'Actually scandalous': US Open ticket prices skyrocket, leaving fans fuming over seatless passes

The US Open is almost here, and while anticipation is building for tennis’ final Grand Slam of the year, fans are facing an unwelcome hurdle: eye-watering ticket prices.

The 2026 tournament officially gets underway with Fan Week on August 23, while the singles main draw begins August 30 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows. The event runs through September 13.

With stars including Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka expected in New York, demand is high. But according to figures circulating this week, the average resale price for entry has climbed significantly compared with the same point last year.

A particularly striking example is the reported $363 price for a grounds pass on the tournament’s opening day. That’s a steep amount for a ticket that doesn’t guarantee a seat inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Officially, grounds admission provides first-come, first-served access to general-admission areas in Louis Armstrong Stadium, the Grandstand and the outer courts.

It doesn’t include access to Arthur Ashe, meaning buyers could spend hundreds of dollars without having a reserved seat for the tournament’s biggest matches.

The USTA has also increased the face value of a grounds pass from $60 to $65 this year, although resale demand has pushed some tickets dramatically higher.

Fans question whether the Open is becoming too exclusive

The price gap with other Grand Slam events has fueled even more frustration.

A grounds pass at Wimbledon during the opening week was reportedly around $44.70, while Roland Garros admission was roughly $45. Tickets for the 2027 Australian Open have also been reported at around $35.

Fans have taken to social media to criticize what they see as an increasingly inaccessible tournament. Some have recalled paying roughly $50 for a grounds pass years ago and enjoying an entire day of tennis, moving from court to court without spending a fortune.

Others have questioned whether corporate allocations and influencer attendance have contributed to an atmosphere where ordinary tennis fans are being pushed aside.

One prominent critic called the pricing “actually scandalous,” while another argued that the event is becoming an experience for “the rich and well connected.”

The controversy comes despite uncertainty surrounding two of the sport’s biggest attractions. Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner both withdrew from the Cincinnati Open with injuries, raising questions about their US Open preparations.

Alcaraz , the defending champion, has been sidelined since April but has recently been seen training on hard courts.

Despite those concerns, demand hasn’t appeared to weaken. TicketData’s Keith Pagello said prices continued rising even after both withdrawals.

With the tournament approaching, the debate is now about more than ticket prices and more about whether the US Open is still an event they can realistically afford to experience in person.