A Serious Tennis Fan’s Top 10 Tips for the 2019 US Open (Tickets & More)

In a rush and need quick answers?

This blog has expanded over the years to include a lot of detail that fellow fans have asked about. Here are shortcuts to the FAQs I get most often:

• Should I buy now or wait? Will prices go up or down? See Box #2 and FAQ #3
• How can I be sure to see Federer (or Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Sasha Zverev, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Sloane Stephens, etc)?FAQ #1
• Can I predict who will play on a specific day or night? FAQ #1
• Please explain the ticket options – I’m confused! What does each ticket entitle me to? Day vs. Night sessions? Reserved vs. Grounds tickets? Ashe vs. Armstrong or Grandstand? What time can I enter? Can I enter and re-enter?  Box #1 
• Where to get the best deals on tickets? Box #2  
• Which seats have the best view? FAQ #7

BOX #1: UNDERSTANDING YOUR TICKET OPTIONS & HOW THE SCHEDULE WORKS

The Basics

First-timers, please read this important background first!

• ANY type of DAY session ticket (i.e. a reserved ticket for either Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand Stadiums or a Grounds Admission ticket) enables you to enter the US Open grounds anytime after 9:30 am and stay as long as you like. (Note: Entry time is 11:00 am on Finals weekend).
  • To enter the grounds, you must first pass through security and have your ticket scanned at the East Gate or South Gate (see map above). If you have a reserved seat in a stadium, you’ll have your ticket re-checked upon entering that stadium. You can arrive at any time and enter and re-enter that stadium as often as you like.
  • You can exit and re-enter grounds as you wish. However, Day session ticket holders must enter before 6:00 p.m.
  • Once you’re in the grounds, you are entitled (with any kind of ticket) to line up for unreserved seating for any stadium at any point in the day or evening EXCEPT Ashe (Ashe requires a reserved ticket – there’s no unreserved section in Ashe).
  • Ashe Day matches start at Noon on most days. Day matches on all other courts (including Armstrong) start at 11:00 a.m.
• EVENING session tickets are available in the form of reserved seating in Ashe and Armstrong Stadiums only. They enable you to enter the US Open grounds anytime after 6:00 p.m.
  • Ashe and Armstrong Evening Matches start at 7:00 p.m.

Details on Each Ticket Option

There are three types of tickets: (1) Grounds Admission; (2) Day Session Reserved (for Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand Stadiums); and (3) Evening Session Reserved (for Ashe and Armstrong Stadiums only) 

(1) GROUNDS ADMISSION (listed as “Billie Jean King National Tennis Center” on Ticketmaster, sometimes called “Grounds Pass” on reseller sites).

• Allows entry at 9:30am
• Gives access all day and night on a first-come/first-served basis to unreserved seating on all field courts and practice courts, plus access to general (unreserved) seating in Armstrong Stadium (the 2d largest) and Grandstand Stadium (the 3d largest) BUT NOT TO ASHE STADIUM (the biggest stadium and where thy put on the biggest “stars” to play).
• Sold only for first 8 days of tournament (through Monday Sep 3).
• Note: I generally recommend (strongly) buying a cheap Ashe Promenade seat instead of a Grounds Admission ticket for around the same price if available – it gives you the same exact benefits but with the very important additional benefit of “rain insurance” since Ashe has a roof (see “Tip #3” below).

(2) DAY SESSION RESERVED SEATS OR ASHE, ARMSTRONG, OR GRANDSTAND STADIUMS

A reserved seat in ANY of these three stadiums grants you exactly the same privileges benefits as Ground Admission (see above) PLUS a reserved seat in either Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand Stadium. You can leave and reenter your reserved seat as many times as you’d like. Day session ticket holders must enter the grounds before 6:00 p.m.

A. Arthur Ashe Stadium DAY Session Reserved
— Same benefits as “Grounds Admission” PLUS a reserved seat in Ashe Stadium (the largest “main stage” with 23,771 seats) for DAY session only
— Allows entry to grounds at 9:30 am Mon Aug 2 -Wed Sep 5; and 11:00 am on Finals Weekend (Fri Sep 7-Sun Sep 9).
— Sessions will begin at Noon and feature two matches. You can enter and re-enter at any time. 
— You must exit Ashe stadium after the second match ends (around 6pm), but can still stay on grounds as late as you want.
— For the last three days of the tournament (Friday Sep 7-Sunday Sep 9), there is no separate evening session on Ashe– so a Day session ticket gives you access to all matches scheduled for that day

B. Armstrong Stadium DAY Session Reserved
— Same benefits as “Grounds Admission” PLUS a reserved seat in the new Armstrong Stadium (the 2d largest stadium after Ashe, with 14,000 seats).
— Allows entry to grounds at 9:30 am
— Sessions will begin at 11am and feature three matches.
— You must exit the stadium after the third match ends (around 6pm), but can still stay on grounds as late as you want.
— Reserved seats are the only way to access the best courtside seats
— Sold only for the first 9 days of the tournament (through Tuesday Sep 4).

