Note: I originally posted these tips in 2012 but update them annually based on new learnings and feedback from readers. At the advice of a fellow tennis fanatic/blog expert (who knows how much I spend on tennis!) I created affiliate links for the ticket sites I had been recommending for years. This way, if you end up getting a ticket through one of my links you won’t pay a penny more but the seller will give me a small commission versus giving it to Google Ads or another referring site — which, in turn, helps support my tennis obsession and my volunteer work with the nonprofit Net Gains Foundation.
NEW “EVENING” GROUNDS ADMISSION TICKETS: For the first time, the US Open is selling separate EVENING Grounds Passes for “7pm” on the official Ticketmaster site (presumably allowing access at 7pm and NOT at 6pm, when evening session reserved ticketholders will be able to access the grounds). Note:these passes will not allow access to Ashe (where every seat is reserved) — and more night fans will add more pressure to the first-come unreserved seating in Armstrong, Grandstand and outer courts. I have not updated various charts in my post to reflect this yet.
Me and friends spotted on ESPN during the 2021 Novak v. Brooksby match on Ashe
As a serious tennis player and fan living in New York City, I feel so lucky that the US Open is in my backyard. I absolutely love the tournament, and find nothing more educational and inspiring for my own game than seeing world-class live tennis. I can’t wait to return to the 2024 US Open tennis tournament, which will take place at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Monday August 26- Sunday September 8, 2024!
2024 will mark my 16th consecutive US Open, and I’ve learned a ton over the years through trial and error about how to maximize the opportunity, find the best tickets and seats on the Official US Open ticket site on Ticketmaster and other reseller sites, and generally get the biggest bang for the buck. Likewise, I’ve learned so much thanks to fellow fans around the world who have shared their own insights since I wrote the first version of this post over a decade ago.
Below are my top 10 recommendations for serious tennis fans like me.
In a rush and need quick answers?
I recommend reading/skimming the entire post in order if you can, but if you’re rushed here are shortcuts to my answers to the most common questions I’ve received over the years:
Which ticket sites are best? Note: always check Ticketmaster first and click on the “map” view to get the best initial birdseye view of what’s available (standard and resale tix), then compare with other reseller sites like Stubhub.
Tip #1: Do whatever you can to see world-class players and great matches up really close— which if you’re on a budget may mean bypassing Arthur Ashe stadium in favor of the sixteen other courts where matches are played.
Me spotted on Netflix “Break Point” series cheering on Taylor Fritz and Brandon Holt (yes, I was rooting for both) at the 2022 US Open – front row during awesome match at GRANDSTAND Stadium (not Ashe!)
For my first US Open, I spent about $250 per ticket for a decent seat during early rounds in the famous Arthur Ashe stadium (1/2 way up in the Loge section) so I’d be guaranteed to see at least one Top 10 player live. While it was certainly thrilling to experience the electricity of an evening at Ashe stadium, I still felt somewhat distant from the action (it’s a mammoth 23,700-seat venue) and spent much of the time watching the match on the huge video screen. Moreover, because the tournament prioritizes putting the biggest stars on Ashe over the best match-ups, the matches I saw weren’t terribly exciting.
Since then, I’ve become addicted to the unparalleled thrill of seeing many world-class competitors from a few feet away in epic duels on several of the smaller non-Ashe courts (Louis Armstrong Stadium, Grandstand Stadium (behind courts 4-6), the very cool Court #17, and other courts #4-#16). Once you have this experience you’ll be addicted too. While it’s rare that you’ll see the Top 5 players on those courts, you WILL see other awe-inspiring players in very competitive matches.
A collateral benefit: you’ll be ahead of the curve in seeing rising stars the likes of Coco Gauff before they become household names, and feel the excitement of “discovering” new talent to cheer for. I’ll never forget the first time I saw Milos Raonic blast a tournament record 145 MPH serve from the first row of the old Grandstand. Or, in more recent years, when I saw then “next-gen” players up very close for the first time before they were super famous — like Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, Dominic Thiem, Sasha Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Karen Khachanov, Borna Ćorić. In 2019, I had the thrill of watching the young Felix Auger-Aliassime v. fellow Canadian Denis Shapovalov from the front row in Grandstand. In 2021, I was blown away watching Lloyd Harris for the first time from the second row of Armstrong and know tons of fellow fanatics who had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of seeing rising superstars Jenson Brooksby, Leylah Fernandez and Carlos Alcaraz up close on the outer courts.
Tip for serious players: After watching a ton of pro matches, I started challenging myself to watch more deliberately from the perspective of a player who wants to improve. I wrote down ten ideas for watching a pro match that may resonate with fellow fanatics who not only want to enjoy the drama of the match but also learn from it.
Tip #2: If you’re on a tight budget, try to attend during the tournament’s first week (Monday August 26- Friday August 30) and purchase relatively inexpensive Ashe DAY session tickets.
An Ashe day session ticket will get you access to all the courts on the grounds in addition to Ashe during the day, then enable you to stay on the grounds to watch matches on all courts except Ashe in the evening (Ashe day/night sessions are sold separately). You’ll get hours and hours of tennis watching for your money, as many matches on the outer courts will go well into the evening. And if you can take a day off from work and go during these first 5 days, you won’t have to battle hordes of fans for access to the non-Ashe venues– whereas things get very crowded Labor Day weekend.
Tip #3: Do NOT buy a “Grounds Admission” pass to save moneyuntil you’ve explored whether reserved day session seats in Ashe or Armstrong are also available for around the same price!
Grounds admission tickets (cheaper tickets sold on the tourney’s first 8 days that give access to all the courts except Ashe) can be a good deal, but there are often reserved Ashe Promenade-level tickets (and, occasionally, Armstrong courtside seats) available for nearly identical prices– making them far better deals. Ashe and Armstrong Day Session tickets gives you all the privileges of a “Grounds” pass with added bonuses. In particular, buying an Ashe or Armstrong reserved seat gives you rain insurance, because these stadiums both have roofs so matches cannot be rained out.
Tip #4: Go for quality over quantity.
As a general rule, I encourage fellow fans to budget their time and money in ways that maximize the possibility of a few magical experiences versus a ton of forgettable ones. For instance, if you’re opting between multiple days of cheap nosebleed seats in Ashe’s Upper Promenade versus appying the same budget towards excellent seats for a couple sessions, I generally recommend the latter. (Note: if you’re wondering whether it’s worth it to spend a bit more to sit in the Loge level of Ashe versus the Promenade level, my answer is always yes).
BOX #1: UNDERSTANDING YOUR TICKET OPTIONS & HOW THE SCHEDULE WORKS
To get a sense of what types of matches are played on which courts for specific dates, I recommend reviewing the recent year’s schedules for the specific day(s) you’re considering attending:
The US Open will likely release the 2024 Tournament’s Day 1 and Day 2 Schedule on its Daily Schedule of Play page and the US Open app on Friday August 23 (start checking mid-day, usually released late afternoon/early evening).
CLICK HERE FOR A DETAILED DAY-BY-DAY BREAKDOWN OF THE US OPEN SCHEDULE
Aug 20-23 (Tuesday-Friday): Qualifying Tournament. 128 male and female players compete for the final 32 spots (16 each for men and women) in the singles draws.
