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!
Thanks for the tips. Can I go back and forth from Ashe to Armstrong with an Ashe ticket? I am wondering if using my Ashe ticket on Armstrong (or other court) will void it in order to use it in Ashe later in the same session..
Hi Silvio, yes you can re-enter Ashe as many times as you like with a reserved Ashe ticket. P.J.
Is it possible to see Serena Williams on Monday, Aug 27 if I need to be at JFK airport by 3pm on that same day? I wish I had more time off from work, but so it goes.
Hi Madison, Check the schedule for Day 1 when it comes out (should be by late afternoon tomorrow) to see if Serena happens to be scheduled for an 11am or Noon match. If so, you would be able to see her match then would probably have to cab to JFK. Check out my FAQ #1 above for details on why you can’t predict in advance who will play when. P.J.
Hey PJ… First off, huge thumbs up on your site. You just about cover every detail for those wanting to know more about the US Open. I’m fortunate enough to be in NYC on Monday for a work trip and will have only the evening to attend. My issue is deciding between Ashe or Louis. I’m definitely looking to get seats up close but torn between the 2 as I know we have to wait till Saturday to see the schedule of play. I like the idea of Louis since it’s a brand new stadium but I know Ashe usually… Read more »
Hey David, thanks a million – really appreciate that. I know it’s stressful (and carries some risks re pricing) but, if you are able to keep checking on Saturday regularly (last year it was posted very late in the afternoon) I’d probably recommend waiting until the schedule is posted given the potential to choose based on full info. It’s too much guesswork right now given all the variables– most notably, that there’s a chance (which I’m beginning to think is quite strong) they MIGHT surprise everyone and put Federer’s (or Rafa’s or Djokovic’s) first match on the new Louis Armstrong… Read more »
In case it impacts your recommendation for 1st timers, we’ll probably get tickets for a few days (Ashe, Armstrong and/or Grandstand). We’re trying to develop a basic philosophy of when it’s worth spending more to be in a certain section or when sitting in a closer row isn’t necessarily better for enjoying a match (vs a different angle view). We realize each person is different, but are curious about your approach/any recommendations for first time watchers.
Hi again P.J., this is our first visit to the tennis. We’re flying in to see the city and visit the tennis center. Do you have a personal preference and or recommendation for first time watchers on seat selections (baseline vs sides). For example; Grandstand reserved seats …. 1) seats behind either baseline vs 2) seats on either side closer to court level (we understand the shade and sun are issues in some sides as you covered in your notes)? Any personal philosophy you’re willing to share on when you’d pick side seats over ends or visa versa would be… Read more »
Hey Katrina and Tom! You’ve inspired me to write an FAQ above on the question of best vantage points for viewing matches. Here’s my initial take, I’ll work up that FAQ soon… The vast majority of people would consider “behind the server” seats (i.e., those on North or South ends of the courts) to be preferable — and prices generally reflect this. This is also the vantage point they use for filming for broadcast, because it enables you to follow point construction and see the court from the perspective of the player on your side of the net. From these… Read more »
Hi PJ, your info was very helpful and extremely clear. You truly have great insight and patience to take the time to offer specific details as well as add related photos. What was extremely helpful was a better understanding of benefits of each angle. And in particular behind the baselines vs lower sides. That behind the baseline allows you to follow point construction (play strategy) while lower sides helps you feel a bit closer/more intimate with the players (and that watching one player at a time, footwork and preparation is a good alternative to feeling the need to move your… Read more »
Thank you so much! Please do say hello if you see me there – would love it. And more importantly, have a wonderful time! P.J.
Hi, if we see that Federer isn’t playing on Monday (when Day 1 order of play is released on Saturday), would it be a reasonable assumption to make that he’ll play on Tuesday evening at Ashe?
Hi there, if Federer’s half of the draw isn’t scheduled for Day 1, they will play on Day 2 for sure. In the past it’s been certain Federer would be scheduled to play on Ashe, but given the new Armstrong stadium there’s a chance they will schedule him on Armstrong. No way to know for sure until the previous day’s schedule is released. P.J.