C. Grandstand Stadium Reserved
— Same as Grounds Admission PLUS a reserved seat in the lower rung (reserved only) section of Grandstand Stadium. This stadium debuted in 2016 and is awesome – all seats are great. It seats about 8,000 (located behind courts 4-6).
— Allows entry to grounds at 9:30 am
— Sold only for first 8 days of tournament (through Monday Sep 3).

(3) EVENING SESSION RESERVED SEATS FOR ASHE OR ARMSTRONG STADIUMS

Entitles you to enter the grounds after 6pm plus get a reserved seat in either Ashe or Armstrong stadium for the evening session beginning at 7pm.

A. Arthur Ashe Stadium EVENING Session Reserved 
— Sessions will begin at 7pm and feature two matches (entry to stadium allowed around 6pm, soon after day session has ended)
— Sold on first 11 days of tournament (through Thurs Sep 6) – after which only Day session tickets are sold

B. Armstrong Stadium EVENING Session Reserved
— Sessions will begin at 7pm and feature two matches.
— Sold only for the first 6 days of the tournament (through Saturday Sep 1).

Common Confusions about Entry and Re-entry

• Once you enter the Grounds of the US Open through the East or South Gate, you can stay as long as you want and access non-reserved seating in any stadium (except Ashe, the only stadium where every seat is reserved and requires a ticket)
• If you have a day and evening ticket the same day, you will NOT need to exit the US Open grounds and re-enter again
• If you have both Day and Evening session for Ashe on the same day, you will need to exit and reenter Ashe Stadium (they clear the entire stadium between Day and Evening sessions)
• If you were in Armstrong for the Day session (either Courtside reserved or GA seating), you will need to leave your seat between Day and Evening sessions (as they clean up). However, you may stay inside the concourse area of Armstrong (the inner-stadium areas with food stands). As such, if you were in the stadium for Day and want to line up for GA seating for Evening session, you have an advantage: you can stick around and wait in line upstairs until ushers start letting people back to seatsIf you leave the stadium during this “in between” period, you won’t be allowed to re-enter for a brief  time (They don’t allow anyone new to come in for a period while they’re cleaning up).

** I took the photo above at the 2016 US Open from a corner courtside seat in Ashe watching the Nadal-Pouille round of 16 match on Labor Day.

2019 US OPEN SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE

Below is the overall tournament schedule – See also the 2019 Schedule of Play

Want to know which players might play on which days or nights? See my FAQ #1 below

Before you buy tickets, I strongly recommend reviewing last year’s 2018 Daily Schedule of Play to get a sense of what kind of matches you’re likely to see on particular dates on which courts.

Qualifiers and Fan Week

• Aug 20-23: Qualifying Tournament play (free; check schedule here Aug 19)
• Aug 22: (Thursday): Draw takes place at 2pm ET
• Aug 24 (Saturday): US Open Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day; Day 1 Schedule will be announced (will be posted on the 2019 Schedule of Play page and on US Open app)
• August 25 (Sunday): Free access to grounds, “Practice Day”

Main Tournament

• Aug 26-27 (Mon/Tues): Men’s and Women’s (M&W) 1st Round Note: Mon Aug 26 Evening Ashe will be “Opening Night Ceremony” prior to regular matches.
• Aug 28-Aug 29 (Wed/Thurs): M&W 2d Round, Doubles 1st Round
• Aug 30-Aug 31 (Fri/Sat): M&W 3d Round, Doubles 1st-2d Round (+ Juniors)
• Sep 1-2 (Sun/Mon): M&W 4th Round (“Round of 16”), Doubles 3d Round (+ Juniors). Note: Men’s Round of 16 Singles matches will likely be played on Ashe and Armstrong only, not on Grandstand, due to the new stadium.

Important! All Singles matches beginning on Tuesday September 3 (Quarterfinals through Finals) will be played on Ashe. Armstrong and Grandstand will feature Doubles matches (don’t purchase Armstrong reserved tickets for September 3 unless you want to see Doubles).

• Sep 3 (Tues): M&W Singles Quarterfinals (on Ashe ONLY), Doubles Quarterfinals (Armstrong and probably New Grandstand) + Women’s Doubles Semifinals + Juniors
• Sep 4 (Wed) M&W Singles Quarterfinals (Ashe ONLY) + Doubles Quarterfinals, Women’s Doubles Semifinals and Juniors (outer courts– no reserved seats, accessible with General Admission or Ashe ticket.
• Sep 5 (Thurs): Day session is usually free (!) and includes Doubles Semifinal, Juniors, and Wheelchair. Evening session features both Women’s Semifinals in the same session (requires Ashe ticket, one ticket for both matches).
• Sep 6 (Friday): Mixed Doubles Final 12pm and Men’s Semifinals 4pm (Ashe Day session only, your ticket gives access to all matches). Juniors and Wheelchair on outer courts.
• Sep 7 (Saturday): Men’s Doubles Final 12pm / Women’s Final 4pm (Ashe Day session only, your ticket gives access to all matches). Juniors and Wheelchair on outer courts.
• Sep 8 (Sunday): Women’s Doubles Final 12pm / Men’s Final 4pm (Ashe Day session only, your ticket gives access to all matches). Juniors and Wheelchair Finals on outer courts.

