US Open Ticket Prices Spark Outrage Ahead of 2026 Tournament: How to Pay Less

The 2026 US Open hasn’t started yet, but ticket prices are already becoming a major talking point among tennis fans.

With the main draw beginning August 30 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York, fans shopping for tickets have found resale prices far above face value. One number in particular — $363 for a day-one grounds pass — quickly sparked criticism online.

However, there is an important distinction. The USTA’s face value for the grounds pass is $65. The $363 figure that circulated online came from Ticketmaster’s resale marketplace as demand for opening-day tickets increased.

Still, fans hoping to attend the year’s final Grand Slam could face a much bigger bill than expected depending on when and where they buy.

US Open’s $363 Grounds Pass Price Comes With an Important Catch

According to TicketData figures cited by Forbes, the average get-in price for the 2026 US Open had reached approximately $311 by mid-August, compared with about $262 at the same point in 2025.

Resale listings showed a day-one grounds pass around $363, while the least expensive first-session Arthur Ashe Stadium seats were approximately $327. Opening-session seats at Louis Armstrong Stadium were listed around $466.

Prices for the biggest matches have gone much higher. Some premium center-court resale listings for the men’s final have surpassed $21,000.

The prices have prompted questions about accessibility, particularly because the USTA operates as a nonprofit with a mission that includes growing tennis.

Billionaire investor Bill Ackman was among those questioning the prices on X.

“The USTA’s mission is to promote the sport of tennis. How is a $363 ground pass consistent with this mission?” Ackman wrote.

However, that $363 figure does not represent what the USTA originally charged. The organization increased the face value of its grounds pass from $60 to $65 for 2026. Many marquee sessions sold out in May, leaving fans to increasingly rely on resale tickets, where prices can rise substantially.

US Open Fans Could Find Cheaper Tickets by Waiting

Demand appears to be driving much of the increase. One prospective buyer shared a screenshot showing more than 430,000 people ahead of them in the virtual queue for men’s final tickets during the presale. Another fan claimed a seat that cost $600 last year was listed at $2,400 for 2026.

Fans looking for a less expensive way into Flushing Meadows still have options.

Grounds passes remain one of the more affordable ways to experience the tournament when purchased closer to face value. They provide access to the grounds and outer courts, although they don’t guarantee a reserved stadium seat. Fans can also watch major matches on large screens around the grounds.

Prices can also change considerably as the tournament progresses. Grounds passes may become less expensive later in the event as more matches move into the main stadiums. Resale prices can also drop on the morning of a session when sellers are trying to unload unused tickets.

Individual tickets are sold through the US Open website, with Ticketmaster serving as the tournament’s official ticketing partner.

How to Watch the 2026 US Open Without Buying a Ticket

Fans who find in-person prices too high can watch the entire tournament from home.

Qualifying for the 2026 US Open begins Monday, August 24, and continues through Thursday, August 27. The main draw begins Sunday, August 30, and the tournament concludes Sunday, September 13.

ESPN and ESPN2 will carry US Open coverage, while ABC will broadcast the men’s singles final. Streaming options are also available through live TV providers and supported devices, including Roku, Apple TV, Fire TV, Android TV, iOS and Android devices.

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