Repollo
The 2026 US Open opens qualifying Aug 24 and the main draw Aug 30, and it just rolled out its steepest ticket prices ever. A day-one grounds pass hit $363 (Wimbledon’s equivalent runs about £33), average tickets climbed from $529 to $617, and the women’s final leapt from $825 to $1,230; resellers list popular seats at $2,400. On Aug 20, billionaire Bill Ackman slammed the USTA — a non-profit whose stated mission is promoting tennis — asking how a $363 grounds pass fits that mission. Supporters say the record $108M prize pool has to be funded, and presale sold out in hours. Detractors say a non-profit is openly pricing out casual fans, a grounds pass doesn’t even guarantee a show-court seat, and if the USTA won’t hold the line no US major will.