Important 2019 Updates

Here are the most significant changes and developments:

The New Louis Armstrong Stadium

• The NEW Louis Armstrong Stadium (#2 stadium after Ashe) debuted in 2018 with 14,061 seats and a retractable roof will replace the old stadium pictured above. This guarantees no more rain outs on either Armstrong or Ashe. The new stadium features a much-largercourtside reserved section with 6,400 seats in the lower-bowl that require a reserved ticket. The remaining seats in the upper rung (7,661) will be unreserved and open to all US Open ticketholders. Here’s the official New Louis Armstrong Stadium Seating Chart and here’s my my annotated New Louis Armstrong seating chart.
  • The new Armstrong is awesome. I literally got teary when I saw the court for the first time, because it still feels very intimate and special like the old stadium did – yet now it’s an even bigger, more exciting stage for the players and fans.
  • Big upside: the new Armstrong has much more natural shading than ever before. Upper-level unreserved seating is almost entirely shaded at all times! Courtside shading patterns are similar to those of Ashe (i.e., West section gets most shade, East gets the least). See my FAQ #4 and this photo for details.
  • The only disappointment for me is that the new Armstrong has the same number of non-reserved seats as the old stadium– so I think we can expect very long lines for non-reserved seats during peak times and high-demand matches (particularly on Labor Day weekend) just as in previous years.

New Approach to Ashe and Armstrong Scheduling

• Assuming 2019 mirrors scheduling from 2018, Armstrong will feature separate Night sessions on the first 6 days. Armstrong Day sessions will feature 3 matches, beginning at 11am (Ashe Day sessions will start at Noon); Armstrong Night sessions will feature 2 matches and start at 7pm.
• Arthur Ashe Day sessions will feature only two matches, as will Ashe evening sessions.

BOX 2: WHERE/WHEN TO GET THE BEST DEAL ON US OPEN TICKETS?

Old tickets shared by fellow fanatic Michael Levin

Individual tickets do not go on sale on Ticketmaster until June 2019. Before that, the only tickets available are (1) through “ticket plans” (which I don’t recommend for most – see Box 3 FAQs below) or (2) resale tickets through Ticketmaster and other reseller sites (tickets that subscribers put up for resale, even if they don’t have in hand yet).

I strongly recommend waiting to purchase tickets until AFTER tickets go on sale to the public in June for the following reasons: 

• (1) You may be able to find the seats you want on Ticketmaster after individual tickets go on sale on in June at face value, with no service charge;
• (2) Even if it turns out that the seats you want are only available on reseller sites, the ticket inventory on the resale market goes up dramatically after tickets go on sale to the public– which usually means more selection and usually better deals (basic laws of supply and demand).

Prior to June 2019, the best thing to do is start getting familiar with how things work – but don’t worry about trying to get tickets before then!  

Important: When tickets go on sale to the public, the frustrating reality is that it’s never easy to get the best seats at face value–even if you jump online the instant tickets go on sale: most of the best seats are pre-allocated to corporate sponsors or subscribers who have waited years to upgrade. So if you don’t see what you’re looking for early on, don’t worry! If you’re willing to do a little work, there are always good deals to be found throughout the summer. A ton of people will end up posting their tickets for resale on Ticketmaster Exchange or other reseller sites.

Below are the sites that will give you access to the BEST INVENTORY of available tickets. Before buying, be sure to compare options and prices. When searching, try sorting by price, section, row… Get a sense of what the prevailing price for what you want, and when you spot a good deal, grab it!

• (1) ALWAYS (!) check both of the following two official US Open ticket sites first:
  • 1. The official Ticketmaster US Open tennis tournament site
    This site features both (1) any standard tickets (non-resale, face value) that may be available (shows with “blue dots” on the detailed seat map for each session – most often only in Promenade, but occasionally pop up elsewhere throughout the summer); and (2) resale tickets available for immediate mobile delivery (shows as “red dots” on the detailed seat map for each session). Note: Be wary of special “US Open Premium Seating Packages” (aka “Overlook Package” or “1968 Room Package”) which often carry prices MUCH higher than better seats posted on reseller sites.  
  • 2. US Open Ticket Exchange (the official USTA reseller via Ticketmaster) This is the official reseller and where I’ve gotten most of the best deals over the years. Do not buy from any other reseller sites before checking this one first! This always has the biggest inventory and, at the very least, will give you a good “benchmark” for prices so you can recognize a good deal when you see it. Note: The main Ticketmaster site only includes resale tickets available for immediate mobile delivery, whereas the Ticket Exchange includes those AND tickets that have been verified as legitimate but have a promised-by date sometime before the event.
    • Note: One of the biggest benefits of purchasing through Ticketmaster or Ticketmaster Exchange is the incredible ease of putting your tickets back up for sale if your plans change or you decide you want to switch days or tickets later. However, you must have a US bank account to put your tickets up for resale on the Exchange; and you must purchase tickets online to resell them (tickets purchased by phone cannot be resold).

