New York, October 28, 2026 / PRNewswire / -- The United States Tennis Association ( USTA ) and IBM ( NYSE : IBM ) announced today that they will renew their long-term and groundbreaking partnership for another five years. Under the agreement, IBM will continue to serve as the official AI and cloud partner of the U.S. Open, with the collaboration extending until 2031.
The renewal was announced after the 2026 US Open tennis tournament. During that event, the digital platform supported by IBM set an interaction record, with the total number of interactions between USOpen.org and the US Open's App exceeding 270 million times.
IBM, Vice President of Sports and Entertainment Cooperation, stated: "For 35 years, IBM and USTA have been working together to redefine how technology can bring fans closer to this sport. This renewal builds on that legacy and will bring IBM technology to the next level of fan experience at the US Open. It also powerfully demonstrates the possibilities that can be achieved when organizations transform complex data into meaningful experiences and create more value for their audiences."
Since the launch of USOpen.org in 1995, to the launch of the mobile application in 2009, and then to the introduction of Live Updates, Key Moments, Serve Quality this year, IBM and USTA have been collaborating for over 30 years. Both parties stated that they are now providing a world-class platform through hybrid cloud and AI technology, offering an unparalleled and pioneering fan experience.
USTA, Senior Director of Digital Strategy, Brian Ryerson stated: "Our collaboration with IBM has brought decades of groundbreaking innovations to the U.S. Open and our fans. Every year, we use cutting-edge technology not only to push the boundaries of digital interaction but also to provide fans with the most useful and engaging ways to connect with this sport. We are grateful for all the achievements we have made through our partnership with IBM and look forward to where our collaboration will take us in the next five years."
These digital achievements are also part of the record-breaking years for the US Open. During the three-week event, a total of over 1.2 million spectators attended, with more than 300,000 attending during the Fan Week period. USTA indicates that the US Open's own social media channels generated over 3.9 billion interactions, including both interactions and video views, representing a 26% increase from 2025. ESPN The event broadcasts during ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC achieved the best viewership since 2022, with an average audience of 3 million for both the women's and men's singles finals. Globally, the US Open set a new record in 2026 with 374 million hours of global broadcast viewing time.
About USTA
USTA is the national governing body for tennis in the United States and a leader in promoting and developing tennis at all levels, covering everything from local communities to the highest level of professional competitions. As a non-profit organization, USTA invests 100% of its revenue in the development of this sport. USTA owns and operates the U.S. Open, one of the sports events with the highest annual audience numbers in the world, and also hosts approximately 100 professional tour events across the United States. It is also responsible for selecting teams for the Davis Cup, the Billie Jean King Cup, as well as the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The charitable organization under USTA, USTA Foundation, provides funding and scholarships, and supports tennis and education programs across the country through the National Youth Tennis and Learning ( NJTL ) network to help youth who lack resources. For more information, please visit USTA.com, or follow their official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (X), and TikTok.
About IBM
IBM is a globally leading provider of hybrid cloud, AI, and consulting services. IBM helps customers in over 175 countries to extract data insights, streamline business processes, reduce costs, and gain a competitive advantage in their respective industries. Thousands of government and corporate organizations in key infrastructure sectors such as financial services, telecommunications, and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to drive digital transformation quickly, efficiently, and securely. IBM offers breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions, and consulting, providing customers with open and flexible options. All of this is built on IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusiveness, and service. For more information, please visit www.ibm.com.
Media contact:
Paul Pettas, IBM, [ email protected ]
Pat Mitsch, USTA, [ email protected ]
Message source: IBM
