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Independent Singapore
21-05-2025
- Business
- Independent Singapore
U.S. Open's Arthur Ashe Stadium will undergo $800 million major renovation
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) announced that Arthur Ashe Stadium, the home of the U.S. Open, will undergo a full-scale renovation as part of an $800 million renovation to the U.S. Open's Queens campus. This project highlights a top-to-bottom modernisation of the stadium and an additional player performance centre. The construction at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre will be done in phases to make sure the 2025 and 2026 tournaments will not be disrupted. It is expected to be finished by the 2027 U.S. Open. USTA mentioned that this project is the biggest investment made in the history of the U.S. Open, and it will be fully paid for with its own funds, and no public or taxpayer money will be used. Lew Sherr, USTA's CEO and Executive Director, expressed in a statement, 'This project enables us to maintain the greatest stage in tennis – Arthur Ashe Stadium, which was constructed more than 25 years ago, and modernise it in a way that will set it up for the next 25 years.' He added, '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.' Moreover, USTA's chairman and president, Brian Vahaly, shared, 'This is an incredibly exciting moment for our sport and for the US Open… We're proud to unveil the largest single investment in the history of this event, a multi-year transformation that will elevate the experience for every fan, player and partner who enters the grounds at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre. The upgrades to Arthur Ashe stadium, alongside a new state-of-the-art player Performance Centre, will ensure that the world's premier tennis venue will excel for generations to come.' What to expect from the newly renovated stadium? The Arthur Ashe Stadium is going to have big upgrades, which include a new 'grand entrance,' alongside an additional 2,000 seats at the courtside level, and two new levels of luxury suites. See also The US Open will now be a 15-day event starting in 2025 It will also have better concourses, dining areas, and retail shops, as it is the largest tennis stadium in the world. Moreover, a new two-story Player Performance Centre will be established at a cost of $250 million. It will have larger indoor and outdoor workout and warm-up spaces, improved dining areas for athletes, and redesigned locker rooms with a 'spa-like' feel. This renovation announcement comes seven years after the USTA finished a previous five-year project that cost $600 million. The new Louis Armstrong Stadium, with a seating capacity of over 14,000 and a retractable roof, opened in 2018, replacing the original 1978 version. It is worth remembering that in 2024, the U.S. Open set a new attendance record by welcoming over one million fans. In 2025, the tournament's main draw will be extended to 15 days, which will allow space for at least 70,000 more fans.
eNCA
20-05-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
US Open venue to get $800m facelift: officials
NEW YORK - The US Open's main Arthur Ashe Stadium is to be given a makeover as part of an $800-million renovation project at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows, US tennis chiefs said. United States Tennis Association chairman Brian Vahaly said the renovations planned for the site marked part of "the largest single investment in the history of this event." The multi-million dollar project will include a transformation of the 24,000-seat Arthur Ashe Stadium, the US Open's main court, a new player performance center and upgrades throughout the complex aimed at improving facilities for fans. "This is an incredibly exciting moment for our sport and for the US Open," Vahaly said. "We're proud to unveil the largest single investment in the history of this event, a multi-year transformation that will elevate the experience for every fan, player and partner who enters the grounds at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. "The upgrades to Arthur Ashe stadium, alongside a new state-of-the-art player Performance Center, will ensure that the world's premier tennis venue will excel for generations to come." The renovations to Ashe will see the stadium reconfigured to provide more seating in the lower courtside areas, increasing from 3,000 seats to around 5,000, officials said. The upgrades to the facility, which are being financed without any public money, are due to be complete by 2027. Preliminary work on the project has already begun. The renovations will not affect the location of any upcoming US Opens. This year's US Open, the final Grand Slam on the tennis calendar, takes place from August 24 to September 7.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
US Open's Arthur Ashe Stadium set for $800 million renovation to enhance fan experience
File photo of Arthur Ashe Stadium during the 2023 US Open at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York. (Karsten Moran/The New York Times) The US Open 's Arthur Ashe Stadium will undergo a major transformation as part of an $800 million renovation project at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows , announced US tennis officials on Monday in New York. The extensive renovations will be completed by 2027 and are being funded entirely through private sources, without any public money. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! "This is an incredibly exciting moment for our sport and for the US Open," said United States Tennis Association chairman Brian Vahaly. "We're proud to unveil the largest single investment in the history of this event, a multi-year transformation that will elevate the experience for every fan, player and partner who enters the grounds at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The upgrades to Arthur Ashe stadium, alongside a new state of the art player Performance Center, will ensure that the world's premier tennis venue will excel for generations to come." The renovation plans include a reconfiguration of the 24,000-seat Arthur Ashe Stadium, increasing lower courtside seating from 3,000 to approximately 5,000 seats. The project will also feature a new player performance centre and various upgrades throughout the complex to enhance facilities for fans. Bombay Sport Exchange Ep4: India vs Pakistan relations, IPL's formation Preliminary construction work has already begun at the site. The renovation schedule will not impact any upcoming US Open tournaments. This year's US Open tournament, the final Grand Slam of the tennis calendar, is scheduled to take place from August 24 to September 7. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
South Wales Guardian
20-05-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
USTA announces Arthur Ashe Stadium overhaul
The centrepiece of the project was a major renovation of Arthur Ashe Stadium alongside plans for a state-of-the-art player performance centre, to be named in honour of US tennis legend Billie Jean King. The upgrades, due to be complete by 2027, are expected to take place in three stages to avoid interrupting the 2025-26 US Opens. Arthur Ashe Stadium upgrades include a new 'grand entrance', 2,000 new seats and luxury-level suites as well as renovations to the concourse, retail and dining areas. The 250-million dollar (£187 million) two-storey player performance centre will be entirely self-funded by the USTA. Brian Vahaly, chairman and president of USTA, speaks at a news conference (AP/Stefan Jeremiah) The new facility is set to include indoor and outdoor fitness areas, expansive locker rooms and lounges promising a 'spa-like experience' as well as indoor dining and a new, dedicated cafe. USTA chief executive and executive director Lew Sherr said the upgrades would improve the experience for athletes and fans alike. He said: 'This project enables us to maintain the greatest stage in tennis—Arthur Ashe Stadium—which was constructed more than 25 years ago, and modernise 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.' Sherr added: 'The US 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.'
