A Serious Tennis Fan’s Complete Guide to the 2026 US Open: Tickets, Tips & More

▸ Returning Visitors: Click Here for Latest Updates!
- June 28: Published fully restructured new version of this post to facilitate navigation, including this PDF 2026 US Open Ticket Options and Average Prices: How to Spot a Good Deal — day-by-day ticket options and direct links to check prices and comparison shop on Ticketmaster and Stubhub.
- July 3: Added FAQ: “Which seats in Promenade have obstructed views?”
- August 3: Updated details on shade patterns in Armstrong Stadium in FAQ: “Which seats get the most shade?”
- August 27: The NYT reported that the Open would offer limited $25 evening grounds passes for purchase on-site only through Sep 6: “However, they can be purchased only on-site the evening of entry and on nights that Louis Armstrong is sold out (not including resale tickets).” When I asked the US Open box office to provide more details, they wrote: “No unfortunately we cannot confirm availability beforehand, these specific passes are on a day-to-day basis. Evenings grounds passes are only made available day of based on the capacity of the events and the stadiums.”
- August 29: My new chart outlining how scheduling should work beginning in Round 2: “Who Plays on Which Dates After R1?”
- September 1: Fellow fan Carrie reported on the late-night taxi situation: “I had a great experience with getting a yellow cab at the rideshare area by the NY Hall of Science at around 11:30pm the first two nights. NYPD organized the taxis and the taxi line and I waited only a few minutes in line before I was able to get a cab and a fast ride back to the hotel at a very reasonable cost. There were plenty of taxis waiting to pick up folks. This was probably way faster than waiting for an uber, and the police officer organizing the taxi line even made the sure my driver had his meter on when he saw I was a woman traveling solo late at night!”
- September 3: I share observation on the new post-renovation Courtside and Loge sections in my updated FAQ “What’s different about Ashe after the big 2026 renovation to Ashe Stadium?“
By P.J. Simmons
If you’re a fellow tennis fan planning a trip to the US Open — whether it’s your first visit or your fifteenth — I built this guide for you. As a serious tennis player and fan living in NYC, 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.
2026 will mark my 18th time at the 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, StubHub, 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 and practical resources to help you sort through the complexity, understand all the ticket options, and make the best decisions for your own priorities and budget so you have an incredible experience. I’ll continue to update throughout the summer and the tournament. Don’t hesitate to reach out with a question below if you can’t find what you need – I’ll reply as soon as I can.
For my returning friends: Please let me know what you think of this newly restructured and updated version (June 28), which hopefully will make navigation easier and faster for you. Please let me know what you think – I’d really appreciate your feedback!
What Every First-Timer Should Know Before Buying Tickets
Whether it’s your first Open or you just haven’t been in a few years, here are a few things worth understanding before you spend a dollar or make final decisions on when to attend.
Consider taking advantage of incredible FREE opportunities to see world-class tennis and superstars the week before the main tournament (August 23–29)
Before the main tournament begins, there’s a packed week of events at the US Open grounds (“Fan Week”) that offers many opportunities to experience the magic of the Open without spending a dollar on a ticket.
The week kicks off Sunday August 23 with Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day. If you have kids, this is a great day to go with lots of interactive games, music, activities.
Then, the Qualifying Tournament (Monday August 24 – Thursday August 27) is an amazing opportunity for serious fans to see major rising players and incredible tennis up close. 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. In 2021, #150-ranked qualifier Emma Raducanu went on to win the US Open women’s singles title – the first Grand Slam champion in history to come through qualifiers. Maja Chwalinska came close to doing the same at the 2026 French Open. Read why Fan Week/Qualies are so special in this excellent piece by Steven Kutz.
Throughout the entire week, there are opportunities to see some of the top-seeded players and biggest stars in unofficial practice sessions (details posted on the practice schedule the morning of).
Note: Fan week also features four special events that require paid tickets: including Mixed Doubles Rounds 1&2 (Aug 25 10am); Exhibition play with Roger Federer (Aug 25 7pm); Mixed Doubles Semis and Finals (Aug 26 7pm); and a “Stars of the Open” exhibition (Aug 27 7pm).
IMPORTANT: TO GAIN ADMISSION DURING FAN WEEK, YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER FOR A FREE FAN ACCESS PASS.
The US Open is much bigger than Ashe Stadium. Get the lay of the land before you make your plan.
Most people think of Arthur Ashe Stadium when they think about the US Open—and understandably so. It’s the largest tennis stadium in the world (almost 24,000 seats) and home to many of the tournament’s biggest matches. But the US Open is so much more than Ashe. Think of it as a massive tennis festival spread across an entire campus. On a typical day during the first week, world-class matches take place simultaneously on Ashe plus 16 other courts.
In fact, some of the most exciting tennis during the tournament happens on Louis Armstrong Stadium (almost as big as the main show courts at Wimbledon, the French Open, and the Australian Open with around 14,000 seats plus a retractable roof in case of rain), Grandstand (with 8,100 seats), Court #17 (2,800 seats) and the smaller field Courts #4-16.
Some important basic rules about how entry and seating works:
- Any of the almost 80 ticket options gets you access to the entire US Open grounds — you’ll find every option laid out in the ticket chart below (2026 US Open Ticket Options and Average Prices).
- Once you’ve entered the US Open grounds, you can access unreserved seats (on a first-come basis) in Armstrong, Grandstand, and on every other court except Ashe stadium. Ashe Stadium has no unreserved seats, so you need to buy an Ashe-specific ticket if you want to get in. Armstrong and Grandstand have both reserved ticket options and unreserved seating. Courts #4-17 are entirely first-come, unreserved seating.
- Grounds entry times vary depending on your ticket: A grounds pass or “Day” session reserved ticket for either Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand allows entry when gates first open (usually 9:30am). If you only purchase an “Evening” session ticket for a particular day, you’ll have to wait until 6pm to enter the grounds. Once you’re in the US Open grounds, you can stay as late as you want until closing.
Learn how player and match scheduling works to raise the odds of seeing your favorite players.
Most fans coming to the Open dream of seeing their favorite players in action. But what many first-timers don’t realize is that it’s impossible to predict which players will play on which days, on which courts, or at what time until the detailed “Daily Schedule of Play” is released shortly before the actual match day. So if you buy a ticket to the Open prior to that – which most people do – you’re buying access to matches in a particular round of play, not a guarantee that you’ll see any specific player.
The good news is that having a clear understanding of how scheduling works can dramatically improve your odds of seeing the players and matches that matter most to you. Taking a few minutes now to review these things will put you ahead of the game:
1. Start by getting the big picture of the tournament’s schedule – here’s an overview:
>> You can find a comprehensive, day-by-day breakdown of the schedule and every ticket option here: 2026 US Open Ticket Options
2. Get a sense of what day-by-day match scheduling looks like by reviewing last year’s “Daily Schedules of Play” to get a feel for what types of matches are played on which courts during the various rounds. Keep in mind this is just illustrative: for instance, just because a player was scheduled for certain days or played on certain Ashe Day or Night sessions does not mean you can expect the same for this year!
3. Go deeper: see the FAQ “How can I predict when and where my favorite player will play?” below — it explains how to make educated guesses about who plays when and where.
How to Choose the Right Tickets and Spot Good Deals
One of the most common questions I get every year is some version of: “What’s the best ticket to buy?” The honest answer is that there are many “best” tickets — it simply depends on your priorities and what kind of experience you’re hoping to have. Some fans want the energy of being with 24,000 others in an Arthur Ashe night session. Others are happy spending an entire day roaming the grounds in the early rounds, hopping from court to court. Some want to treat someone special to courtside seats in a final round. Others want the most tennis possible for the lowest price. So the goal is simply to find the ticket that’s best for you.
Below are my top recommendations—followed by a time-saving chart I built to help you compare all the options, benchmark average prices and comparison shop, and make decisions with confidence.
Don’t miss the chance to see world-class players and great matches up close on the other courts beyond Ashe Stadium.

It was awesome seeing Ben Shelton up close for the first time in 2022 on Court #10 in Round 1 (v. Borges)
For my first US Open, I spent about $250 per ticket for a seat in the upper portion of Ashe Stadium for a night match 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 Ashe match, I still felt somewhat distant from the action (it’s a mammoth 24,000-capacity 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, the very cool Court #17, and other outer courts #4-#16). Once you have this experience you’ll likely get 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 –including seeing rising stars before they become household names, and feel the excitement of “discovering” new talent to cheer for. Over the years I’ve seen countless “next-gen” players up very close for the first time on outer courts before they were super famous — including Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Madison Keys, Dominic Thiem, Sasha Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and many others.
While I recommend everyone experience Ashe Stadium at least once, I also can’t recommend more strongly that you make time to explore the opportunities to see thrilling tennis in more intimate settings on the other 16 courts.
On a tight budget but want to see a lot of tennis? Consider going during Rounds 1 and 2, and aim for an affordable Ashe Stadium (or Armstrong Stadium) DAY session ticket — often comparably priced to a Grounds Pass, but a much smarter buy.

Be sure to take in some Doubles action too. Here was Casper Ruud and his partner William Blumberg during Round 1 in 2024.
Rounds 1 and 2 (Sun–Thurs of the main tournament’s first week) are a great chance to get maximum bang for your buck. There’s so much action across the entire US Open grounds, with matches happening simultaneously on 17 courts all day — and some play stretching into the evening. Crowds are heavy but not as intense as Labor Day weekend. It’s one of my favorite times to be out there.
Many fans assume a Grounds Pass is automatically the cheapest way into the Open — but often it isn’t. Before you buy one, always compare it against Ashe and Armstrong DAY-session tickets. During Rounds 1 and 2 those are often available for a similar price (sometimes less!), and they give you everything a Grounds Pass does — early entry when the gates open in the morning, the run of the whole grounds — plus a reserved seat and rain protection (both stadiums have roofs). You may end up roaming the outer courts more than sitting in that seat — but it’s there when you want it, and it guarantees you a spot inside if one of your favorites gets scheduled in that stadium. And keep in mind: a Grounds Pass won’t get you into Ashe at all (every Ashe seat is reserved). So if having Ashe be part of your experience matters to you, a cheap Ashe day ticket in the early rounds is often the most affordable way to do it.