• (2) In addition to the above, it’s always worth checking 1-2 reseller sites like Stubhub and others listed below to see if you can find an even better deal for comparable seats and inventory. If you check the official Ticket Exchange PLUS even one of the sites below to compare, you’ll get tremendous visibility into what’s available and the range of prices. As you compare, be sure to factor in any service fees, which may not appear until you get to the final order summary page.
  • Stubhub – Always worth checking in addition to Ticket Exchange given very large inventory of resale tickets (many sellers list here and not on Ticket Exchange)
  • Ticket Liquidator – Large inventory of resale tickets, however service fees not shown until checkout
  • TickPick – First-displayed price is actual price including fees, with option to “bid” or name-your-price.
  • SeatGeek – Fees built into display price.

• (3) Avoid Craigslist or other non-certified resellers! I’ve heard tons of stories over the years of folks who got scammed or had to go through considerable hassle to obtain tickets. Not worth the risk. Also know that NYC law prohibits reselling “scalping” 1500 feet away from the venue (which is effectively everywhere off the subway at the US Open), and they have undercover police on site cracking down on both sellers and buyers.
• (4) If you end up with tickets you don’t need, you can very easily post your tickets for resale through the US Open Ticket Exchange.
• (5) If you’re going with a friend(s), consider buying a combination of cheap and amazing seats: this way, you can split the cost and trade off time in the great seat. E.g., you could trade time in seats in Promenade vs Courtside, or between stadiums (in Ashe vs a reserved seat in  Armstrong or Grandstand). I do this every year with my best friends.

IMPORTANT: Most online resale tickets in 2018 (including through Ticketmaster) are being offered as MOBILE tickets (i.e., “Your Phone is Your Ticket”) – which requires having a smart phone with internet/wifi capability.

• If you do not have a smart phone (either iPhone or Android) and you purchase through Ticketmaster, they WILL help you – but you’ll have to contact their customer service directly and have them make an exception and transfer your tickets to “Will Call” pick up location on site. If you don’t own a smart phone and are purchasing resale tickets during the tournament, I’d recommend buying exclusively through Ticketmaster and not taking chances with other resellers.
• Questions? See 2018 detailed instructions (with screenshots) on how to access and manage your mobile tickets.

KEY SEATING CHARTS

Arthur Ashe Stadium
Arthur Ashe Seating Chart (view from above)
Official Ashe Stadium Seating Chart
My annotated Ashe Stadium SHADE map
“Interactive Seat Viewer” to give you a sense of what view is like from specific seats – which from my experience tends to make seats look like they’re closer than they actually feel when you’re there, but helpful nonetheless.

NEW Louis Armstrong Stadium
New Louis Armstrong Stadium Seating Chart (Official)
New Louis Armstrong Chart (with my annotations)
Armstrong Interactive “View from Seat” Map
My annotated Armstrong Stadium SHADE map

Grandstand
Grandstand Stadium Seating Chart
Grandstand Interactive Seat Map

BOX 3: F.A.Q.s (Frequently Asked Questions)

Here are the questions I get most often, along with important stuff I wish I had known myself before buying tickets the first time…

FAQ #1: How can I predict which day/time Federer, Djokovic, Serena, Osaka (or any other favorite player) will play? 

• There is no way to predict until the Day 1 schedule is published (usually released online the Saturday before the tournament begins at 5pm EDT). Note: knowing a player’s seeding will NOT help you predict which day they will be scheduled: Click here for my explanation of how seeding affects the draw, and how the draw affects schedule of play.
• After the Day 1 schedule is posted, here’s how to predict which date(s) your favorites will play:
  • Look to see who is scheduled to play on Day 1 (which “half of the draw” – check both women and men’s draw, which are treated separately):
    • Players scheduled for Day 1 (Mon) will next be scheduled on Day 3 (Wed) if they win, then again on Day 5 (Fri) and Day 7 (Sun) if they keep winning.
    • Players NOT scheduled for Day 1 will first play on Day 2 (Tuesday), then again on Thurs, Sat, and Mon if they advance.
• A caveat to the above: excessive, prolonged rain could (very rarely) throw a wrench in the schedule – especially for players who are not scheduled on Ashe or Armstrong (which both now have roofs). If it rains only one day, they usually can catch up the next day (extra matches scheduled on all courts including Ashe).
• The sport’s icons and superstars (most notably Federer, Djokovic, Nadal, and Serena Williams) will almost certainly be scheduled on Ashe. Beyond them, there’s a chance other big names can be scheduled on the flashy new 14,000-seat Armstrong stadium now provides a bigger “stage.”
• There is no way to predict with absolute certainty whether a player will be on a Day or Night session. However, officials tend to alternate scheduling superstars between Day and Night sessions on Ashe; for instance, if your favorite player is playing a night session on Ashe Day 1, good chance they will be scheduled for the day session on Ashe on Day 3, and if they win probably night session Day 5, and so on. Please note: there is never 100% certainty- it’s all up to the subjective decision making of the tournament director and every year there are surprises. 
• If you want to be absolutely sure you see your favorite player, you might consider waiting until the schedule is published the day prior (start checking at 2:30pm, usually out by 5:00pm), then immediately go to Ticketmaster or Ticketmaster Exchange (or other resale sites like Stubhub) to grab a resale ticket. This strategy requires, however, that you monitor the ticket situation closely in the days prior and are prepared to act immediately when the schedule is announced. Also, if you see tickets becoming scarce and prices going up in the days prior, you may conclude it’s worth taking a chance and purchasing based on an educated guess.
• To get a general sense of scheduling trends, look at the previous year’s schedule  – here is the 2018 Daily Schedule of Play.

