NYC Secures 1,000 Discounted US Open Tickets for Local Residents

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the United States Tennis Association announced Wednesday, Aug. 26, that 1,000 main-draw US Open tickets will be sold to local residents for $100 each.

The discounted inventory aims to address surging resale costs at Flushing Meadows Corona Park, where primary market seats sold out rapidly and secondary prices expanded significantly beyond standard face values.

Eligible buyers with verified city ZIP codes can purchase up to two tickets online for matches running from Aug. 30 through Sept. 8, covering general access and major show courts.

According to event organizers, the initiative blocks participating passes from secondary market listings on Ticketmaster, with the USTA absorbing price differences to keep admissions capped at the flat rate.

“This summer, we have shown again and again that sports belong to the people. From the World Cup to track and field championships, we have opened stadium doors to some of the biggest sporting events in the world so more New Yorkers can enjoy them. Today, we are doubling down on that work by making the US Open more affordable for New Yorkers,” said Mayor Mamdani.

The administration previously negotiated similar community ticketing access for international soccer matches and national track events across the metropolitan region.

“If the world's best tennis players are coming to our city, New Yorkers should be able to see them play,” said Mayor Mamdani.

The city's intervention arrives as upper-tier stadium seats on open secondary markets exceed $300 and courtside locations reach thousands of dollars per session during peak tournament days.

“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,” said USTA CEO Craig Tiley.

The annual tournament generates over $1.2 billion in economic impact and draws over one million spectators to Queens during its primary competition weeks.

“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. Access to tennis will always be our priority, and we’re proud to be able to deliver this Main Draw ticket offer to the residents of New York — the home of the US Open for more than 100 years,” said USTA CEO Craig Tiley.

“Our vision is to be the most inspirational and captivating sports entertainment event in the world by delivering world-class experiences for our fans, partners, and players to fuel the mission of the USTA, so accessibility is at the core of the beginning of the strategy,” said Kirsten Corio, Chief Commercial Officer for the United States Tennis Association.

Alongside pricing concerns, park advocacy groups continue calling on organizers to direct a larger portion of tournament revenues toward public park maintenance and local infrastructure fixes.

“You could see Djokovic on Arthur Ashe playing a practice match against another top-10 player for free in the first row,” said Kirsten Corio, Chief Commercial Officer for the United States Tennis Association.

City leaders previously signaled support for broader sports access policy during municipal campaign events.

“It is the place of leaders to step up when we see profit as the only motive, to an extent where so many who used to attend these very events can now not even conceive of doing so,” said Mayor Mamdani.

Main-draw matches for the tournament begin Aug. 30 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.