And because a DAY ticket lets you stay on the grounds into the evening, you’ll get hours of extra tennis on the outer courts well past 6pm — all for the price of one ticket.
If your budget can swing it, I strongly recommend getting a courtside reserved seat in Louis Armstrong stadium (especially between Sep 4 – Sep 7) and/or in Grandstand (especially on Sep 4 or Sep 5).

Me spotted on Netflix “Break Point” series cheering on Taylor Fritz and Brandon Holt at the 2022 US Open – front row during awesome match on Grandstand
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 applying the same budget towards excellent seats on Armstrong or Grandstand for a couple sessions, I generally recommend the latter.
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 close that 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 of the old Armstrong stadium… It gave me a memory I will treasure forever. Ever since, I’ve made it an annual tradition to go with friends to get excellent courtside seats in Armstrong during the 3rd Round or Round of 16. In 2019, I got to see 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 – including sitting first row behind-the-server for a match between Auger-Aliassime and fellow Canadian 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 incredible proximity to the players.
If you’ve never done it, consider splurging once on a courtside Ashe seat.

Me caught on ESPN cheering very loudly for Carlitos from front row Ashe (lower left) during 2024 Round 2 (v Botic van de Zandschulp)
After dreaming for years of the possibility, I finally bit the bullet to invest in Arthur Ashe Stadium Courtside seats in 2011 for the first time. It was bliss. Ever since, I’ve made an annual pilgrimage to experience Ashe 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.
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 on Labor Day during the Round of 16 and got to witness Federer perfection from a few feet away. Best money I’ve ever spent.
Before you compare options, get clear on what matters most to you for this particular visit — seeing a favorite player, incredible proximity, atmosphere, the most tennis for your money, shade, flexibility, or certainty. The more familiar you become with the market, the easier it becomes to recognize real value when you see it.
Here are 4 steps to making sure you make your decision with confidence:
- Know the benefits/restrictions of each type of ticket – read “What Each US Open Ticket Type Gets You” below.
- Review the day-by-day ticket options and average prices in the chart below. It will give you valuable context for smart decisionmaking, including up-to-date price ranges of what to expect for every single ticket option plus benchmark ranges from last year’s Open.
- Comparison shop — best done on a computer. For my full step-by-step process — which sites, how to read the maps, what to avoid — see “Which ticket site should I use?” under Before You Buy below.
- Scan the topics below under “Before You Buy — Common Questions” to dive deeper into many important questions that may impact your final decision about what’s best for you.

Before You Buy — Common Questions
▸ Should I buy now or wait? Will prices go up or down?
The frustrating reality is: it depends — and it’s impossible to predict with certainty. Buying US Open tickets can be a bit like investing in the stock market: knowledge and good judgment dramatically improve your odds, but there are always surprises because so many variables are involved.
One thing many first-time buyers don’t realize is that the inventory they see today may look very different tomorrow, next week, or later in the summer. Much of the market is driven by resale, because the USTA typically makes relatively few Standard tickets (“blue dots” on Ticketmaster) available, with most inventory pre-allocated to subscribers — and even Standard tickets are dynamically priced rather than sold at a fixed “face value.” As a result, prices can move in unexpected ways.
Historically, some sessions get cheaper as more resale tickets hit the market and sellers compete, while other high-demand sessions rise substantially. Who gets scheduled on which days, courts, and sessions matters too. Last year (2025), schedulers surprised everyone by putting the blockbuster Djokovic–Alcaraz semifinal in the day session rather than at night — so day prices spiked and night prices dropped.
Resale tickets are almost always available until the last minute, so patient buyers sometimes find great deals — but waiting trades certainty for risk. The best advice I can give: familiarize yourself with typical prices for the sessions you’re considering so you can recognize a good opportunity when you see one. The chart above is built for exactly that — every option, this year’s average ranges, and last year’s day-of benchmarks (for context, not prediction). One clue: if you enlarge the Ticketmaster map and see few tickets, scarcity often signals prices may keep rising; abundant inventory often means more downward pressure.
▸ Will the tournament release more Standard tickets and Grounds Passes?
Sometimes yes — but in a completely unpredictable way. The USTA has historically released additional Standard (“blue dot”) tickets throughout the summer for some sessions, sometimes for surprisingly good seats. There has never been a reliable pattern for which sessions or ticket types get more inventory, and Grounds Pass inventory can fluctuate too. My advice: check periodically, especially in the mornings, but don’t count on it for any specific session.
▸ Will I still get good tickets if everything looks expensive right now?
Usually, yes. One of the biggest misconceptions among first-time buyers is that the inventory available when tickets first go on sale is all there will be. In reality, more resale inventory appears throughout the summer, and the USTA often releases additional standard tickets too. The market keeps evolving right up until the tournament begins — and sometimes even on the day of the matches.
▸ Which sessions are the best deals?
This varies year to year, and some of the best last-minute deals turn up when the lineups aren’t what people expected (last year, for example, a marquee semifinal landed in the day session instead of the night). Still, here are a few sessions that tend to be overlooked and have historically offered relatively good value:
- Armstrong evening courtside, week 1 — exciting under the lights in a big stadium, but demand is lower because many fans choose day-session tickets instead (understandably, since a day ticket lets you in as soon as gates open, so you can catch as much tennis as possible). The trade-off: an evening-only ticket won’t get you onto the grounds until 6pm. But it can be an affordable way to see bigger names from a far better vantage point than the upper tier of Ashe.
- Quarterfinal day sessions — the biggest-name lineups almost always go to the night sessions during the quarterfinals. With many tourists gone and locals leaning toward evenings, day tickets here are often cheaper than the Round of 16.
- Labor Day Ashe evening — historically cheaper than other Round-of-16 sessions, since many tourists have headed home and demand dips. You still get great matches, and it’s a great time to experience Ashe at night.
▸ How do I see the exact location of seats I might buy?
Use the “Map View” on Ticketmaster for any particular session provides the best reference for the exact location of specific seat(s). After you click on the session/stadium that interests you, choose Map View, then mouse over or click any of the dots to see the exact section, row, and seat number. This is also helpful if you’re comparison shopping with Stubhub or other resale sites, whose maps may only feature sections and zones and not individual seats.
KEY SEATING CHARTS AND SHADE MAPS
ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM
- NEW 2026 Arthur Ashe Seating Chart
- My NEW 2026 annotated Ashe Stadium SHADE map
- Ashe “Interactive Seat Viewer” (updated for 2026) 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.
Update on the Renovated Loge Section
In previous years, I recommended prioritizing the lower half of Loge when Courtside wasn’t in the budget, because even the front rows of Loge were already relatively high up. With the new design, the front rows of Loge now sit meaningfully farther from the court (only 5 of the original 13 rows of Loge remain) – so sitting in Loge is only marginally better than lower Promenade, making it hard to justify paying much of a premium.
A warning about the first row of the new Loge section: The roof of the luxury suites just below juts out like a sore thumb from the front row, both creating a visual and emotional barrier to the court. Here’s a photo I took from the new Section 231 Row A.
LOUIS ARMSTRONG STADIUM
- Louis Armstrong Stadium Seating Chart (Official)
- Louis Armstrong Chart (with my annotations)
- Armstrong Interactive “View from Seat” Map
- My annotated Armstrong Stadium SHADE map
GRANDSTAND
▸ What’s different about Ashe after the big 2026 renovation to Ashe Stadium?
A lot. 2026 brings a huge change to Ashe: a major renovation added 2,000 new Courtside seats and removed around 2,800 Loge seats to make room for the expanded courtside area and newly designed luxury suites between the Courtside and Loge levels. Promenade remains exactly the same.
My initial observations after spending a few days watching play from various sections of Ashe in 2026:
The New Courtside
- Courtside seats (even higher rows) remain qualitatively much, much better than Loge and Promenade, which now feel even more remote. Overall, though, courtside feels far less intimate. And more numbers create intense crowds in the “Club Level” corridors (where you get drinks and food).
- Noise levels are worse than ever in the stadium due to the larger numbers of people in courtside and folks in suites, many of whom are drinking heavily and carry on conversations at full voice. All it takes is a few loud conversations to spark a chain reaction: background conversations become white noise, and everyone feels permission to talk loudly.
- Gone are the days when you would be embarrassed for standing in an aisle except during changeovers. The longer stairways — coupled with the highly questionable elimination of the continuous walkway at the top of Courtside — means people take too long to get to their seats.
- The addition of two cordoned-off Courtside rows (“100A-100E”) with walkway behind the umpire chair feels, to be perfectly frank, obnoxious. One the one hand, I applaud the move to put Players’ Boxes into the first row on this side (section 100A) and directly opposite (105AA). And I understand the need to reserve parts of these rows (especially 100G) for VIPs like Billie Jean King and provide special security for them. But selling the rest of these seats to ultra-rich subscribers — many of whom skip matches in favor of hanging in suites or resell the seats at out-of-reach, exorbitant prices — is infuriating to someone like me who has spent hard-earned savings on those seats in the past and literally been moved to tears of joy and appreciation to be in them watching favorite players.
The New Loge
In previous years, I recommended prioritizing the lower half of Loge when Courtside wasn’t in the budget, because even the front rows of Loge were already relatively high up. With the new design, the front rows of Loge now sit meaningfully farther from the court (only 5 of the original 13 rows of Loge remain) – so sitting in Loge is only marginally better than lower Promenade, making it hard to justify paying much of a premium.
A warning about the first row of the new Loge section: The roof of the luxury suites just below juts out like a sore thumb from the front row, both creating a visual and emotional barrier to the court. Here’s a photo I took from the new Section 231 Row A.
I’ll update the FAQ on views from seats as soon as I can with a few more photos, but wanted to share this update in real time (Sep 3, 2026).
▸ Which seats get the most shade?
ASHE STADIUM
The roof creates a huge amount of natural shade all day for many seats. The most shade is in the South and West sections. Next-best is the North. The most sun (to avoid for Day sessions) is on the East side. See my Ashe shade map. I will update this with more details after I’ve experienced Ashe post-renovation in person during Fan Week this year.
