Ballroom Hits: Stars to Play Exo at Iconic Waldorf Astoria Ballroom on August 27th

By Richard Pagliaro | Thursday, July 23, 2026
Photo credit: Waldorf Astoria New York

Stars will shine beneath New York City’s iconic chandeliers next month.

The famed Waldorf Astoria New York, which has been home to royalty, diplomats and Cole Porter’s piano, will welcome some of tennis’ top stars for a one-night exhibition next month.

For one night only on August 27th, Waldorf Astoria New York’s legendary Grand Ballroom will transform into a full-size tennis court beneath the chandeliers. In a stunning transformation, the Grand Ballroom will be a canvas for ballers trading its dance floor for the baseline and one of New York City’s most treasured gathering spots into unlikely and hopefully elegant tennis venue.

Americans Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul, former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez and Maria Sakkari are scheduled to play the Waldorf’s Ballroom Tennis Invitational on August 27th.

“The Grand Ballroom has always been one of New York’s great stages, a room created for moments people remember,” said Luigi Romaniello, managing director, Waldorf Astoria New York. “For one night, we are doing something it has never seen before: bringing world-class tennis beneath the chandeliers.

“It is playful, elegant and unmistakably New York, and it reflects the spirit of Waldorf Astoria New York as we welcome guests back to experience this hotel in new and unexpected ways.”

The Ballroom Tennis Invitational will be staged on Thursday, August 27th, which is three days before the Sunday, August 30th main-draw start of the US Open.

Tickets for the exhibition will set you back a US Open-sized $1,500 to start.  

Here’s an excerpt from today’s Waldorf Astoria news release on The Ballroom Tennis Invitational:

Experience Waldorf Astoria Racquet Club: Ballroom Tennis Invitational

Tickets and overnight packages for the Waldorf Astoria Ballroom Tennis Invitational are now available, offering guests a range of ways to be a part of the event, from courtside-style access to multi-night stays and immersive play experiences. 

• Tennis Under the Chandeliers General Access: The signature ticketed event from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. offers guests entry to the Waldorf Astoria Ballroom Tennis Invitational, where top ATP and WTA players, including Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, Leylah Fernandez, and Maria Sakkari, will compete in live matches in the Grand Ballroom.
  • Guests will enjoy a one-of-a-kind culinary reception where classic Waldorf Astoria refinement rallies with the playful energy of the court through high-low pairings, interactive chef stations, indulgent bites, premium seafood and Champagne from Moët & Chandon. 
  • Guerlain Wellness Spa will elevate the guest experience with a curated selection of its signature beauty and wellness offerings, highlighted by an exclusive Art of Longevity wellness assessment tailored to each guest’s individual goals.
  • The beverage program draws on the original Waldorf Bar’s tradition of “appointment cocktailing,” creating drinks for the moments shaping culture, from the Arctic cocktail honoring Peary’s North Pole expedition to the now-iconic Rob Roy. For Waldorf Astoria Racquet Club, the hotel is reviving its original Racquet Club cocktail, bringing a distinctly Waldorf Astoria ritual into the present. The cocktail will be available at Lex Yard through September 13.
  • Lex Yard will also feature the Lobster Club as a limited-time special with crispy bacon, Little Gem lettuce and heirloom tomatoes. 
• Champions’ Grand Ballroom Tennis Clinic Add-On: Available exclusively to ticket holders, this intimate on-court experience offers guests the rare opportunity to train and rally with a top ATP or WTA player inside the Grand Ballroom. Each clinic includes on-court play for two guests, light food and beverage service, and a commemorative photo opportunity. Available August 28, 2026, with limited clinics offered.
• The Perfect Match: Waldorf Astoria Ballroom Tennis Invitational Overnight Stay: This overnight package pairs a stay at Waldorf Astoria New York with two tickets to the Waldorf Astoria Ballroom Tennis Invitational, breakfast at Lex Yard, a welcome amenity, and full access to the evening’s culinary and match programming. 
• Stay, Spectate & Play: The Ultimate Waldorf Astoria Grand Ballroom Tennis Experience: The most immersive of the offerings, this two-night premium package includes suite accommodations, two tickets to the Ballroom Tennis Invitational, and access to the full culinary and hospitality program. Guests also receive a private one-hour tennis clinic led by a touring ATP or WTA player on the Grand Ballroom court, followed by a spa treatment at Guerlain Wellness Spa and a curated collection of commemorative amenities. The experience blends performance, play and recovery in a single luxury itinerary. 

The Waldorf Astoria said the exhibition is intended to promote the official debut of Waldorf Astoria Racquet Club, “the brand’s new global platform embracing the world of racquet culture through extraordinary destinations, distinctive hospitality and experiences timed to some of the world’s most celebrated sporting and social moments.”

The Waldorf Astoria was not only home to famed composer Cole Porter, it was also the first-ever upscale hotel to offer room serve and the first hotel to offer in-room telephone service, as the BBC reports in this history of the luxury hotel.