To get a general sense of scheduling trends, look at the previous year’s schedule  – here is the 2017 Daily Schedule of Play.

** One sure way to see your favorite player up close is to watch them when they’re scheduled for practice on the practice courts. See Tip #9

FYI: A fun way to get your head around the 2018 draw/brackets — and potential match-ups — is to play Tennis Channel’s Racquet Bracket challenge. It’s also a great way to become more familiar with some players you may not have heard of yet but probably will soon.  

Roger Federer from Courtside (section 60 row F) 9/4/17

FAQ #2: How do a see the exact location of seats that I might buy (in Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand)?

Go to Ticketmaster and click on any session for the stadium in question. Choose Map View, then mouse over any of the dots to get the section, row and seat #. Blue dots = regularly priced seats (but careful as blue sometimes also is used for very expensive” premium seating packages”), red dots = fan-to-fan resale seats. Note that for Courtside seats, each lettered “row” in Ashe (e.g. “A” or “H”) actually stands for two rows: e.g., “Row A Seat 5” might actually be in the second row, Row C Seat 6 is probably 6th row). Courtside Sections 48-49, 52-63 and 66-67 go actually have two rows of “AA” seats followed by rows A-H. Also note where the umpire sits (you’ll see a little chair icon on each map — and avoid courtside tickets very close up in sections right behind or next to the chair (please note: the umpire chair is never a big obstruction, but it might be a minor annoyance to some). To make matters more complicated… first row for Behind-the-Server seats Courtside begin with E or F: Row E is first row in sections 1-6, 31-40, 65-67; and Row F is first row in sections 7,9,11, 26, 29, 30, 60 63, 64, 41, 42. Here also are links to “big-picture” charts:

• Arthur Ashe Stadium Seating Chart (view from above) and My annotated Ashe Stadium SHADE map
• NEW Louis Armstrong Stadium Seating Chart and Armstrong Interactive “View from Seat” Map
• Grandstand Stadium Seating Chart. 

FAQ #3: When should I buy? Will sessions sell out if I wait too long? Will prices go down or up over the summer? What are average prices? 

The frustrating reality is: “it depends.” Buying tickets for the US Open can be like investing in the stock market: knowledge and judgment dramatically raises the odds of a good decision, but there are always surprises due to the number of variables involved. Standard (non-resale) Ashe tickets usually sell out fairly quickly (except for Ashe stadium’s “Promenade” section, where there are usually quite a few available throughout the summer). However, there are almost always resale tickets available until the very last moment because thousands of fans post their tickets for resale. You can almost always get tickets closer to the tournament – and you may end up finding a phenomenal deal if you are patient. However, waiting longer to purchase requires you to have a higher risk tolerance than those who’d prefer the certainty around making arrangements sooner.

Resale ticket prices can vary significantly, especially closer to the tournament. Prices can plummet when lineups are predicted to be lackluster… or they can skyrocket if fans speculate that certain marquee players (like Federer) will be scheduled. In 2017, after it became clear  that both Federer and Nadal would be scheduled on the same days throughout the tournament, prices spiked sharply for the days they’d be scheduled if they advanced and dropped significantly for the opposite days. Then, after Federer got knocked out in quarters, prices for semis and finals declined quite a bit.

The best advice I can give is to familiarize yourself with average prices on Ticketmaster for the days/sessions you are considering over the course of several days so you can recognize a good deal when you see one and spot the trends.

Here is a chart showing the price ranges for regularly priced tickets in 2018.  If you find resale tickets around these prices or less, that’s one sign of a great deal.

FAQ #4: Which seats get the most shade?

For Ashe: The roof creates a massive amount of natural shading all day for a large number of seats. The sections that get the most shade are in the South and West sections of the stadium; Next-best for shade are in the North. Sections with the most sun (to avoid for Day sessions) are on the East side. Click on the photo/map below for details.