GRANDSTAND
Much less shade overall, but South and West are again better because the sun is more at your back. GA seats higher under the overhang — especially the Southwest corner — get the most.
ARMSTRONG STADIUM
Sections 1–8 (South and West) are best overall for shade, with Section 2 the best (in shade all day). Sections 11-16 (East) are the worst and sit in direct afternoon sun (however the top couple of rows are shaded all day due to the overhang from the upper deck). See this basic overview of the Armstrong shade pattern – then see these additional photos showing how various sections are impacted throughout the day. Additional details:
- Section 1 is fully shaded until around 12:30pm, then some rows and some seats in the first 8-10 rows start getting some sun). See this photo.
- Sections 17-18: Fully shaded until around 12:30pm, then lower rows start getting sun. By about 2:15, many of the first 8-10 rows (rows E-O) are getting sun – see this photo and this photo. By 3pm a few more rows in 17 and 18 get sun – see this photo. By around 4pm (not sure exact time) all of 17 and 18 are shaded completely again
- Sections 3-8 (West side/Chair umpire side) is in full sun at 11am, but the shade gradually moves down to blanket more and more rows such that by 12:30pm the top 10 rows (appx) are in shade and by around 1pm all seats are fully shaded.
- The last 2 rows in the lower bowl around the entire stadium stay shaded (under the overhang from the upper bowl).
- Sections 8-11: Rows U and above are always shaded, most other seats always in direct sun.
▸ Which sections and seats have the best views?
Most people consider “behind the server” seats (the North or South ends of the court) the best — and prices reflect it. For first-timers, that’s my top recommendation. It’s the angle used for broadcast: you can follow point construction and see the court from the perspective of the player on your side of the net, without moving your head side to side. Here’s a photo of the same perspective (from higher up seats) in 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.
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 120 in renovated 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. Here’s a photo from Ashe courtside from that perspective.
For Loge or Promenade in Ashe, I generally recommend the lowest rows you can get regardless of location, since Loge — and especially Promenade — are already quite high up.
For Day sessions, factor in shade (West, Southwest, and Northwest get the most relief; see the shade question above). The umpire chair is never a real obstruction, but in very low rows on that side it can be a minor annoyance.
▸ Which seats in Promenade have obstructed views?
There are a handful of specific seats worth avoiding in Promenade based on reader reports in the comments over the years and posts on “View from my Seat.” Two recommendations based on every obstruction complaint I’ve ever heard about the Promenade:
1. Avoid aisle seats in Promenade rows A-E (due to large glass safety panels at the bottom of aisle stairways).
At the bottom of every aisle staircase, there’s a clear safety panel (with a metal support bar) to keep people from stumbling over the ledge. These sit at the ends of the rows, all the way around the stadium. If you’re in one of the first several rows (roughly A through E) AND in the seat or two directly beside an aisle, that glass and bar can cut right across your view of the court. Fans report this year after year, always in the same spots: the aisle-adjacent seats in the low rows. A few rows up, or a few seats over, and the problem disappears. The added bonus of skipping these seats: you’ll avoid fans walking up and down the aisles (which they’re only allowed to do in Promenade).
2. Unless you are fairly tall, avoid Row A in Promenade due to the metal safety rail. The front row of the Promenade has a horizontal rail along it. For many adults it’s a non-issue — you see right over it. But if you’re on the shorter side, or bringing kids, the rail can sit annoyingly close to your sightline to the near baseline. My advice for most folks is to avoid the first row altogether. Rows B and C give you virtually the same view with zero rail, and Row A’s extra legroom probably isn’t worth the tradeoff.
Check out photos from other fans of particular seats in Promenade at “View from my Seat.”
Note: I am not able yet to address questions about structural obstructions in the newly renovated Courtside and Loge sections – I’ll update after I’m there this year.
▸ Day session or evening — which is the better value?
For most fans, day sessions offer better overall value. You’ll typically get more tennis, more scheduling flexibility, and grounds access from morning until late evening. Evening sessions often feature big names and a special atmosphere under the lights, but you’re usually paying for fewer matches. Which is “better” comes down to whether you care more about the quantity of tennis or the energy of a showcase night session.
▸ Is a Grounds Pass worth it?
Sometimes — but usually not. Many fans assume a Grounds Pass is automatically the best value; often it isn’t. Before buying one, always compare prices for Ashe and Armstrong day-session tickets. If they’re available for a similar price, you get all the same grounds-access privileges plus a reserved seat and valuable rain protection from the stadium roofs.
▸ Should I buy a subscription or multi-session plan?
For most serious fans, I don’t recommend it. Most multi-session and first-time subscription plans are only for Promenade seats — so high up in that huge stadium that you’ll watch much of the match on the Jumbotron or through binoculars. It can take years to upgrade to Loge (only available with the very expensive full-series plan). For the price of a full-series plan (well over $2,000 each) you could buy several amazing seats across the tournament — or two excellent seats for the Men’s Final. And there’s always a glut of Promenade Ashe seats on the resale market, so an entire series of Promenade seats can be hard to resell.
▸ Which ticket site should I use? How to comparison shop?
Start with Ticketmaster, then compare resale. My process:
- Consult 2026 US Open Ticket Options and Average Prices: How to Spot a Good Deal to learn the average price ranges for the sessions you care about.
- Always check the official Ticketmaster US Open site first — on a computer for the fastest navigation. Use “map view” (click any section), try different sortings, and use multiple tabs to compare sessions. Ticketmaster shows both Standard tickets (“blue dots” — face value, most often Promenade, occasionally Loge/Courtside) and resale tickets (“red dots”). Surprisingly, resale red dots are often the best value, because resellers undercut each other. Tickets stay on sale up to 59 minutes after a session starts if inventory remains, and both Ticketmaster and StubHub make it easy to relist if your plans change (you need a US bank account to re-list on Ticketmaster).
- Compare availability and prices with StubHub and any other preferred resellers to see if you can find an even better deal for comparable seats. Other sites I’ve never had any problems with include Viagogo, VividSeats, SeatGeek, or Ticket Liquidator. I personally no longer recommend TickPick after two very poor experiences. My “2026 US Open Ticket Options” chart linked above links directly to every specific Ticketmaster and StubHub session ticket option.
- Only buy resale tickets that specify the exact Section, Row, and Seat (or seat range) matching the stadium seat maps in this post. Double-check what you receive matches what was advertised; reputable resellers refund a misrepresented ticket (but then it’s on you to find another).
- Never buy off Craigslist or classified sites — too many scams, and NYC law bans “scalping” within 1,500 feet of the venue (effectively everywhere off the subway), with undercover police on site.
- Going with friends? Consider buying a mix of cheap and amazing seats and trading off time in the great one (Promenade vs. Courtside, or across stadiums) — I do this every year. All tickets are mobile-only; if you don’t have a smartphone, Ticketmaster customer service can move yours to Will Call.
- For package deals (tickets + hotel/transport/VIP), trusted options include Championship Tennis Tours, Grand Slam Tennis Tours, and Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours.
▸ Are resale ticket sites safe?
Generally, yes — provided you use reputable marketplaces. In some cases resale tickets are actually better values than standard tickets, because sellers compete on price. Before buying, always verify the section, row, and seat numbers, and make sure the ticket is clearly marked for mobile transfer.
▸ How can I predict when — and where — my favorite player will play?
While you can never be absolutely sure whether your favorite player will be scheduled for a Day or Night session (or on which court) until the Schedule of Play is released the day prior to matches, you CAN predict which DATE your favorite players will play if they advance after the Round 1 schedule is announced. Here’s a chart showing which players would play on which days after Round 1 if they advance (based on the pattern from the first two days of Round 1).
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 site 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.
Another 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
- Only the biggest superstars (like Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff) 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).
- 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 almost always scheduled for the night sessions.
- For Men’s Semifinals, we learned last year (2025) never to assume that the biggest starpower matches would be put on the Night session: they shocked everyone and put the Alcaraz v Djokovic match on during the Day session, and Sinner v Auger-Aliassime at night.
How to Get the Most of Your Visit
The night before you go, check the Schedule of Play
1. Download the official US Open Everywhere App (search “2026 US Open Tennis”) for the latest schedule, scores, and live updates. I also recommend SI.com’s tennis page for terrific day-to-day coverage and analysis.
2. Be sure to check the Schedule of Play here (or on the App) to identify the matches that most interest you and build your plan around that.
3. If you are targeting the first match of the day on either Grandstand or Armstrong and if you don’t have a reserved seat, aim to get in line early at either the East Gate (for Armstrong) or South Gate (for Grandstand) so you can be among the first to enter when gates open at 9:30am. Then speed-walk over and grab the best seat you can.
4. If you’re a player, you might be interested in reading my ten ideas for watching a pro match to help improve your own game— some of the ways I challenge myself to watch live tennis more deliberately from the perspective of a player who wants to improve.
Check out the practice courts for close sightings of the superstars
Check the practice schedule here (or on the US Open App) the night before and the morning of your day at the Open. Note: the best time to see top players practice without fighting as many crowds is during the Fan Week (see Tip 1).
Don’t drive unless you really have to — here’s how to get there
My top recommendation is to take the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) to “Mets-Willets Point.”
It’s super fast (under 20 minutes from midtown Manhattan) and drops you literally steps from the US Open’s East Gate. You can take it from either Moynihan Train Hall (8th Avenue between West 31st-33rd) or Grand Central. Look for “Port Washington” train on the monitors (signage may say “GREAT NECK” or “PORT WASHINGTON” — double-check the train number.) See 2026 LIRR schedule here. Download the MTA TrainTime app to purchase tickets. Important: the Mets-Willets LIRR stop is NOT accessible for fans with disabilities — exit instead at Woodside/61st St and transfer to the 7 train (or just take the 7 to Mets-Willets Point).
The subway #7 train is also a convenient (and the least expensive) option.
Takes a bit longer, but runs 24 hours. Stops include Grand Central. Download the MTA App for train time and routes. If you must drive: See the US Open’s driving directions and parking details. Plan extra time when the Mets are home (Aug 24-30 and Sep 4-6); I recommend arriving no later than 8:30am on Mets’ dates to be on the safe side. A good alternate parking option is the Shops at Skyview – about a 10-minute walk to the East Gate (and you can reserve a spot in advance for a discounted rate here). Consider buying a resale parking pass on StubHub for a specific lots. Fellow fan Harry notes street parking under or south of Highway 495 is viable if you don’t mind a walk.
