US Open fans will have to wait almost a year to see their favourite players in action at Flushing Meadows, with the 2024 edition of the tournament only coming to an end at the weekend. But even the wealthiest fans will need to get saving as they will have to fork out an eye-watering amount of money if they want to watch the tennis from a hospitality box next year.
The US Open proved to be a spectacular affair once again this year as the best players from the ATP and WTA Tours descended on New York.
And Aryna Sabalenka was ultimately crowned champion of the women’s singles, with Jannik Sinner lifting the men’s trophy the following day.
Tennis followers could be eyeing up a place at next year’s tournament and hoping for more of the same standard of tennis. And fans in hospitality could be stung.
According to Sports Illustrated, some hospitality boxes at next year’s tournaments will be priced at over £764,000 ($1million). But fans will have to stump up even more money if they want food and drink as the offering doesn’t include refreshments.
There are around 80 suites available, with tournament organisers set to bring in a huge amount of cash from their hospitality packages.
The official US Open website lists various hospitality packages, including Courtside Premier, the 1968 Room and the Player Cafe Courtside Club. And their Luxurious Suites are said to offer “prime views and unparalleled comfort to entertain clients or indulge with friends”.
The package includes 20 tickets, two host passes and three parking spaces and comes with full service from a dedicated attendant. And lucky guests are treated to private, balcony seating and an air-conditioned indoor lounge with an ensuite restroom.
The cost of the premium hospitality package is far greater than the prize money on offer to most players, with first round losers this year getting their hands on just less than £76,500.
Only defeated semi-finalists earned £764,000, with the other 124 players at the tournament receiving less.
Following Sabalenka’s title victory on Saturday, the 26-year-old said: “I was just so proud of myself and proud of my team that no matter what, we were able to come back stronger and come back with better tennis. And now finally we are having this beautiful trophy.”
And Sinner explained after his triumph: “This title means so much because the last period of my career was not easy. I’m happy how I handled this one. I’m just excited to have this trophy with me.”
