New York City hosted the first official Roland Garros watch party on May 27, 2025, at the historic Seaport district in Manhattan, an event organized by streaming partners TNT Sports and HBO Max. The event, named the Roland Garros NYC Experience, aimed to offer tennis fans a free alternative to traveling to Paris for the French Open. Organizers billed the activation as a way to bring the atmosphere of the clay court Grand Slam to a U.S. audience.
The watch party took place during the same week that tickets for the 2025 US Open went on sale, a scheduling coincidence that attendees noted. The activation included viewing areas, food and drink service, photo opportunities, and branded giveaways. According to event materials, it was the first time the French Open hosted an official watch party in New York City.
Event Layout and Amenities
The venue featured a shaded viewing section with seating where attendees could watch live matches on large screens. A mini tennis court was set up for guest use, though participants reported that the rackets had loose strings and the balls were deflated, resulting in minimal bounce. Several attendees described the court as more suited for photo opportunities than actual play.
Freebies distributed at the event included cans of strawberry flavored Perrier sparkling water, sample size sunscreen bottles, and passed hors d’oeuvres such as small sandwiches and skewers. A hat making station allowed guests to customize either a black bucket hat or a baseball cap with up to three pre designed stickers. The hats featured TNT Sports logos embroidered on the front, which limited sticker placement options. The hat making station drew the longest wait, approximately 10 minutes.
Bar and Signature Cocktail
An outdoor bar, constructed with wood pillars and an oblong shape, displayed tennis matches on televisions. The bar offered canned beverages, draft beers, wines, and cocktails. According to multiple attendees, the event’s signature drink, the Ace Royale, was nearly sold out by early evening. The drink, described as a cucumber smash with citrus and basil notes, drew favorable comparisons to the US Open’s signature Honey Deuce cocktail.
Attendance and Demographics
Attendees included a mix of tennis fans and former players. Several guests reported having worked at the US Open in their youth, either in merchandise stores or other capacities. One Brooklyn native, Adam Kessler, stated he worked at a US Open merchandise store as a high school student and had purchased tickets for the 2026 tournament earlier that week. Other attendees recalled having siblings who worked at the US Open.
Many guests dressed in formal or fashionable attire, with some wearing luxury brand accessories. Milana Lysova, a former competitive tennis player, attended wearing a Cult Gaia dress, Hermès sandals, a Chanel bag, and Rolex and Cartier jewelry.
Comparisons to the US Open
The watch party generated comparisons to the US Open in terms of atmosphere and amenities. The US Open, held annually in Flushing Meadows, New York, is known for a festival like environment where audience participation is encouraged. In contrast, the French Open and Wimbledon are generally characterized by stricter spectator etiquette. The event included multiple photo opportunities and branded installations, which several attendees noted resembled influencer oriented activations common at major sporting events.
Limitations and Safety Measures
The mini tennis court’s equipment was adjusted for safety, with deflated balls and loosely strung rackets ensuring that balls would not travel far. This design limited the court’s utility for realistic play. The event also did not offer a full schedule of live match commentary or player appearances, distinguishing it from the actual tournament experience.
Organizers have not announced whether the Roland Garros NYC Experience will return in 2026. Tickets for the 2025 US Open are currently on sale, with the tournament scheduled to begin August 25, 2025. The French Open continues to run through June 8, 2025, in Paris.