Aug 24 (Saturday): Kid’s Day
Aug 25 (Sunday): Grounds open, practice day
MAIN TOURNAMENT
Aug 26-27 (Monday-Tuesday): Men’s & Women’s 1st Round * Separate Day (11am) & Night (7pm) sessions on Ashe & Armstrong * Monday Aug 26 Ashe Evening session features short Opening Night Ceremony prior to regular matches
Aug 28-29 (Wed-Thursday): Men’s & Women’s 2nd Round * Separate Day (11am) & Night (7pm) sessions on Ashe & Armstrong + Doubles 1st Round (outer courts)
Aug 30-31 (Friday-Saturday): Men’s & Women’s 3rd Round * Separate Day (11am) & Night (7pm) sessions on Ashe & Armstrong + Doubles 2nd Round, Juniors (outer courts)
Sep 1 (Sunday): Men’s & Women’s 4th Round (“Round of 16″) * Separate Day (11am) & Night (7pm) sessions on Ashe * Day session ONLY on Armstrong (11am) * Note: In 2019, Armstrong and Grandstand both featured one men’s singles R16 match (others on Ashe) + Doubles 3rd Round, Juniors (outer courts)
Sep 2 (Monday): Men’s & Women’s 4th Round (“Round of 16″) Note: Men’s Round of 16 Singles matches on this day will be played exclusively onAshe and Armstrong, not Grandstand! * Separate Day (11am) & Night (7pm) sessions on Ashe * Day session ONLY on Armstrong (11am) + Doubles 3rd Round, Juniors (outer courts)
Sep 3 (Tuesday): Men’s & Women’s Quarterfinals (Ashe Stadium only) * Separate Day (11am) & Night (7pm) sessions on Ashe + Men’s Doubles Quarterfinals (Armstrong) * Armstrong and Grandstand only feature Doubles matches from this point on, so don’t purchase Armstrong reserved tickets for September 7 unless you want to see Doubles.
Sep 4 (Wednesday): Men’s & Women’s Quarterfinals (Ashe Stadium) * Separate Day (11am) & Night (7pm) sessions on Ashe + Women’s Doubles Quarterfinals (Armstrong)
Sep 5 DAY(Thursday): FREE DAY SESSION ENTRY (Community Day) ** Free grounds access to watch Juniors, WC, and Men’s Doubles Semifinals (in 2024 was on Armstrong at 4pm) plus Mixed Doubles Final (in 2024 was on Ashe at 3pm). Gates open 11:00am, matches start at Noon.
+ Wheelchair and Junior matches
Sep 5 EVENING (Thursday at 7pm): Women’s Semifinals(Ashe Stadium) * Ashe Evening Session ticket gets access to both women’s Semifinal matches
Sep 6 DAY (Friday): Men’s Semifinal #1 (Ashe Stadium 3:00pm), preceded by Women’s Doubles Final (Noon). Note: The Men’s Semis take place over two separate sessions (1 Day, 1 Night)– so if you want to see both matches, you need to purchase tickets for both the Day and Evening sessions. Wheelchair and Junior matches (outer courts). Gates open 11:00am.
Sep 7 DAY ONLY(Saturday): Women’s Final (4:00pm) * Preceded by Men’s Doubles Final (Noon) (There is only one Ashe Day ticket option and it covers BOTH matches, and you can enter grounds at 11:00am). + Junior and Wheelchair finals beginning at Noon.
Sep 8 DAY ONLY (Sunday): Men’s Final (2:00pm). Gates open at 11:00am.
Any DAY session stadium reserved ticket for Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand gives you the same exact privileges as a Grounds Pass: You can enter the grounds as early as 9:30am (or 11am on Finals weekend) and stay on the grounds as late into the evening as you want. However, your Day session reserved seat in Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand only entitles you to those reserved seats for the Day session matches (then you have to exit your seats) — after which you can stay on the US Open grounds as late as you want and access general unreserved seating on every court (except Ashe, which has no unreserved seating).
To enter the US Open grounds, you must pass through security then have your ticket scanned at either 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.
If you have tickets for Day and Evening sessions (Ashe or Armstrong) on the same day, you will NOT need to exit the US Open grounds and re-enter again. Your ticket will be checked as you enter the stadium.
If you are in Armstrong for the Day session (either Courtside reserved or GA seating), you’ll 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).
** 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.
Tip #5: If your budget can swing it, I strongly recommend getting a courtside reserved seat in Louis Armstrong stadium (especially between Aug 28 – Sep 2) and/or in Grandstand (especially on Aug 30 or Aug 31).
Louis Armstrong (14,053 seats) and Grandstand (8,125 seats) are the other two main show courts after Ashe Stadium – and they offer a much more intimate experience. A reserved courtside ticket for either can give you access to thrilling matches and players up closethat you’ll never forget.
The first time I did this in 2010 I saw an unforgettable marathon slugfest between David Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco from the FIRST ROW BASELINE! I had arrived that morning at 11am and left around 11:30pm at night, leaving my seat only twice for a total of about 9 minutes for rapid-fire bathroom breaks and to grab snacks so I wouldn’t want to miss a second of the action. Ever since, I’ve made it an annual tradition to go with friends to Armstrong during the 3d Round or Round of 16. In 2019, I got to see 2021 Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini crushing balls in the Round of 16 on Armstrong from the second row (and my phone exploded with texts when my friends and I were spotted on ESPN frequently cheering for him). I’ve had similar transporting experiences in Grandstand over the years – most recently when I sat first row behind-the-server for a match between Auger-Aliassime and his Canadian buddy Denis Shapovalov.
Both stadiums also feature general admission seating on a first-come basis, but getting good GA seats can be tough and involve long lines for the higher-profile matches — so having a reserved courtside ticket gives you the dual benefit of skipping long lines plus plus incredible proximity to the players.
Me caught on ESPN cheering for Matteo Berrettini from 2d row Armstrong during 2019 Round of 16 (v Rublev)
BOX 2: WHERE TO GET THE BEST DEAL ON US OPEN TICKETS? SHOULD I BUY NOW OR LATER?
Old tickets shared by fellow fanatic Michael Levin
Individual ticket sales are now available on the official US Open Ticketmaster site, as well as on reseller sites like Stubhub. My most important advice: DO NOT PANIC and rush into a decision!
Thefrustrating reality is that the ticket availability you see today may be different tomorrow — and the ticket situation will continue to evolve over the summer because(1) USTA/Ticketmaster use “dynamic pricing” on face-value “standard” tickets in response to fluctuations in supply and demand; 2)the tournament holds back on releasing all the tickets initially, and tends to trickle more out in the weeks/months that follow(however frustrating, I’ve learned this is fairly common practice for event ticketing); (3) more and more people put tickets up for resale on Ticketmaster and elsewhere, which can sometimes drive down average resale prices as sellers compete to unload their tickets. Without knowing better, too many first-time buyers panic without knowing that a little research and patience can yield better options.
THE GOOD NEWS IS: if you’re willing to exercise patience and do a little work, there are almost always good deals to be found throughout the summer – right up until the actual day of matches! This is because:
(1) Increasing numbers of sellers post their tickets for resale throughout the summer, and sellers competing for buyers often lower prices as we get closer to the start of the US Open;
(2) USTA ends up releasing more standard price tickets as the summer goes on (inexplicably, at random times). I have on many (many!) occasions found better seats on the resale market for around the same price (sometimes even less) as standard no-fee seats. For example: in 2022 on Ticketmaster for the Day 1 Ashe DAY session there was a FRONT ROW Loge Resale ticket available for $281 ($327 with fees), while a Standard ticket in the third row of the adjacent section was going for $347 ($372 with fees) – see this screenshot (from August 17 2022).
Before buying, I recommend reading this entire post carefully to understand all the available options, explore the resale market to get a sense of average for sessions/seats that interest you, and prioritize what’s most important to you… THEN you’ll be in the best position to get the best seats and experience for your budget.
