Mamdani announces 1,000 discounted U.S. Open tickets for NYC residents
Amid backlash over high U.S. Open ticket prices, Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Tuesday announced he secured discounted tickets to the tournament for New York City residents. The mayor and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) will offer 1,000 tickets priced at $100 to see main-draw matches taking place from Sunday, August 30, through Tuesday, September 8. The tickets, which go on sale on this Wednesday at 10 a.m., will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible New Yorkers. New Yorkers will be able to purchase two tickets each.
Hosted at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, the U.S. Open is one of professional tennis’ premier tournaments and the fourth and final Grand Slam event of the year.
However, like many major sporting events, ticket prices have skyrocketed, with buyers purchasing admission and reselling tickets on platforms like Ticketmaster for far more than face value.
As first reported by The Athletic, ground passes on the resale platform were listed for between $240 and $478 as of Tuesday, despite having a face value as low as $65. Additionally, the cheapest ticket available for Arthur Ashe Stadium on opening day was listed for $344, while courtside seats were going for more than $1,000.
The tickets offered by the city will not be eligible for resale and will include seats in the tennis complex’s two biggest courts, Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium, as well as ground passes.
Admission to Arthur Ashe Stadium will also give spectators access to general admission seating in Louis Armstrong Stadium and all other courts, while tickets to Louis Armstrong Stadium will grant access to general admission seating on all other courts except Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The initiative builds on previous efforts by Mamdani to improve access to major sporting events. During the FIFA World Cup in May, he secured 1,000 tickets to the soccer tournament through negotiations with FIFA, making them available for $50 through a lottery system. The tickets also included free round-trip bus fare to the stadium. His administration also distributed 500 free tickets to the USA Track & Field Outdoor & Para National Championships earlier this summer.
During a Tuesday press conference, Mamdani announced the initiative, saying it aims to give everyday New Yorkers access to one of the world’s greatest sporting events.
“Part of the beauty of living in our city is also the exposure to some of the greatest sporting events across the world,” he said. “The U.S. Open is one that so many New Yorkers have fond memories of, and yet, like what we’ve seen with many sporting events, the cost has continued to increase, and many New Yorkers feel as if they don’t have a chance to be a part of something like this.”
“Just like we secured 1,000 tickets for the World Cup at a discounted price, we’ve done the same with the U.S. Open,” he added. “Our mission is: How can we bring as many New Yorkers as possible to be part of such a wonderful event?”
This year’s U.S. Open comes as an $800 million revamp of Arthur Ashe Stadium continues. The largest single investment in the tennis tournament’s history, announced in May 2025, will bring a new stadium with an entrance designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, expanded public space, upgraded concourses, a larger courtside bowl, and a new players-only building.
The work is taking place in three phases and will continue without disrupting this year’s tournament. The project is slated for completion ahead of the 2027 U.S. Open.
“We want as many people as possible to experience tennis and the US Open, and this additional Main Draw ticket access for New Yorkers only strengthens that commitment,” USTA CEO Craig Tiley said.
“The US Open already offers eight days of free grounds admission. Great crowds of fans and families are coming out to see the best players in the world practice up close, watch world-class competition with qualifying and mixed doubles and experience much more during our free-to-attend Fan Week.”
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