HEY EVERYBODY! Just back from an incredible day out at Qualies… The highlight (beyond watching Novak and Sasha Zverev practice from the front row in Grandstand) was entering the new Armstrong stadium for the first time. I literally got teary (with happiness)… I had loved the old stadium so much and have been really mourning its loss, fearful that the new one would feel just too big and lose the intimacy of our old beloved stadium. The great news is that the new stadium still feels really connected and intimate – and in fact I think the upper level seats… Read more »
Great to hear. Thanks for taking the time to give us the update. I can’t wait to check it out myself.
One thing I wasn’t clear about. If you buy a reserved seat in Ashe or Armstrong – then you cannot get into the other stadium correct? So Ashe allows Ashe and all surrounding non Armstrong courts, and vice versa if you buy Armstrong? First time attending next week with kids who play 9/7. Thinking day session but unsure which one would be best. Wednesday maybe?
Hi John, not quite… An Ashe ticket grants you access to nonreserved seating in Armstrong (and any other outer court); whereas an Armstrong ticket doesn’t allow you to enter Ashe (there are no unreserved seats in Ashe), but enables you to access nonreserved seating at any other court. Day session definitely recommended for first-time, and Wed (or Thurs) would be an outstanding choice: second-round play, a bit more competitive matches, play will extend very late into evenings, and just before crowds start getting really intense for Labor Day weekend. P.J.
Hi P.J.
Thanks for creating and maintaining this site. I will be attending my first US Open and all of the info has been incredibly helpful! I plan on buying a ticket for Ashe day session in the first week, will I be able to access the new night sessions (unreserved) on Armstrong with this ticket?
Hey Cameron, thank you so much – great to hear it! Yes, an Ashe Day ticket (any Day session ticket) means you can stay on grounds as long as you want… which means you can access unreserved seating at any point, including evening session at Armstrong. P.J.
Fantastic info and extremely helpful P.J. One question: it looks like grounds pass tickets for next Friday, Aug. 31, are now $100 each on Ticketmaster, while Ashe seats are $123. Since you write that prices vary, is there a chance these prices will fall between now and then? Or should I buy them ASAP because they might climb higher?
Thanks,
Tony
Hi Tony, thanks! I’m afraid there’s really no way to predict. There are often sellers who get nervous they won’t be able to sell their tickets so they may lower prices a lot very close to a session. But if, say, it becomes clear that Federer’s half of the draw will play Friday then prices may go up as people speculate.
In short, it’s always a gamble. That said, $123 for an Ashe reserved seat for that session (which tends to be popular for Labor Day weekend) is definitely reasonable. PJ
Thanks for the great tips, PJ! The pros from Columbia Basin Racquet Club in Richland, WA & I will be there for the 1st week. Can’t hardly contain the excitement!
Hey Gail, great to hear from you! I’m actually out here today at Qualies and just checked out the new Armstrong. It is amaaaazing. Watching Novak practice now. Heaven. Have a blast!! P.J.
Hi,
If I take the Day pass on the Ashe, and a match starts at 6pm, will they kick me out at 7pm?
Hi Neil, just to clarify: i believe you are asking about if you purchase a reserved seat in Ashe for the Day session (versus a Grounds Admission pass), correct? A Day session Ashe ticket is only valid for the two matches during the Day session. They kick everyone out of Ashe after that and before the evening session starts. But you will be welcome to stay on the grounds and visit any other court the rest of the evening. PJ
If one went to the evening session for the Quarterfinals on Tuesday 9/4 or Wed 9/5 (I have to choose one) – who is one likely to see? Just wondering what the usual cadence is, i.e. mens or women’s, which part of the draw etc?
Hi Rahul, both evenings will feature the same number/types of matches: one men’s and one women’s quarterfinals singles match. See my FAQ#1 above for how you could make educated guesses about who MIGHT play after the Day 1 schedule is released. P.J.
