Coco Gauff's opening match at the 2026 US Open was played in front of a noticeably sparse crowd at the 23,000-capacity Arthur Ashe Stadium, as fans voiced frustration over exorbitant ticket prices. Despite Gauff being a former champion and a prominent figure in American tennis, the primetime slot failed to fill the arena, with many seats remaining empty as she took to the court.
Tickets for night sessions on the tournament's main court were reportedly selling for over $500 on resale sites, with courtside seats listed at $2,900 even as play commenced on Tuesday night. When Gauff's match began, less than half of the stadium's seats appeared to be occupied, leading to a subdued atmosphere.
The match followed a day disrupted by rain, which caused delays on the outside courts before further precipitation. While the two courts with roofs, Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong, completed their scheduled matches, organizers did not move any delayed outdoor contests to the larger venues.
More rain is forecast for later in the week, potentially complicating scheduling for organizers as they aim to complete the tournament within the two-week timeframe.
The lack of attendance for Gauff's match drew comments on social media, with one user expressing concern about the low turnout at Arthur Ashe Stadium for the match between Gauff and her opponent, Zeynep Sonmez.
