between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET. Hosted from a set overlooking the grounds, the broadcast is designed to give fans constant access to key moments across every court rather than locking them into a single featured match.
## Why This Format Fits Tennis
– Early rounds often feature dozens of simultaneous matches, making traditional single-court coverage limiting
– Whip-around style broadcasting has proven popular in other sports for capturing decisive moments in real time
– It gives lower-profile matches, including those involving wild cards and next-gen prospects, a bigger platform
## A Broader Broadcast Shift
The new format arrives alongside other coverage additions, including former players joining ESPN’s analyst team to add expert perspective throughout the tournament. Together, these changes reflect a broader shift in how major sports broadcasters are trying to hold viewer attention across long tournaments with hundreds of matches.
## What It Means for Fans
For casual viewers who might otherwise tune out until the later rounds, RedZone-style coverage offers a way to stay engaged with storylines from across the draw, including breakout runs from young Americans and closely watched veterans. If the format succeeds at the US Open, don’t be surprised to see other Grand Slam broadcasters experiment with similar whip-around coverage in the years ahead.