The partnership between the USTA and IBM centers on using data and AI to boost digital fan engagement and match insights beyond traditional broadcasting, as evidenced by over one million spectators at the US Open in 2026.

Innovations rolling out include Live Updates tailored to fan preferences and Serve Quality, an AI-based indicator that assesses serving technique.

Brian Ryerson, USTA Senior Director of Digital Strategy, notes ongoing innovation and fan-centric digital engagement driven by the IBM partnership, with enthusiasm for the next five years.

Executives from USTA and IBM emphasize a long-running collaboration and strong expectations for continued innovation over the next five years.

Key Moments and Match Chat provide match insights, highlight critical moments, and enable interactive digital experiences for fans.

The extension aims to deploy hybrid cloud and generative AI across the USTA’s digital ecosystem to enhance fan engagement and operational capabilities.

The renewal reflects a broader industry trend of sports rights holders using AI and cloud tech to boost audience engagement and monetize data.

2026 global engagement metrics show 3.9 billion social interactions across USTA channels (up 26% from 2025), ESPN finals viewership averaging about 3 million, and a record 374 million viewer hours of global broadcast coverage.

Kameryn Stanhouse, IBM VP of Sports and Entertainment Partnerships, underscores that data processing underpins digital value and enhances fan experiences, building on a 35-year collaboration.

The 2026 US Open set records for fan engagement with over 270 million interactions on USOpen.org and the official app, and on-site attendance of 1.2 million fans over three weeks, including 300,000 during Fan Week.

IBM-powered solutions at the 2026 US Open delivered over 270 million engagements via USOpen.org and the official app, demonstrating the scale of AI-driven fan experiences.

USTA and IBM extended their partnership as Official Artificial Intelligence and Cloud Partner of the US Open through 2031, marking a five-year renewal and continuing a 35-year relationship dating back to 1995 with USOpen.org and 2009 with the US Open mobile app.