If I have evening tickets for Arthur Ashe on aug 30, what time can I enter tennis grounds at no cost
Hi Linda, 6pm. PJ
Hey PJ, thanks for your excellent write-up! I am thinking of heading over with some buddies as a day trip this weekend, either on the Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day or on the Sunday’s Practice day, with the intention of trying to see some of the pros practice. From the US Open website it looks like the gates open at 9:30am on Saturday August 25th, and at 10:00am on Sunday August 26. We might arrive in the late morning or afternoon, and we would like to see as much tennis as possible. Do you have an idea of how late we… Read more »
Hey Ron, thank you! Strongly recommend Sunday over Saturday – crowds will be much lighter (Saturday is fun with kids, but can be a bit of a zoo). Practices usually go until very late afternoon/early evening. The practice schedule for Sunday will be posted sometime on Saturday (and may be updated Sun morning). P.J.
Hi P.J., Thanks for all the info in advance of my first US Open. I’ve been reviewing it quite often. I have a question about how much action you think will be happening on the outer courts during the evening session on the first Monday. My plane arrives around 3:30. I can probably arrive around 5:30-6pm after navigating from my Airbnb checkin on the west side of Queens. I’ll be around till Friday and hope to catch some good matchups and the occasional star whether in practice or from nosebleed promenade seats or what I consider splurging with front row… Read more »
Hey Xavier, sounds like you will have an awesome week! There will definitely be a lot of action on outer courts happening well into the evening on Monday; its first round, so tons of matches need to be played. A big consideration: if you purchase a day session ticket, you’ll need to enter grounds before 6pm (sounds like you may not make it by then). I’m not 100% sure if that rule applies with a grounds admission ticket, as the written rules are not clear on this (you may want to call the box office to check 718-760-6363). All of… Read more »
Thanks so much P.J.! I really am hoping to get a bit of rest between arriving in NYC and the Open but might have to forego that if need be. I just looked at the draw and there are some crazy cool matchups happening in the first round. Venus vs Kuznetsova, Nadal vs Ferrer, Wozniacki vs Stosur. Ya gotta be kidding me for first rounders.
I know!!! You can bet I will be at Nadal v Ferrer no matter where or when they are! Gonna be awesome…
If you had to choose between Ashe Section 120 or Louis Armstrong Section 11 on Labor Day Monday (Day Session), which would you go for and why?
Hi John Paul, both would be very strong choices. With Ashe, you’ll be assured to see one of the top seeds, and 120 behind the server is a great vantage point, esp if in lower rows. With Armstrong, you’ll see a great match for sure and will be much much closer to the action – but you might experience FOMO (fear of missing out) if, say, Federer is playing on Ashe while you’re seeing someone with slightly less star power. Truly, you can’t go wrong with either. If it’s your only session and it’s your first Open, I’d go with… Read more »
Hi P.J.! Do you know if it is ok that I have both my own and my brother’s ticket on my mobile phone (through US Open app) when we enter the stadium? Or does he have to have his own ticket on his own phone?
Best regards,
Petter
Hi Petter, absolutely fine! P.J.
P.J.,
Thanks so much for your website. Thanks to your incredible tips, I splurged on courtside tickets for two days last year at Grandstand to watch my fav player Delpo play over labor day weekend (and yes, I was in the third row during that incredible Delpo-Thiem match). Also, congrats on your page being linked on Sports Illustrated today (under the tickets heading): https://www.si.com/tennis/2018/08/22/us-open-2018-tennis-tips-recommendations
Have fun at the Open this year! I cannot wait to attend again and check out the new stadium 🙂
Best,
Nina, thank you so much for your kind thanks and for letting me know about the SI link! I vividly remember that Delpo match and having massive FOMO (fear of missing out) as I was sitting on Ashe that evening and I could hear all of you guys cheering every few minutes as Delpo came back despite being sick… So happy for you that you were there! Hope you have a great experience this year too, and like you I’m dying to see the new Armstrong. I’m heading out tomorrow to check it out, can’t wait… Let me know how… Read more »
Let us know what you think of it after you see it!
Absolutely! I’ll add something to the “Important 2018 Updates” box at the top by the end of the day tomorrow.
P.J,
Was praying Delpo would be playing tomorrow during the day but of course, he’s back on at night. Took your advice and got a courtside seat tomorrow and can’t wait. Going there alone and live in Manhattan. I’m assuming the match won’t be over until at least midnight, is the LIRR safe at night for a female traveling alone? I have taken it often during daylight hours but never alone at night. Any advice would be appreciated, as I’m sure you have probably taken every type of transportation at least 100 times lol. Thanks in advance!
