Community watch parties for the 2026 U.S. Open
As the 126th U.S. Open Golf Championship unfolds at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, golf enthusiasts on Long Island who are unable to attend the final rounds in person have several local options to experience the tournament’s excitement. Various establishments and community spaces are hosting viewing parties and events, offering opportunities to gather, enjoy refreshments, and watch the competition on large screens.
One notable event is the Outdoor U.S. Open Watch Party at Agawam Park in Southampton. Running from June 18 to June 21, this event will screen the Open on a giant JumboTron TV. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and chairs, as seating is limited. Shuttles will be available to transport guests to the Stony Brook University parking lot in Southampton, providing a convenient way to access the event. This outdoor viewing is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. until the final round each day, rain or shine, with no cover charge.
For families, the Children’s Museum of the East End in Bridgehampton is hosting the “Mini” Open from June 17 to June 19. This event features golf-related activities designed for children. Activities include designing a dream golf hole on June 17, participating in caddy bag day on June 18, and joining a “find the hidden golf balls” scavenger hunt on June 19. Children can also enjoy playing on a nine-hole miniature golf course. Admission to these activities is free with the museum’s general admission fee of $19, and the event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Local venues offer viewing and specials
Several local restaurants and entertainment venues are also gearing up to host watch parties for the U.S. Open, providing a social atmosphere for fans. The Social Fusion Restaurant in Hauppauge will be showing the tournament on multiple big screens from June 19 to June 21, offering happy hour specials to its patrons. The viewing hours are from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., with no cover charge.
On June 21, the day of the final round, Long Beach Coffee and Tea in Long Beach will feature the U.S. Open on more than 20 big screen TVs. This location will also offer drink specials and the opportunity for guests to play indoor golf at bay simulators, which require reservations and have prices starting from $65. The viewing will run from 8 a.m. until the final round concludes.
Also on June 21, Top Golf in Holtsville will broadcast the U.S. Open in its sports bar on overhead TVs, starting from 9 a.m. until the final round, with no cover charge. Similarly, Lounge X in Great Neck will allow fans to watch the tournament on big screen TVs, offering drink specials and golf simulator/bay play, which also requires reservations with prices starting from $70. Their viewing hours are from 9 a.m. until the final round.
Broadcast plans for the tournament
For those watching from home or at these local venues, broadcast coverage of the U.S. Open will see some adjustments this year. The NBC broadcast network plans to carry coverage of Friday’s second round through its conclusion, rather than shifting the final hour to Peacock, a change from previous years since NBC retook rights for USGA events in 2020. This decision aims to capitalize on the peak viewership during the late hours of golf broadcasts. NBC‘s second-round coverage on Friday is scheduled to run from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. ET.
This adjustment means that many star golfers could be playing into the late hours on Friday, potentially creating dramatic moments as players fight to make the cut. Traditionally, later second-round tee times have been reserved for players who are not as widely known, while star players would finish earlier in the day. Peacock will still exclusively air late-day coverage for the first round on Thursday, broadcasting the tournament between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. ET. USA Network will cover the entire first round up until that point and will also provide lead-in coverage for the weekend rounds.
Extensive streaming coverage of the tournament will be available online through Peacock, USOpen.com, and the USGA App. Peacock will offer live simulcasts of NBCSN‘s late coverage of Thursday’s opening round and early coverage of Friday’s second round, along with NBC‘s U.S. Open coverage on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Additionally, featured group live streams will be available in the morning and afternoon of all four rounds via Peacock, USOpen.com, and the USGA App. The first round coverage on Peacock is scheduled for 5-8 p.m. on Thursday, June 18.
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Source: newsday.com
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