RALPH LAUREN CHANNELS NEW YORK ENERGY FOR ITS OFFICIAL 2026 US OPEN COLLECTION
words by BEX WHITLEY
Ralph Lauren’s relationship with tennis extends across some of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments, each offering a distinct expression of the brand’s sporting heritage. Its latest chapter unfolds in New York, where Ralph Lauren returns as the US Open’s Official Outfitter and Sunglass Sponsor, marking 21 years with the tournament. Its role at the US Open is not confined to the court, with retail activations, hospitality and consumer experiences taking place across the city.
The tournament began on Sunday, and those with an eye for detail may have noticed subtle updates to the on-court uniform. Building on last year’s bold colour-blocking, the 2026 design combines marigold yellow, tournament green, navy and white with graphic stripes intended to capture the pace, confidence and energy New York City has to offer. This year's collection combines the distinct lenses of classic sportswear rooted in the game’s traditions, alongside technical pieces shaped by modern utility. Tennis skirts and heritage-inspired collegiate sweaters sit alongside windbreakers, fleece-lined jackets and graphic additions that add a newfound edge. The result is a wardrobe steeped in Americana that takes the visual codes of tennis into everyday dressing.
Over the course of the 21-year partnership, Ralph Lauren has become integral to the US Open’s visual identity. This year, the brand is dressing more than 800 people across the tournament, including 215 on-court officials and all 300 members of the ball crew. Only last year, Ralph Lauren and the USTA signed a landmark agreement extending the brand’s role as Official Outfitter through 2032.
The brand’s extended programming throughout the season positions tennis as more than a game, translating its codes into a wider lifestyle. Ralph Lauren creates multiple points of entry into the world surrounding the tournament, from public-facing retail activations to its reimagined hospitality space at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The collection’s relationship with New York takes physical form at Nordstrom’s 57th Street flagship, where a six-week takeover brings the world of the US Open into the heart of Manhattan. Guests can take part in custom printing, embroidery and debossing, combining that New York energy with their own creative flair to make something entirely their own. The inclusion of curated Ralph Lauren Vintage further connects the brand’s newest designs with the sporting heritage that has shaped its aesthetic for decades.
At a time when fashion’s fascination with tennis shows little sign of slowing, Ralph Lauren’s ability to combine heritage and longstanding association with a contemporary perspective allows it to retain its authority while continuing to evolve with the culture surrounding the sport.
