The summer hardcourt season is months away, but the tennis fans are stunned by the US Open ticket queue and price. As the presale opened, hundreds of thousands of fans logged on with hopes of securing a late-summer day at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Instead, there were virtual waiting rooms of over 400,000 people, and when they finally got in, prices soared to record-breaking highs.
US Open Ticket Price Surge Triggers Furious Backlash from Tennis Fans
This year, due to soaring demand, resale markets, and the general commercialization of tournaments, ticket prices are stunningly high. Historically, the US Open, particularly in the early rounds, was the tournament where everyday fans could roam the outer courts for the cost of a casual dinner. Today, that privilege has vanished, and fans across X expressed their disappointment.
Fans who logged in for the presale expecting to buy a standard mid-tier seat at last year’s rate of $600 are watching algorithms immediately inflate those seats to $2,400.
“Why are @usopen tickets QUADRUPLE the price of last year? @Ticketmaster The same seats that were $600 last year are $2400 this year???? That’s insane. And this is supposed to be @AmericanExpress presale???? WTF @usta,” a user posted.
Why are @usopen tickets QUADRUPLE the price of last year?@Ticketmaster
The same seats that were $600 last year are $2400 this year???? That’s insane.
And this is supposed to be @AmericanExpress presale???? WTF@usta
— Jason Deutchman (@JDeutch) May 26, 2026
“The fact that these used to be like $40. We are in insane times,” a comment read, and many echoed the sentiment.
The fact that these used to be like $40. We are in insane times https://t.co/uSsJJ4czFB
— Mm… 56-26 (@Joracle_) May 26, 2026
This is crazy. And it’s for the first day of Rd 1. Ground pass! Jeez pic.twitter.com/97SsjT6oGF
— goatedwta over atp (@goatedwtaatp) May 26, 2026
In the early rounds, general grounds passes, which historically ranged from $25 to $60, now cost $65 to $135 at face value, with many secondary-market listings pushing past $230. For quarterfinals and semifinals, tickets under $100 have jumped to $200-$300, while premium blockbuster matchups easily cross $1,000.
For the men’s and women’s finals, they start at $300-$400 for upper-bowl seats. Meanwhile, prime lower-level seats frequently sell for over $10,000 on the secondary market.
“Cheaper to go to Paris and sit on Chatrier than go sit on court 17 in my own backyard,” a fan joked, but the math actually tracks. While a US Open standard seat is being dynamically priced at $2,400, a premium day-session ticket on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the French Open is around $400 to $600 USD on the secondary market, and even after flight tickets, one may still have dollars left over for hotels and croissants.
Cheaper to go to Paris and sit on chatrier than go sit on court 17 in my own backyard https://t.co/3eqLvEWKmV
— R (@byethecourt) May 26, 2026
There were more comparisons. “‘Wimbledon is too elitist, it’s for the upper classes’. But last year in Wimbledon the ground pass cost me $40, while the US Open is charging $350???!!!” For the upcoming 2026 Wimbledon Championships, an official Grounds Pass still costs between £21 and £33 (roughly $26 to $42 USD). The All England Club has kept its baseline admission highly accessible.
Meanwhile, rather than addressing the price inflation and backlash, the USTA’s official fan guidance directs fans to the secondary market if they are priced out. In their recent 2026 attendee guides, the USTA tells fans: “RELAX, THERE’S RESALE: You can always secure a verified resale ticket from Ticketmaster… resale ticket prices fluctuate, depending on demand.”
However, there is more time, as the tours are focused on the final tournament of the clay season in Paris. The US Open will run for three weeks from August 23 to September 13.