For the new Armstrong: Situation is similar to Ashe, now that there’s a roof. In short, Sections 1-8 are best for shade.  West-side sections (Chair Umpire side) get the most shade; and when not in shade, at least the sun is at your back. Rows K and above (approximately) are shaded soonest (by about 12:30pm), then the sun gradually moves down to cover all rows by about 2:00 pm. East-side sections get the least shade and are in direct sun most of the afternoon. However, Rows T and above (approximately) get shading all day. South sections (behind-the-server) get more shade than North sections: South sections start out almost entirely shaded until about 1pm, then the sun starts wrapping around clockwise, such that sections 17-18 end up losing shade mid-afternoon. See photo/map below.

For Grandstand: There’s much less shade overall, however South and West sections are similarly better because sun is more at your back. General admission seats that are higher under the overhang, especially Southwest corner, get the most shade.

Click to enlarge my Ashe shade map

Click to Enlarge my Armstrong Shade Map (photo from 2:30pm)

FAQ #5: What happens if it rains?

The good news: Now that both Arthur Ashe and the new Louis Armstrong stadiums have roofs, now up to 37,771 more fans each day will be able to see matches even if it rains. The bad news: if you invest in great seats for Grandstand or simply buy a Grounds Admission pass, there isn’t much consolation. Keep in mind that weather forecasts are notoriously unreliable and can change on the hour (I have literally been at Flushing Meadows when my iPhone said it was raining and it wasn’t). There’s always hope that showers will pass quickly. In the highly unlikely event of all-day rain out or under 60 minutes of play (which happened to me unforgettably in 2012 on the day I treated 6 friends to pricy Armstrong front row seats), the session may be rescheduled until the next day and your ticket may be honored then — or, you MAY be able to trade in tickets through the US Open for another session this year or next year if (and only if) you purchased directly from Ticketmaster (see the somewhat complicated 2016 US Open Inclement Weather Policy). In the worst case scenario, I recommend looking for the silver lining: you’ll be surrounded by a ton of other fans with whom you can grab a US Open specialty cocktail, huddle under a shelter, and watch an Ashe match together on a big screen.

FAQ #6: Should I buy a subscription ticket plan?

For most serious fans, I don’t recommend it. First-time subscribers can only buy “Promenade” seats in Ashe — so high up in that huge stadium you’ll end up watching a lot of the match on the Jumbotron or through binoculars. It could take years to get the chance to upgrade your seats to Loge. For the full series ticket plan price ($2,228 per ticket in 2016) you could buy several amazing seats for multiple sessions over the tournament (or 2 excellent seats for the Men’s final). Finally, there is always a glut of Promenade seats on the resale market, so if you buy an entire series of Promenade seats you may have a challenge reselling any you don’t need.

FAQ #7: Which are the best sections/seats with the best views?

From Section 11 front row in Grandstand

The vast majority of people would consider “behind the server” seats (i.e., those on North or South ends of the courts) to be preferable — and prices generally reflect this. For first-timers, this area would be my top recommendation.

• This is the vantage point they use for filming for broadcast, because it enables you to follow point construction and see the court from the perspective of the player on your side of the net.
• From these seats, you’ll never have to move your head side-to-side to follow the ball.
• FYI: seats in these sections start several feet higher in these seats than sections on the side (this is why these rows begin with higher letters E instead of AA or A).
• Here’s a photo of the perspective from higher up seats in the new Armstrong. Here’s another photo from Ashe courtside front row.

Corner sections are also widely considered to be highly desirable — and for good reason. They carry many of the same advantages of the above, with the added benefit you can see the player on your side of the net from the front as their hitting the ball not just the back. Here’s a photo from the new Armstrong from that perspective.

Photo from lower row of section 6 in new Armstrong

As a serious player myself, I personally love sitting courtside as close as possible in lower rows of sections where seats are practically on the court, perpendicular and near to the actual baseline (e.g., section 58 in Ashe) because it gets me physically even closer to the players and more on the same level. Sitting in the lower rows, I feel even more like I’m on the court with them. I feel the speed of the game. In these seats, I personally enjoy watching one player at a time sometimes to see their footwork, how they prepare for the next ball, etc. I took the video of Federer I included in my post from this perspective (from section 58). Here’s a photo from Ashe courtside from that perspective.

If considering Loge or Promenade seats in Ashe, I generally recommend prioritizing seats that are in lower rows regardless of location— simply because Loge (and especially Promenade) are already quite high up to begin with.

For Day sessions, I urge folks to factor in potential shade benefits (seats on West side, SouthWest, and Northwest tend to get the most shade relief). See FAQ #4 above.

With regard to the umpire chair, it really is never an obstruction but may feel a bit of an annoyance to some if you’re sitting in very low rows on that side — simply because you may not always have a complete view of the player on the other side of the net. See this photo for example. I personally don’t mind this for reasons I mention above, and this is ONLY an issue when courtside in very low rows.

What to Bring and What NOT to bring (Backpacks not allowed!)

Be sure to review this list of prohibited items before going!

