Emirates has returned to the US Open Grand Slam tournament as its Official Airline Partner, marking 15 consecutive years of sponsorship while bringing a series of premium hospitality, fan engagement and tennis-themed experiences to spectators and travelers. With the tournament taking place from August 30 to September 13, the airline is combining its global aviation brand with one of the world’s most prominent sporting events, offering specially designed experiences both at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York and aboard selected Emirates flights. The partnership highlights the growing connection between international air travel, sports tourism and premium hospitality, as Emirates continues to use major global sporting occasions to engage with travelers and audiences around the world.
A New Emirates Suite Brings Its Signature Hospitality To Arthur Ashe Stadium
One of the major highlights of Emirates’ 2026 US Open presence is the launch of its newly designed 1,579 square foot luxury hospitality suite at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Created as an extension of the airline’s renowned onboard experience, the suite incorporates design elements inspired by Emirates’ premium aircraft cabins, including sophisticated interiors, modern color palettes, premium wood grain finishes, and luxurious cream leather seating.
Guests can enjoy premium dining and beverages while taking in live views of the tennis action, creating an environment designed to reflect the airline’s distinctive approach to hospitality. The space will welcome sports enthusiasts, celebrities, tennis legends and guests throughout the two-week championship, offering an elevated setting from which to experience the tournament.
For the first time, Emirates has also brought its iconic A380 Onboard Bar into the US Open hospitality environment. The bar, recognized as one of the airline’s signature inflight features, offers guests a curated drinks selection and recreates the social atmosphere associated with Emirates’ premium onboard experience. By transferring this distinctive element from its aircraft to Arthur Ashe Stadium, the airline is creating a more immersive connection between its aviation identity and its sponsorship of the tournament. Alongside the bar, gourmet dining, premium beverages and stadium views are intended to give guests a hospitality experience that combines the atmosphere of international air travel with the excitement of live Grand Slam tennis.
Emirates Day To Turn The US Open Into A Fan Experience
Emirates is also extending its presence beyond the hospitality suite through a series of interactive activities designed to give spectators a more direct connection with the airline and the tournament. On August 31, during “Emirates Day,” Emirates cabin crew will host the “Ball Flight” at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Following selected matches, the winning players will be presented with tennis balls to autograph before the signed balls are launched into the stands, giving spectators an opportunity to participate in the celebration while also offering selected fans the chance to win tickets to the Men’s Singles Semifinal matches.
The airline will further engage visitors through its promotional booth at the US Open, where fans can take part in interactive games and compete for prizes. Among the rewards are opportunities to win tickets to Dubai, linking the excitement of the New York tournament with Emirates’ home destination and wider international network. These activities form part of the airline’s broader strategy of turning sponsorship into direct consumer experiences rather than limiting its presence to traditional branding, while giving international and local spectators additional reasons to engage with the Emirates name during one of tennis’s biggest annual events.
US Open Flavours Take To The Skies On Selected Emirates Flights
The tournament experience will not remain inside the stadium. From August 23 to September 13, Emirates customers traveling on selected flights between Dubai and destinations across the airline’s U.S. network can experience a range of specially curated food, beverage and design elements inspired by the US Open. The onboard offerings include tennis ball-themed pastries, US Open chocolate buttons, key lime cupcakes and chocolate hazelnut Bundt cake, while passengers can also sample the tournament’s signature GREY GOOSE Honey Deuce cocktail alongside selected food pairings.
The themed menus vary according to cabin class, with First Class passengers offered premium dishes such as a seafood platter and USDA Prime fillet mignon, together with s’mores-inspired desserts. Business Class travelers can enjoy items including lobster rolls, smoked salmon and classic New York cheesecake, while Premium Economy and Economy passengers can choose from dishes such as meatball rigatoni, BBQ chicken, pecan cheesecake and banana toffee crisp. Selected Emirates airport lounges in Dubai and the United States will also feature US Open-inspired delicacies, including truffle mac and cheese, BBQ short ribs and nachos with dips, while themed beverage coasters and headrest covers will add a tournament touch across all cabins.
Live Tennis And A Global Sports Connection
Sports fans traveling during the championship can also stay connected to the action through Emirates’ ice inflight entertainment system, with selected flights offering live US Open coverage through Sport 24 and Sport 24 Extra. This allows passengers to follow matches while in transit, helping connect the journey itself with the sporting event taking place in New York. Combined with the tournament-inspired menus and cabin touches, the initiative extends Emirates’ US Open partnership beyond the stadium and into the travel experience of passengers flying during the championship period.
The US Open partnership forms part of Emirates’ broader commitment to global sports sponsorship, with the airline supporting major events and organizations across football, rugby, sailing, horse racing, cricket, cycling and tennis. Its tennis portfolio includes partnerships connected with all four Grand Slam tournaments, placing the US Open within a wider international sports strategy.
After 15 consecutive years as the tournament’s Official Airline Partner, Emirates is continuing to position the partnership as a platform for connecting travelers, sports fans and destinations through premium hospitality and memorable travel experiences. The 2026 edition therefore represents not only a milestone in the airline’s sponsorship history but also another example of how major sporting events can become powerful platforms for aviation, tourism and destination engagement.
