The Open begins its tournament week every mid-year. In 2026, it takes place at Royal Birkdale from Sunday, July 12 to the 19th of the same month.
Coverage of all the fixtures is split across multiple providers.
For instance.. Peacock holds the opening from 1:30 to 4 a.m. ET window on Thursday and Friday. This is followed by USA Sports from 4 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Free options to watch The Open Championship
These options provide permanent access without a streaming subscription, although neither supplies the entire main broadcast.
1. NBC
- Device support: Televisions with a digital tuner. You can use an indoor or outdoor antenna.
- Availability: United States
Events covered here are the closing portion of both weekend rounds. Coverage starts at 7 a.m. ET on Saturday, July 18. It continues until 3 p.m.
Sunday’s final-round broadcast runs from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET, including the closing holes and trophy.
Pros:
- Weekend coverage is available without a monthly subscription.
- NBC carries the decisive closing hours of the third and final rounds.
- Over-the-air broadcasts avoid internet buffering and home broadband limits.
Cons:
- Thursday, Friday, and the early weekend windows are missing.
- Reception quality depends on your location and antenna setup.
2. The Open website and app
- Device support: Apps on phones and tablets, plus desktop and mobile web browsers.
- Availability: Worldwide
The official Open app and website supplement the television broadcast with live scoring, ShotView data, Top Shots, Trending Moments, selected live streams, and a dedicated Player Stream following featured golfers. The available video feeds depend on local broadcasting agreements, so the full NBC or USA Sports presentation is not included.
The Open Radio provides the most dependable free live coverage. Commentary begins at 7 a.m. BST on Thursday and Friday and at 9 a.m. BST over the weekend, continuing through the end of play.
Pros:
- The Open Radio follows play from the first groups through the end of each round.
- Live scoring and ShotView provide more detail than a television leaderboard.
- Selected player feeds and digital streams add views beyond the main broadcast.
Cons:
- The complete NBC and USA Sports broadcast is not included.
- Live video availability differs by country.
Paid options to watch The Open Championship
Paid choices range from a low-cost Peacock subscription to full live TV packages carrying USA Sports and local NBC stations. They include:
1. Peacock
- Starting price (Per month): $10.99
- Device support: All smart TVs, gaming consoles, and web browsers.
- Availability: United States
Peacock is the main standalone streaming service for The Open. It exclusively streams the first 2½ hours of the opening two rounds from 1:30 to 4 a.m. ET. It also simulcasts NBC’s weekend coverage from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Additional feeds run throughout the day, including Featured Groups, Player Focus, and all-access coverage. These streams let you follow selected golfers while the main broadcast moves around the course.
Pros:
- It is the lowest-priced standalone service with live championship coverage.
- Featured Groups and Player Focus provide alternatives to the main feed.
- NBC’s closing weekend coverage streams in the same app.
- Replays help you catch overnight golf later in the day.
Cons:
- The long USA Sports portions of all four rounds are not part of the standard Peacock main feed.
- Live golf still contains commercial breaks on Premium Plus.
2. Sling Blue
- Starting price (Per month): $45.99
- Device support: Works on Roku, Fire, Apple, and Android Operating Systems. It is compatible with Chromecast, Samsung, LG, and Vizio smart TVs, Xbox, mobile devices, tablets, and browsers.
- Availability: United States
This service includes USA Sports. This is the channel that carries most of Thursday and Friday, plus the early weekend coverage.
NBC is also included only in selected cities. Enter your ZIP code before subscribing rather than assuming that the local station appears in your lineup.
Pros:
- A seven-day pass offers a cheaper route than paying for a full month.
- Three simultaneous streams support households watching different channels.
- Cloud DVR helps with overnight and early-morning tee times.
- Local NBC is available in selected major markets.
Cons:
- NBC is missing from many Sling markets.
3. YouTube TV
- Starting price (Per month): $82.99
- Device support: All connected devices.
- Availability: United States
The giant carries USA Sports and local NBC stations. That means you get the weekday cable windows and weekend network broadcasts inside one guide. Local NBC coverage reaches more than 98% of US television households on this service.
You get Unlimited DVR storage, which is useful for The Open because Thursday and Friday each contain more than 11 hours on USA Sports. Recordings remain available for nine months, and you normally get the DVR version rather than being forced into a shorter network replay.
Pros:
- Unlimited DVR accommodates complete rounds without a storage limit.
- Recordings stay available for nine months.
- Six household accounts receive separate golf libraries.
- Three screens stream at the same time.
Cons:
- The monthly cost is high for one tournament.
4. Hulu + Live TV
- Starting price (Per month): $89.99
- Device support: All devices with access to the internet.
- Availability: United States
This option includes USA Sports and local NBC stations, where available. You receive the main weekday coverage, the early weekend windows, and NBC’s Saturday and Sunday broadcasts through the Hulu live guide.
Similar to other options that carry NBC, you must always confirm your ZIP code lineup.
Pros:
- Unlimited DVR holds the long first and second rounds.
- Recordings remain accessible for nine months.
- Hulu, Disney+, and ESPN Select are included with the live TV plan.
- A short trial is offered to eligible new and returning subscribers.
Cons:
- The standard plan supports only two simultaneous streams.
- Local NBC access is determined by ZIP code.
5. Fubo
- Starting price (Per month): $64.99
- Device support: Works on all devices connected to the internet.
- Availability: United States
Fubo combines USA Sports with NBC affiliates in supported markets. This gives you the main cable feed throughout Thursday and Friday, the early hours on Saturday and Sunday, and the closing NBC broadcasts.
Here, there is a sports-focused guide. This makes it easier to locate tournament coverage and related studio programming without browsing through a large general-entertainment menu.
Pros:
- The standard price is lower than several full live TV competitors.
- A free trial is offered to eligible new customers.
- The channel guide places sports prominently.
Cons:
- Some locations add regional sports fees to the monthly bill.
- Peacock remains the better source for alternate feeds and the earliest coverage.
6. DIRECTV
- Starting price (Per month): $89.99
- Device support: Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast, Samsung, LG and Vizio smart TVs, mobile devices, tablets, Gemini devices, and web browsers.
- Availability: United States
DIRECTV’s Entertainment streaming package includes USA Sports and local NBC stations, where available. You also receive more than 90 live channels without installing a satellite dish.
If you are a new customer, you will receive a five-day trial. This will cover all four championship rounds when started on Thursday. A payment card is required, and the subscription renews automatically unless canceled.
Pros:
- Unlimited cloud DVR provides space for each televised window.
- Unlimited in-home streams suit larger households.
- The guide resembles a familiar cable television setup.
Cons:
- The regular monthly price is among the highest options.
- Local NBC depends on your billing area.