Arthur Ashe Stadium Gets Overhaul as Part of $800 Million Project

The U.S. Open’s Arthur Ashe Stadium will get an overhaul as part of an $800 million project announced Monday that the U.S. Tennis Association is touting as the “largest single investment” in the history of its Grand Slam tournament.

The USTA said it is funding the improvements at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, with no help from the city government. The USTA said there will not be interruption to play or fan access for the next two editions of the U.S. Open. Play in the main draw this year begins August 24, shifting to a Sunday start for the first time in the Open era, which began in 1968.

Combined with the US Open’s most recent transformation project in 2018, the USTA has invested nearly $2 billion into the Open and its home facility.

“This project enables us to maintain the greatest stage in tennis — Arthur Ashe Stadium — which was constructed more than 25 years ago and modernize it in a way that will set it up for the next 25 years.,” said Lew Sherr, chief executive officer and executive director, USTA. “It also provides us the opportunity to give the players that compete in that stadium an unparalleled space that will enable them to perform at their best and enjoy a higher level of luxury and comfort while they are off the court.”

Ashe’s courtside-level seating capacity will increase from 3,000 to 5,000, while some seats in other sections will be removed, leaving the arena’s total similar to what it is now — around 23,000 to 24,000, the biggest in Grand Slam tennis. The stadium, which opened in 1997 and has had a retractable roof since 2016, also will get a new “grand entrance,” two new luxury suite levels, more club and restaurant areas, larger and updated concourses and restrooms, and more escalators and elevators.

The USTA’s work, which is expected to be done in time for the 2027 U.S. Open, includes constructing a $250 million player performance center. The new player area will be next to the practice courts and include additional courts, locker rooms, lounges and an open-air warmup area so players be acclimated to the conditions before they go to the court for their matches.

Phase 1 in advance of this year’s tournament will be mostly behind the scenes wwith no major changes noticeable to those attending the Open. Between this year and next year’s tournaments, the existing courtside and suite levels in Arthur Ashe Stadium will be removed and replaced with new, expanded courtside bowl and two new, dedicated luxury suite levels.

The third phase will be completed in time for the 2027 U.S. Open with full enhancements to all concourses, including retail and food and beverage spaces, as well as restrooms and other amenities.