Below are the sites that will give you access to the BEST INVENTORY of available tickets (both face-value and resale). Before buying, be sure to compare options and prices.When searching, try sorting by price, section, row… Take your time, get a good sense of what the prevailing price for what you want, and when you spot a good deal, grab it!
1. ALWAYS (!) first check the official Ticketmaster US Open tennis tournament site. I strongly recommend looking on a computer/web browser for fastest navigation and the best options for viewing availability (be sure to use the “map view” of individual seats by clicking on any individual section, try sorting lists in different ways, and use multiple browser tabs to compare across various sessions).
This site features both (1) any standard tickets (non-resale, face value) that may be available (shown as “blue dots” on the detailed seat map for each session – most often only in Promenade, but occasionally pop up in Loge and Courtside sections throughout the summer); and (2) resale tickets (shows as “red dots” on the detailed seat map for each session).
Surprisingly, resale tickets (red dots) can often be the best value: resellers often lower their prices to around or below face value as they compete with other resellers to attract buyers.
Tickets remain on sale for 59 minutes after a session begins as long as tickets remain (e.g., if an Ashe Day session begins at Noon, tickets remain on sale until 12:59pm). For Men’s Semi’s in 2019, Ticketmaster kept sales open for standard seats only another 3 hours beyond that (which were in most cases about double the cost of what was available on the resale market).
Both Ticketmaster and Stubhub make it very easy to put your tickets back up for sale if your plans change or you decide you want to switch days or tickets later.
You must have a US bank account to put your tickets up for resale on Ticketmaster.
3. In addition to Ticketmaster, it often pays to check StubHub or other reseller sites like those below to see if you can find an even better deal for comparable seats. If you search on both the official US Open Ticketmaster site PLUS one of the sites below to compare, you’ll get tremendous visibility into what’s available and the range of prices on the resale market. Many of these sites also keep selling tickets after a session begins for several hours (versus Ticketmaster, which stops selling 59 minutes after the session begins).
CAUTION: Only purchase resale tickets that are clearly labeled with SECTION, ROW, and SEAT numbers that match up with the Stadium Maps I include in this post; if something appears questionable or too good to be true, it probably is. Also only buy tickets available for MOBILE TRANSFER. You should receive them promptly, and be sure to double-check the tickets you receive correspond to what was advertised. If you don’t, contact the reseller and ask for a refund. While rare, there’s always a handful of unscrupulous sellers who label tickets inaccurately to make them more appealing. Stubhub and other reputable resellers will refund your purchase if you purchase a ticket that has been misrepresented (e.g. the seller delivers a ticket in a different section than advertised) – but then it will be up to you to find another ticket.
Beyond Ticketmaster, Stubhub is my main source to check for any other deals, as it usually has the largest inventory of resale tickets.
WARNING: DO NOT PURCHASE FROMTickPick. I personally have had two awful experiences: sellers reneged on promised tickets, Tickpick customer service was abysmal, and they were unable to produce replacement tickets.
5.Do not buy off Craigslist or classified sites! 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.
6. 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. This is a bit more challenging given evolving e-ticket technologies, and may require meeting up and trading phones – but it can be worth it.
Note: all tickets (including through Ticketmaster) are offered as MOBILE ONLY tickets (i.e., “Your Phone is Your Ticket”) – which requires having a smart phone with internet/wifi capability or downloading into your electronic wallet.
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.
Tip #6: If you’ve never done it, consider splurging once on a courtside Ashe seat — if possible after the 2nd round of play when matches start getting more competitive.
After dreaming for years of the possibility, I finally bit the bullet to invest in courtside seats in 2011 for the first time. It was bliss. Ever since, I’ve made an annual pilgrimage to experience Courtside with a few close friends at least once. What most people don’t understand about the mammoth Ashe stadium until they’ve been in person is that even Loge seating is fairly high up because (a) the stadium is very vertically oriented (seating is on a sharp incline) and (b) there are two levels of suites above Courtside before the first row of Loge even begins. So when you’re down in Courtside, you feel like you’re in another world. The feeling of being that close to greatness in Ashe’s electric atmosphere is pretty amazing. If going for a courtside seat, keep in mind that 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. If courtside is out of your budget, aim for lower Loge rows A-C when possible.
Here’s a video I shot of Federer from the front row in 2011, the very first time I sat courtside at Ashe. I found a great deal on a resale ticket (baseline section 58) for Labor Day during the Round of 16 and got to witness Federer perfection from a few feet away. Best money I’ve ever spent.
BOX 3: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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 when (and on which court) Nadal, Djokovic, Alcaraz, Medvedev, Gauff, Sabalenka, Swiatek or my other favorite player will play? Will they play Day or Night Sessions?
As of August 22, we now know that players in the BOTTOM HALVES of the men’s and women’s draws will play beginning on Day 1 (then again on Day 3, 5, 7, and 9 if they advance), and players in the TOP HALVES will play beginning on Day 2 (then again on Day 4, 6, 8, and 10 if they advance). See this new chart here summarizing which top-seeded players will play on which days.
HOWEVER, there’s never any sure way to predict whether players will be scheduled for DAY or NIGHT sessions. Officials try to spread the wealth and be fair to players by alternating players between Day and Night sessions. Contrary to popular belief, they do not always schedule the biggest stars at night. The one exception to this is Quarterfinals, when biggest stars (or most anticipated match-ups) are usually scheduled for the night sessions.
One thing you can count on is for the US Open schedulers to defy crowd predictions ever year, with decisions that resist generalizations. Many a fan has been heartbroken after spending a lot of money on expensive seats based on erroneous predictions. Case in point from the 2020 and 2019 US Open tournaments:
In 2020, Serena’s 1st Round match (on Day 2) was a DAYsession; 2d Round match (Day 4) NIGHT session; 3d Round match (on Day 6) DAY session; 4th Round match (on Day 8) DAY session again; Quarterfinals (Day 10) — a DAY session yet again!
In 2019, Serena’s 1st Round match (on Day 1) was a NIGHTsession; 2d Round (Day 3) NIGHT session; 3d Round (Day 5) DAY session; 4th Round (Day 7) DAY session again; Quarterfinals (Day 9) NIGHT session
Also in 2019, Djokovic was scheduled for 3 consecutive Ashe Night sessionsand Federer for 3 consecutive Ashe Day sessions (Days 3, 5, and 7).
To be absolutely sure you see your favorite player, consider waiting until the schedule is published the day prior (start checking frequently early afternoon, usually out by 5:00pm), then immediately go to the official Ticketmaster US Open page(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.
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
To see real examples of what kinds of matches get scheduled on which courts for specific days, look at previous years’ schedules:
LEARN HOW TO MAKE EDUCATED GUESSES ABOUT WHO PLAYS WHEN/WHERE
On the THURSDAY before the main tournament begins (August 22, 2024), the “Draw” is revealed: Singles players (128 men and 128 women) are split intotwoequal “Halves” of a “Men’s Singles Draw” and “Women’s Singles Draw,” each half of which will play on alternating days through quarterfinals (Day 1-10). The #1 and #2 seeds (based on ATP and WTA rankings) are placed in opposite halves of the draw (so they will play on different days). The #3 and #4 seeds are also placed in opposite halves of the draw and in different quarters from the #1 and #2 seeds. Spots for winners of the Qualifier Tournament will be indicated as “Qualifier.”
Once the US Open announces which halves of the draw will play on Day 1 versus Day 2 (which they do on the Thursday or Friday before the main tournament begins) you CAN then predict the DATES your favorite players will be scheduled through quarterfinals: Players scheduled on Day 1 will play again on Day 3, 5, 7, and 9 if they advance; players scheduled on Day 2 will play again on Day 4, 6, 8, and 10 if they advance.
