The U.S. Open tennis tournament is estimated to generate approximately $1.2 billion annually for New York City, underscoring its role as a significant and consistent economic driver. Held at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens, the tournament draws more than a million attendees each year, nearly double the average attendance of a professional football team and comparable to the combined attendance of the New York Giants and Jets across their home games.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA), which operates the event on city-owned parkland, commissioned a study to assess its financial impact. According to John Neill, director of an advisory group involved in the analysis, the $1.2 billion figure may be conservative. The economic evaluation considered direct visitor spending on hotels, restaurants, transportation, and tickets, as well as payroll for workers and purchases from suppliers, illustrating how the money circulates within the city's economy. Notably, 43 percent of attendees come from outside the New York metropolitan area, including 8 percent from abroad, bringing “new money” that fuels local businesses, with international visitors tending to stay longer and spend more.

Despite these benefits, some experts express caution about the headline numbers. Andrew Zimbalist, an economics professor specializing in sports, noted that although there may be a positive effect, some local spending associated with the tournament could represent redirected expenditures rather than net new revenue. He suggested that money spent by local residents at the U.S. Open might have otherwise been spent elsewhere in the city, such as theaters, ballgames, or restaurants, possibly resulting in a limited overall net gain.

The hospitality sector reports a mixed impact. Vijay Dandapani, president of the Hotel Association of New York City, described the U.S. Open as "an economic machine every year" and more reliable than other major sporting events such as the World Cup, which provided a one-time surge with matches held mainly in nearby New Jersey. Conversely, Andrew Rigie, executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, observed that while the U.S. Open benefits restaurants on-site and in Manhattan, its broader impact across the city’s diverse dining industry is less pronounced than that of the World Cup or the New York Knicks’ recent NBA finals run, which spurred packed venues and increased sales over several weeks.

Financially, the U.S. Open contributes to city revenues through a lease agreement requiring the USTA to pay a fixed sum and a percentage of revenues above a threshold. In 2024, this arrangement yielded roughly $4.4 million for the city. This revenue model contrasts with other major venues in the area like Madison Square Garden, which does not pay property taxes, or MetLife Stadium located outside city limits.

Local residents and officials highlight the community impact beyond economics. Queens City Council member Shanel Thomas-Henry emphasized that while the tournament creates 7,000 seasonal jobs, more could be done to support local small businesses and provide opportunities such as scholarships and youth programs. She pointed to the need for investments in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, which hosts the event, advocating for improvements to public amenities and infrastructure to offset the disruptions caused by crowding, traffic, and security measures. Rachel Meltzer, a senior urban economics researcher, echoed calls for more tangible benefits for neighborhood residents who share the park space year-round.

Overall, the U.S. Open remains a major sporting event with a significant economic footprint in New York City, though assessments differ on the extent to which its benefits diffuse broadly across the city’s economy and communities.