Full Breakdown
US Open Ticket Prices Spark Affordability Outcry
8/30/2026, 10:05:52 PM
Rising Ticket Prices and the Affordability Debate
This month billionaire hedge-fund manager Bill Ackman and New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani publicly clashed over the cost of attending the US Open. Ackman called a $363 grounds-pass listing “absurd” for an event run by the nonprofit United States Tennis Association (USTA). In response, Mamdani secured 1,000 tickets for New York residents at $100 each, drawing more than 336,000 applications. A standard $65 grounds pass was listed for $321 on the secondary market, illustrating how resale pricing is inflating access costs for everyday fans.
Financial Drivers Behind the Surge
The USTA’s finances reveal a shift from broadcast revenue toward ticket-related income. Ticket revenue rose 37%, from $151.7 million to $208.5 million between 2021 and 2024, while hospitality and service revenue more than doubled to $83.3 million. Net assets have nearly doubled over the past decade, reaching $734 million, with over $580 million held in cash and investments. Concurrently, an $800 million renovation of Arthur Ashe Stadium is replacing roughly 3,500 mid-priced loge seats with higher-priced courtside and hospitality options, pushing average seat prices from $291 to over $560, and premium seats above $2,300.
Official Responses from the USTA and City Leaders
USTA chief executive Craig Tiley described the growing demand as a “nice problem” and said the tournament will become “the tennis Disneyland,” emphasizing expansion through new experiences rather than simply adding more days. He acknowledged secondary-market challenges but argued shutting down Ticketmaster’s resale platform would drive buyers to less secure third-party sites. Mamdani’s ticket program, meanwhile, aims to preserve affordable access for families and local fans.
Criticism and Public Reaction
Ackman’s criticism highlights a tension between the USTA’s nonprofit mission to grow tennis and its reliance on high-margin ticket sales. Observers note that while the USTA reinvests in grassroots programs, the premiumization of seats mirrors broader trends in American sports, where ordinary seats are replaced by clubs and suites for wealthier spectators. The disparity between advertised $65 passes and resale prices fuels concerns that the “people’s slam” is becoming increasingly exclusive.
Verbatim Quote
“The market has spoken and has demonstrated that we have.” — The USTA
