Disney Advertising has sold out of advertising inventory and marquee sponsorship positions several months ahead of the US Open. The iconic sporting event, which begins on Monday, August 28, has attracted over 20 sponsors and nearly 150 advertisers across 75 categories, including financial services, travel, restaurants, and more that will have a presence across both linear and digital platforms. Of the sponsors, 14 are USTA Official Sponsors – the highest number to join as media sponsors to date.
“We’re witnessing the overwhelming support and enthusiasm from our media sponsors ahead of the 2023 US Open in real time,” said Adam Monaco, Executive Vice President, Sales, Disney Advertising. “The remarkable range of marquee sponsorships and sellout of advertising inventory underscores the unparalleled appeal and reach of this iconic tournament. By elevating the fan experience across both linear and digital platforms, in collaboration with our brand partners, we are setting new standards of innovation and excitement, all while delivering access to world-class tennis.”
Across linear, 19 brands will have a presence throughout the telecast, enhancing the tournament viewing experience for fans. Presenting sponsors include American Express, Cadillac, Evian, Fidelity Investments, Heineken Silver, and IBM.
Live action from both the Fountain Plaza Studio and the Practice Pavilion set will be presented by American Express, while Cadillac will bring fans the excitement of the men's and women’s Finals coverage. Giving fans an exclusive first look at the men’s competition, Evian will sponsor the Men’s Championship Preview show. Both the Women’s and Men’s Semifinals coverage will be presented by Fidelity Investments, with daytime presented by Heineken Silver and IBM slated as the primetime presenting sponsor.
Several brands including American Express, Chase, Chubb, CVS, evian, Emirates Airlines, Fisher Investments, Grey Goose, Heineken Silver, IBM, L’Oreal La Roche Posay, MGM Bellagio, Michelin, Moderna, Prudential, Rolex and Uber One will have visibility throughout the linear telecasts of the event with custom feature integrations and SportsCenter.
Across digital, American Express, Cadillac, Chase, Chubb, Emirates Airlines, FAGE, Grey Goose, Lacoste, L’Oreal La Roche Posay, MGM Bellagio, Morgan Stanley and Tiffany & Co. will sponsor engaging ways for fans to connect with US Open content on Instagram, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), ESPN and ESPN.com Tennis Homepage and livestreams.
The US Open continues to be one the most viewed programs on ESPN, making it the ideal opportunity for brands to connect with passionate tennis fans. With an average of 1.2 million viewers across ESPN and ESPN2, the 2022 tournament delivered the most viewed since 2019 and third most viewed since 2015 when ESPN gained full exclusivity. Total viewership increased 50 percent among all viewers and increased 62 percent amongst viewers aged 18 through 49 during the 2022 US Open.
Engagement with tennis content across digital and social also saw significant growth during the 2022 tournament. ESPN.com saw 3.7 million unique visitors engage with the platform, a 7 percent lift from the prior, while the ESPN app saw 2.2 million unique visitors, a 15 percent increase. Across social, total engagement reached 16.4 million, a nearly 800 percent increase, illustrating the profound connection tennis fans have with content across our platforms.
ESPN platforms will present exclusive, wall to wall coverage of the 2023 US Open beginning Monday, August 28. Studio coverage begins on ESPN Sunday, August 27 at 4 p.m. ET with a special 90-minute SportsCenter at the US Open preview show. ESPN coverage will air on ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN+, ESPN Deportes and the ESPN App.