Get ready to work on your best tennis grunt–the 2026 US Open begins this month, and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) is taking the tournament’s iconic energy far beyond Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The USTA has announced a massive lineup of free public activations celebrating its 2026 theme, “Celebrating our New York Story.”
The marquee event? A brand-new, weeklong US Open Experience taking over Hudson Yards’ Public Square & Gardens, paired with the US Open’s first-ever roving free ice cream truck touring all five boroughs, and a wild new NYC subway competition series on YouTube.
Even better? The entire Hudson Yards activation and ice cream tour are completely free! Here’s everything you need to know before grabbing your tennis racket.
🎾 What to expect at the US Open Experience at Hudson Yards
For seven action-filled days from Sunday, August 30 through Saturday, September 5, 2026, the Main Plaza surrounding the Vessel will transform into an open-air tennis haven during the first week of the US Open Singles Main Draw.
Running daily from 11 am to 8 pm, the Hudson Yards plaza will feature a weeklong sensory celebration packed with sport, gaming, and NYC nightlife vibes:
- Open Red-Ball Tennis Courts: Grab a provided Wilson racquet and hit the court on two 40-foot-by-20-foot sport courts featuring curated public play sessions
- Advantage Arena Gaming Zone: A premier digital gaming lounge featuring exclusive tennis gameplay in Roblox, Fortnite, Tennis Clash, and TIEBREAK – Grand Slam Edition
- Player Tunnel & Trophy Photo Op: Walk through a replica of the iconic player entrance into Arthur Ashe Stadium and pose for photos holding a replica championship trophy
- The Honey Deuce® Experience: Dickinson’s Farm Stand at Hudson Yards will serve up Grey Goose’s iconic, signature melon-ball cocktail alongside curated food bites
- Live Mural Painting: Watch 2026 US Open theme artist Eugenia Mello paint a massive live mural on-site during the first two days of the event
- Official US Open Merch & Free Ball Giveaways: Shop tournament merchandise typically only sold inside the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (A limited number of collectible, match-used US Open tennis balls will be given away for free each day to the first merchandise buyers)
- Interactive Installations: Check out a 2,000-tennis-ball suspended art sculpture from Polo Ralph Lauren, interactive Peloton fitness setups, and free sampling from Heineken 0.0, La Roche-Posay, and Lavazza
- Sunset Sessions: Catch live evening sets from official US Open DJs spinning every night from 5 pm to 8 pm
🍦 First-ever US Open free ice cream truck hitting all 5 boroughs
To sweeten the experience, the USTA is rolling out its first-ever roving ice cream truck to bring free soft-serve and US Open surprises directly to local park courts across New York City before the Hudson Yards fan hub even kicks off.
From Monday, August 17 through Friday, August 21, the truck will serve up free chocolate and vanilla soft-serve, ice pops, and exclusive US Open swag.
The 5-Borough Ice Cream Truck Schedule:
- Monday, August 17 (Bronx): NYJTL Cary Leeds Center, Crotona Park | 12–4 pm
- Tuesday, August 18 (Manhattan): Riverside Park Tennis Courts, Upper West Side | 1–6 pm
- Wednesday, August 19 (Brooklyn): McCarren Park Tennis Courts, Williamsburg | 1–6 pm
- Thursday, August 20 (Staten Island): Silver Lake Tennis Courts, Silver Lake Park | 1–6 pm
- Friday, August 21 (Queens): Astoria Park Tennis Courts, Astoria | 3–6 pm
📺 Bonus: A new NYC-wide US Open YouTube series (Rally the Boroughs)
For fans following along at home, the USTA is launching a brand-new five-episode competition series, Rally the Boroughs, premiering August 15 on the official US Open YouTube channel.
The high-stakes reality show follows three teams of tennis enthusiasts racing across subway lines and landmarks in all five boroughs, solving clues and completing court challenges for a chance to win tickets to the 2026 US Open Singles Finals.
New episodes drop every Saturday through September 12.
📍 Event details at a glance
- What: The 2026 US Open Fan Experience at Hudson Yards & Ice Cream Tour
- When:
- Hudson Yards Experience: Sunday, August 30 – Saturday, September 5, 2026 (11 am – 8 pm daily)
- Ice Cream Truck: August 17 – August 21, 20
- Where: Hudson Yards Public Square & Gardens (Plus public courts in all five boroughs)
- Cost: Free admission (Food, cocktails, and merch pay-as-you-go)
‘Celebrating our New York Story’ is about honoring the deep-rooted connection between the US Open, the city we call home and, most importantly, the fans. Each of these activations will deliver first-time and long-time fans the energy, the excitement and spirit of the US Open in so many new and exciting ways, all with New York City as the unmistakable backdrop. – Nicole Kankam, Managing Director of Pro Tennis Marketing & Entertainment, USTA
Watch the official trailer for Rally the Boroughs below!