From a premium ride back to Manhattan to the return of the Watermelon Slice cocktail, IHG Hotels & Resorts is giving 2026 US Open fans a few more reasons to linger after match point.
There is nothing quite like the energy of the US Open. The roar inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, the fashion in the stands, the food, the cocktails and, of course, world-class tennis all combine to make the tournament one of New York’s signature late-summer experiences.
This year, IHG Hotels & Resorts is making sure some of that excitement follows fans right out the gates.
Returning for its eighth year as the official hotel and hotel loyalty program of the US Open Tennis Championships, IHG is introducing the IHG Racquet Cruiser, a complimentary premium motorcoach designed to turn the trip back into Manhattan into one final hospitality experience.
And I have to admit, after several hours of cheering, walking around the grounds and surviving a long tennis session, being chauffeured back toward Manhattan with pizza, Wi-Fi and a little pampering sounds considerably better than battling your way onto a crowded train.
Game, Set, Ride
Following select US Open sessions, eligible guests will have an opportunity to board the IHG Racquet Cruiser for transportation from Arthur Ashe Stadium to select IHG hotels in Manhattan.
But this is not your standard shuttle bus.
IHG has filled the Racquet Cruiser with thoughtful post-match touches including Prince Street Pizza slices, express facial treatments, match replays, Wi-Fi, device charging, surprise gifts and other amenities designed to help passengers decompress after an action-packed day of tennis.
The participating Manhattan hotels are also conveniently positioned near major transportation hubs such as Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal, making the experience useful even for guests continuing their journey beyond Manhattan.
Fans interested in riding can enter for a chance at the IHG Racquet Bar inside the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. A US Open ticket is required to access the tournament grounds.
The concept reflects something IHG Senior Vice President Connor Smith emphasized in announcing the experience: hospitality does not necessarily have to stop at hotel checkout. With the Racquet Cruiser, the company is extending that philosophy into the journey surrounding one of New York’s biggest sporting events.
The Watermelon Slice Is Serving Another Season
Of course, transportation is not the only thing returning to IHG’s US Open playbook.
The popular Watermelon Slice cocktail is back at the IHG Racquet Bar for 2026, combining Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut, watermelon juice, elderflower liqueur and lime, finished with a watermelon wedge.
Even the vessel gets into the game. The cocktail is served in IHG’s collectible tennis-inspired cup, turning your drink into a souvenir long after the last ball has been served.
Because sometimes the accessories matter too.
IHG One Rewards Members Get More
IHG is also adding experiences specifically for IHG One Rewards members, including custom merchandise and limited-time redemption opportunities.
Members can use their points to bid on special experiences through IHG One Rewards Access, including opportunities connected to IHG’s sports partnerships throughout the year.
It is a smart intersection of travel, hospitality, sports and lifestyle. Instead of simply putting a logo around the tournament grounds, IHG is creating experiences fans can actually use and remember.
And that may be the Racquet Cruiser’s best feature.
The US Open already delivers plenty of drama before match point. IHG is betting that with the right hospitality, even the ride home can become part of the story.
The 2026 US Open Tennis Championships run August 23 through September 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, New York.