USTA unveils $800M renovation of US Open’s Billie Jean King Tennis Center

Reimagining Spectacular.

That was nan tagline of nan U.S. Open’s expansive unveiling of a three-year, $800 cardinal renewal scheme for nan iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium and nan historical Billie Jean King National Tennis Center grounds connected Monday day successful downtown Manhattan.

Projected to beryllium completed up of nan 2027 tournament, nan self-funded inaugural — nan azygous largest finance successful U.S. Open history — is simply a reflection of tennis’ immense maturation complete nan past 5 years.

The U.S. Open has go nan premier sports arena successful New York City successful nan summer, and nan pending upgrades are designed to beryllium enjoyed by athletes, fans and partners of nan United States Tennis Association (USTA) alike.

“We are enhancing and modernizing each facet of Arthur Ashe Stadium and nan venue,” USTA main executive and executive head Lew Sherr said. “From seating to concourses to restrooms to points of sale, besides including premium hospitality and courtside experiences. There’s besides an bonzer opportunity to support our athletes successful a overmuch amended way, and you’re going to spot a modernized and caller installation pinch premium amenities, equipment, facilities, to let them to compete astatine their absolute champion and besides to let them to bask nan three-week acquisition successful Queens for illustration ne'er before.

“We will besides beryllium delivering moreover much economical worth to nan metropolis of New York. We already present much than $1.2 cardinal successful economical effect to nan city. That’s much than nan Yankees and nan Mets combined, and that number will only summation significantly.”

The changes to nan adjacent 24,000-seat Ashe, which was built successful 1997 and carries nan namesake of nan first Black subordinate to triumph nan tourney title, will see a marque caller level called Mezz 2.

The suites will beryllium connected those dedicated concourses, while courtside seats will summation from 3,000 to 5,000.

Despite an expected nonaccomplishment of 100-200 seats from nan construction, nan facelift will supply enlarged concourses, renovated restrooms and 30 percent much of them, arsenic good arsenic a 30 percent summation successful nan constituent of income pinch much nutrient and beverage stands.

The thought was for nan little vessel to look nan aforesaid successful bid to sphere nan memorable consciousness of nan stadium.

“The reality is, successful 2027, erstwhile Arthur Ashe Stadium celebrates its 30th anniversary, it’ll really beryllium celebrating its rebirth,” said USTA President Brian Vahaly.

Approximately $250 cardinal of nan full finance will beryllium dedicated to nan building of a caller Player Performance Center.

The 3rd and 4th floors will beryllium specifically for nan players, who will beryllium capable to usage nan abstraction arsenic a locker room, fittingness facility, lounge and backstage eating area.

One of nan driving reasons to grow subordinate areas is to accommodate each entourage, which has grown exponentially complete nan years pinch aggregate coaches, trainers, nutritionists, physiotherapists and families now accompanying each athlete.

The USTA said they credentialed astir 3,000 group associated pinch players past year.

An outdoor fittingness installation will besides beryllium implemented for nan players who want to lukewarm up successful nan conditions up of their match.

This alternatively of nan aerial conditioning, which European players person voiced concerns astir successful nan past.

“We utilized to person brew kegs successful nan early days,” four-time victor John McEnroe cracked astatine nan event, which besides featured three-time victor Kim Clijsters. “Back successful our day, we’d beryllium like, ‘What nan hellhole is this?’ ”

As Sherr pointed out, tennis is having a infinitesimal correct now.

You mightiness moreover telephone it a movement.

Through nan first 4th of 2025, nan USTA surpassed 26 cardinal players for a 49 percent summation complete conscionable six years.

Between nan influx of players, fans and taste impact, tennis’ maturation has presented an opportunity for nan sports’ epicenter to emergence to said moment.

The U.S. Open brought successful almost $560 cardinal successful operating gross past year, nan USTA’s financial study revealed.

They enjoyed record-breaking attendance — surpassing 1 cardinal for nan first clip — and social-media engagement.

“We judge nan opportunity up is moreover greater,” Vahaly said. “Seizing that opportunity will require bold leadership, and nan U.S. Open sits astatine nan halfway of our maturation strategy. It is nan sport’s top stage. A spot wherever early fans and players autumn successful emotion pinch nan game, wherever nan champion successful nan world animate nan adjacent generation.”

Spectacular, indeed.