Only the biggest superstars (like Serena and Rafa) are sure to be scheduled on Ashe – others might be scheduled on Armstrong, Grandstand, or field courts. Schedulers have been known to put even the #1-ranked player in the world on Armstrong or Grandstand, as they did in 2021 with then #1 Simona Halep during Round 1 (on Grandstand) and then #2 Aryna Sabalenka (Armstrong). See my chart (click to enlarge) for illustrative examples of who has been scheduled on which courts.
There’s never any sure way to predict whether players will be scheduled for DAY or NIGHT sessions. Officials try to spread the wealth and be fair to players by alternating players between Day and Night sessions. Contrary to popular belief, they do not always schedule the biggest stars at night. The one exception to this is Quarterfinals, when biggest stars are usually scheduled for the night sessions.
FYI: A fun way to get your head around the draw/brackets — and potential match-ups — is to enter the official US Open “Million-Dollar Bracket” contest. Each submission that correctly picks all 127 matches in the men’s singles bracket will share from a prize pool of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000). 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, click on any session for the stadium in question, chooseMap View, then mouse over or click on any of the dotsto see the exact section, row and seat #.
See all the seating charts below
Note that for Ashe Courtside seats, each lettered “row” (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 take note of 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.
In short, check out the detailed Seat Map on Ticketmaster view before buying to see the exact location.
Ashe “Iteractive 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.
FAQ #3: When should I buy? Will prices go up or down? Will sessions sell out if I wait too long? What are average prices? What’s a “good deal”?
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, butthere 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.
Preview: Click to view for full chart
This year, prices are shockingly high across the board. Tennis is having a moment, thanks in large part to the massive popularity of the likes of new young players, particularly Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff!
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 shadethan 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 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 or multi-session ticket plan?
For most serious fans, I don’t recommend it. Most multi-session plans for Ashe (and first-time subscription plans) for are only for “Promenade” seats — 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 (only available if you purchase the very expensive full-series plan). For the full series ticket plan price (well over $2,000 each) 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 Ashe 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).
Corner sectionsare 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.
When 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 strongly urge folks tofactor 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.
Tip #7: The night before you go
Check the app or click this link for the detailed daily Schedule of Play for the following day’s schedule and make your game plan so you can beeline directly to the court where the match you care about will happen (including, potentially, the practice courts– see Tip #8 below). You should also download the official US Open Everywhere App (search on app stores for “2024 US Open Tennis”) to track the latest schedule, scores and live updates. If someone you really want to see will play on Grandstand or Armstrong, get to the grounds as early as you can so you can be among the first in line when the gates open at 9:30am then speed-walk to those stadiums and grab the best seat you can. Check out the day-to-day coverage at SI.com’s tennis page, which is always terrific.
Rafa on practice courts at 2017 US Open
Tip #8: Check out the practice courtsfor close sightings of the superstars
Check the practice schedule the night before (and morning of) to see when/where players are practicing (you can also see it on the official US Open App).
Note: the best time to see top players practice without fighting crowds is during the free Qualifier Tournament and week before the main tournament (see my Tip #10 below).
Tip #9: Do not drive unless you really have to. Especially if the Mets have a home game.
Option 1: Take the subway #7 train (see 7 train schedule here, runs 24 hours, PM times in bold, see stops here, which include Grand Central). Note: you no longer need a MetroCards for the NY subway– you can simply TAP YOUR PHONE AT THE TURNSTILE if you are set up for tap-and-pay..
Option 2: (FASTEST, only 15 min from Midtown NYC): Take the LONG ISLAND RAILROAD (LIRR), which departs from Penn Station from the new “Moynihan Train Hall” (entrance on 8th Avenue between West 31st-33rd, directly across from Penn Station). to the “Mets-Willets Point” station (the signage will say either “GREAT NECK” or “PORT WASHINGTON” – double check the train number before boarding). Look for the “Port Washington” train on the monitors to find the right track. IMPORTANT: The LIRR stop at Mets-Willets is NOT accessible for fans with disabilities — so anyone with disabilities should exit the LIRR at Woodside/61st Street Station then transfer to the 7 train (or just take the 7 train to Mets-Willets Point Station).
To purchase LIRR tickets:
Download the very easy-to-use NEW MTA TrainTime App. Within the app, click “Trips”, then at the top fill in From “Penn Station” and To “Mets-Willets Point” then see all the upcoming train options. Click the train you want and select “Buy” and it will show options for one-way or R/T. Ticket(s) will then be in your “wallet” in the app for you to use whenever you like; you just have to press “activate” right before you board your train of choice.
Alternatively, you can also buy a ticket at Penn Station in the Moynihan Hall using an ATM-like ticket machine (or at the window). But the app is way easier.
For return trips from the Open, you’ll need to show your ticket at the US Open’s LIRR entrance (top of the ramp near the East Gate) — the individuals checking tickets can also sell you a one-way return ticket if you need and you can use a credit card (tip: you do NOT need to line up at the ticket window!!).
If you fly into Laguardia (LGA) you can take the NYC “Q48” public bus from Laguardia to the US Open (the stop is listed on the MTA website as “ROOSEVELT AV/WILLETS PT BL STATION.” LGA is very close to the US Open grounds, but the bus trip could take around 30 minutes.
On any of the dates below when Mets are playing home games, be sure to reserve a parking spot here. I can’t recommend this more strongly.
Monday, Sep 2 2024
Tuesday, Sep 3 2024
Wednesday, Sep 4 2024
Friday, Sep 6 2024
Saturday, Sep 7 2024
Sunday, Sep 8 2024
Recommend putting in GPS “Citi Field” to get you to the general area – if parking isn’t available at Citi Field, there should be traffic cops around to redirect you
US Open recommends using “Grand Central Parkway exit 9E or Whitestone Expressway (678) Exit 13D.”
You’ll see signs and be directed to available public parking ($25 for cars).
Citi Field will be the primary lot (“Yellow Zone” parking) except when the Mets are playing at Home (see theMets home schedule). On those dates, according to the US Open you’ll be “directed to guest parking lots 1-6” (which the map confusingly labels as A-H– sorry I can’t provide any more clarification on this!).
If you must drive on a day the Mets are playing, ARRIVE AS EARLY AS YOU CAN – like around 8:30am if possible – to avoid major hassles.
The entrance to Citi Field parking is located at 126th Street and Shea Road, Corona, NY. GPS address to that intersection is “126 Roosevelt Ave, Flushing, NY 11368.
Fellow fan Harry pointed out: “If you are willing to walk a bit, street parking underneath or south of Highway 495 is a viable option.”
Uber/Lyft/Taxi TO the Open:
You can have the driver put in “Billie Jean King National Tennis Center” if you want to have them drop you near the SOUTH GATE. If you’re aiming for the EAST GATE, try putting in “Mets-Willets Point” as the destination – this will take you directly to the spot on Roosevelt Avenue where the 7 train lets people off, then you can just walk up the stars and across the foot bridge to the East Gate. But that option MAY not be available if they are blocking off traffic, which they occasionally do.
If considering a taxi or Uber/Lyft home after a night session, be prepared for a long wait, hassles, and a very (very) expensive ride with surge pricing. Getting an Uber/Lyft after an evening session when literally thousands of others are trying to do the same can be a nightmare. I tried it in 2016 as an experiment and here’s what happened: (1) Had to go to designated “zone 3” pickup area for cabs and users– a long walk from the South Gate near the globe (trying to meet them by the 7 train at Roosevelt is really tough given heavy traffic); (2) three Uber drivers cancelled on me after accepting before I finally get one; (3) Surge pricing was in effect, with a ride that should have cost $45 being quoted over $120.
