Shanghai Masters
The Rolex Shanghai Masters runs from 5 to 18 October 2026 at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena. It is the biggest event of the Asian swing, and the time difference makes it the most awkward of the autumn tournaments for British viewers to follow live.
Shanghai Masters UK TV and Streaming
| Platform | Coverage |
|---|---|
| Sky Sports Tennis | Live coverage through to the final |
| NOW | Streaming without a Sky contract, via a Sports membership |
| Bet365 | Live streaming for eligible account holders |
Sky Sports Tennis is the UK home of the Masters 1000 events, with NOW carrying the same feed for anyone who would rather not take a full subscription. Bet365 streams to eligible account holders. 18+, please gamble responsibly.
UK Start Times
Shanghai is seven hours ahead of the UK. Play generally begins around 11am local, which is 4am in Britain, and the night session starts about 7pm local, or midday here. The practical upshot is that the early matches are for insomniacs and the featured night matches land in the UK lunchtime, which is better than it sounds.
Key Dates
| Stage | When |
|---|---|
| Main draw begins | 5 October |
| Final | 18 October |
With 96 players the tournament takes nearly two weeks, so the second week is where the seeds and the television schedule converge.
What to Watch For
Valentin Vacherot defends the most improbable Masters 1000 title ever won. Beyond that, Shanghai comes at the point in the season when the race to Turin concentrates minds, so the leading players tend to turn up and take it seriously.
For coverage of every other event, see our full how to watch tennis guide.
FAQ
Shanghai Masters FAQs
What channel is the Shanghai Masters on in the UK?
Sky Sports Tennis carries live coverage, with streaming through NOW. Bet365 also streams to eligible account holders.
What time is the Shanghai Masters on in the UK?
Shanghai is seven hours ahead. Day play starts around 4am UK time and the night session around midday UK time.
When is the Shanghai Masters 2026 final?
Sunday 18 October 2026. The main draw begins on 5 October.
Can I watch the Shanghai Masters for free?
There is no free-to-air UK coverage. NOW offers a Sports membership without a Sky contract, and Bet365 streams to eligible account holders. 18+, please gamble responsibly.
More Coverage
See our Shanghai preview, betting tips, prize money breakdown and list of champions. Full coverage sits on our Shanghai Masters hub, every event we follow is in the tournaments index, and the dates are in the 2026 tennis calendar.