bnr-Arthur-Ashe-Stadium_Property-And-Building_Sports-and-Stadia
bnr-Arthur-Ashe-Stadium_Property-And-Building_Sports-and-Stadia
  1. We are WSP
  2. What We Do
  3. Projects
  4. Arthur Ashe Stadium New York

Arthur Ashe Stadium, New York

Arthur Ashe Stadium is the largest outdoor tennis-only venue in the world by capacity, and it is the main stadium of the US Open. 

Location

  • New York, NY, USA

Client

  • United States Tennis Association

Project Status

  • Stadium completed 1997; retractable roof completed in 2016

Architect

 Named after champion player Arthur Ashe, the arena has over 22,500 seats, 90 luxury suites, five restaurants and a two-level players’ lounge. It is part of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in the New York borough of Queens.

We were the structural engineer for the stadium, which opened in 1997 on the site of the 1939 and 1964 World’s Fairs. Following years of bad weather wreaking havoc with the US Open’s schedule, USTA announced plans to put a roof on the stadium as part of a USD 500 million renovation. 

All-Weather Protection for Tennis Stars and Fans

We have been appointed structural engineer for the new retractable roof, which will continue to allow open-air events while providing all-weather protection. The primary challenge has been to create a visually compelling structural design for the tennis world’s largest long-span retractable roof, on poor soil and within a tight budget. Our solution includes the use of just eight columns to support the lightweight fabric roof, maintaining good sightlines for spectators.

OTHER CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE OVERCOME