By Eric Guedris Sunday, January 18, 2026
Photo credit: Rolex
ESPN is currently running an ad titled “Live Every Match” to promote its Australian Open coverage in the United States. But the ad may need to add an asterisk to the title to fully remind viewers of its true meaning.
Tennis watchers in the US woke up on Saturday morning to find that the streaming giant’s online platform ‘Watch ESPN’ now includes a new ‘ESPN Unlimited’ tier that covers all courts in Melbourne during the two weeks of the year’s first Grand Slam. Specifically, major venues are covered, including Rod Laver Arena, Margaret Court Arena and John Cain Arena.
Officially known as “ESPN Unlimited” and the renamed ESPN+ (now “ESPN Select”), it will launch in August 2025.
The new unlimited plan costs $29.99 per month and, as part of its benefits, states “all ESPN networks (ESPN, ESPN2, etc.) and services, including ESPN+.”
The standard package, formerly ESPN+, is now called “ESPN Select” and costs $12.99 per month. The grade once offered play on all pitches but now only covers Melbourne’s outer pitches. The advantage is that subscribers at this level can watch “all ESPN+ live events plus ESPN Originals, 30 for 30s and E60s (with ads).”
At first glance, “ESPN Select” appears to offer comprehensive on-court coverage, but that’s not the case, including live games and online replays.
Viewers with ESPN channels, whether on streaming platforms, cable or other providers, will still be able to watch games on the home court through the network’s two weeks of coverage.
The change upset many viewers and tennis writers, who complained on social media about having to pay more and complained to ESPN that it made it more difficult to watch tennis in Australia.
Streaming platforms raising prices and changing services is nothing new. Viewers, whether they watch sports or not, have had to contend with rising subscription costs, which in some cases have increased year over year.
ESPN raised eyebrows ahead of the Australian Open when it announced that two long-time analysts, Brad Gilbert and Pam Shriver, would no longer be part of the tennis coverage team.
“Brad Gilbert and Pam Schiffer no longer work at ESPN,” an ESPN spokesperson told Tennis Now. “We thank them for their cooperation over the years and wish them all the best for the future.”
ESPN’s coverage of the Australian Open begins on January 11 and continues until February 1. ESPN’s TV and streaming schedule for week one of the Australian Open is as follows:
