• Loading stock data...
Friday, August 29, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Get your ticket now!

USTA Preps Fan Experience For New Era Of U.S. Open Tennis

Sep 4, 2018; New York, NY, USA; John Isner of the United States signs autographs for young tennis fans after a quarter-final match against Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina on day nine of the 2018 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
U.S. Open tennis fan experience
Photo Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

One year removed from the conclusion of a five-year, $600-million renovation to the U.S.T.A. Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, fans from all facets of the globe will be attending the 2019 US Open, beginning on August 26.

To jumpstart this moment, Nicole Kankam, managing director of the USTA, began by making sure the tournament is more accessible and affordable for spectators than ever before.

“Every year I think we look to take the US Open experience to the next level,” said Kankam “It’s really how do we deliver the best-in-class experience, continue to bring new fans into the fold each and every year and expand the audience across the board.”

To kickoff US Open Fan Week, fans were able to attend US Open qualifiers free of charge. Once they arrive at the USTA’s Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Kankam aims to grab everyone’s attention – from kids to adults.

In line with US Open qualifiers, the USTA partnered with Emirates on its Net Generation Kids’ Zone. According to Kankam, the goal of this is not only attract people to the tennis community but to sports as a whole. Outside of promoting tennis, the event features a hockey shoot-out, as well as basketball and soccer activities for visitors to participate in.

Once the afternoon matches lead into the night sessions, the USTA and Chase will display its “Chase Soundcheck” concert series throughout the tournament. Starting on Tuesday, August 20, fans have already seen shows from artists HAIM and Lany, respectively. Country singer Brett Eldredge and Grammy-award winner Leon Bridges will round out qualifiers with performances on August 22 and 23, respectively.

“What can we do [during US Open qualifiers] that can attract even people?” asked Chris Widmaier, managing director of corporate communications at the USTA. “The whole point here is to take what you had, build on it in a smart way to attract more people here, and expose more people to the US Open experience – to grow the sport of tennis.”

READ MORE: The Summer Of New Balance

According to Widmaier, the US Open has small margins for improvement. During the 2018 edition, at least 96,000 fans attended US Open Fan Week and roughly 730,000 came during the main-draw event. With hopes of drawing over 850,000 visitors in 2019, Widmaier knows that to reach that goal, the USTA has to be innovative when working with attendees. Thus far, with between 90 and 95% of tickets already sold this year, it appears to be paying off.

“You have to look in creative ways,” said Widmaier. “So that’s Fan Week and we can grow this week, get more people on the ground to really start seeing what the US Open experience is like. Converting them into life-long fans is our hope in that they’ll become future fans of the US Open and the sport of tennis.”

READ MORE: ESPN Adds Extra Week To 2019 U.S. Open Coverage By Showing Qualifying Tournament

“We can grow this week, get more people on the ground to really start seeing what the US Open experience is like,” said Widmaier. “Converting them into life-long fans is our hope in that they’ll become future fans of the US Open and the sport of tennis.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Aug 25, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Venus Williams (USA)after losing to Karolina Muchova (Czech)(not pictured) on day two of the 2025 U.S. Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Which Tennis Players Have Made the Most US Open Appearances?

Venus Williams has the most US Open appearances of any tennis player.

US Open Stretches Schedule to 15 Days, but Players Aren’t Happy

Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam left that starts on a Monday.

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.

Featured Today

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) warms up as the Texas Longhorns prepare to play the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium.
August 23, 2025

Schools Are Hesitant to Allow PE Into Their Athletic Departments

Regardless of budget, schools don’t believe the risk is worth the reward.
Oct 2, 2024; Rosemont, IL, USA; Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti speaks with the media during the 2024 Big Ten Women’s Basketball media day at Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.
August 22, 2025

‘Not Ready to Jump In’: Power 4 Commissioners Aren’t Sold on PE

Top leaders in college sports have yet to see a satisfactory proposal.
Nov 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin looks at quarterback Drew Allar (15) during the first quarter against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Huntington Bank Stadium.
August 22, 2025

Private Equity Enters College Sports—Without the Equity

As college football starts, lending agreements have become PE’s best way in.
Sponsored

Game the Green: Transforming Fan Experiences at TPC Sawgrass

As fans gather at THE PLAYERS Championship, Comcast Business will be keeping spectators and the PGA TOUR connected like never before.
Sponsored

How Sportradar and the NBA Are Shaping the Future of Immersive Fan..

By transforming raw data into tailored, interactive content, Sportradar helps turn the NBA’s enormous fanbase into active participants.
February 3, 2025

Super Bowl Ticket Prices Crash As Hotel Rooms See Historic Rate Hike

Prices sink by about 30%, due in part to a lodging crunch.
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
October 8, 2024

NBA GMs Rank Salary-Cap Apron As Rule That Needs to Change Most

Schedule changes finished second with 17% of the vote.
Sponsored

Trend Report: Chiefs-Chargers, Tobacco Road Rivalry, Nebraska Sellout Streak

According to data from TickPick, some games this week will prove to be wallet-busters, climbing into the four figures.
September 8, 2024

US Open Breaks Attendance Record

Top-seeded Jannik Sinner beat No. 12 Taylor Fritz in straight sets Sunday.
Sponsored

Mastercard’s Foodies & Fairways: Where Golf Meets Gourmet at the TOUR Championship

This year’s TOUR Championship in Atlanta isn’t just about world-class golf—it’s also a celebration of local flavors.