The U.S. Open tennis tournament is widely regarded as one of New York City's key annual economic drivers, generating an estimated $1.2 billion each year, according to a study commissioned by the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Held at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, the event attracts more than a million attendees, outpacing the combined attendance of the New York Giants and Jets football teams over their entire season. Approximately 43 percent of visitors come from outside the New York metropolitan area, including 8 percent from other countries, contributing significant new spending to the city’s economy.
Analysts highlight the tournament’s year-over-year economic impact as substantial, citing direct spending by visitors on lodging, dining, transportation, and tickets, as well as wages paid to workers and purchases made by suppliers. This circulation of money enhances economic activity beyond the event itself. Based on 2023 data, experts suggest the $1.2 billion figure may be conservative as attendance and revenue continue to grow.
Despite these positive assessments, some economists urge caution in interpreting the economic benefits. Andrew Zimbalist, an economics professor with expertise in sports finance, notes that while some new money enters the city, local spending on the U.S. Open may simply redirect consumer expenditure that would have otherwise gone to other city entertainment options, such as Broadway shows or other sporting events, potentially resulting in a neutral or even negative net impact in certain sectors.
Within the hospitality industry, the U.S. Open is acknowledged as beneficial but not the most significant recent driver. Andrew Rigie, executive director of the New York City Hospitality Alliance, points to a particularly strong summer for restaurants and bars, driven primarily by the FIFA World Cup and the New York Knicks’ NBA finals run. These events stimulated widespread sales increases across many neighborhoods, while the U.S. Open’s impact tends to concentrate around Queens and Manhattan, limiting its reach within the broader five boroughs.
Financially, the tournament contributes directly to city revenues through its lease agreement for the use of parkland, which includes a base payment plus a percentage of revenue exceeding $20 million. In 2024, the city received about $4.4 million from the USTA. However, some local officials and community members argue that more should be done to share the benefits with the surrounding neighborhood of Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, which bears the impact of large crowds and disruptions each year.
City Council member Shanel Thomas-Henry, representing the district that includes the tennis center, supports the tournament’s role in creating around 7,000 seasonal jobs and consistent economic activity but calls for increased investment in local infrastructure and community programs. She advocates for expanded support for small businesses, more scholarships and internships for local youth, and enhanced public access and maintenance of the parkland used during the event.
As one of the city’s few sports venues located on public land, the U.S. Open stands out both for its economic contributions and the ongoing dialogue about sharing its benefits with local residents and businesses. While the tournament remains a major annual highlight on New York’s sports calendar, varying perspectives underscore the complexity of quantifying its overall impact on the city’s diverse economy.