Following a record year for the U.S. Open, the USTA has announced that $800 million will be invested as Arthur Ashe Stadium is set for a major modernization.

$800M has been invested into the U.S. Open with work set to finish in 2027 (Image: USTA)

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) has announced $800 million will be invested into the Grand Slam, including a multi-year reimagination of Arthur Ashe Stadium. The U.S. Open says it wants to enhance and elevate the experience for fans, players, and partners.

The U.S. Open witnessed a record attendance in 2024, and organizers have confirmed format changes ahead of 2025 as they look to build on a statement year. Some changes, including moving the Mixed Doubles Championship to the first week of the Grand Slam, have been met with criticism, but the U.S. Open is preparing for an exciting future.

The $800 million pledge is the largest single investment in U.S. Open history, and is completely self-funded. The entire project will be completed by the 2027 U.S. Open, but restoration work won’t interrupt play over the next two years.

“The U.S. Open is the pinnacle of sports and entertainment, with the greatest athletes and fans in all of sport, and this reimagination of Arthur Ashe Stadium and construction of a state-of-the-art Player Performance Center will enhance the experience for everyone that comes on site to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center,” said Lew Sherr, CEO and Executive Director, USTA.

A look at the renovated Arthur Ashe with more premium suites (Image: USTA)

“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. 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.

“The U.S. Open helps us to deliver on our mission – growing tennis to build healthier people and communities everywhere – by showcasing our sport on the global stage, and this reimagination will bring this presentation to an entirely new level.”

A modernized Grand Entrance at the U.S. Open (Image: USTA)

Of the total $800 million investment, $550 million is expected to be spent on reimagining Arthur Ashe Stadium. A brand-new, visually striking Grand Entrance will be constructed, with major changes being made inside the stadium to ease congestion and benefit the fan experience.

A 40-percent increase will be made to the promenade-level concourse, adding more open space for fans at the promenade and loge levels. The concourses will also be modernized, with all-newly designed retail experiences and food and beverage spaces.

There will be significantly increased access to restrooms on all concourses, and more escalators and elevators to all levels. There will also be an upward extension of the courtside-level bowl with 2,000 new seats, expanding the courtside experience from 3,000 to 5,000 seats.

A look at the new Courtside Club at Arthur Ashe (Image: USTA)

The premium experience has also been shown a lot of love, with all-new club and restaurant areas, enhanced dining options and premium hospitality spaces being added. There will also be two new dedicated luxury suite levels, with 700-800 suite seats set to be added.

The other $250 million will be focused on a state-of-the-art Player Performance Center, a new home to the 2,800 players and team members attending the U.S. Open each year. The new center will aim to offer athletes and members the best-in-class amenities, with both indoor and outdoor performance and relaxation spaces.

The two-story, state-of-the-art facility will be built on the top two floors of a four-floor building on the west side of Arthur Ashe Stadium. The facility will be adjacent to the practice courts, and aims to enhance on-court performances.

The new Player Performance Center overlooking practice courts (Image: USTA)

The center will include new and expanded indoor and outdoor fitness and warm-up areas, featuring turf, track and U.S. Open court surfaces for training. Redesigned and expansive locker rooms and lounges will also be constructed, providing players a spa-like experience.

The facility also features upsized indoor player dining and an all-new outdoor player courtyard, as well as a new cafe accessible only by players. There will be a dedicated and modernized player entranceway, welcoming the athletes.

With strict plans ensuring that no play is interrupted, and a complex timeline to follow, the reimagination project will be completed over three phases.

Phase 1 (before 2025 U.S. Open)

Structural work reinforcing the column load for Arthur Ashe Stadium, enabling for the in-stadium construction and overhaul to take place in future phases.

The first two stories of the four-story building that will be the Player Performance Center in what is now Parking Lot A. The first two stories of the structure will contain parking.

Mostly behind-the-scenes work, with no major changes noticeable to those attending the 2025 U.S. Open.

A look at the player lobby in the new performance center (Image: USTA)

Phase 2 (between the 2025-26 U.S. Opens)

The existing courtside and suite levels in Arthur Ashe Stadium will be removed and replaced with the new, expanded courtside bowl and the two new, dedicated luxury suite levels.

The Player Performance Center – the top two floors of the four-floor facility in Parking Lot A – will be completed during this phase. While both levels of this facility will be constructed during this phase, it will not be finished and accessible to players until after Phase 3, as the interior will be completed during that time.

Phase 3 (between the 2026-27 U.S. Opens)

The final projects in Arthur Ashe Stadium will be completed during this phase, including: The visionary Grand Entrance, designed by Daniel Libeskind.

The new loge and promenade levels, including the new, expansive promenade concourse with an oversized, publicly accessible premium bar featuring expansive views of the Fountain Plaza and the Unisphere.

Full enhancements to all concourses, including retail and food and beverage spaces, as well as restrooms and other amenities.

Two new sets of escalators and two new elevator banks at the South entrance, improving fan traffic to all levels.

The series of Garrett Singer-designed premium hospitality lounges in-stadium, enabling premium ticket holders the opportunity to access unparalleled hospitality without having to leave Arthur Ashe Stadium for the first time.

The interior of the Player Performance Center will be completed during this phase and open to competitors and teams by the 2027 US Open.