Thinking of using UBER/ LYFT/ TAXI? They’re great getting out to the Open – but can be a nightmare coming back after a night session.
To the Open, set the destination to “Billie Jean King National Tennis Center” (drops near the South Gate) or “Mets-Willets Point” (near the 7 train, then walk the footbridge to the East Gate). After a night session, be ready for long waits and heavy surge pricing — thousands of people will be trying to do the same. Alternatives: reserve a car service in advance (I’ve used Riverside), take the LIRR or 7 into Manhattan and hail a cab there, or hail under the 7 train on Roosevelt Ave (or use the Curb app).
Consider staying nearby in Queens and walking or biking.
Fellow fan Mark stayed at an Airbnb on Queens Boulevard about 2 miles away: flat terrain, good bike lanes, and bike racks across from the South Gate — “a fun and hassle-free way to make the commute.”
Coming directly from Laguardia?
It’s only a 9-minute cab ride — or take the Q48 public bus to the “Roosevelt Av/Willets Pt” stop (around 30 minutes). You can check your bag at the US Open before you enter the grounds.
More Common Questions - Good to Know Before You Go
▸ What can I bring — and what’s not allowed? (No backpacks!)
Be sure to review this official complete 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 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
- 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: (in 2025 it was $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 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 towel (and/or lightweight neck gaiter) to 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).
- 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.
▸ Can I exit and re-enter the US Open grounds?
DAY SESSION ENTRY TO US OPEN GROUNDS (Gates open usually 9:30 most days, 11:00am Finals weekend)
- With either a Grounds Pass (Day) or a DAY-session reserved ticket in Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand), you can enter the US Open grounds as soon as gates open (usually 9:30am, 11am on Finals weekend)
- Enter the US Open Grounds through security with your ticket scanned at the East Gate or South Gate; if you have a reserved stadium seat, your ticket is re-checked entering that stadium. Once you enter the US Open grounds with any ticket, you can stay as late as you want until closing.
- Note: DAY-session reserved tickets for Ashe or Armstrong only entitles you to that seat for the Day-session matches — after which you will have to leave your seat but can remain on the US Open grounds and access general unreserved seating on every court except Ashe (which has no unreserved seating).
- You can exit the grounds and re-enter as much as you’d like before 6:00pm (you can’t re-enter the Grounds after 6:00pm).
EVENING SESSION ENTRY (6:00pm)
- If you only have an Evening session ticket, you have to wait until 6:00pm to enter the grounds.
- If you are already in the grounds and also hold an Evening reserved tickets (for Ashe or Armstrong) for the same day, you do NOT need to exit and re-enter the grounds.
- If you’re in Armstrong for the Day session (courtside or GA), you’ll leave your seat between sessions while they clean, but you can stay in the Armstrong concourse.
▸ What if it rains?
The good news: since both Arthur Ashe and the new Louis Armstrong have roofs, far more fans can keep watching even
if it rains.
The bad news: if you’ve invested in Grandstand seats or just a Grounds Pass, there’s less consolation. Keep in mind weather forecasts are notoriously unreliable and change by the hour — there’s always hope showers pass quickly.
In the rare event of an all-day rainout (or under 60 minutes of play), the session may be rescheduled to the next day and your ticket honored then — or, if you bought directly from Ticketmaster, you may be able to trade tickets for another session this year or next (see the US Open’s somewhat complicated 2026 Inclement Weather Policy).
Worst case, look for the silver lining: you’ll be among thousands of fans you can grab a specialty cocktail with, huddle under shelter, and watch an Ashe match together on the big screen.
▸ Is grounds admission free on the second Thursday (Sep 10)?
One of the best-kept secrets: for years the US Open has quietly offered free grounds admission on the second Thursday of the main tournament (gates usually open 11am or noon; you must arrive before 5pm) — a chance to see the Men’s Doubles Semifinals plus all-star wheelchair players, the world’s top juniors, and standout collegiate players.
If you’re a serious fan — especially a doubles player — this is a day not to be missed.
▸ Food
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.
- This PDF includes several menus from past Food Village stands. Every year there are some new additions and substitutions, but many of these will still be around in 2026.
- Korilla BBQ is one of my favorites, but lines are usually among the longest.
- Poke Yachty is absolutely delicious and lines move quickly because they’ve nailed their system.
- Oyster Bar behind Grandstand has killer ceviches and lobster rolls.
- Hill Country BBQ, Curry Kitchen, Fish Shack and Fly Fish are also delicious.
- Restaurants in Queens not on the grounds
▸ What are perks for cardholders?
- AMERICAN EXPRESS CARDHOLDERS: Bring your Amex card if you have one! See full Amex Benefits at US Open here. Perks from 2025 likely to be repeated in 2026:
- (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
- (3) Book complimentary court time in NYC area at over 500 tennis and pickleball courts and unlock special access to peak reservation times when using your Amex.
- (4) Check your bag for a reduced fee at East or South Gate
- (5) Get a one-time $20 statement credit when you spend $100 with your enrolled card at participating US Open merchants
- (6) Get a free earpiece/radio to hear ESPN match commentary
- (7) Skip lines and grab concession items quickly (checkout-free shopping) at the Amex Shop in South Plaza .
- CHASE CUSTOMERS? Check this Chase site for updates on perks for 2026.
- Click here to make a reservation to access the “Chase Lounge”
- Other past perks have included offering cool video+mobile “Chase Charge & Watch” chargers
▸ Recommended places to stay?
This is not an area of expertise for me, but I trust fellow tennis fanatic Melissa, who maintains a great list of hotels appealing to all budgets here.
Fellow fan Mark recommends staying in Queens and biking, based on his experience: “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!”
▸ Grounds access on Finals Weekend?
Grounds Admission tickets usually get issued at some point over the summer for Finals Weekend (Fri-Sun Sep 11-13) on Ticketmaster.
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 a random act of kindness for fellow fans during the tournament. Our tennis community is big, but in a way it’s small — and our passion is infectious; do something kind for someone today, and they’re likely to pay it forward.
For instance, if you’re leaving your great Ashe (or Armstrong or Grandstand) seat for the day/night while matches are still going, as you exit consider consider gifting it to a fan who’s waiting outside the entrance hoping someone like you might offer. Giving someone on grounds your seat when you’re done isn’t as easy as it used to be, given tightened Ticketmaster restrictions preventing transferring after the ticket is scanned and preventing screenshots from within the Ticketmaster app… But with a little creativity and effort you can pretty easily make it happen, and the gesture might create a lifelong memory for someone else. Here’s how:
- Take a screenshot of your ticket in your phone’s WALLET (Ticketmaster will block screenshots from within the app).
- For Armstrong or Grandstand, simply text someone else the screenshot and it should hopefully suffice.
- For Ashe:
- If gifting to someone already IN the stadium, a screenshot from your wallet should suffice — including if you’re leaving the Courtside/Club level area entrance and you want someone already in Ashe to benefit from your seat (from Loge or Promenade.
- If gifting to someone already in the Open grounds but not in Ashe already: You’d need to walk with them to the Ashe entrance, re-scan your ticket (telling the ticket scanner that you’re letting your friend go to your seat) AND give them a screenshot (which they’ll need to show to ushers or for entry to Club level); OR you’d need to walk with the friend(s) as if you were going to re-enter with them, hand the friend your phone to get scanned, then have the friend discreetly pass the phone back after they are “in” (then just turn around as though you changed your mind about entering themselves at this time).
I’ve gifted a lot of tickets over the years, and it always feels wonderful.












Hi P.J. – Another quick question. Besides the Amex radios, are there any other options to hear the live commentary on matches, any apps perhaps? Wondering if you have ever looked into this. Thank you!
Hey Rick, one possibility –if you have a cable provider at home– is to download the ESPN app and log in with details of your cable provider. You can then watch live matches on many of the courts (although not sure these would occur without a slight delay of a few seconds, which might be a little annoying). Note: if you don’t have a cable provider here are some options, some with free trials. (Note: this is where the “Watch Live” links within the US Open app will take you). Don’t know of other options, will keep an eye out…… Read more »
Detail-y question (maybe no one knows this) — when you pick up one of those Amex radios, do they just look at your card or do they swipe it to have some sort of electronic record of who’s taking their radios?
Hey Ross, don’t remember, another reader might know… PJ
Last year they just looked at my card.
It has varied over the years. But, even when they’ve swiped it, I believe it’s only to track it–it doesn’t actually charge anything.
I remember wondering if they are supposed to swipe, but don’t bother when they’re really busy.
Sorry I couldn’t be more definitive.
I’m going tonight, so I can let you know after…
They were fastidious about swiping both my cards to get radios last night.
Thanks for reporting back!
Hey PJ! Thank you very much for this information, it has all been very helpful! I have been trying for years to see federer play. I’ve tried in Miami, at Wimbledon and at U.S. Open. I even went last week friday to try to get a glimpse of him practicing but he was gone by the time he reached. I would like to see him play this weekend but I only want to make the trip if I have a high likelihood of seeing him. When would you suggest I go? And what session would give me the best chance… Read more »
Hey Amanda, well there are no guarantees… We DO know for sure he will play Sat if he wins tomorrow and Thursday. We don’t know if he would play eve or day session. Based on schedule that’s released on Wed late afternoon, you could at least make an educated guess. If he is scheduled for day session Thurs I personally would put a bet on him being scheduled for Sat night; if he’s scheduled for Thurs night I would place a bet on him being scheduled Sat day. Again, no guarantees, but those would be my bets. If you can… Read more »
Thank you PJ!!! All of your information is making it much easier to play for this weekend!! In your experience would I risk a chance of not getting tickets if I waited until Friday night to buy tickets for Saturday? And would the tickets get much more expensive as the week went on?
