A hospitality boom and $100 chicken nuggets: how the US Open became obscenely expensive
Record crowds, premium seats and an unchecked resale market have are transforming the self-styled people’s slam – and leaving ordinary fans fighting to get through the gates
TL;DR
- The US Open is experiencing an affordability crisis, with ticket prices and associated costs becoming prohibitively expensive for many.
- The tournament has evolved into a three-week cultural festival, blending sport with fashion, celebrity, and conspicuous consumption.
- The USTA, a non-profit, is seeing significant revenue growth from ticket sales, sponsorship, and hospitality, leading to a near doubling of its net assets.
- A shift towards premium seating, with the replacement of moderately priced seats by more expensive courtside and hospitality areas, is a key factor in rising costs.
- The resale market, facilitated by Ticketmaster, further inflates prices, with the USTA benefiting from associated fees.
- Despite claims of accessibility, the increasing costs and focus on premium experiences are pricing out many traditional attendees.
- The USTA reinvests in grassroots tennis but faces the challenge of balancing growing revenue with the mission of promoting the sport affordably.