USTA and IBM Extend US Open Partnership Through 2031 with AI and Cloud Innovation

Image: IBM · Source

The USTA and IBM have renewed their partnership for five more years, continuing IBM's role as Official AI and Cloud Partner of the US Open through 2031, enhancing digital fan experiences with advanced hybrid cloud and AI technologies.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) and technology giant IBM have announced a five-year renewal of their longstanding partnership, extending IBM’s role as the Official AI and Cloud Partner of the US Open through 2031. This renewal follows a highly successful 2026 tournament season during which IBM-powered digital platforms saw record engagement, with over 270 million total interactions across the US Open website and mobile app.

This collaboration, ongoing for more than 30 years, began with the launch of USOpen.org in 1995 and was further expanded with a mobile app introduced in 2009. The 2026 US Open showcased new features such as Live Updates, Key Moments, and Serve Quality, all powered by IBM’s hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence technologies. These innovations contributed to delivering a world-class, first-of-its-kind experience to fans, combining real-time data and interactive content.

The US Open achieved significant milestones in 2026, welcoming over 1.2 million onsite attendees throughout the three-week event, including more than 300,000 fans during Fan Week. The tournament’s social media presence surged with more than 3.9 billion interactions across owned and operated channels—a 26% increase compared to the previous year. Broadcast viewership also peaked, with ESPN networks averaging 3 million viewers for the combined men’s and women’s singles finals, and a record 374 million global broadcast viewer hours amassed during the tournament.

The USTA, a not-for-profit organization governing tennis in the United States, continues to leverage this partnership to promote and grow tennis at all levels. IBM’s hybrid cloud and AI solutions, particularly on the Red Hat OpenShift platform, remain key enablers in their digital transformation, serving millions of tennis fans worldwide with innovative, reliable, and engaging experiences.

IBM, recognized globally for its expertise in AI, hybrid cloud, and consulting, supports clients across numerous industries to harness data insights and streamline operations securely and efficiently. This extended partnership with the USTA exemplifies IBM’s commitment to integrating advanced technologies within major sporting events to enhance fan engagement and operational excellence.

With this renewed agreement, fans can anticipate continued innovation and enhanced digital engagement at the US Open tournaments through 2031, solidifying the event’s status as a premier technology-driven sports spectacle.