Reimagining Spectacular.
That was the tagline of the U.S. Open’s grand unveiling of a three-year, $800 million renovation plan for the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium and the historic Billie Jean King National Tennis Center grounds on Monday afternoon in downtown Manhattan.
Projected to be completed ahead of the 2027 tournament, the self-funded initiative — the single largest investment in U.S. Open history — is a reflection of tennis’ immense growth over the past five years.
The U.S. Open has become the premier sports event in New York City in the summer, and the pending upgrades are designed to be enjoyed by athletes, fans and partners of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) alike.
“We are enhancing and modernizing every aspect of Arthur Ashe Stadium and the venue,” USTA chief executive and executive director Lew Sherr said. “From seating to concourses to restrooms to points of sale, also including premium hospitality and courtside experiences. There’s also an extraordinary opportunity to support our athletes in a much better way, and you’re going to see a modernized and new facility with premium amenities, equipment, facilities, to allow them to compete at their absolute best and also to allow them to enjoy the three-week experience in Queens like never before.
“We will also be delivering even more economic value to the city of New York. We already deliver more than $1.2 billion in economic impact to the city. That’s more than the Yankees and the Mets combined, and that number will only increase significantly.”
The changes to the near 24,000-seat Ashe, which was built in 1997 and carries the namesake of the first Black player to win the tournament title, will include a brand new level called Mezz 2.
The suites will be on those dedicated concourses, while courtside seats will increase from 3,000 to 5,000.
Despite an expected loss of 100-200 seats from the construction, the facelift will provide enlarged concourses, renovated restrooms and 30 percent more of them, as well as a 30 percent increase in the point of sales with more food and beverage stands.
The idea was for the lower bowl to look the same in order to preserve the memorable feel of the stadium.
“The reality is, in 2027, when Arthur Ashe Stadium celebrates its 30th anniversary, it’ll really be celebrating its rebirth,” said USTA President Brian Vahaly.
Approximately $250 million of the total investment will be dedicated to the construction of a new Player Performance Center.
The third and fourth floors will be specifically for the players, who will be able to use the space as a locker room, fitness facility, lounge and private dining area.
One of the driving reasons to expand player areas is to accommodate every entourage, which has grown exponentially over the years with multiple coaches, trainers, nutritionists, physiotherapists and families now accompanying each athlete.
The USTA said they credentialed nearly 3,000 people associated with players last year.
An outdoor fitness facility will also be implemented for the players who want to warm up in the conditions ahead of their match.
This instead of the air conditioning, which European players have voiced concerns about in the past.
“We used to have beer kegs in the early days,” four-time winner John McEnroe cracked at the event, which also featured three-time winner Kim Clijsters. “Back in our day, we’d be like, ‘What the hell is this?’ ”
As Sherr pointed out, tennis is having a moment right now.
You might even call it a movement.
Through the first quarter of 2025, the USTA surpassed 26 million players for a 49 percent increase over just six years.
Between the influx of players, fans and cultural impact, tennis’ growth has presented an opportunity for the sports’ epicenter to rise to said moment.
The U.S. Open brought in almost $560 million in operating revenue last year, the USTA’s financial report revealed.
They enjoyed record-breaking attendance — surpassing one million for the first time — and social-media engagement.
“We believe the opportunity ahead is even greater,” Vahaly said. “Seizing that opportunity will require bold leadership, and the U.S. Open sits at the center of our growth strategy. It is the sport’s greatest stage. A place where future fans and players fall in love with the game, where the best in the world inspire the next generation.”
Spectacular, indeed.