Hey Nina, I’ll be there courtside tomorrow night too and am super stoked to see both Sloane and Delpo/Coric — will be a great night. Yes, the LIRR is very safe – it will just be packed, as there will be lots of fans on it! P.J.
Awesome! Will be in section 9! Used the Ticketmaster link on your page so hopefully you’ll get something out of it (at this point you really should be getting free tickets though by creating this page and keeping it going for years!) thanks so much again for everything!
Fantastic, Nina, hope to run into you there. And thank you so much for the very sweet words! PJ
Hello, its my first time going to th US Open, so I have some doubts. – Is there free wifi? – Are you able to bring snacks? – Are you able to bring plastic water bottle? – Does it have water fountain? – Are you able to bring the two strap drawstring bag? – I have the opening sessions 27-29 Arthur ash passes. How many games on the Artur Ash stadium has only 1 in the morning and 1 ate night? With this ticket do I have ground passes? – To go to the Luis Amrstrong and Grandstand games if… Read more »
Hi Giovanna, answers below: – Is there free wifi? YES – Are you able to bring snacks? YES – Are you able to bring plastic water bottle? YES – Does it have water fountain? YES, there are many throughout the grounds – Are you able to bring the two strap drawstring bag? YES, in fact that’s what I bring – How many games on the Arthur Ashe stadium? With this ticket do I have ground passes? There will be 2 matches for the Ashe Day session (one men’s singles and one women’s singles) and 2 matches for the Ashe Evening… Read more »
Hi P.J! I want to start off by thanking you very much for the great and clear information! I have been a tennis fan since I was a child and have always followed Roger Federer. I live in Maine so New York isn’t too far but it is a lengthy drive. Due to school I have never been able to get the time to go to the US Open but this year I said I was going to do it and made it happen! I know you have mentioned in your post about how you cannot predict 100% when your… Read more »
Hi Tasha, thanks so much for the very kind supportive words! How great you’re able to make it to the Open this year. I’d recommend the following: * This Saturday (8/25), check this page for the Schedule of Play for Monday 8/27 (the Monday schedule should be released sometime by late afternoon). Three possible scenarios: (1) If Federer is scheduled to play on Monday on Ashe for the session you have tickets for, you’re all set. (2) If Federer is scheduled to play Monday on Armstrong (HIGHLY unlikely, but a remote possibility given the hype around the new stadium), plan… Read more »
It’s still possible for Fed to be scheduled Monday night?
Absolutely. We just won’t have any idea until the Day 1 schedule is released this Saturday. P.J.
Hello PJ, Incredibly impressive information here both in volume and detail. My wife and I are making it to our first professional tennis event this year at the Open. We have evening tickets on 9/1 for Ashe, section 103 Row H. We are wanting to buy day session tickets too for the 1st. Based on your advice I am thinking court side at Armstrong. I am thinking baseline for a little different perspective than our 103 seats, and closer. So how bad is the sun on the sun side? Like section 15. Am I going to regret making a purchase… Read more »
Hey MJ, thank you! I think having the Armstrong experience on Saturday would be a great complement to your evening session. As for the sun situation, I frankly am still in guessing mode myself at this point because I haven’t been out there to see it yet. I’m going to try to get out there this Thursday to check it out in full sun. It’s unclear from existing photos and diagrams how much the new roof structure (which will always add some natural shading to many sections, apparently as much as 60% of the stadium) will cast shadows on the… Read more »
Thank you so much for your insight – Game, Set, Match!!!
🙂 🙂 🙂
Hi Pj,
great job! l Your guide still suggests armstrong tickets over labor day weekend. Do you have an opinion on whether that’s still necessary given the stadium now seats 15k+ fans and they seem to think they’ve solved the entrance problem?
