Few places in sports carry the history, energy and global recognition of Arthur Ashe Stadium. Each year, the world's best tennis players take center court in Flushing Meadows, Queens, while thousands of fans fill the stands to experience the US Open.
For our August Customer Spotlight, we're heading behind the scenes at this iconic venue to highlight a recent foodservice project completed for the United States Tennis Association (USTA), one that brought together two trusted foodservice manufacturers, RATIONAL and Arctic Industries, to support the stadium's foodservice operation.
A Stadium Built for the Biggest Stage
Arthur Ashe Stadium opened its doors on August 25, 1997, becoming the centerpiece of the USTA National Tennis Center and the largest tennis stadium in the world at the time. The stadium was named in honor of Arthur Ashe, the legendary American tennis champion, humanitarian and activist who won the inaugural US Open in the Open Era in 1968.
With more than 23,000 seats, Ashe quickly became synonymous with the US Open and has hosted some of the most memorable moments in tennis history.
The stadium has continued to evolve alongside the tournament. In 2016, Arthur Ashe Stadium received its iconic retractable roof, part of a $550 million transformation of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The roof spans approximately 270,400 square feet, with a 63,500-square-foot opening, allowing play to continue through inclement weather.
Today, the stadium is entering another major chapter.
Reimagining Arthur Ashe Stadium
The USTA is currently undertaking the largest single investment in US Open history as part of an $800 million transformation of the US Open and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The project is being completed in phases while the US Open continues to welcome players and fans each year.
The 2026 US Open marks an exciting transition point in the project. Fans are experiencing a significantly expanded courtside bowl, 2,000 additional courtside seats, a 40% increase to the promenade-level concourse and two new luxury suite levels.
Additional enhancements, including redesigned food and beverage spaces, restaurants, clubs, restrooms and circulation areas, will continue through the final phase, with the full transformation scheduled for completion by the 2027 US Open.
The project also includes a new $250 million Player Performance Center, designed to provide athletes and their teams with expanded fitness, recovery, locker room, lounge and dining amenities. The USTA expects the center to be fully accessible to players by the 2027 US Open.
And while the stadium's new amenities will be highly visible to fans, the foodservice infrastructure working behind the scenes is just as important.
Powering the Foodservice Operation
As part of the project for the USTA, Arthur Ashe Stadium welcomed new equipment from RATIONAL and Arctic Industries, providing the foodservice team with solutions designed for the demands of a high-volume, high-profile venue.
RATIONAL iCombi: Precision for High-Volume Cooking
The RATIONAL iCombi Pro is built around intelligent cooking technology designed to deliver consistent results while helping foodservice teams manage demanding production schedules.
Its intelligent climate management system continuously monitors and adjusts cooking conditions, while its flexible rack capacity allows operators to prepare different foods simultaneously. Automated cleaning and descaling features also help streamline daily kitchen operations.
For a venue like Arthur Ashe Stadium, where foodservice must support athletes, staff, hospitality areas and thousands of guests, consistency, capacity and efficiency are critical.
From large-scale preparation to finishing and holding, the iCombi provides the flexibility needed to support a complex foodservice program operating on one of the biggest stages in sports.
Arctic Industries: Built for Cold Storage
Supporting the cooking operation is Arctic Industries, a manufacturer specializing in custom and quick-ship walk-in coolers and freezers for foodservice and commercial applications.
Arctic has more than 40 years of experience manufacturing walk-in refrigeration solutions and offers both custom Signature Series units and quick-ship Blue Line models. Its systems are designed to provide reliable cold storage for demanding commercial environments.
For a large-scale foodservice operation, dependable cold storage is essential. Before ingredients ever reach the cooking equipment, they need to be stored safely, efficiently and at the appropriate temperatures. Arctic's walk-in solutions provide the capacity and organization needed to support that process.
Foodservice at the US Open: More Than What's on the Menu
The culinary operation at the US Open has become an experience in its own right.
In 2026, the tournament's foodservice program includes everything from New York-inspired favorites to innovative offerings from notable chefs and restaurants. The player dining operation alone serves hundreds of athletes and their entourages, with meals designed around the nutritional and dietary needs of elite competitors.
The players' dining room inside Arthur Ashe Stadium can accommodate approximately 300 people, and the kitchen operation begins as early as 4:30 a.m. during the tournament.
That level of operation illustrates just how much happens behind the scenes at the US Open. While fans see the matches, foodservice teams are working continuously to prepare, store and serve food for players, staff, hospitality guests and spectators.
A Project Worthy of the Stage
We're proud to have played a role in bringing foodservice equipment solutions to one of the most recognizable venues in the world.
The combination of RATIONAL cooking technology and Arctic Industries cold storage helps support the USTA's continued commitment to elevating the experience at the US Open, from the court to the kitchen.
As Arthur Ashe Stadium continues its transformation into 2027, we're excited to see what's next for this legendary venue.
A new era is taking shape at the world's biggest stage in tennis, and we're proud to be part of what happens behind the scenes.
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