2026 U.S. Open Rental Strategy – Lessons from 2018

The U.S. Open is returning to Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, NY the week of June 15 to June 22, 2026. The last time the U.S. Open was hosted at Shinnecock was in 2018, drawing tens of thousands of fans, media personnel, corporates and players to the Hamptons. Using online booking data, we analyzed short-term rental trends from that event to help owners prepare and optimize revenue for 2026.

With the only brokerage using real booking data from the last U.S. Open at Shinnecock,
find out how much your home could earn during the 2026 tournament.

2018 U.S. Open Booking Trends

The 2018 tournament officially took place from Thursday, June 14 to Sunday, June 17, with qualifiers beginning Monday, June 11. This analysis looks at booking data across the Hamptons and North Fork during that period to help predict demand and shape pricing for 2026.

Supply

The U.S. Open generates significant buzz, as evidenced by Google search trends: searches for “U.S. Open” in the two weeks leading up to the 2018 event greatly outpaced those for “Hamptons.” With that attention comes demand for vacation rentals -- and a surge of supply from homeowners looking to capitalize on the moment.

In June 2018, the number of available short-term rentals was 26% higher than the year prior. This spike in supply can dampen premiums, as more competition limits pricing power.

Owner Tip: While demand surges, pricing depends on how well-positioned your home is relative to others -- in location, quality, timing, and amenities. This memo outlines exactly how to maximize your premium during this event.

Demand

Booking volume during the 2018 U.S. Open was 47% higher than the same week in 2019. However, it still fell 2.5% below July 4th week, which remains the high-water mark for short-term rental activity in the region.

To determine how to price your property for the 2026 event, we analyzed premiums across multiple dimensions:

• Driving distance from Shinnecock
• Town or city
• Lead time (how early bookings were made)
• Property quality (as reflected by Average Daily Rate or “ADR”)
• Presence of a pool

Premium by Driving Distance & Bedrooms

Proximity to Shinnecock is the single most important factor. In 2018:

• Properties within 10 minutes of the course earned the highest premiums -- average between 25% and 35%
• Premiums decreased steadily as drive time increased, becoming negligible beyond 40 minutes
• Properties with 1-5 bedrooms commanded the most demand
• Larger homes with 6+ bedrooms, even close to the course, showed minimal premium, likely because most groups traveling for the event are smaller

This analysis places Amagansett, parts of East Hampton like the Springs, and Montauk outside the viable premium zone for the U.S. Open, due to excessive travel time.

Premium by City

Proximity-driven demand showed up clearly in city-level data:

Takeaway: Town name alone does not determine pricing power -- drive time from Shinnecock does.

Premium by Lead Time

Homes located within 30 minutes of the course and available at least 6months prior to the event received the highest premiums.

Why?

• Renters booking early face limited competition, especially for prime locations
• High-value guests book early to secure proximity and quality, and are willing to pay for it

Premium by ADR

A barbell effect emerged:

• High-end homes ($1500+/night or $90k+ for month of July) received strong premiums, as luxury renters prioritized quality and location
• More affordable homes (<$750/night or $40k or less for month of July) also saw significant percentage increases due to low starting rates
• Mid-tier homes ($750-$1500/night) did earn a premium, but it was less pronounced

Example: A $50 increase on a $250/night property reflects a 20% premium, whereas the same $50 bump on a $1500/night property is just 3.3%.

Premium by Pool

Having a pool boosts premium -- but only if the property is within 20 minutes of the course. Beyond that, the presence of a pool had minimal pricing impact.

Summary - Key Takeaways

• Proximity is king: Premiums are highest within 10 minutes of the course and decrease to near zero by 40 minutes
• Smaller homes outperform: 1-5 bedroom homes command premiums; 6+ bedroom homes do not
• Early listings win: Homes made available 6+ months in advance earn the highest rates
• Pricing extremes perform best: Homes under $750 or over $1500/night earn the strongest premiums; mid-tier homes earn modest increases
• Pools only matter when close: Only valuable if the home is within 20 minutes of the course

Maximizing Rental Revenue for the Event

To fully capitalize on the 2026 U.S. Open, there are two key strategies:

1. Work with StayMarquis

StayMarquis is working directly with the USGA to source and manage properties for players, families, sponsors and attendees. Our curated portfolio will be the primary source of inventory for the tournament. By listing with us, your home will benefit from:

• Unmatched marketing reach across OTAs, MLS, and proprietary channels
• Direct exposure to players, agents, corporate partners, and media teams
• Concierge-level guest services and logistics coordination

As the largest source of demand in the Hamptons, StayMarquis sets the standard for execution, guest experience, and operational excellence -- all critical for this event.

2. Incentivize Travel Agents & Tour Operators

Travel agents and tour operators played a large role in 2018 and will again in 2026. These partners:

• Cater to the most inelastic buyers -- price is not the top concern
• Often book multiple properties for larger parties or sponsors
• Require professional operators like StayMarquis to ensure a seamless guest experience

These partners require an additional 20% commission, but the bookings they deliver are typically:

• Higher value
• Longer duration
• More reliable

The net return to owners is higher, even after accounting for this incremental cost.

What Players Are Looking For

From our direct conversations with the USGA and players’ agents, here are the key requirements:

• Dates
  • Most players will book Sunday, June 14 - Monday, June 22
  • Some may arrive as early as June 12
  • A few may need last-minute housing if they qualify on June 8
• Specifications
  • 3-5 bedrooms most in demand
  • Modern, updated design
  • Nice kitchens (chefs will be traveling with most players)
  • 1:1 bed-to-bath ratio is essential
  • Private homes preferred; garage-to-home access if not fully private
  • Pools are a plus, but not required for all
  • Pet allergies matter -- any existing pets must be disclosed
• Lead Time
  • Most bookings expected by October/November 2025, but later commitments will occur
• Other Requirements
  • NDAs will be required

Secure Your Spot with StayMarquis

The 2026 U.S. Open presents a rare opportunity to generate substantial rental income in a short period of time -- but competition will be fierce, and only properties that are well-positioned and listed early will capture the highest premiums.

By partnering exclusively with StayMarquis, your home will:

• Be promoted directly to USGA players, agents, corporates, and attendees
• Gain exposure across all relevant booking channels
• Be considered for tour operator and travel agent bookings
• Be held to the high standards expected by elite guests

Let StayMarquis be your trusted rental partner for the U.S. Open. Reach out to owners@staymarquis.com to learn how you can list your home with us today.

Submit a Property Analysis to learn how much your property can earn for the coveted tournament.