best,
Hey Jeff, the new Armstrong (with 14,061 seats total) has only 7,000 non-reserved seats in the upper rung open to all US Open ticketholders — which is almost exactly the same number of unreserved seats as the old stadium had (the expansion was mainly to create more paid, reserved courtside seats which more than doubled from previous stadium). In addition, they have upped the number of grounds admission tickets being sold. And the tournament organizers are suggesting they plan to put more starpower than ever before on Armstrong this year. USTA has said they expect the flow problems to be… Read more »
thanks PJ! One more question, do you have a sense of what the reserved seating will be like in the context of the old armstrong? do you think the back of reserved seating (let’s say row x) will be roughly equivalent to the top of the first tier of the old stadium? or perhaps the top of the old stadium? btw, I was a good 4.0 player, retired, adopted new strokes that are taking a long time to learn and my rating dropped to 3.5. Can’t find my old strokes either. Thinking about starting my own website called “the road… Read more »
Hey Jeff, you’re welcome! It’s hard to know for sure – I’m hoping to get out there this Thursday for a bit to check it out. From all the photos and diagrams, I think the overall feel will be very different from the old Armstrong. Those upper reserved seats will probably feel a lot like sitting in the upper seats do at Wimbledon’s Centre Court, because like Centre Court the new Armstrong lower level seats are built on a very very gradual slope – and because the upper portions will all be covered by the overhang from the upper level.… Read more »
Thank you so much for all the information! We are traveling with a group on Friday August 31st, and grounds passes are included with the package. We’ve been informed that tickets will be handed out after we arrive at the location at 930 am. Do you know whether tickets like these (part of a package) are eligible for upgrade at the box office? And if so, what is the process (are upgrades done before or after entering) and are tickets for Ashe or Armstrong typically available?
Hi Josette, I’m not 100% sure, but think they probably would be eligible to upgrade for a fee. You would have to do this before entering the grounds at the upgrade window, which is by the East gate. Here’s exactly what they say about upgrades: “Ticket holders may upgrade their tickets at the Ticket Upgrade Windows for an additional cost. All available seats are released to the Upgrade Windows the day of the session. Located inside the East Gate adjacent to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Box Office, the Upgrade Windows are generally open from 10 a.m.-… Read more »
Thanks P.J.! We’ll give it a try and will report back with our experience.
Just to say many thanks for this. We are in the UK and after some struggle got tickets (I hope – ‘will call’ was a name that was a bit of a mystery) for 27 Aug Day (Armstrong) and night (Ashe) but couldn’t figure out how it all worked, especially the link between sessions (very different from Wimbledon!). Your site told me everything I needed to know – so many, many, thanks.
Alan, I’m so glad to hear it, thank you very much for letting me know. Hope you have a wonderful time! P.J.
Hi PJ, This has been an amazing site to read up on while planning my US Open trip – so thank you so much for taking the trouble to create it! I’m coming over from London and have tickets (Ashe Day on the first Tuesday, Ashe evening on the Wednesday) to pick up from the international Will Call. Are you able to give any advice on what time to arrive on the Tuesday in order to pick up my tickets and will I be able to pick up both sessions on Tuesday? Certainly for the Tuesday I’d like to be… Read more »
Hey Alex, my pleasure and thank you very much – I’m excited for you! You should be able to pick up both tickets on Tuesday. If it were me and I wanted to snag a really good non-reserved seat for an 11am match at Armstrong or Grandstand before my Ashe Day session, I’d probably try to arrive by 8:30am so you can then get in line and go directly to your stadium of choice – just to be on the safe side. The direct number to the box office is 1-718-760-6363 in case you want to get their recommendation too.… Read more »
PJ – awesome info! A business trip is bringing me in town with a rare chance to catch some tennis. I could be onsite around 4 on aug 27th. What ticket would you reccomend buying?