If you must hire a car back home after a night session, you might try the following instead:
(1) Reserve a car service pickup in advance. I’ve used Riverside and they’re always reliable (and they have an app as well) – but you can find many other car services in NY if you Google.
(2) Take the LIRR or 7 subway train into Manhattan (or to another local stop like “Junction Blvd”), then call Uber or a hail a cab
(3) Try to hail a cab on the street just under the 7 train (Roosevelt Ave); or download the “Curb” app for NYC taxis and hail one that way from that location.
If you’re lucky enough to be driving a Cadillac to the Open, you’ll get complimentary parking (Cadillac replaced Mercedes-Benz in 2022 as a major sponsor)
Alternatively, consider staying in Queens and biking! Fellow fan Mark shared his experience in 2019: “We packed our bikes and stayed at a nice AirB&B on Queens Boulevard, a little over 2 miles from the stadium. Queens has a great network of dedicated bike lanes and a friendly attitude toward bikers, and best of all – the terrain is flat! Once at the grounds, there are bike racks across from the South Gate entrance and in front of the security tent that handles baggage claim. It is a fun and hassle-free way to make the commute for anyone that so inclined!”
Tip #10: Take advantage of these amazing FREE opportunities to see incredible players up close:
AUG 20-25 FREE “Fan Week“: If you’re a serious fan, don’t miss the FREE qualifying tournamentTuesday August 20- Friday August 23, the week before the main tournament begins. 128 of the world’s best male and female players (whose ATP and WTA rankings were just shy of qualifying automatically for the US Open) will compete for the final 32 spots(16 each for men and women) in the singles draws. Last year’s US Open women’s singles champion Emma Raducanu became the first in history to win a major after playing in the qualifiers – a reminder this is an amazing opportunity to see major rising players! It’s also a great opportunity to see top-seeded players on practice courts.. Read why Fan Week/Qualies are so special in this excellent piece by Steven Kutz.
Gates open at 10:00am. You must arrive before 5:00pm to enter.
Qualifier Tournament matches start at 11:00am
Official practices (of main draw players) start earlier. However, fans won’t have access to any player practices scheduled before 10:00am, For practices on Ashe, you need to register for a Fan Access Pass to access practices in Ashe (which you can do via the app).
To understand how players qualify to play in the US Open and why qualifiers matter, see this explanation by Laurence Shanet
Watch top seeds (including Federer) practicing during this entire “Fan Week. Check the practice schedule here (also available on the app) the day before/ morning of to see when your favorites are scheduled to practice.
Click here to register for a “Fan Access Pass,” which gives you certain perks (including access to special preferred seating for some practice sessions). Note: the Fan Pass check-in is located by the East Gate on the left.
FRI AUG 23:
US Open Media Day at 11am ET on Ashe Stadium, with players answering questions. Fans must register for the event via Fan Pass.
SAT AUG 24: “Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day:” (9:30am – 4:00pm) If you have kids, this is a great day to go– lots of interactive games, music, and activities.
SAT-SUN AUG 24-25: Go see top players practicing up close by taking advantage of free access to the US Open groundsthe day before the main tournament begins to watch practice sessions– it’s one of the best-kept secrets that the grounds are open to the public all day.
Box 4: What to Bring and What NOT to bring (Backpacks not allowed!)
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 a plastic or metal water bottle 24 oz or less to refill on site (but NOT anything glass!)
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
As of 2022 according to the US Open bot on the website: “Outside food or beverages (excluding alcohol) CAN be brought into the US Open grounds, but must fit into one sized bag. There are no exceptions.”
There is storage outside both East and South Gate entrances if you need it: $10 per locker, $20 for large items including suitcases). Bag check for American Express cardholders is discounted (1 bag per card).
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.
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)! If you forget, La Roche offers free samples just inside the EAST gate entrance.
A backup phone charger (e.g. a Mophie) if you have one – although there are Chase-sponsored free chargers on site.
A lightweight white towelto protect exposed skin from sun or to sit on when in unreserved seats, which can get hot and uncomfortable.
Reusable plastic water bottle (to refill using any of the many water fountains). Evian is $6 for a small so bring your own!
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 5: FREE ADMISSION ON SECOND THURSDAY (September 5)!
DOUBLES SEMIFINALS (Men’s & Women’s) Plus the World’s Top Wheelchair, Junior, and Collegiate Players
Gates open at 11:00 AM
One of the best-kept secrets is that you can usually 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.
Among the world-class wheelchair players to watch for:
Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid, who in 2021 completed the Grand Slam for the first time in wheelchair tennis history.
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 .
A FEW MORE RECS
I agree with every word of “Here’s How to Have the Best Time at the U.S. Open: Tips, Tricks and Transportation“ by the brilliant Sports Illustrated writer Jon Wertheim. Note: if you haven’t yet seen Wertheim’s 2018 Strokes of Genius documentary on the Federer/Nadal rivalry, RENT IT! It’s one of the best documentaries on anything I’ve ever seen, beautifully capturing so many of the unique aspects of tennis that make us so passionate about our sport.
Bring a backup phone charger if you have one. However, there are several re-charging stations, but after all the photos and video you take with your phone and use of Wi-Fi you’ll run out of juice quickly.
Chart with food options at 2022 US Open
FOOD: There are a bunch of options on site, but they aren’t cheap! See my chart outlining examples of the food stands by area on the grounds.
AMERICAN EXPRESS CARDHOLDERS: Bring your Amex card if you have one!See full Amex Benefits at US Open here. Perks from 2024 likely to be repeated in 2025:
(1) Amex Card Member Lounge on the 2d Level of the Amex “Fan Experience” (where anyone can also play a “Glow Tennis” mixed reality interactive game and get a complimentary manicure with tennis themed nail art).
(2) Centurion Suite in Armstrong (Exclusive to Platinum and Centurion Members). Book in advance on Resy
Other past perks have included offering cool video+mobile “Chase Charge & Watch” chargers
Sign up for the “Fan Pass” on the app to be entered into a sweepstakes and track your activity on site. Scan your personal barcode at various stations around the event to collect “badges,” which can redeem for prizes.
Do your shopping for US Open gear early in the tournament – stores run out of the popular sizes fast.
$25 Grounds Admission tickets will be availablefor Finals Weekend (Fri-Sun Sep 6-8) on this Ticketmaster page.Note: these grounds ticket options are not yet showing up on main Ticketmaster pages displaying the other stadium ticket options. You can’t access Ashe with these tickets, but you can walk the grounds, see juniors and wheelchair finals, and watch Ashe matches on the big screens.
FINAL TIP: “PAY IT FORWARD” WHEN YOU CAN!!
If you have the 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.
BOX 6 (INDEX): OUTLINE OF COMMON QUESTIONS AND IMPORTANT LINKS
This post has gotten long over the years to include many more details, so I’ve created the outline below with shortcuts to help you find what you need more quickly. Click below for shortcut links to key topics and FAQs I get most often:
CLICK HERE FOR OUTLINE OF COMMON QUESTIONS AND KEY LINKS
WHERE TO BUY TICKETS: How to Get the Best Deal? Which sites can I trust?
