Heading into the tournament, attention has focused more on ticket prices than on the tennis itself.
Surging prices on the official resale market have seen grounds passes go for $350, while the $800 million renovation of Arthur Ashe Stadium has increased the proportion of luxury seating within the venue.
The USTA owns and operates the event on public land and in a public park, where courts are open to the public for most of the year. The organization has largely maintained free access during qualifying week, or Fan Week, excluding only mixed doubles sessions and exhibition events. Approximately 250,000 fans attend during the week leading up to the main tournament, most entering at no cost.
A key question remains: how will these rising prices and seating changes affect the tournament? Will the atmosphere around the courts change as premium seats become more expensive? Who will end up purchasing these resold grounds passes, which have sold for six times their face value? Could the event split into two experiences—one accessible to those willing to pay over $1,000 for a day of tennis, and another for everyone else?