Hey Chris, thanks! If your budget can sustain it, I’d recommend buying: (1) An inexpensive $75 Ashe DAY session Promenade-level standard ticket that will enable you to enter the grounds at 4pm. It’s $15 more than a Grounds admission ticket, but gives you the option to enter Ashe if there’s a player you really want to see. Spend your first few hours checking out the practice courts and outer courts, taking in the whole scene. (2) Devote the most budget you can to the best Ashe EVENING session ticket you can afford, either Loge level or courtside level if possible.… Read more »
Hello there! Just wanted your opinion on reserving Grandstand seats on the second Monday (Labor Day) of the tournament. The tickets I’ve found seem great (Sec 16/17, Row F) for the price that’s offered (I hope that is indeed true, based on the seating map it seems we’d be close enough to the action, and relatively close to the center of the court). However, based on last year’s schedule of play, there was only one big match being played on the Grandstand court at this stage of the tournament (day 2 of the Round of 16). Do you think these… Read more »
Hi Raissa, my guess (guess is the operative word!) is that on Sun/Mon during R16 they will schedule 1 men’s and 1 women’s match in Ashe Day, same for Ashe Evening, same for Armstrong (only one session), and same for GS (only one session). The biggest stars (e.g. Federer) will definitely be on Ashe, second-biggest on Armstrong, third-biggest on Grandstand. The risk with Grandstand is possibility of rain. The seats you’re looking at, with service fees, will be around the same as standard seats available in Armstrong that day. I’d recommend Armstrong because of the roof and certainty that you’ll… Read more »
Hi, thanks so much for all the info! The Tuesday Sept. 4 day session in Armstrong says “quarterfinal mens/womens”. Will that be singles, or more likely doubles? Thanks! Looking for a reserved seat for mens round of 16 or quarterfinal session, what would you recommend as the best bang for the buck? Thanks so much!
Hi Deborah, you’re welcome! Unfortunately, the ticket sites are very misleading in how they label Armstrong tickets for that Tuesday. There is no way they will put any quarterfinal singles matches on Armstrong during week 2– only doubles quarterfinals. For a reserved seat for R16 or quarters, Monday night in Ashe (R16) or Tues/Wed Day sessions of Quarters will get you the best seat for the money. Right now there are standard courtside seats for quarterfinal day sessions as low as $580 for both Tues and Wed day sessions (ditto Mon night of R16). Evening sessions for quarters are much… Read more »
Thanks so much! Which section of Ashe would you say is the best, unobstructed, least sunny place to be? I’ve only watched tennis on TV, this will be my first live match! Is it better to be sitting center court, or further to one end or the other? Help!!
Hi Deborah, check out my shade map here. There are virtually no obstructions within Ashe (the only seats I caution people about are very low courtside rows in sections 50-55, which are directly behind the umpire chair). Most people would consider seats located “behind the server” on the south side to be most favorable (see e.g courtside 4-6 and 65-67; and Loge 101-103 and 135-136). Corner seats are also really great (particularly Southwest corner). However, just about any Courtside seat is amazing – it’s an entirely different world sitting Courtside. If you’re trying to choose the best-possible seats in Loge… Read more »
Which corner entrance do players use as they enter and exit Arthur Ashe stadium? I know they sit on the West side of the court. Do they enter and exit on the NW or SW side? Close to section 47 or 55? Thanks!
Hi James, NW side, right by section 47. P.J.
This site is fabulous–thanks so much for all of the time you have spent on it.
We have been to the US Open several times but not since the stadiums were updated. We are staying close to Penn Station for the first time and plan to ride the LIRR instead of the subway. If we buy tickets in advance for LIRR but miss a train, do you have to repurchase? If we download the app, can we purchase just before riding for the return trip? Any other info we should know? Thanks.
Hey Melissa, thank you!! And thanks so much for asking that question. I just updated my Tip #9 above to include new details on this, thanks to you. You can either buy at a kiosk at Penn Station, or I strongly recommend using the new MTA eTix app. You buy a ticket in advance simply for peak or off-peak and can use any time. For the eTix app, any purchases are valid for a few months – you just have to press “activate” right before you board whichever train you choose. I’ve also updated the just-released special schedules for the… Read more »
Thanks so much for the updates! And here is a really stupid question—can I put my husband’s tickets and my tickets on my phone (US Open and LIRR) or do we each have to show our phones.
Hi Melissa, not a stupid question! For both, definitely can have both tickets on one phone. (For LIRR, just be sure to activate 2 tickets before boarding). P.J.
I’m so happy I stumbled upon this article. Thank you for so many helpful suggestions. We live in Philly and love tennis, but we’re more casual than die-hard fans. This year we’re thinking we should check the US Open off our bucket list and drive up with the kids on Sep 2 or 3. Would you recommend (a) Sat or Sun; (b) day or evening session; or (c) Ashe or Armstrong? Thanks!
