The US Open: A Grand Slam for New York City's Tourism Economy
Every year, around August, the ever-crowded New York City becomes even more crowded and exciting. Most hotels are fully booked, and the seven trains connecting Manhattan with Queens are constantly filled with people of all walks of life. At its heart lies the US Open Tennis Championships. This annual spectacle not only captures global attention but also serves as a powerful engine for sports tourism and economic growth across all five boroughs. The US Open is more than just a tennis tournament; it's a strategic asset for the city's economic vitality.
A springboard for the hospitality sector
Let’s talk numbers! The economic impact of the US Open on New York City is substantial, exceeding $1.2 billion annually. A significant driver of this impact is the United States Tennis Association's (USTA) remarkable commitment to its facilities. The USTA has announced an investment of $800 million in the US Open and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. With this investment, New York City is projected to generate more than $1.2 billion from the three weeks of the US Open. Interestingly, the entire investment is self-funded, meaning New Yorkers can enjoy every match in Queens without being burdened by additional taxes.
Every year, the US Open generates more than $1.2 billion in revenue for New York City.
With more than 800,000 visitors every year, the hospitality sector in New York City benefits significantly from the event. Hotels in neighbourhoods near the venues, such as Flushing and the likes, experience high demand, often booked years in advance, and can command premium rates. In response, New York City boasts 135,000 hotel rooms, second only to Las Vegas, with occupancy rates consistently among the highest in the whole US. Of course, people are going to stay across the five boroughs. That’s why approximately 30% of new hotel development is strategically occurring in the outer boroughs, offering more affordable accommodation options and implicitly encouraging visitors to explore diverse neighbourhoods beyond Manhattan.
Fan experience and cross-borough engagement
When it comes to sports tourism, fan experiences are key. The US Open is no exception. The USTA's significant investments are meticulously designed to enhance the fan experience. Within the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, apart from the space where tennis matches take place, the concourses have also been modernized, with new retail and dining spaces added, as well as improved amenities.
A cornerstone of this strategy is the US Open Fan Week, a pre-tournament event offering free access to the grounds. This week features the qualifying rounds of the tournament, open player practices, family-friendly activities, live DJs, and interactive sponsor booths, foods and beverages of all sorts, drawing over 150,000 fans in 2023 alone. Fan Week broadens the event's accessibility, inviting a wider demographic, including local residents, and extending the tourism window beyond the main two weeks. Major corporate partners like American Express, Chase, and Emirates further enhance the on-site experience with immersive activations and giveaways.
The MTA’s 7 line has always been associated with Queens and specifically the US Open.
Crucially, New York City leverages its robust public transportation network to facilitate cross-borough exploration. The MTA provides an enhanced subway (the 7 line, which has always been associated with Queens and specifically the US Open), Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), and bus services directly to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The LIRR offers quick 19-minute rides from major Manhattan hubs, with affordable CityTicket options. This efficient transit system is vital for encouraging fans to venture beyond the immediate venue in Queens and explore other parts of the city.
Strategic marketing and future tourism development
New York City Tourism + Conventions, the city's official destination marketing organization, plays a pivotal role in integrating the US Open into its broader city-wide marketing strategies. This is particularly critical given the city's downgraded 2025 tourism forecast, which anticipates a 17% drop in international visitors.
In response, the "Founded By NYC" campaign, celebrating the city's 400th anniversary, further creates a broader ecosystem that encourages multi-borough exploration for sports tourists, including partnerships with other major sports events like Fanatics Fest NYC and the New York City Marathon.
The annual NYC Marathon is another sports event that attracts numerous participants and tourists.
The record-breaking visitors’ attendance and international broadcast that the US Open has generated also help showcase New York City's diverse offerings and attract future visitors. The USTA's ambitious vision to grow tennis participation in the US to 35 million players by 2035 also aligns with New York City’s goals of promoting healthier communities and opening avenues for year-round tennis tourism.
There are still some challenges, such as how to make sure the local community in Queens gets a fair share of the economic benefits, but New York City is working on it. With clever marketing and continued development, the city hopes to use the US Open as a key part of building a more balanced and sustainable sports tourism scene across all five boroughs.
About the Author
Bert Nguyen is a Copywriter with Flynde, a global company specializing in translation solutions for businesses of all sizes.
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