Where to get the best deals on tickets? See Box #2
Ticketmaster – Official site – always check first then compare options on reseller sites. It also includes most resale tickets from the official Ticketmaster Exchange (resale tickets are shown as red dots on seat maps, standard non-resale tickets are blue dots)
Official US Open Ticket Exchange (Official reseller site – also check this site for comparison purposes as it includes ALL verified resale tickets on the exchange. Confusingly, there are some verified resale tickets here that don’t show up on the main Ticketmaster site because they may not be available for immediate delivery– which is why it’s worth checking in addition to the main Ticketmaster site.
(NEW posted July 23, 2021): See my Chart listing 2021 prices for standard (non-resale) tickets as a point of reference to what may be a “good deal,” noting that sometimes better resale seats are available for the same or less than standard prices.
I WANT TO SEE SERENA AND RAFA! Which tickets should I buy?
How can I be sure to see Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal (or Novak Djokovic, Sasha Zverev, Naomi Osaka, Sloane Stephens, etc)? See FAQ #1
Can I predict when my favorite player will play on a specific day or night? See FAQ #1
WHAT TIME CAN I ENTER WITH A DAY OR NIGHT SESSION TICKET (and how long can I stay)?
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 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 general admission seating 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).
2024 Tournament Schedule – See my “Schedule at a Glance” in Box #1(note: official tournament schedule is here but more vague)
2024 Daily Schedule of Play – Note: The schedule for Day 1 (and possibly Day 2 too) is released on the Friday (or sometimes even on the Thursday) before the main tournament begins.
GOT A QUESTION OR COMMENT? Please submit below and I”ll reply ASAP (although it may take some time before I can reply before I can given my demanding real job!)
P.J.
Hi P.J.! Thanks a lot for sharing so great information! This is really helpful. I’m planning on going to the US Open, buying tickets via one of the official resellers, on Friday Sept 4, Saturday 5, and Sunday 6. My main objective is to see: Federer (65%), Nadal (20%), Djokovic (10%), Murray (5%). I’m planning on buying luxury suites tickets for the Ashe stadium in Saturday and Sunday day and night sessions, so that way I can get to see (most probably) my fav players. Do you think this approach is good? Moreover, I’d be willing to upgrade either Sat… Read more »
Hey Antonio, my pleasure. I think getting tickets in Ashe day and night on both Sat and Sun is a great strategy to give you highest probability of seeing Fed and other top players. It’s hard to recommend specific sessions to prioritize courtside as it’s unpredictable when they will schedule specific players. But you’ll be in good position regardless because you’ll be investing in good seats. For Friday, I don’t think it’s worth spending $ on Armstrong courtside because your top-priority players won’t be playing there and matches won’t be very competitive (and it’s Sat-Sun when it’s really impossible to… Read more »
Hi P.J., thanks!! I followed your advice and got day and night sessions lower Promenade tickets for Arthur Ashe instead of the Louis Armstrong ticket, and if there’s a match that I’d like to see closer, I’ll upgrade to Loge.
Thanks, this is really helpful,
Antonio
Hameda
9 years ago
Hello, and THANK YOU so much for sharing all this valuable info! I am planning on going to the US Open for the very first time this year. My main goal is to see Roger Federer (before he retires). I may have to work on the 31st.. but probably could attend Sept 1 and 2. What would you recommend? Thank you.
Hi Hameda, you’re most welcome! Excited for you to come to your first open. Unfortunately there’s no way to predict when he will play, but resale tickets should still be available the day before those dates after the schedule is announced – so you can always decide at the last minute. P.J.
PJ, Thanks for your response!… we decided to go for basic tickets and upgrade once the schedule is announced.. We’ll be happy to be there no matter what.. with so many matches to see, we’ll have plenty of great tennis to enjoy for the two days!… PS: love the videos you posted.. must have been an amazing experience to see the players so close! And thanks again for sharing all those good tips with us! so helpful 🙂
Mikey
9 years ago
Another question: is “courtside box” different from courtside? Is box from behind the baseline or something? I’m referring your 3rd recommendation, the courtside box seats in Armstrong.
Thank you so much for this write up. I spent an hour staring at the US Open website and I was unbelievably confused. Now I’ve got a better grip on things, but I see that you’ve been so helpful to all these people, so I figured I’d ask you for your two cents, as well. So let’s lay out my priorities. I’ve never seen a professional tennis match in my life, and that’s my primary motivations: to see how good these guys are, up close and personal. I’m a pretty big fan of Federer, and since this is likely going… Read more »
Hey Mikey, Thank you for the wonderfully considerate thank yous! Here’s what I would probably do with $2,500 myself (prices below are estimates including service fees for resellers): 1) 1 ticket in very good Ashe Loge seat for the Men’s Semis: $800-$1,000 (Fri Sep 11). All day, 2 amazing matches, bonus of the mixed doubles final. There’s no night session sold separately so you stay in Ashe as long as play goes. 2) 1 Courtside Ashe NIGHT seat on Sunday or Monday (Sep 6 or 7) as close as you can get (but not in sections 50-53 because of umpire… Read more »
I’ve started doing my research on your recommendations, and one more question has popped up. Regarding the Ashe courtside seats, it looks like sections 52 and 53 are directly behind the umpire’s chair. So obviously I should avoid those, but do you mean to say that I should avoid their neighboring sections, 51 and 54, too? I know you said 50-53, but that doesn’t quite line up centered around the chair, if you get what I’m saying.
Sorry I mean 52-53! It’s actually not a big deal at all even in those sections unless you are sitting in the very first few rows – then it’s a bit in the way. Just something to consider.
Nick
9 years ago
Hi P.J., First, thanks for the great information on the website. I was wondering if I could get your 2 cents on the following? Will be traveling to NYC in September and thinking of getting tickets on either the morning of the 8th or the morning of the 9th. I am basically caught between two minds, either: a) buy cheap tickets in the Ashe Promenade and then simply use these as a pass to get straight into Armstrong (basically not even bother with Ashe, as the seats won’t be good). If this is the case, would you need to be… Read more »
Hey Nick, the last day they schedule major matches in Armstrong is Tues Sep 8 (unless there are rain delays). It’s definitely much easier to get into Armstrong on Tues Sep 8 than the previous days (Labor Day wknd) – but always exceptions based on who’s playing. Have to check schedule night before. It’s not clear this year what they will schedule that Tuesday in Armstrong, as it will be quarters according to the schedule (there might just be doubles matches on Tues – which I love too but most people care mainly about singles). As such, if you have… Read more »
Catherine
9 years ago
Hi, and firstly thank you for the brilliant information about attending the US Open! Now my questions. I am planning a trip to the US open in 2016 (I know it’s a long way off but I’ll be booking flights and hotels in September and want to have an idea of what sort of tickets I might buy) – I had a look at the resale sites and there is a fairly good selection available. However, most seem to be sold in pairs or more. I will be going alone so only need one ticket. I understand why resellers don’t… Read more »
Hi Catherine, you’re most welcome, thanks for the kind words! You absolutely will be able to find single seats on Ticketmaster/Ticket Exchange and various reseller sites – I’ve done it on many occasions. Sometimes just takes a little digging to find. In the search button indicate you’re looking for a single seat and it will pull up only all the offers where you could buy just one. Hard to advise on what specifically would be best for you (depends largely on whether seeing the “stars” up close is a priority versus just seeing great tennis up close and experiencing the… Read more »
Thank you for the tips. Good to know I’ll be able to get single seats from resellers. My initial thoughts on days were to go on two consecutive days, but your suggestion of splitting them between week 1 and week 2 is a good one. I’m not sure yet if I will still be in NY by the quarter finals (would love to see them if I am!) If I’m not I’d be looking at probably the Monday (Labor day?) or even Sunday. Realistically Loge on Ashe would be the best seats I can afford. Looks like I’d either get… Read more »
Hey Catherine, I’d advise paying for Armstrong reserved seats for the Labor Day weekend (Sat-Mon) when it’s challenging to get into the stadium– otherwise it should be fairly easy to get into Armstrong without a reserved seat. That said, next year could be different in some respects because of the roof on Ashe and new Grandstand (see plans to redo Open here: http://www.usopen.org/Event_Guide/strategic_transformation/). My main counsel is to use this year to keep analyzing in months ahead what tickets are available, at what prices, etc so you can be ready to get what you want next year! Cheers, PJ
Michael Mangan
9 years ago
Unreal site- thank you! The U.S. Open is the hardest event to navigate and I’m from NYC. To that end, I’m not sure I understand the weather policy. I am considering tickets from Ticketexchange for Session 17 night at Ashe but what happens if it rains? If it is 100% cancelled, will my ticket be honored when it is rescheduled? I just want to go to Session 17 for 2015 whenever it is played, I will change my schedule to make it work if it does not occur Tuesday night. Does a ticket purchase from Ticketexchange allow for entrance to… Read more »
Similar question to Michael. What happens if you buy tickets from Ticket Liquidator and there is a rain day. Are your tickets honored for the rescheduled day?
