The Group Chat: NY’s hottest club is Arthur Ashe Stadium
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
🙌 Attending the US Open isn’t just about the tennis — it’s about the atmosphere. Much like NYC itself, there’s an air of exclusivity at the tournament, from the Moët champagne to endless celebrity sightings (more on those later). But most of all, the vibe at the US Open is that of a feel-good party..
- The stadiums are absolutely packed, with more than 1M fans descending upon Queens for last year’s tourney, a number that broke the previous record set in 2023.
- Meanwhile, unlike another prestigious major, Wimbledon, where there’s a strict 11 p.m. local time curfew, night sessions are a staple at the US Open, with the latest match lasting until 2:50 a.m. ET. That’s right, get your caffeine of choice ready.
🍹 The Masters has the Azalea, the Kentucky Derby has the Mint Julep — enter: the US Open Honey Deuce, the signature cocktail crowds can’t get enough of. This light and tart sip you’ve seen all over your Instagram feed is traditionally made with lemonade, raspberry liqueur, and Grey Goose vodka (or if you’re Serena Williams, tequila), and garnished with tennis ball-shaped honeydew.
- Last year, the US Open made $13M in revenue on Honey Deuces alone, up from $10M in 2023. At least you get to keep the cup.
👀 Finally, the US Open takes people-watching to a new level — especially when it comes to celebrity sightings. From influencers to A-listers, everyone wants a seat in Arthur Ashe Stadium, a chance to see the world’s best tennis players in action and be seen by the cameras.
- Tickets are still available for this year’s competition, but if it’s too last minute to jet to NYC, have no fear. Pull up your cal and set an early June reminder to check for passes for the 2026 event. You’ll be so ready to serve.