To help clarify some common confusions:

• You CAN bring a drawstring bag (click here for example) but NOT a backpack with two straps
• You CAN bring a digital camera with video capabilities (however they do NOT allow “Video cameras or recording devices”, which includes GoPros)
• You CAN bring food in limited quantities or for medical reasons (but don’t try to bring in a feast or be prepared for an argument)
• You CAN bring a clear plastic water bottle to refill on site (but NOT anything glass or metal)
• You CAN bring a fanny pack: but if you do you’ll still need to go through the “with bag” security line
• You CAN bring sunscreen in lotion form only, NOT aerosol cans

Be prepared to wait in a potentially long security line if you have any bag at all (i.e. an enclosed object that doesn’t fit in your clothes), whereas you can breeze through a separate express line for those without bags.

There is storage outside both East and South Gate entrances if you need it: $5 for small items, $10 for large items (even suitcases OK).

Before Leaving, Don’t Forget…

• Download your mobile tickets from to your mobile wallet (e.g. Apple Wallet or something like WalletPasses on Android)
• Sunglasses and sunscreen (lotion not spray)!
• A backup phone charger (e.g. a Mophie) if you have one
• If taking subway (7 train), fill up your subway Metrocard in advance for your return trip in advance if taking 7 train so you don’t have to wait in long lines; If taking LIRR (my favorite) you need to get your ticket before boarding
• A small umbrella if rain may be in the forecast
• Dress in layers as it can get hot during the day and occasionally chilly at night
• Contacts wearers: A very small bottle of contact lens solution in case you get something in your eye
• FYI: There are two entrances to the grounds: (1) the main entrance, the “East Gate,” located near the Subway/LIRR; and (2) the “South Gate” entrance near the iconic World’s Fair “Unisphere” (globe) – see map above. While lines tend to be shorter by the South Gate, the wait may end up being about the same because there are fewer attendants and metal detectors.

Box 4: FREE ADMISSION THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 6 FOR DOUBLES SEMIS & MORE!

Men’s & Women’s Doubles Semifinals Plus the World’s Top Wheelchair, Junior, and Collegiate Players – Gates open at 11am

One of the best-kept secrets is that you can enter the US Open grounds for free on the second Thursday (gates open at noon, must arrive before 5pm) and see the Doubles Semifinals plus all-star wheelchair players, the world’s top juniors, and incredible collegiate players. If you are a serious tennis fan, particularly if you’re a doubles player, this is a day not to be missed.

In 2017, for the first time, officials are put top wheelchair players on Arthur Ashe stadium and you could sit courtside for free.

I went and it was a thrill to sit courtside at Ashe and to cheer on the incredible wheelchair athletes.

Among the world-class wheelchair players to watch for:

• 2017 Wimbledon Wheelchair Doubles Champions Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid, pictured above after their Wimbledon win.
• Men’s s player Shingo Kunieda, who had a three-year, 106-match consecutive win streak (2007-2010), then another big winning streak of 77 matches in 2014-2015. Women’s singles player Yui Kamiji, who has only lost 2 matches since Jan 18, 2017 and American women’s wildcard player Dana Mathewson.
• The world’s #1 in the “Quad” (quadriplegic) division (ranked #1 in singles and doubles), American David Wagner. Born in 1974, David became paralyzed from the mid-chest down at age 21 when he was playing frisbee on the beach and a wave tossed him head-first into the sand. With only thirty percent function in his hands, David plays by taping the tennis racket to his hand. And by all accounts he’s a super cool guy besides being an extraordinary athlete (picture right).

FINAL THOUGHT: “PAY IT FORWARD” WHEN YOU CAN!

If you have an opportunity, consider performing a random act of kindness for fellow fans during the tournament. Our tennis community is big, but relatively speaking, it’s small… Our passion for our sport is infectious; do something kind for someone today, they’re likely to pay it forward. Last year, a reader emailed me saying he had an emergency and couldn’t go to the tournament but had amazing New Grandstand seats – he asked if I knew anyone that would really value them for free so they didn’t go to waste. I was able to share with a fanatic who’s in town on a budget, who as you can imagine was elated. In past years, I’ve gifted a lot of tickets myself – and it always feels wonderful. It takes seconds to “transfer” tickets from Ticketmaster/Ticketmaster Exchange to others simply by putting in an email address.

On-site, you can also make someone’s day (or year!) by surprising a stranger with your amazing reserved seats in Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand if you have to leave early. Especially if you have Ashe Courtside seats and need to leave early — there will always be die-hard fans waiting just outside the exit from the Courtside level hoping someone might pass along their ticket when done! Just pass them the printed receipt you get after getting your mobile ticket scanned (or, if you were already on site with Day tickets and you have a night session tickets that haven’t been scanned, you can simply ask someone at the East Gate or at Ashe entrance to scan and give you a printed receipt).

