The United States Tennis Association (USTA) made history by announcing a record-breaking $108 million player compensation package for this year’s Grand Slam tournament. As the US Open has reached a new financial high and players are in line for massive earnings, tennis fans on social media were quick to question where all that money is coming from, pointing to soaring ticket prices.
US Open Celebrates Record $108M Player Compensation as Fans Slam ‘Sold Out’ Fan Week Passes
According to the announcement, the singles champions will earn $5.5 million each, the highest prize in Grand Slam history, while first-round singles players are guaranteed $140,000. The total of $108 million is also 20% higher than last year’s record $90 million and represents a 44% increase over the past two years.
The tournament will also launch a new Player Support Program in 2026 with an initial $2 million fund, divided equally between men and women, to help the rising and lower-ranked players.
The US Open also announced a new Grand Slam Player Council, alongside those of the Australian Open, Roland-Garros, and Wimbledon. The council will give players a more important voice on on-court and tournament-related issues.
While this is such positive news for the players, everyday tennis fans on social media were quick to point out who seems to be footing the bill. Shortly after the US Open shared the prize money announcement on X, the comment section linked it directly to the steep rise in the resale ticket prices for the event’s ground pass in Flushing Meadows.
Just 10 days before the US Open, ticket prices have soared, with a basic grounds pass now listed for up to $363 on the official resale website, Ticketmaster.
Replying to the US Open’s post, a tennis podcast host, Myles David, wrote, “Are the almost 400 dollar grounds passes contributing to the players compensation?”
Are the almost 400 dollar grounds passes contributing to the players compensation? https://t.co/CmITmyws6c
— Myles David (@TunedIntoTennis) August 20, 2026
A supporter also chimed in with the ground pass issue: “@usopen While charging 10 times more then the other slams for a simple ground pass…” At $363 on the resale market, a grounds pass is already a very expensive option, especially since it does not guarantee a seat in the main stadiums. Fans typically buy these passes to walk around the grounds and watch matches on the smaller courts.
The backlash also goes beyond main-draw ticket prices, with fans upset after the traditionally free “Fan Week” was suddenly listed as “sold out.”
“@usopen Great for the players but where’s the consideration for the fan experience? Tickets are impossible to get and/or insanely expensive and now “free” fan week is also sold out. Selling out something that has always been readily available with no warning is insane,” an X user wrote.
Great for the players but where’s the consideration for the fan experience? Tickets are impossible to get and/or insanely expensive and now “free” fan week is also sold out. Selling out something that has always been readily available with no warning is insane.
— profturtle (@profturtle) August 20, 2026
MORE: As US Open Nears, ‘Dangerous’ Ben Shelton Receives Backing Despite Shortcomings
“@usopen will you open more fan passes??? there was no warning that they would be ‘sold out’,” another one commented.
The US Open will run the Fan Week & qualifiers from August 23 to August 29, and the main draw begins on August 30.