Hi Caitlin, it depends. If they’re for sessions #21-24 and a session is rescheduled, I’m 99% sure you just show up at the gates and they let you in (they don’t reissue tickets). If it’s for sessions #1-20, it depends on who the reseller was… so it gets complicated. In 2011 I bought 6 Louis Armstrong box seats for me and friends through Ticket Liquidator (a clearinghouse site that anyone can post tickets on) on the Tues after Labor Day and the entire day was rained out… didn’t see one minute of play. Thankfully the company that was selling the… Read more »
Hey Michael, thanks so much! The simple answer: for sessions #1-20, generally you are not in luck if it rains: the rules are complex (see link below), but generally if you’re able to see over 59 minutes of play (or over 89 minutes if no matches are completed) you aren’t eligible for exchanges. This has happened to me on a few occasions. It hurts. That said, if you have tickets for sessions #21 -#24 your tickets are honored for rescheduled sessions. Read all the details here: https://s3.amazonaws.com/ustaassets/assets/629/15/inclement_weather_policy_2015_final_031715.pdf
Caitlin
9 years ago
Hi PJ,
On Ticketliquidator.com, there are a bunch of tickets that list the row as “A-Z”. Does this mean that you won’t know which row you’ll get?
Hi Caitlin, Yes it means they’re not willing to tell you – steer clear of those kinds of vague offers! PJ
Alexandra
9 years ago
Hi PJ Fabulous site !! My brother and I are heading to the us open this year, first time for both of us even at a tennis tournament, we are very excited. We are planning on being in New York on Thursday September 3rd and leaving Monday the 7th. We were going to split our time between the open and sightseeing. In your opinion what days would you purchase tickets for (we are looking to spend 2 days for the open)? We both like the idea of the Armstrong Reserved. Also we would both really love to see Roger play,… Read more »
Hi Alexandra, thanks! For that budget, I’d recommend going to the open on Thursday with a general admission for day and reserved Ashe seat for evening (before crazy weekend crowds, able to go see several players up close at smaller courts during day – including Armstrong without reserved seats) and Sunday Ashe seats in Loge if you can afford for (Round of 16). Not an exact science but probably what I would do! PJ
Susan
9 years ago
Hi PJ. Kudos to you for offering the best online US Open Tennis tips! My husband and I are excited to be making plans to check this tournament off our joint Bucket List this year 🙂 Our plans are to attend Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day Weekend. Our priorities are to purchase our tickets in advance for Armstrong Reserved seating for one or two days and Ashe Loge for two nights OR Ashe Courtside one night. Following are our tentative plans: Friday Day – Grounds Admission. This would be our “go with the flow” day to wander around… Read more »
Susan, thanks for the very kind words! Your plan sounds great. A couple thoughts: — Agree strongly on Friday – keep it flex — If you do Courtside evening in Ashe (so fun) I’d vote for Sunday night: (1) it’s round of 16 by that point so matches will be more competitive than 3d round matches on Sat; (2) prices are actually LESS on Sun night because demand is greater from out-of-towners in only Sat/Sun of the holiday weekend. — I’d consider doing only one day (Sat or Sun) in Armstrong reserved and the other DAY getting decent Ashe loge… Read more »
Hi P.J.! Thanks a lot for sharing so great information! This is really helpful. I’m planning on going to the US Open, buying tickets via one of the official resellers, on Friday Sept 4, Saturday 5, and Sunday 6. My main objective is to see: Federer (65%), Nadal (20%), Djokovic (10%), Murray (5%). I’m planning on buying luxury suites tickets for the Ashe stadium in Saturday and Sunday day and night sessions, so that way I can get to see (most probably) my fav players. Do you think this approach is good? Moreover, I’d be willing to upgrade either Sat… Read more »
Hey Antonio, my pleasure. I think getting tickets in Ashe day and night on both Sat and Sun is a great strategy to give you highest probability of seeing Fed and other top players. It’s hard to recommend specific sessions to prioritize courtside as it’s unpredictable when they will schedule specific players. But you’ll be in good position regardless because you’ll be investing in good seats. For Friday, I don’t think it’s worth spending $ on Armstrong courtside because your top-priority players won’t be playing there and matches won’t be very competitive (and it’s Sat-Sun when it’s really impossible to… Read more »
Hi P.J., thanks!! I followed your advice and got day and night sessions lower Promenade tickets for Arthur Ashe instead of the Louis Armstrong ticket, and if there’s a match that I’d like to see closer, I’ll upgrade to Loge.
Thanks, this is really helpful,
Antonio
Hello, and THANK YOU so much for sharing all this valuable info! I am planning on going to the US Open for the very first time this year. My main goal is to see Roger Federer (before he retires). I may have to work on the 31st.. but probably could attend Sept 1 and 2. What would you recommend? Thank you.
Hi Hameda, you’re most welcome! Excited for you to come to your first open. Unfortunately there’s no way to predict when he will play, but resale tickets should still be available the day before those dates after the schedule is announced – so you can always decide at the last minute. P.J.
PJ, Thanks for your response!… we decided to go for basic tickets and upgrade once the schedule is announced.. We’ll be happy to be there no matter what.. with so many matches to see, we’ll have plenty of great tennis to enjoy for the two days!… PS: love the videos you posted.. must have been an amazing experience to see the players so close! And thanks again for sharing all those good tips with us! so helpful 🙂
Another question: is “courtside box” different from courtside? Is box from behind the baseline or something? I’m referring your 3rd recommendation, the courtside box seats in Armstrong.
In Armstrong there are “courtside box” (right next to court) and “reserved” (higher). Blue on this map is courtside box, red is reserved, orange not reserved:
https://s3.amazonaws.com/ustaassets/assets/1/15/2014_louis_armstrong_chart_w_bkg1.pdf
Ah, OK, that clears things up perfectly, thanks again!
Let me know what you end up doing! PJ
Thank you so much for this write up. I spent an hour staring at the US Open website and I was unbelievably confused. Now I’ve got a better grip on things, but I see that you’ve been so helpful to all these people, so I figured I’d ask you for your two cents, as well. So let’s lay out my priorities. I’ve never seen a professional tennis match in my life, and that’s my primary motivations: to see how good these guys are, up close and personal. I’m a pretty big fan of Federer, and since this is likely going… Read more »
Hey Mikey, Thank you for the wonderfully considerate thank yous! Here’s what I would probably do with $2,500 myself (prices below are estimates including service fees for resellers): 1) 1 ticket in very good Ashe Loge seat for the Men’s Semis: $800-$1,000 (Fri Sep 11). All day, 2 amazing matches, bonus of the mixed doubles final. There’s no night session sold separately so you stay in Ashe as long as play goes. 2) 1 Courtside Ashe NIGHT seat on Sunday or Monday (Sep 6 or 7) as close as you can get (but not in sections 50-53 because of umpire… Read more »
You da man! Thanks a million!