BOX 5:  OUTLINE OF KEY QUESTIONS/LINKS

This post has gotten long over the years to include many more details–so below is an outline with shortcuts to help you find what you need more quickly:

TICKET OPTIONS EXPLAINED 

Ticket Options Explained (Box 1) (What time can I enter grounds? What do I get for each type of ticket? Etc).

WHERE/WHEN TO GET TICKETS?

My advice for getting best deals on tickets (Box 2).

RELIABLE TICKET SITES

• Ticketmaster (Official site – always check first then compare options on reseller sites)
• Official US Open Ticket Exchange (Official reseller site – check this site first)
• Stubhub
• Ticket Liquidator
• TickPick
• SeatGeek

DAILY SCHEDULE OF PLAY/ PRACTICE SCHEDULE

• 2018 Daily Schedule of Play (Day 1 should be released Sat August 25)
• 2018 Practice schedule
• 2017 Daily Schedule of Play for reference

MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BRACKETS

• See full Men’s Draw (bracket) here [or I prefer the more easy-to-read ESPN version of Men’s Bracket] and Women’s Draw (bracket) here [or ESPN version here].

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

• “How can I predict when Roger Federer [or my favorite player] will play?”
  • Related: How do rankings affect the draw? How does the draw affect schedule of play?
• “How do a see the exact location of seats that I might buy?
  • Related: Seating charts for all stadiums (including New Armstrong)
• When should I buy?
  • Will sessions sell out if I wait too long?
  • Will prices go down or up?
  • What are average prices?“
  • Related: Chart showing 2018 prices for standard (non-resale) tickets
• “Which seats get the most shade?“
  • Related: Annotated Ashe Stadium SHADE map
  • Related: Annotated Armstrong Stadium SHADE map
• “What happens if it rains?”
• “Should I buy a subscription ticket plan?”
• “Which are the best sections/seats with the best views?”

TRANSPORTATION

• 7 train subway schedule
• 2018 LIRR Special Schedule for Tues Aug 21- Mon Sep 3
• 2018 LIRR Special Schedule for Tues Sep 4- Sun Sep 9
• Detailed transportation map showing parking lots
• Q488 bus from Laguardia Airport (5 min away)

WHAT YOU CAN/CANNOT BRING WITH YOU

• What you can/cannot bring with you

HOTELS

• Recommended hotels for all budgets

US OPEN POLICIES, RULES, AND OFFICIAL GUIDE

• Official US Open A to Z Guide

Got a Question or Comment?

I’d love to hear from you! I do my best to answer questions and welcome additional advice from fellow tennis fanatics in the comments section below.

PLEASE NOTE: There will be a delay (up to several hours) after you submit a comment below before you see it appear with my reply. This is so I can stay on top of which comments I owe replies to. 

I try to post comments and reply quickly, but may be a little slow as I’m a bit overextended with two demanding  jobs — and also trying to get out to enjoy the Open myself a few times this year…   Thanks for understanding, P.J.

 Here are shortcut links to FAQs I get most often:

• How can I be sure to see Federer (or Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Sasha Zverev, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Sloane Stephens, etc)? See FAQ #1
• Can I predict who will play on a specific day or night? See FAQ #1
• Please explain the ticket options – I’m confused! What does each ticket entitle me to? Day vs. Night sessions? Reserved vs. Grounds tickets? Ashe vs. Armstrong or Grandstand? What time can I enter? Can I enter and re-enter? See Box #1 
• Where to get the best deals on tickets? See Box #2  
• Should I buy now or wait? Will prices go up or down? See FAQ #3
• Which seats have the best view? See FAQ #7
• Can I bring…
  • An SLR camera with video capability? YES
  • A plastic water bottle? YES, just not metal or glass
  • A backpack? NO, but you can bring a drawstring bag
  • Food? YES, in “limited quantities” (they don’t define limited). “No sealed packages of any kind”
  • Please read official list of prohibited items here

EXPLAINING COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT ENTRY AND RE-ENTRY

• Once you enter the Grounds of the US Open through the East or South Gate, you can stay as long as you want and access non-reserved seating in any stadium (except Ashe, the only stadium where every seat is reserved and requires a ticket). This means if you enter with a Day session ticket, you CAN stay on grounds all night and access unreserved seating in any all stadiums (except Ashe), including Armstrong for night matches on first-come basis.
• If you have a day and evening ticket the same day, you will NOT need to exit the US Open grounds and re-enter again
• If you have both Day and Evening session for Ashe on the same day, you will need to exit and reenter Ashe Stadium (they clear the entire stadium between Day and Evening sessions)
• If you were in Armstrong for the Day session (either Courtside reserved or GA seating), you will need to leave your seat between Day and Evening sessions (as they clean up). However, you may stay inside the concourse area of Armstrong (the inner-stadium areas with food stands). As such, if you were in the stadium for Day and want to line up for GA seating for Evening session, you have an advantage: you can stick around and wait in line upstairs until ushers start letting people back to seatsIf you leave the stadium during this “in between” period, you won’t be allowed to re-enter for a brief  time (They don’t allow anyone new to come in for a period while they’re cleaning up).