Hey Amanda, you’re very welcome!! There’s zero chance there will be “no tickets” the day before or even the day of. The risk is the price. It’s like the stock market, it can be full of surprises even for the most educated buyer. For Saturday, prices will depend substantially on whether Roger and Rafa make it through their Thursday R2 matches. If so, you can expect prices to go up and number of available tickets to go down. Price per session that day (day or evening) will be much higher for whichever session Roger is scheduled for. The reverse will… Read more »
Hey PJ, thanks for the tips! I’ve been looking at first week tickets on ticket resellers and they’re only offering shipping for tickets because of the new ticket policies. Since I’ll be leaving for NY they make it to me, is the smartest thing to do just to ship tickets to my hotel? Are any of the resellers selling electronic tickets?
Hey Will, there’s a lot of variation – most resellers are offering a combination of tickets delieverd by FedEx AND mobile delivery. At this point I would recommend only mobile delivery – too much risk of having hassle with delivery (I speak from experience). PJ
As always, awesome PJ. Two tips from me and Jeet Sharma – we went to the Arthur Ashe kids day this past Saturday. It was free and there were planned kids activities. Most of the kids stuff had super long lines (definitely not waiting a half hour for someone to make my kid a balloon dog), however the pros were still practicing and after the kids program started, many people went into Ashe and we walked easily around. Did I mention it was free? Also this year Sept. 7 is community day and if you are a USTA member, the… Read more »
Thanks Anita!! Great to know on AAKD. Yes indeed on Sep – see my box 4 above. Importantly, the day is free for EVERYONE not just USTA members. I will be there. Can you and your dad join?! PJ
Hi PJ:
Great work on all of this-thanks. Ran into a snag buying a resale ticket through Ticketmaster. “Your phone is your ticket” is what Iearned after buying it. Not workable if you are of the older generation like me…. and don’t use an iphone; I don’t get the assumption that all ticket buyers have an iphone. Took an hour to reroute it to will-call, for which there was no separate line….entailing another one hour wait this morning. Whoops. Enjoyed the tennis when I finally made it in. Thanks again for all of your efforts.
Hey David, so sorry to hear about your troubles! Glad at least they were able to resolve it. I suspect there will be a lot of folks this year who have similar challenges given the new policy. I’ll try to highlight the new policy more prominently in my main post above in the hopes it helps a few more folks avoid problems this year. P.J.
Hi PJ! First of all – thank you for this awesome insider’s guide – a great job! I am a tennis fan from Poland looking forward to her first visit to NYC ever… AND maybe her first ever Grand Slam final ever, so I am SUPER excited! I would love to see the men’s finals on 9/10, but I am extremely tight on the budget (you know, the earnings gap, no need to dwell on it, really 🙂 ). I am afraid I can only afford the cheap tickets for the finals (which are still VERY expensive for me). I… Read more »
Hi Monika! Dziękuję! 1. My recommendation for Promenade seats is simply whichever row is lowest. All things being equal, “behind the server” or corner preferable to side, but again, lowest should be your priority above all. 2. Upper Promenade get the most shading of all now thanks to the roof structure – one of the consolations for being up so high 🙂 3. You can always try to sneak up WITHIN your section if seats are unoccupied, but must be ready to move immediately if actual ticket holders show up. 4. Finally, know that prices may drop significantly for men’s… Read more »
Geez. I did not buy the ticket as we spoke and they’ve already gone up considerably… We are currently looking at around 400$ per the worst upper promenade row Y tickets… So I thought that maybe the tix for the semis will be more affordable. But they’ve gone up to 300$, too. An then there is the unpleasant surprise – the surcharge of 50 bucks – oh, right, the service fee!!! I mean, c’mon, 50 bucks? Really, Ticketmaste? This is just too much for me, I’m afraid 🙁 What do you think the chances are the price drops if they… Read more »
Monika, ugh so sorry! I have only ventured out once myself in all these years for men’s Finals because prices are always so steep. The one year I went was to see Nole v Murray and I spent a whopping $800 on a second row Loge seat- a huge amount for me, but an experience I’ll never forget. This year, prices are pretty crazy because Federer is still a contender. The chances are very very high that prices will drop significantly if Federer doesn’t make it through. If Federer advances, they will probably stay or go up. Regarding service fees,… Read more »
OK, so there IS a box office at the Flushing Meadows where you can buy tickets. I did not find this info, I thought all sales are through the resale channels. Just to make it clear – does the box ofice sell standard tickets only? Or do they sell the higher-priced resale tickets, too? I wrote to the ticket sales rep to find out if they still have “standard” tickets available for the semis at the box office, no reply so far (and none might ever come :D). I could go to the Flushing Meadows on the day I arrive… Read more »
Hey Monika, here’s everything I know about the on-site “box office” or “ticket office” (updated as I just finally spoke to someone at USTA to clarify): (1) It’s located at the East Gate on the corner of the Chase Center and is only open DURING the actual tournament beginning August 28 and only through Wed Sep 6th 9am-9pm; they only sell face-value seats when available. Note: this is not to be confused with the Ticketmaster Exchange tent set up at the top of the hill by the LIRR exit as you head down the East Gate, which only sells resale… Read more »
Hey PJ, do you know if $675 per ticket for row H in section 51 in a day session is a good deal?
Hey Leonardo, which day?
Monday September 4th
Hey Leonardo, just checked — my answer depends on whether that price includes service fees or not. If not, you can definitely do better. Check on Ticketmaster sections 12, 25, 46 and 47 for standard (blue dot) tickets for 680. Nice vantage point on corner and same distance from court. PJ
Hello PJ! Thank you again for all of the hard work you’ve put into creating this site. It is super helpful! I am a first time US open-attendee and looking for the most affordable reserved seat option for my boyfriend and I for the night session, Saturday 9/2, or any session on Sunday 9/3. We are both big Federer fans and would love to see him play (even if from afar) on 9/2 but between those two dates, which one do you think would give us a better value as far as number of matches and ease of getting around… Read more »
Hi Kristen, thanks for your thanks! What’s your budget? Let me know and I can take a quick look later tonight and make some recommendations. P.J.
Ideally around $100 or below would be great. We were considering Grounds Passes but those are all around $140 with fees right now and I saw that you mentioned sometimes it’s better to just get Grandstand or Armstrong tickets anyway so we have reserved seating. Are there other areas I should be searching / certain sections? Thanks again!
Hey Kristen, took look and have some suggestions. Check your email. PJ
Would you be so kind to send me those suggestions as well?
I’m a single mom and look forward to taking my son every year. We go to the Box Office day of for Grounds Passes, but this has gotten super $.
Any ideas for us to go Tuesday or Wednesday for under $150?
Thank you!!!
Hi Teri, sure thing – do you mean Tues or Wed next week Sep 5-6? Or tomorrow? P.J.
P.J, if I only bring a wallet or purse into the stadium, am I required to go through the long security line?
Hi Rachel, If you’re carrying anything that has a zipper or compartment that cannot fit in your pants/clothing, they’ll probably consider it a “bag” that needs to be searched (unless you get a very lenient security person!). P.J. (PS – if anyone has had a different experience this week, please let us know!)
I feel compelled to say that the bag line isn’t always terrible. There have been times when the “no bag” line is just as long (bc so many people dread the bag line!) Several years ago I decided that it was worth the extra time so that I could have some basic things with me–especially for a long day session. Sunglasses, bottle of water, snacks, phone charger, etc. Also, if you have a friend that is bagless, just give them your Amex card and have them go ahead and get the Amex radios while they wait for you. (That’s what… Read more »
Agreed! For what it’s worth, I don’t remember ever not bringing a bag myself, and the line always feels reasonable and like it moves pretty quickly. P.J.
Excellent information. Thank you so much.
Thanks Joe, my pleasure! PJ
Hi PJ,
Yesterday (Sunday) came out the Schedule for today and tomorrow, is it posible that tomorrow it’s gonig to come out the Schedule for Wednesday and Thursday?? Beacuse I’m arriving on thurday to NYC. Thanks
Hi Vero, yesterday was a bit of an anomaly – they usually only post the following day’s schedule late afternoon of the day prior (i.e., Wed schedule will probably be posted around 5pm on Tuesday, Thurs scheduled probably around 5pm Wed). They posted Ashe schedule for Day 2 early this year. It’s possible they might do an early posting for Day 4 Ashe schedule tomorrow, but would be unusual. P.J.
Hi P.J.
I am sure it is impossible for you to get any work done in your real job these days. But here I go with another question.
If I bring a small purse with my phone a and small wallet, can I go through the express line or is that considered a bag and I have to go through the long line for bag check.
Thanks so much. I hope the US open pays you for all your support.
Cheers,
taryn
Hey Taryn, LOL 🙂 This is always a fun break from work… If it can fit in your pants/clothing you’ll be fine, but if it’s any kind of enclosed object that you you need to hold, they’ll consider it a bag that needs to be searched (unless you get a very lenient security person!). P.J.
Hi PJ! Firstly, thanks a lot for writing this blog! It’s truly invaluable!
I’m coming to the Open only to watch Federer play during the 1st weekend (Sat and Mon). I’m taking your advice and waiting for the schedule to be announced the day before (Fri and Sun) and then quickly look for good deals.
Does this sound like a good idea to you? Getting decent deals one day prior is fairly certain, right? (I could book now, but there’s no way of predicting the correct session)
Thanks again,
Santosh
Hey Santoosh, thank you for the nice words! Yes, I think that’s a good idea. I can’t guarantee what prices will do (this whole thing is like the stock market and there can be big surprises), however I adopt this strategy myself every year. This way you can take exactly your budget and apply it fully to the sessions he’s playing in – as opposed to trying to spread that budget across four sessions and get mediocre seats. The key is acting immediately when schedule is announced. I would, however, continue to monitor average prices for the sessions in question… Read more »
Well I got trapped in Houston. But I’m just happy to be safe after being stranded near airport for two days without power. It is so bad here and airport been closed since sunday and until at least wednesday will stay closed. I put my tickets up for resale on TMaster. Everyone going please have fun and maybe I can make it next year.
Oh John I’m so, so sorry. But great to hear you’re ok. Please hit me up by email next year – would love to help however I can to make sure you have a great experience. P.J.