I’ve started doing my research on your recommendations, and one more question has popped up. Regarding the Ashe courtside seats, it looks like sections 52 and 53 are directly behind the umpire’s chair. So obviously I should avoid those, but do you mean to say that I should avoid their neighboring sections, 51 and 54, too? I know you said 50-53, but that doesn’t quite line up centered around the chair, if you get what I’m saying.
Sorry I mean 52-53! It’s actually not a big deal at all even in those sections unless you are sitting in the very first few rows – then it’s a bit in the way. Just something to consider.
Hi P.J., First, thanks for the great information on the website. I was wondering if I could get your 2 cents on the following? Will be traveling to NYC in September and thinking of getting tickets on either the morning of the 8th or the morning of the 9th. I am basically caught between two minds, either: a) buy cheap tickets in the Ashe Promenade and then simply use these as a pass to get straight into Armstrong (basically not even bother with Ashe, as the seats won’t be good). If this is the case, would you need to be… Read more »
Hey Nick, the last day they schedule major matches in Armstrong is Tues Sep 8 (unless there are rain delays). It’s definitely much easier to get into Armstrong on Tues Sep 8 than the previous days (Labor Day wknd) – but always exceptions based on who’s playing. Have to check schedule night before. It’s not clear this year what they will schedule that Tuesday in Armstrong, as it will be quarters according to the schedule (there might just be doubles matches on Tues – which I love too but most people care mainly about singles). As such, if you have… Read more »
Hi, and firstly thank you for the brilliant information about attending the US Open! Now my questions. I am planning a trip to the US open in 2016 (I know it’s a long way off but I’ll be booking flights and hotels in September and want to have an idea of what sort of tickets I might buy) – I had a look at the resale sites and there is a fairly good selection available. However, most seem to be sold in pairs or more. I will be going alone so only need one ticket. I understand why resellers don’t… Read more »
Hi Catherine, you’re most welcome, thanks for the kind words! You absolutely will be able to find single seats on Ticketmaster/Ticket Exchange and various reseller sites – I’ve done it on many occasions. Sometimes just takes a little digging to find. In the search button indicate you’re looking for a single seat and it will pull up only all the offers where you could buy just one. Hard to advise on what specifically would be best for you (depends largely on whether seeing the “stars” up close is a priority versus just seeing great tennis up close and experiencing the… Read more »
Thank you for the tips. Good to know I’ll be able to get single seats from resellers. My initial thoughts on days were to go on two consecutive days, but your suggestion of splitting them between week 1 and week 2 is a good one. I’m not sure yet if I will still be in NY by the quarter finals (would love to see them if I am!) If I’m not I’d be looking at probably the Monday (Labor day?) or even Sunday. Realistically Loge on Ashe would be the best seats I can afford. Looks like I’d either get… Read more »
Hey Catherine, I’d advise paying for Armstrong reserved seats for the Labor Day weekend (Sat-Mon) when it’s challenging to get into the stadium– otherwise it should be fairly easy to get into Armstrong without a reserved seat. That said, next year could be different in some respects because of the roof on Ashe and new Grandstand (see plans to redo Open here: http://www.usopen.org/Event_Guide/strategic_transformation/). My main counsel is to use this year to keep analyzing in months ahead what tickets are available, at what prices, etc so you can be ready to get what you want next year! Cheers, PJ
Unreal site- thank you! The U.S. Open is the hardest event to navigate and I’m from NYC. To that end, I’m not sure I understand the weather policy. I am considering tickets from Ticketexchange for Session 17 night at Ashe but what happens if it rains? If it is 100% cancelled, will my ticket be honored when it is rescheduled? I just want to go to Session 17 for 2015 whenever it is played, I will change my schedule to make it work if it does not occur Tuesday night. Does a ticket purchase from Ticketexchange allow for entrance to… Read more »
Similar question to Michael. What happens if you buy tickets from Ticket Liquidator and there is a rain day. Are your tickets honored for the rescheduled day?
Hi Caitlin, it depends. If they’re for sessions #21-24 and a session is rescheduled, I’m 99% sure you just show up at the gates and they let you in (they don’t reissue tickets). If it’s for sessions #1-20, it depends on who the reseller was… so it gets complicated. In 2011 I bought 6 Louis Armstrong box seats for me and friends through Ticket Liquidator (a clearinghouse site that anyone can post tickets on) on the Tues after Labor Day and the entire day was rained out… didn’t see one minute of play. Thankfully the company that was selling the… Read more »
Hey Michael, thanks so much! The simple answer: for sessions #1-20, generally you are not in luck if it rains: the rules are complex (see link below), but generally if you’re able to see over 59 minutes of play (or over 89 minutes if no matches are completed) you aren’t eligible for exchanges. This has happened to me on a few occasions. It hurts. That said, if you have tickets for sessions #21 -#24 your tickets are honored for rescheduled sessions. Read all the details here: https://s3.amazonaws.com/ustaassets/assets/629/15/inclement_weather_policy_2015_final_031715.pdf
Hi PJ,
On Ticketliquidator.com, there are a bunch of tickets that list the row as “A-Z”. Does this mean that you won’t know which row you’ll get?
Thank you!
Hi Caitlin, Yes it means they’re not willing to tell you – steer clear of those kinds of vague offers! PJ
Hi PJ Fabulous site !! My brother and I are heading to the us open this year, first time for both of us even at a tennis tournament, we are very excited. We are planning on being in New York on Thursday September 3rd and leaving Monday the 7th. We were going to split our time between the open and sightseeing. In your opinion what days would you purchase tickets for (we are looking to spend 2 days for the open)? We both like the idea of the Armstrong Reserved. Also we would both really love to see Roger play,… Read more »
Hi Alexandra, thanks! For that budget, I’d recommend going to the open on Thursday with a general admission for day and reserved Ashe seat for evening (before crazy weekend crowds, able to go see several players up close at smaller courts during day – including Armstrong without reserved seats) and Sunday Ashe seats in Loge if you can afford for (Round of 16). Not an exact science but probably what I would do! PJ
Hi PJ. Kudos to you for offering the best online US Open Tennis tips! My husband and I are excited to be making plans to check this tournament off our joint Bucket List this year 🙂 Our plans are to attend Friday, Saturday and Sunday of Labor Day Weekend. Our priorities are to purchase our tickets in advance for Armstrong Reserved seating for one or two days and Ashe Loge for two nights OR Ashe Courtside one night. Following are our tentative plans: Friday Day – Grounds Admission. This would be our “go with the flow” day to wander around… Read more »
Susan, thanks for the very kind words! Your plan sounds great. A couple thoughts: — Agree strongly on Friday – keep it flex — If you do Courtside evening in Ashe (so fun) I’d vote for Sunday night: (1) it’s round of 16 by that point so matches will be more competitive than 3d round matches on Sat; (2) prices are actually LESS on Sun night because demand is greater from out-of-towners in only Sat/Sun of the holiday weekend. — I’d consider doing only one day (Sat or Sun) in Armstrong reserved and the other DAY getting decent Ashe loge… Read more »