Hey Natalie, thanks! As it’s your first time, I’d definitely recommend tickets in Ashe stadium – it’s the “main stage”, and your kids will see some of the biggest names in tennis. An Ashe ticket also gets you access to non-reserved seating in every other outer court (although expect long lines for Armstrong and Grandstand non-reserved seating any day on Labor Day weekend). I’d probably lean towards going on Saturday Sep 2 Day session (assume you meant Sat Sep 1 or Sun Sep 2) because it’s still third round of play and there will be more matches happening on all… Read more »
I understand there is free parking for Mercedes-Benz cars a the Open. Could you tell me exactly where at the Open I can do this?
Hi Nicholas, anyone driving a mercedes will be offered free parking in the general parking lots. Just follow signs for general parking when you arrive and they will direct you to the right lot based on capacity at that time (it will probably be the Citi Field stadium lot). P.J.
Hi PJ – we are excited about the upcoming tournament and thanks for all of your guidance. Question about bringing items: is it okay to bring a seat cushion? It’s not on the prohibited list but i figured you would have seen people with them during your visits. Also, I’d like to bring my waist pack (fanny pack), about the size of a woman’s medium-sized purse, to hold water bottles, raincoat, camera, etc. It’s less than the dimensions allowed for a bag, so i assume it’s okay; but I am not sure whether they might consider it a ‘backpack’. Any… Read more »
Hey Chip, yes both should be just fine! P.J.
Hello! Thank you for this really informative guide to the US open. I just bought the tickets to the Sept 3 Evening match at Arthur Ashe. I’m really new to tennis, and was wondering how they will schedule both the men and women matches in the same stadium at the same time? Will the men’s match play first then the women’s match? How is the scheduling done? Thank you!
Hi Warren, welcome to the tennis community! I’ll be there that night in Ashe too, great night to go on the second night of the fourth round play when it’s down to the last 16 players (a.k.a. “Round of 16”). For the last couple years on that evening, they have put the men’s singles match on first followed by the women’s singles match (whereas the previous night, Sunday, they’ve put the women’s first then the men’s). So it’s likely but not certain that history will be a guide to how it goes. The final schedule for Monday will be posted… Read more »
Hi P.J.! I messaged you a couple of weeks ago and you were so helpful with your information. I’m hoping that you can help again. I got the finals tickets set, but I wanted to experience the most out of the US Open since it’s going to be my first time there, so I’m thinking about going to see the QF match on Sep 5 (unfortunately that’s the earliest I’m able to fly in) as I wanted the opportunity to see the Grandstand (GS) and Louis Armstrong (LA) stadiums too. I am buying an Arthur Ashe ticket, which I know… Read more »
Hi Jaclyn, so glad it was helpful! On Sep 5, there will be some doubles QF action on Armstrong and/or Grandstand, and on Sep 6 there will be doubles semis on Armstrong and/or Grandstand. You’re correct that your Ashe ticket will get you into either if you’d like to go and it will all be general admission seating. Demand to see doubles action is traditionally very low (sadly, in my opinion, because it’s truly awesome to watch) so you’ll have no problem getting good seats and checking out the stadiums. Thursday of week 2 is actually a free day to… Read more »
Hi P.J.! Thank you again for this informative information! So I can sit up close to in the GS and LA stadium on September 5? That’s so awesome! It’ll probably the only time I’d get to sit up there and not have to fork out a ton of money! 🙂 Thank you for that chart! I’ve been looking for something like this. I guess it’s true that it’s like playing the stock market on when to buy these tickets. I’ll just keep checking to see if I can find cheap tickets. I mostly just want to walk the grounds and… Read more »
My pleasure, Jaclyn, you’re very welcome!
Just want to add to the comments about how great and useful this site has been! Of course, it’s one of those things that the more you look into it, the more you wonder what is best to do! I’m in the quite luxurious position of living in Brooklyn currently and having a fair bit of free time over the US Open weeks. I was thinking about booking Ashe Day Session on Tuesday 28th and Tuesday 4th. I’m just not sure whether to just punt for these sessions now, or whether I’ll get a much better deal by waiting until… Read more »
Hey Joel, thank you!! It’s really tough to predict – always a bit like playing the stock market. If you’re sure you want to go those particular days, I’d recommend continuing to check each day to see if any standard seats show up that appeal to you, or if resale tickets show up that are the same or less than standards would be. Once the first day schedule comes out, check to see which days Federer will play if he advances; prices for those days will likely go up, other days may go down slightly (but Rafa will be in… Read more »
Sorry, I had them flip-flopped. $170 for night, $200 for day. But still interested in that N row if you have any insights. Thank you.
