The 2026 US Open has faced an unusual complaint from spectators, with fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium reporting a strong foul smell that some described as resembling human waste or sewage.
Several spectators attending matches at the main stadium reportedly complained about the unpleasant odor, with the issue also gaining attention on social media. Some fans said the smell was strong enough to make them uncomfortable during matches and affected their overall experience at the Grand Slam tournament.
Reports indicated that spectators in particular sections of Arthur Ashe Stadium noticed the smell more strongly. Videos and posts shared online showed some fans reacting to the odor and expressing frustration about the conditions inside the venue.
However, there has been no official confirmation identifying the exact source of the smell. While some reports and social media users speculated about sewage, ventilation or restroom-related problems, those explanations have not been officially established. Therefore, the cause should be treated as unconfirmed.
The complaint has attracted additional attention because it came only days after another unusual smell-related incident at the US Open.
World number one Aryna Sabalenka interrupted her third-round match at Louis Armstrong Stadium after noticing a strong cannabis smell around the court. The Belarusian star alerted chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore during her match against Kamilla Rakhimova.
Sabalenka later explained that the smell was distracting and suggested that spectators should avoid smoking close to the tennis courts. She nevertheless completed the match and defeated Rakhimova in straight sets.
The cannabis-smell incident also received significant attention because the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is intended to be a smoke-free environment. Reports said the smell may have travelled from nearby Flushing Meadows Corona Park, although the exact source was not definitively established.
The two incidents are different and occurred at separate stadiums. Sabalenka’s complaint involved a cannabis smell at Louis Armstrong Stadium, while the latest complaints from spectators concern a sewage or human waste-like smell at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The latest incident has raised questions about the spectator experience at one of the biggest tennis tournaments in the world. Arthur Ashe Stadium is the largest tennis stadium at the US Open and hosts many of the tournament’s most important matches.
For fans who have paid significant amounts for tickets, an unpleasant odor can become a major concern, particularly when spectators spend several hours inside the stadium. Some online posts from attendees questioned whether the organizers should have taken stronger measures after complaints were raised.
The issue has also become part of wider discussions surrounding the atmosphere at this year’s US Open. The tournament has already attracted attention over crowd behaviour, noise, smoking and the increasing presence of social media influencers.
A recent report from The Guardian noted complaints from players and spectators about noise, cannabis smells and other distractions during the tournament. These concerns have added to the debate about maintaining an appropriate environment for professional tennis while accommodating the large and diverse crowd attracted by the US Open.
Despite the unusual complaints, the sporting action at the 2026 US Open has continued to attract major global attention. Sabalenka remains among the leading contenders in the women’s draw, while the tournament has produced strong performances from several top-ranked players.
The foul smell complaint is therefore another unexpected development surrounding this year’s event. While fans have described the odor in strong terms, the precise cause remains unclear unless tournament officials provide further information.
For now, the reports highlight the importance of stadium maintenance, ventilation, sanitation and crowd management at major sporting events. Fans attending a Grand Slam expect not only high-level tennis but also a comfortable and well-maintained environment.
The US Open has not publicly confirmed that the odor was caused by a sewage problem. Until an official explanation is provided, claims about the exact source should remain allegations rather than established facts.