New York Post
20-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
USTA unveils $800M renovation of US Open's Billie Jean King Tennis Center
Reimagining Spectacular. That was the tagline of the U.S. Open's grand unveiling of a three-year, $800 million renovation plan for the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium and the historic Billie Jean King National Tennis Center grounds on Monday afternoon in downtown Manhattan. Projected to be completed ahead of the 2027 tournament, the self-funded initiative — the single largest investment in U.S. Open history — is a reflection of tennis' immense growth over the past five years. Advertisement 5 Brian Vahaly, Chairman of the Board and President of USTA speaks at a news conference announcing the redevelopment of Arthur Ashe Stadium and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Monday in Manhattan. AP The U.S. Open has become the premier sports event in New York City in the summer, and the pending upgrades are designed to be enjoyed by athletes, fans and partners of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) alike. 'We are enhancing and modernizing every aspect of Arthur Ashe Stadium and the venue,' USTA chief executive and executive director Lew Sherr said. 'From seating to concourses to restrooms to points of sale, also including premium hospitality and courtside experiences. There's also an extraordinary opportunity to support our athletes in a much better way, and you're going to see a modernized and new facility with premium amenities, equipment, facilities, to allow them to compete at their absolute best and also to allow them to enjoy the three-week experience in Queens like never before. Advertisement 'We will also be delivering even more economic value to the city of New York. We already deliver more than $1.2 billion in economic impact to the city. That's more than the Yankees and the Mets combined, and that number will only increase significantly.' The changes to the near 24,000-seat Ashe, which was built in 1997 and carries the namesake of the first Black player to win the tournament title, will include a brand new level called Mezz 2. The suites will be on those dedicated concourses, while courtside seats will increase from 3,000 to 5,000. 5 Danny Zausner, Chief Operating Officer of USTA speaks at a news conference announcing the redevelopment of Arthur Ashe. AP Advertisement Despite an expected loss of 100-200 seats from the construction, the facelift will provide enlarged concourses, renovated restrooms and 30 percent more of them, as well as a 30 percent increase in the point of sales with more food and beverage stands. The idea was for the lower bowl to look the same in order to preserve the memorable feel of the stadium. 'The reality is, in 2027, when Arthur Ashe Stadium celebrates its 30th anniversary, it'll really be celebrating its rebirth,' said USTA President Brian Vahaly. 5 Brian Vahaly, Chairman of the Board and President of USTA. AP Advertisement Approximately $250 million of the total investment will be dedicated to the construction of a new Player Performance Center. The third and fourth floors will be specifically for the players, who will be able to use the space as a locker room, fitness facility, lounge and private dining area. One of the driving reasons to expand player areas is to accommodate every entourage, which has grown exponentially over the years with multiple coaches, trainers, nutritionists, physiotherapists and families now accompanying each athlete. The USTA said they credentialed nearly 3,000 people associated with players last year. An outdoor fitness facility will also be implemented for the players who want to warm up in the conditions ahead of their match. This instead of the air conditioning, which European players have voiced concerns about in the past. 5 John McEnroe speaks at a news conference announcing the redevelopment of Arthur Ashe Stadium and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. AP 'We used to have beer kegs in the early days,' four-time winner John McEnroe cracked at the event, which also featured three-time winner Kim Clijsters. 'Back in our day, we'd be like, 'What the hell is this?' ' Advertisement As Sherr pointed out, tennis is having a moment right now. You might even call it a movement. Through the first quarter of 2025, the USTA surpassed 26 million players for a 49 percent increase over just six years. Between the influx of players, fans and cultural impact, tennis' growth has presented an opportunity for the sports' epicenter to rise to said moment. Advertisement 5 Danny Zausner, Chief Operating Officer of USTA speaks at the news conference on Monday. AP The U.S. Open brought in almost $560 million in operating revenue last year, the USTA's financial report revealed. They enjoyed record-breaking attendance — surpassing one million for the first time — and social-media engagement. Advertisement 'We believe the opportunity ahead is even greater,' Vahaly said. 'Seizing that opportunity will require bold leadership, and the U.S. Open sits at the center of our growth strategy. It is the sport's greatest stage. A place where future fans and players fall in love with the game, where the best in the world inspire the next generation.' Spectacular, indeed.