I’m trying not to look but I just saw my matches tomorrow on armstrong included Delpo and Kyrgios and CoCo are scheduled. I had third row too! Well at least someone will enjoy it as my ticket just resold on ticketmaster
Ugh… Well I’m sure karma will come back to you and you’ll have an amazing experience next year!! And so glad your ticket resold. P.J.
John,
So sorry to hear that, hope you and your family are okay. Some credit cards have policy like “Trip Cancellation & Interruption Protection”, if you purchased tickets using certain credit cards, you may be eligible to recover non-refundable expenses. (Citi Double Cash for example) You may want to look into this or contact your credit card company (if you used credit card(s) to pay) see if they have similar policy.
Scott
GREAT points Scott, thank you!
Hi PJ, Who do you think may play the night session in Arthur Ashe on Sunday, September 3rd? My friend Kelly and I have grounds admission for Thursday, August 31st and we are thinking of buying the day session ticket into Arthur Ashe to hopefully see Federer. However, we are thinking it won’t be worth it if he is going to be playing that Sunday, which we already have tickets to. I know it’s all a guessing game, but let me know what you may do in this situation. (We have wanted to see Federer play for many years but… Read more »
Hi Kathryn, you’re welcome! At this point we can safely predict Federer would NOT play on Sunday. If he continues to advance he would play again Thurs (Aug 31), Sat (Sep 2), Mon (Sep 4), and Wed (Sep 6). So in short, it would be worth it if you’re dying to see Federer to get Ashe tickets for Thursday. We cannot predict whether it will be Day or Evening session in advance for sure (only know based on schedule published Wed late afternoon early eve). IF Nadal and Fed both win matches this Tuesday, I would personally put odds on… Read more »
which tickets are better loge 135 row A or loge 106 row A ? for the mens semifinals
Hey Fernando, if prices are same most would probably consider 135 (behind server) to be optimal, but those other corner seats are quite good too. You are also likely to get shade a bit sooner in 135. P.J.
Hi, is there a way, if I’ve used the Ticketmaster system to buy tickets, that I can easily give my seat to someone outside the grounds if I leave early?
Yes! Just ask for the person’s email address, go to the ticket and click “Transfer” and it will prompt you for their email and first and last name. Transfer is immediate. Note: you can transfer tickets after a session begins, but you cannot sell at ticket after a session begins. P.J.
I have bought ticket for Aug 30 evening session for Arthur Ashe. I want to go see some player practice. Can I go early on ground before 6:00 pm?
Hi Rakesh, unfortunately no, sorry to be the bearer of bad news! You can always show up a bit earlier and see if someone will let you in at their discretion, but not usually the case. P.J.
Even though you can’t get in before 6pm, you should consider arriving early b/c there will likely be a line at the gate. Better to be at the front of the line.
You might also consider walking around to the South Gate which sometimes has shorter lines and is also closer to the practice courts.
GREAT POINT!
Quick question, how early would you recommend getting in line? 5:00PM? Sooner? We have tickets for Federer on Ashe tomorrow night, but will be in the city from around noon on. Also, I read here or somewhere else, regular plastic 16.9 oz water bottles are allowed to be brought in? Thanks again!
Hey Scott, I’m hoping some others out who went out there tonight might also provide some guidance as to how things are moving this year. 5pm would certainly seem to me to be on the safe side to be able to enter right at 6pm – but it’s been a while since I’ve attended only a night session, and things might be moving relatively faster or slower this year due to how they’re organizing things. I can tell you definitively that a plastic water bottle is fine to bring in! P.J.
Hi,
i’ve bought 3 tickets via a third party for the finals on 10.sept., and have these tickets now in the official USOpen app. But when look to the tickets the barcode is unavailable. What does that mean? There are the section, row and seats listed, but no barcode? 🙁
Thank you for your help!
Hi Stefan, I had a similar issue with a couple of mine – which makes me think there are going to be some snafus this year… I also downloaded the Ticketmaster app, and when I checked there the barcode was visible. I then downloaded to Apple Wallet. Note: I received three error messages saying that download was not available at this time, before it finally allowed me to do it. I long for the old PDF days… If you have any other issues contact Ticketmaster, but should be fine through their app. P.J.
I had this same issue, you will have the barcodes available one week before your session
Thank you very much guys, the official helpcenter gave me the same answer right now!
Barcode will get available 7 days before session.
Outstanding, thank you for letting us know! P.J.
Thank you very much for your tips!
I have bought a ticket for 2017 US Open Tennis – Session 24 (Arthur Ashe – Women’s Doubles Final/Men’s Final). Does this mean that I can go for both the Women’s Doubles Final and the Men’s Final?
And after Women’s doubles final, I can just walk out and re-enter to watch the Men’s single final in the afternoon?
Hi Rachel, you’re welcome! Yes that is correct indeed. PJ
PJ,
I’m looking to buy tickets from tickpick.com since I saw it from your list. When I was trying to purchase a ticket, I saw some of the tickets had “Flash Seats” or had attached seller notes that said something along the line like “Mobile Tickets: You will need to set up a separate account to access your tickets (instructions will be emailed). xfer”. Do you have any experience buying from tickpick.com and with any tickets with these descriptions?
Thanks,
Brendon
Hi Brendon, I haven’t yet but have gone in many times just to double check that there isn’t anything better than what’s posted on Ticketmaster and have been impressed by their interface. I am pretty sure they mean you’ll have to set up a Ticketmaster account so someone can transfer their mobile ticket to you (I don’t imagine there is any other way to do that this year given the new policies around mobile tickets). P.J.
Thanks! I decided to take a chance and got some Courtside tickets on Friday Sep 1st for $150. That’s what hit me too, the ticket is priced pretty cheap. Have my doubts, but I’m gonna go for it. Wish me luck!
Hey Brendon, do you mean Courtside Ashe? If so, that doesn’t sound legit (if it is, you got the deal of a lifetime). Even Ashe Loge average resale prices are well over $200 for Friday. P.J.
I got the tickets transferred to my us open ticketmaster account and I can bring up the QR code for mobile entry. Is that legit enough?
Yes sounds great!
Sorry, they are louis armstrong courtside. Like you said, with Louis I would get to see a closer matchup.
Thank you for all your information! We are new to the Open and are confused about how to get into/line up for other stadiums if we have Ashe day tickets? If people have purchased tickets in Armstrong or the Grandstand how are there other seats available for others to come In? Thank you for your insight or suggestion!
Hey Wendy! It’s super easy and will be clear when you go to any of the stadiums – Some will have a line, others won’t depending on who’s playing. (Labor Day weekend is notoriously hard to get into Armstrong and Grandstand without a long wait – but Mon-Fri this week shouldn’t be too bad. For Armstrong and Grandstand, there are certain numbered sections that are reserved seating for ticket holders for that session – the remaining seating (which is substantial) is first come first serve general seating. See the maps under Box 1 above – the grey sections (without numbers)… Read more »
Thank you so much for all our tips. This is my first US Open ever and your blog has certainly helped me prepare. From all of us “rookies”, thank you so much for paying it forward to us and sharing your experiences!!!
Hey, thank you so much for taking the time to say thank you! Really really appreciate it! P.J.
You are so welcome – thank you so much for your very kind note!! P.J
Hi P.J.
Every post has been helpful including all your responses. I think this is an easy question. Is there us Open Wifi on site? Coming from Canada I don’t have a roaming plan.
Thanks,
Enjoy the open.
Best,
taryn
Hey Taryn, so glad, thanks! Yes there is, though sometimes quite slow with so many folks trying to access at once. Do download your tickets in advance to Apple Wallet or something like that on Android (eg WalletPasses) and a backup phone charger if you can (though they do have onsite charging stations). PJ
HEY ALL — I have two free mid-level Promenade seats for tomorrow Day session (not great seats but at least get you in). Anyone need? First to reply they’re yours. PJ
I’ll take them if still available, thx!
Hey Lynette, you got it! Check your email in a few minutes. PJ
Hello,
I have a grounds admission pass on Thursday (31st) and was wondering if you think its worth also buying a Arthur Ashe seat? I saw in your comment above that Nadal is playing on Tuesday at 11am at Arthur and Federer is playing the 7pm game at Arthur. I would love to see Federer play that Thursday (31st). In your opinion do you think he will be on Arthur Ashe in the morning (11am) or the night (7pm)?
Thanks!
Hey Kelly, there truly is no way to predict for sure. If I had to put money on it, I would say that Fed is more likely to be put on Day session Thurs IF Nadal also wins his Tues match. But again, know that there are no guarantees – it’s all up to subjective decisionmaking of the tournament staff/director. 🙂 P.J.
PJ, I’ve worked at software companies for years. In fact, I’ve managed online communities for years. And I’ve literally never seen so many comments on a post in my life. Wonder if it’s a Guinness Record. Even if it’s not, well done!
Hey Thad, LOL yeah it’s kind of amazing and wonderful. What I find most incredible is just how much passion comes through from likeminded fanatics around the world. Continues to fuel my own passion for our unique sport! P.J.
now that the draw is out and the federer nadal half plays on day two, is it a safe bet that they will continue to play on day two of each round until the quarters? this would mean i can start listing tickets i dont need.
Hey Shawn, yes – see my explanation under Box 3 FAQ 1 above. PJ
Hi, this article is very helpful if we looked at before purchasing the tickets, but unfortunately i’ve purchased tickets for sunday evening session dreaming to see either federer or nadal assuming that first half draw will play on day 1. But the fact is that my assumption went completely wrong. Can you please give me a suggestion on how to sell or exchange my tickets for the previous or next day’s evening sessions, and my chances of selling the current tickets? I’m ready to sell for less price..
Hi there, first try Ticketmaster Exchange through the Ticketmaster app if you can (I think only works if you have a US bank account). If that doesn’t work try the various reseller sites I include in Box 2 above. Sunday is a good day because Labor Day weekend and there is usually a lot of demand regardless of who plays. PJ
Great information! Just spent the day at AAKD yesterday and saw lots of tennis on the practice courts! I’m looking forward to opening day tomorrow. Thank you for including the section on “Paying it Forward”. Part of the reason I love tennis is that so many of the players are humble, hardworking people. They are usually gracious and generous. I love seeing fans doing the same. There are so many fans that would LOVE the opportunity to sit closer or attend the event during the 2nd week, but just can’t afford it. I will be sure to do something kind… Read more »
Keirin, you absolutely made my day. Thank you so much for sharing that and for bringing that great, generous spirit to the Open and to our sport!! Wishing you a wonderful time too. P.J.
