The iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium, home to the US Open, is set for a massive $800 million makeover, marking the largest investment in the tournament’s history. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced on Monday plans to revamp the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows without financial support from the city government.
The ambitious project aims to enhance the experience for both players and fans. A significant highlight is the construction of a $250 million player performance center adjacent to the practice courts. This state-of-the-art facility will feature additional courts, upgraded locker rooms, lounges, and an open-air warmup area to help athletes acclimate before their matches.
Despite the scale of the renovation, USTA officials assure that there will be no interruptions to scheduled play or fan access for the next two editions of the US Open. In fact, this year’s tournament is making history by starting on August 24, adding a 15th day of competition and commencing on a Sunday for the first time since the Open Era began in 1968.
Arthur Ashe Stadium’s courtside-level seating capacity will increase from 3,000 to 5,000, enhancing the atmosphere for fans closest to the action. While some seats in other sections will be removed, the overall capacity will remain around 23,000 to 24,000, maintaining its status as the largest arena in Grand Slam tennis. The stadium, which opened in 1997 and was outfitted with a retractable roof in 2016, will also receive a new grand entrance, two luxury suite levels, expanded club and restaurant areas, larger concourses and restrooms, and improved accessibility with more escalators and elevators.
The announcement comes amid growing discussions about player compensation in tennis. Earlier this year, a class-action antitrust lawsuit was filed in a New York federal court by a players’ group co-founded by Novak Djokovic. The suit alleges that the four major tournaments—the US Open, Wimbledon, French Open, and Australian Open—generated over $1.5 billion collectively in 2024, yet only allocated 10% to 20% of revenue to players.
In April, prominent players including Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka, and Coco Gauff signed a letter to the Grand Slam tournaments’ leaders. They advocated for increased prize money and a greater voice in decisions that directly impact them.
USTA executives did not comment on whether ticket prices will rise as a result of the renovations. The project is expected to be completed in time for the 2027 US Open, promising an even more extraordinary experience for players and fans alike.
