Zohran Mamdani
Credit: X via Zohran Mamdani
Major sporting events in the New York/N ew Jersey are have assaulted by outrageous ticket prices this summer. During the NBA Finals, ticket prices got so out of control that U.S. President Donald Trump faced major backlash for not showing sympathy for fans who had been priced out.
“That’s the way life goes,” Trump said at the time. “Now, if the team wasn’t a big success, you could go very easily. That’s just the way life is.”
Ticket prices also reached outrageous numbers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, although Trump showed a little more sympathy in that instance.
“If people from Queens and Brooklyn and all of the people that love Donald Trump can’t go, I would be disappointed, but, you know, at the same time, it’s an amazing success,” he said. “I would like to be able to have the people that voted for me to be able to go.”
Zohran Mamdani to the rescue
The President hasn’t publicly addressed the surging prices ahead of the U.S. Open, but New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has taken matters into his own hands.
According to The Athletic, Mamdani has secured 1,000 “affordable” tickets for the tournament, set to be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis to New York City residents. Locals will be able to buy $100 tickets for main-draw matches taking place between August 30 and September 8, which would give affordable access to the tournament until the quarterfinal of the tournament.
“This summer, we have shown again and again that sports belong to the people,” Mamdani told The Athletic via a statement. “From the World Cup to track and field championships, we have opened stadium doors to some of the biggest sporting events in the world so more New Yorkers can enjoy them.
“Today, we are doubling down on that work by making the US Open more affordable for New Yorkers. If the world’s best tennis players are coming to our city, New Yorkers should be able to see them play.”
“We want as many people as possible to experience tennis and the U.S. Open, and this additional Main Draw ticket access for New Yorkers only strengthens that commitment,” USTA chief executive Craig Tiley said in a statement of his own.
“The U.S. Open already offers eight days of free grounds admission. Great crowds of fans and families are coming out to see the best players in the world practice up close, watch world-class competition with Qualifying and Mixed Doubles and experience much more during our free-to-attend Fan Week.
“Access to tennis will always be our priority, and we’re proud to be able to deliver this Main Draw ticket offer to the residents of New York — the home of the US Open for more than 100 years.”
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