Hi PJ
What are your thoughts regarding re-selling tickets bought via ticket master. I want to change dates and I am wondering if chances of selling them are good. The tickets are courtside for sunday am session.}
Thanks!
Sebastian
Hey Sebastian, Sun will be harder to resell than Sat or Mon because it will be for players in bottom half of men’s draw (i.e. not Fed and Nadal) but it’s still a very good day to try to resell. But I’ve always been able to resell in courtside and Loge when I’ve needed to – sometimes though they haven’t sold until the day before and for a bit of a loss if “stars” aren’t scheduled. PJ
thank you!!
PJ, as a first-timer, I cannot thank you enough!! I am confused about what time or how early we should get there on Friday morning? We want to see some practicing if possible and get close to the players etc. My son is really upset he wont see Nadal or RF– but our air and hotel is already booked for watching on Friday. So, if you’ll let me know what time and what gate you recommend us getting there on Friday morning, that would be great.
Hi there, my pleasure! (1) For Friday, I’d recommend first checking the schedule Thurs night before (either here or on the app). If you see a match on a court besides Ashe that appeals which starts at 11am, go early if you can (like around 9:30 or 10am) and go immediately to that court to try to get a seat in the general seating area. Last year on that same Friday, Jo Willie Tsonga was playing his 3d round match on Grandstand at 11am – a hugely entertaining and talented player. If nothing at 11am appeals, you can arrive a… Read more »
Hi i will travel to usa and i want to see federer’s match on saturday september 2 , but i dont know in what session he will play, exists a ticket for all the day or i have to buy 2 tickets for each session
Hi Javier, to be absolutely sure you’d have to purchase both Ashe Day AND Evening Session tickets, always sold separately. Federer is one of the few players we can be 100% sure they will always schedule on Ashe, and Ashe is the only stadium that requires a separate ticket for the evening session. See my note above under Box 3 FAQ #1 on this… While I am very very hesitant to make recommendations about which session, I think there’s a strong chance he will get scheduled evening session Saturday if he advances. Note: if he is scheduled for a day… Read more »
Hey PJ, since we now know that Rafa and Fed will play on Day 2, does that mean for certain that they will be playing on Labor Day (assuming they reach round 4)? Just finalizing my arrival plans to NYC. I was planning to get in really early on Sunday 9/3 this way if either of them were scheduled for the day session that day, I could head over to the tennis center directly from LGA. But, them definitely playing on Labor Day Monday would allow me to push my arrival time later which would really help. Just wanted to… Read more »
Hey James, yes that’s correct! And thank you so much 🙂 P.J.
Thanks PJ! I see the US Open twitter account had confirmed this too: https://twitter.com/usopen/status/901824992228364289 I have tickets to the evening session on 9/4, courtside, because I was pretty sure they would put Fed on at night and I really wanted to see him courtside. I looked at all his past round 4 matches at the USO back to 2010 and 4 out of 6 were night sessions. I want to see Rafa too so I guess I should buy a day session ticket as well, but I think I may wait till the schedule is released the day before to… Read more »
Dear PJ, I want to thank you so so so so so veryyyyy much, your tennis blog really helped a lotttttttttt.(I’m sorry I can’t control my excitement) I got to see top players practice up close and got many autographs too. I followed your advice and went to US Open fan week for 2 days and also the AAKD on the 26th(just ground admission, not premium). I already had so much fun and joy in the 3 days I spent here( And the tournament hasn’t even started yet). I’m a die hard fan of RAFA and I wanted to see… Read more »
Wow, Deep, thanks a million for taking the time to write this very kind note and for sharing the details of your experience this past week. I am so happy to hear you had such a great time, and hope you have an equally awesome experience during the main tournament!! P.J.
US OPEN Twitter account: @usopen has been giving updates on scheduling:
*Sorry if this has already been noted here….
For example:
Day 2 OOP, Ashe
Day, 11am start:
KaPliskova-Linette
n/b 1pm Osaka-Kerber
Nadal-Lajovic
Night, n/b 7pm:
Mertens-Keys
Federer-Tiafoe
Hi Gabriel, correct – I’d recommend everyone view the full schedule for context (both Day 1 and Day 2 are now posted) here. P.J.
Hey PJ! Quick question. Trying to determine night matches for Wednesday 8/30 on GS and LA. If GS has men’s/womens/mens/womens on Monday, would it be safe to assume they will switch for Wednesday and have W/M/W/M?
Based on Monday action, I’m thinking the winner of Almagro/Johnson would play Wednesday’s last match on GS.
And then similar cadence for LA.
Hey Jason! Unfortunately not safe to assume much, but you can make some reasonable educated guesses. Check last year’s schedule as illustrative, but know there are no firm rules about scheduling. Tournament director weighs a lot of considerations before scheduling. P.J.
Hi folks, I’m curious how the Saturday night session 12 is likely to be in terms of Men’s Singles matches still being played on the side courts. Any insight? Thanks!
Hey Andre, it’s still 3d Round at that point, so there is likely to be a men’s singles match on Armstrong and/or Grandstand going on into the early evening (last year I benefited from such a scenario watching Wawrinka play on Armstrong that same night). Take a look at the 2016 schedule for illustrative example. PJ
P.J. – thank you again for all the effort you are putting here. I have Ashe Morning and Evening tickets for Wednesday August 30. Since, Nadal and Federer are playing on August 29, I have bought tickets for sessions on that day and am trying to sell my August 30 tickets (I jumped the gun, in hindsight). Although I have listed them on TicketExchange, when I try listing on Ticket Liquidator, it is asking whether they are “PDF E-Tickets” or “Hard Tickets”, since mine are mobile tickets, I am not sure how to proceed. I tried calling them, but it… Read more »
Hey Rick, thanks so much for your kind thanks. I’m assuming the answer would be “PDF E-Tickets” — a relic of the system from last year, which means you are offering a bar code and to transfer e-tickets (rather than offering to ship “hard tickets”). Things are a bit different this year and so I’m not 100% sure – but I would try answering “PDF E-Tickets” and hopefully the remaining prompts will clarify. P.J.
Note to all:
Just looked at usopen.com and there seems to be a Day 1 and Day 2 schedule up! Looks like bottom half of draw is playing on Day 1, top half on Day 2. Top half includes Nadal, Federer. Nadal playing during the day, Federer at night. Unsure if this is an error as well… I’m really hoping not, because I have Saturday tickets and if this is true, that means I’m getting to see either Federer or Nadal
Hey Paul, yes exactly! P.J.
Hello – I wish we had found your site earlier and we could have gotten much better tickets! The good news is we are going to the US Open for the first time, the bad news is we bought a “Holiday Evening” package and the seats are not great. Hopefully you can help us understand our tickets. With the package, we received tickets for 4 days – Sept 1 – Sept 4. Each day we have two tickets per person – 1st says early night entrance 1PM, Section GA2 ROW GA1 Seat 25. Is this a general admission ticket or… Read more »
Hey there, thanks so much. It’s good news indeed that you’ll see some great matches and players on 1-4 Sep, and highly likely you’ll see Federer and/or Nadal. I’m not so sure about your seats; usually “GA” truly means General Admission, not assigned seats in Ashe – so that’s a little confusing. The “Holiday Evening” package should give you Ashe evening seats with 4 p.m. early entry for each session. I’d check with US Open Box office to confirm if you have any questions: 718-760-6363. P.J.
Hey PJ,
Any advice on what to do for my first trip to the US Open. I have tickets for monday sep 4 in sec 109 at Louis Armstrong that I got for face value. I am however thinking about selling to get tickets at Ashe in the 100 levels on the corner.
Any advice there?
Hey Brian, I personally am going to be in Armstrong that Monday to enjoy R16 matches close up. I know I won’t see Fed or Nadal, but I will see some other amazing athletes from the top 16 (and will be in Ashe that night). If you want to do Ashe I would recommend putting your Armstrong tickets up for sale — and hold off on purchasing Ashe seats until you sell them. That way you know what your budget is. There will always be resale seats for Ashe. P.J.
Thank you for all the information P.J.! I have used your blog throughout our planning for our trip 8/27-9/1. I found one way to find out information about schedule today… asked Chris Fowler on Twitter and he answered!
Sure thing Randy! Thanks so much, so glad it worked out! P.J.
Hi PJ, I’m selling a couple of tickets for sunday september 3, will sell it lower than the regular price if you know someone, so they don’t pay that much:
Morning session: Section 325, Row G, Seat 11
Evening session: Section 122, Row J, Seat 5
Hey David, I personally don’t but perhaps another reader might. PJ
Thanks PJ!! Another question, What do you think about lower promenade view, lets say section 315 row E seat 8 (first row of that section) if you have good sight, would you see the ball good? is the view decent?
Hey David, yes absolutely you can see the ball from Promenade – it’s just all relative. My recommendation is always to go for first couple rows in Promenade when possible, and that’s a pretty good choice. However I strongly recommend you click on the actual seat map (to see the individual dots for each seat) on Ticketmaster for the session you’re looking at and make sure there isn’t another even better. The way 315 is set up, row E is basically 4 rows higher than the first row in other sections (don’t ask my why!). For instance, opposite corner section… Read more »
Thank much PJ, another one, do we have access to watch practices during the tournament for free? For example if Nadal is in Court P1at 11:30am can I just go and watch? even If I didn’t bought a ticket for that day to see any match?
Hey David, unfortunately not. 🙁 P.J.
Ok, so what are my options to see practices on a day I haven’t bought tickets for second week (is there ground passes on the second week?) or what about thursday of second week that’s supposed to be free entry?
Hi David, only until Monday. See my Box #1 on overview of tix. Yes Thurs Sep 7 is free, see Box 4 above. P.J.
Awesome! Just got a courtside seat at regular price for Ashe Labor Day night session, which should be Nadal if they alternate him and Federer between night and day sessions. (And assuming he doesn’t lose before then hehe) Finally, so excited!
