US Open fans are feeling the squeeze of big crowds, high ticket prices

Throngs of fans have flooded the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens, this week to see the early rounds of the US Open.

This continues a recent trend: The tennis tournament has set attendance records every year since 2022, according to the USTA, which runs the US Open. This year’s turnout was likely boosted by its Sunday start date — the event traditionally begins on Mondays — as the tournament expanded from 14 to 15 days for the first time. During last week’s Fan Week, when the grounds were open to the public during qualifying matches, a record 230,000 people attended.

But another reflection of this surging demand is the rise in ticket prices, which have exploded over the past decade. Longtime tennis fans say they’ve felt the squeeze, both financially and spatially. Many are remarking upon the enormous crowds and wondering how much higher prices can climb.

According to Forbes, the cheapest ticket for the opening rounds in 2015 cost $69. This year, a first-round grounds pass, which grants general admission to the courts but excludes Arthur Ashe Stadium, was $169, a 145% increase over just 10 years ago.

That’s if you’re lucky enough to buy at face value. Tickets are often resold for double or more on the secondary market, as scalpers and speculators capitalize on demand.

Once inside the gates, there are plenty more opportunities to part with your money. A classic US Open hat? $48. A lobster roll? $39.50. And the tournament’s signature cocktail, the Honey Deuce, runs $23 a glass.

The USTA did not respond to questions regarding tournament demand, ticket prices, and if any efforts are being made to keep the tournament accessible to average fans.

Jack Wolff, who lived in Morristown, New Jersey before moving to South Carolina a decade ago, has been attending the US Open since its days at Forest Hills (the event moved to Flushing in 1978). He remembers when entry was easy and inexpensive, as recently as the 2000s.

This year, he was shocked to see tickets for the first round being resold on Ticketmaster for $200 or even $300 earlier this month. He was determined to attend with his son Andy and grandson Jonah, and tracked prices for weeks before finally scoring three grounds passes at face value.

Still, the prices stung.

“More people, more stands, more expensive,” Wolff said on the tournament's first day, as he cooled off in a shady patch outside Arthur Ashe with his family. “It’s one thing that you can’t get into the stadium for the finals. But on the first day of the tournament, you’ve got to pay $200 just to walk around for five hours?”

Others have simply stayed away. Aniket Walanju of Manhattan said he has gone to the US Open since 2022, but if prices remain high, then he’ll stay home. “I won’t pay over $100,” he said regarding early-round tickets.

Still others have found a middle ground — acknowledging the changes while still appreciating the tennis.

“[The USTA] is just trying to expand their revenue base. … You lose some of the intimacy of when it was smaller,” said Peter Robinson of Michigan, who was watching McCartney Kessler of the United States take on Poland’s Magda Linette on Sunday.

“But it’s still worth it,” he added, explaining that he loves the first round for the chance to see lesser-known players up close.

Many others in the Court 11 stands echoed that sentiment. Expensive? Yes. Any regrets? No.

Renata Rajtar-Salwa, who had traveled from Poland with five relatives as part of her 50th birthday celebration, was sitting to Robinson's right.

She also attended the Australian Open — another of tennis’ four majors — earlier this year, and estimated that the US Open was about twice as expensive overall. She paid $350 apiece for tickets inside Arthur Ashe, the largest stadium on the grounds.

Still, she was thrilled to be there and eager to cheer on her favorite Polish players. While Linette fell to Kessler in straight sets, Rajtar-Salwa was holding out hope that her countrywoman and world number two Iga Świątek could make a deep run. And since Rajtar-Salwa’s family had tickets to “The Lion King” on Broadway later on, spirits were high.

By midday on Sunday, as crowds streamed through the main concourse, it was clear from those enjoying themselves far from the tennis courts that the event has broadened beyond just the sport’s diehard fans.

“The vibes,” said Stephanie Arevalo of the Upper East Side with a laugh over a glass of champagne in the Food Village section of Billie Jean King, when asked what drew her and friends Lauren Rennert and Chelsea Cohoon to their first US Open. “The drinks, the food, dressing up, cosplaying.”

The vibes at Billie Jean King were undoubtedly high that afternoon. And for those willing to pay the price of admission (and drinks), there’s a payoff.

After sipping her Aperol spritz, Rennert nodded appreciatively.

“This is the nicest sporting event I’ve ever been to in New York.”