IHG will run a free coach from Arthur Ashe Stadium to Manhattan hotels, offer custom merchandise and a returning cocktail. The perks target IHG One Rewards enrollment.
IHG is leaning into the U.S. Open this year with a set of on-site perks designed to pull more tennis fans into its loyalty program. The hotel operator, an official partner of the tournament, will run a complimentary coach from Arthur Ashe Stadium to its Manhattan properties after select sessions. The ride includes slices of Prince Street Pizza, express facial treatments, match replays, and device charging along the way.
The IHG Racquet Cruiser, as the coach is called, stops at hotels near Penn Station and Grand Central Terminal. Entry requires a same-day U.S. Open ticket and a stop at the IHG Racquet Bar inside the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The bar itself will sell the returning Watermelon Slice cocktail, a mix of Moët & Chandon, watermelon juice, elderflower liqueur, and lime served in a collectible cup. It will also distribute custom IHG-branded merchandise to IHG One Rewards members.
Signing up for the loyalty program is free. IHG is betting the racquet cruiser, the bar, and the giveaways will nudge attendees to enroll. The U.S. Open runs from August 23 through September 13, 2026, and draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, giving IHG a concentrated audience of affluent travelers.
American Express cardholders get their own set of perks at the tournament, including access to the Amex Experience area and other benefits. The Business Platinum Card from American Express is a longtime sponsor of the Open. The overlap between Amex premium card users and IHG's target demographic is significant. For American Express, the event serves as a live marketing channel for card acquisition and spend.
IHG's stock page holds an Alpha Score of 52 out of 100, a Mixed rating from AlphaScala. AXP's stock page scores 46, also Mixed. Neither score signals a strong directional view. The U.S. Open activation is a small, seasonal driver for both companies, more about brand positioning than near-term earnings.
The coach service, the cocktail, and the merchandise are available only while supplies last. The tournament begins August 23.
Prepared with AlphaScala editorial tooling from the source reporting linked above. Indexable analysis may include a cited Alpha Score value. Publishing checks screen each story before release. Educational coverage, not personalized advice.