Sweet! Yeah can’t guarantee but that is likely to be the case. Awesome, enjoy!! PJ
Btw thanks for all your help PJ! Definitely wouldn’t be confident in making this trip without your guide. Been watching tennis since I saw the Wimby 2008 final when I was 17. Now I can finally cough up some money to see my heroes live 🙂 Enjoy your time as well!
Hi PJ, I’m trying to attend a day session on Tue 8/28. I want to purchase tickets but need wheelchair accessible seats. It seems those type of tickets are sold out for arther Ashe and grandstand. My question is: is there anyone enforcing/ensuring that those who purchase the tickets need the accessible spots? And secondly, do you think US Open staff would be able to accommodate me if I were to purchase only GROUNDS admission tickets? I understand it’s first come first served, so with the limited amount of wheelchair accessible seating, I’d imagine it be difficult to get seats… Read more »
Hey Dale, let me reach out to you by email – I may be able to help. PJ
Awesome! My email is dale.ahn89@gmail.com
***** BIG UPDATE: SCHEDULE HAS BEEN POSTED – FEDERER AND NADAL (top half of draw) WILL FIRST PLAY ON TUESDAY *******
Just saw that and was about to ask! Its weird that the 2nd half of the draw will be playing first right? I almost bought tickets for another day just to see the first half of the draw because I have tickets for Saturday of labor day weekend!
Hey Brandon, so I did a lot of research this week and turns out truly you can’t predict which half of the draw will be scheduled for Day 1. Last few years in a row it was top half for men, but in 2014 is was bottom first. Here’s what I learned: http://www.roadto45tennis.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Who-Plays-When-Where-at-US-Open.pdf. PJ
Hey P.J.!
We are almost there! I can’t believe its already starting on Monday, I’m really excited!
So Federer is scheduled to play on Tuesday 29th at night, does that mean he will play again on Thursday on the morning session and then Saturday night session and Monday morning and so on??
Cheers!
I know finally! LOL. Unfortunately we can’t know for sure. It’s all up to the tournament director and there are so many variables… If both Nadal and Fed continue to advance, I personally would put money on them alternating as you outline. But truly every year there are surprises… pJ
I have Friday night and Saturday day Ashe tickets. Looks like I may miss Fed! So disappointed.
Hey Beau, you truly never know! They may well schedule Fed for day session on Saturday. So many variables… Keep the faith! And keep in mind all the other talent that is truly spectacular to watch. You will definitely see some incredible world-class tennis regardless!. P.J.
Hey PJ!
I found what I think are really good seats for quite a good price but I just want your opinion on this: Sec 13, Row H seats 1-2 for $550 for Sat Night Session at Ashe, Do you think this was a good deal? I’m hoping to see Roger that night but if not I guess Rafa’s natch would be awesome too!
Thanks again for everything!
Hey Juan, absolutely – well done! P.J.
While I still don’t see the schedule posted, the article on Murray pulling out on the US Open app states that he was scheduled to play on Day 1.
Suzanne, that is a really significant clue. Thank you! The reporter may not have realized they were spilling the beans. I’m reluctant to conclude definitively without seeing the schedule posted, but seems like we can confidently conclude that bottom half of men’s draw will be scheduled for Monday – meaning Fed and Nadal would play first on Tuesday. P.J.
Schedule just posted – confirmed bottom half men on Mon. Thanks again!
Thanks so much for all this helpful information. I will be attending the Open for the first time with an Ashe ticket for the Friday night and Saturday day sessions for the first weekend and I can’t wait! Do you have a link or explanation to how the draw is determined? Just not understanding why #1 & #4 seeds aren’t on the same side of the draw and #2 & #3 seeds on the other side. Most tournaments with seeds would want #1 playing #4 and #2 playing #3 in each semi-final if all the seeds win. Thanks.
Hi Beau, my pleasure. Yes I just prepared this overview which should help regarding seeding, draw, and scheduling. PJ
Hi PJ,
Great site! I was wondering, do you know the practice habits of Federer, Nadal, and Murray? In other words, say Federer and Nadal play on Monday; do they still practice on that day? And would Murray practice on Monday, even though he wouldn’t play until Tuesday? Thanks!
Hey Scott, thank you! I haven’t tracked closely so can’t offer much on that great question. Maybe someone else in our community can weigh in on this one? Will pay closer attention this year! PJ
Just read an article on practice schedules. Unfortunately wasn’t much help because it said every player has different preferences. Some practice the day of the match, some don’t. I can say that last year, we saw Venus and Serena the day before their matches with a vigorous long session. And the same with Murray. And we were maybe 10 feet from them. We enjoy the practices as much as the matches
Thanks for your reply. With Murray out I guess it’s a moot point for him now. Anyway, we are now thinking about going on Tuesday and considering 2 tickets for Ashe both day and evening sessions to see both Federer and Nadal play. Silly question maybe, but I’m assuming the rows go A, B, C, and so forth from bottom to top of each section? And also, is there much of a difference between the first few rows in the 300 section and the middle to back rows of the 100 section? Budget considerations make courtside not an option, so… Read more »
Hey Scott, (1) yes A would be best (closest) seat. If you click on the map in Ticketmaster for the specific session, you will see a seat map with individual dots for each seat. Hover over any seat and you’ll see the exact seat number. (2) Yes there’s a qualitative difference between the last row in Loge and first row in Promenade. Hard to explain but it feels significant. I’n totally guessing, but probably equivalent to about 6-8 rows of seats. P.J.
Hi again PJ, I’ve been scanning off and on all day for Ashe tickets for Tuesday, and just now I found 2 blue dots in section 125 row E for $140 each, so I grabbed them. The evening session with Federer. More than what I wanted to spend, but as I’m looking at what the other red dots (resale?) tickets are going for, I’m thinking I just got a great deal? And am I correct in that in order to get on the grounds early in the day I still need to buy either day Ashe tickets or a grounds… Read more »
Hey Scott, thank you! 1) Yes awesome deal. 2) The evening tickets allow entry to grounds only at 6pm – so yes you would need a GA ticket or Ashe Day or reserved Grandstand or Armstrong ticket to get you in earlier. PJ
Hello P.J., very complete blog, thank you!
Is the grounds free today to watch the players practice? Or is tomorrow a better day?
Thanks,
Esteban
Hey Esteban, today is “Kid’s Day” – you’ll be able to see a lot of players and practices, but also a lot of kids 🙂 See practice schedule here. PJ
Hi P.J.
Completely awesome info—thank you!!
I noticed that both Nadl and Fed are scheduled to pay Mon at 11. Trying to see Fed, do you know or can you guess where each will play? Ashe or Armstrong?
Any insight will be appreciated.
Ty
Patricia
Hi Patricia, Thank you! unfortunately Google has it wrong and has confused everyone. Day 1 schedule has NOT been released yet (as of 1030am Sat). Google is showing every single player playing at 11am on Mon. See my updated note on this under Box 3 FAQ 1. You can be sure they will both be scheduled for Ashe- one day, one eve session. However we still don’t know of that will be Mon or Tues. PJ
Thank you!!
Hi PJ, when I click on the practice schedule link above it brings me to dates for today. Do you have any tips for viewing practices tomorrow? Is there a schedule or is it best to just show up and explore the grounds? I am a newbie to the US Open. Thank you so much for all of the information!
Best,
Lauren
Hey Lauren, yeah they won’t post practice schedule for tomorrow until late today or early tomorrow am. I would just plan to go out there fairly early tomorrow – they probably will have practices starting around 10. PJ
Hello mate, appreciate all your details and your response to my previous question. Here is one more question. Before there used to be a USTA member appreciation day where they would give out goodies like little bags etc. Do they have any such things now? My usta membership is expiring and I want to make sure I make full use of it before it expires as it has been worthless for me as I don’t really play tennis as much as I watch, unless you recommend me to use my usta membership in a better way. I bought it only… Read more »
Hey there, thanks for your thanks! I’m so sorry for the delayed reply – got a lot of inquiries yesterday and missed this one while trying to keep up. Short answer: I’m not sure. I didn’t see anything specific this year on “Member Appreciation Day” as in previous years, and haven’t seen any particular promised things. I do know the USTA booth is set up right next to Court 17. They also started something last year called “Fan Pass” that you have to register for (via the app), then you get a barcode to scan at certain booths and receive… Read more »
Not sure if I can say it any better on how insanely incredible your site is than what the previous hundreds of comments have said so I’ll just go with a simple, well done. My parents and I have kept a tab open of this site since June, at least. It’s crazy how I think of a question and find you’ve answered it. Also, your ability to reply to most comments and quickly is out of this world. Anyway, I apologize if you’ve already answered this but do you have any idea when they normally post day 1’s schedule? Is… Read more »
Anna, I am so moved by your very kind words – thanks so much, really really appreciate them and so glad it’s been helpful! Every Minnesotan I’ve ever met is so kind and gracious 🙂 I can’t remember exactly when they published it last year – paying close attention this year so I can give better guidance next year… I keep hitting refresh on the schedule page myself. I would be surprised if it doesn’t come out today, and the latest it will come out is tomorrow afternoon. FYI, just updated my explanation on what can be predicted as background… Read more »
Bahh! This is crazy. So, we fly in Thursday AM (getting in at 10:30 in Newark) – would it be silly to buy Thursday day session tickets? It looks like RF is going to play then. Also, how bad is it in the sun? Can you see what’s happening on the court, at least?
Hey Anna, LOL yes it is a bit :). Can’t predict for sure, they always could opt to put Fed on in evening – but that’s a good educated guess. So not silly at all. And no, the sun isn’t that bad, certainly better for us spectators than for the players! 🙂 Just bring a hat with a visor/brim and sunglasses. P.J.
Super generous of you to post all this extremely detailed and useful info. I’m feeling much better now about plucking down $$$$ to go for our first US open experience! Much thanks!
Hi PJ,
This is so helpful. Thank you very much for putting the time to elucidate how it all works!
When will the schedule for Day 2 be announced? Tonight (along with Day 1), during the weekend, or on Monday? Just trying to figure out the day/eve alternation…
Hey there, Day 2 schedule should be released late afternoon or early evening Monday. P.J.
Sorry turns out they just issued Day 2 schedule today along with Day 1!