One more question. A few more tix were released for the last row in Loge (row N). $170 for day and $200 for night. Since they’re blue on ticketmaster, the fees are much less as well. I know these are really high up, but do you know if Row N has any obstructions? I understand that they’re typically handicap accessible, but they’ve been released without restriction. The ticketmaster site shows some sort of a barrier between rows M and N so I thought I’d ask if you know that means. Thanks again!
Hey Matt, no obstructions whatsoever in those seats! Just higher up and more legroom. P.J.
Hey PJ, Possibly dumb question: if you buy a reserved seat in ashe for a night session, can you also walk around the grounds and pop in on other matches? I’m thinking of first and second round specifically.
Hi Brad, yes you absolutely can — but a night ticket will only get you access to grounds at 6pm (530ish if they are feeling lenient at the gates). P.J.
This site is SO great!! Thanks for all the awesome information. My twin sister and I will be 50 in October and we are treating ourselves (and our husbands) to our first trip to the US Open. We already bought Grandstand Day Session seats for the Friday 8/31 day session and are now thinking we want to experience a night session. We are looking at Armstrong for Thursday the 30th – looks like if we pay $170 or $180, we’ll get decent seats in the lower sections of the stadium. However, I see that the higher level sections are all… Read more »
Hey Lisa, thank you!! A night session in either Ashe or Armstrong would be a great experience to add. On Thurs during round 2, there will also be some matches happening on other courts too with general seating – but the atmosphere on Ashe and the New Armstrong will be very special. Any reserved seat in Armstrong will be excellent. Yes, GA seating is a thing for evening sessions at Armstrong – however you will need some kind of ticket to get into the grounds. For a special occasion like yours, I’d recommend either a reserved Loge seat in Ashe… Read more »
Thank you so much, PJ! I appreciate your insight and will go with our original plan to get some good seats in Armstrong for Thursday night.
My pleasure, Lisa!
Hi PJ! One more question – we have GS day session on Friday the 31st. Section 8, Row D, Seats 1-4. Would you recommend that we attempt to upgrade these seats to either Armstrong or Ashe? If so, can we do that on Thursday evening when we’re there? Or do they only do “day of” upgrades? Or, do you think these seats are pretty good and we should stick with them? I’m thinking the tennis on that court for the 3rd round should be pretty good in that we’ll most likely see some seeded players. I guess I just don’t… Read more »
Hi Lisa, those are great seats. I would wait until Thursday to (1) see what schedule is for Friday on GS and (2) see weather forecast. In any case, you can only try to upgrade tickets at box office “Day if” (the same day as session you want to attend). PJ
Hi P.J. I’m a practice watching junkie. I like to watch the great players prepare (Nadal, Novak, Serena). Are the crowds bigger to watch the big stars practice during the Qualifying week tournament, since admission is free? Or are the crowds bigger to watch the practices during the actual US Open tournament? Thanks
Hi Lourdes, crowds are definitely bigger during the actual tournament – the free week is a great time to go! The exception is Kid’s Day; crowds are fierce then. P.J.
Got it – thank you, PJ! Can’t wait to get there on Thursday!
Hi PJ,
I have a silly question. So I see backpacks are prohibited, but I have a ladies, purse/backpack its small 10x10x3. Do you think that is ok? Also can we bring binoculars?
Hey Gina, it really depends on the security screener you get — their judgment call. If it’s possible to detach a strap so that it doesn’t look like a backpack (them put it back on after clearing security), that would be safer. But if it looks like a backpack, they have the right to make you check it because they simply say “no backpacks” without any further clarification on their list of problems prohibited items. P.J.
We are celebrating our parents 50th anniversary Monday and have a box. How do I get their names shown on the big screen??? Thanks
Hey Douglas, you’ve stumped me! I haven’t seen any announcements along these lines ever made at the US Open, but may just be because I haven’t noticed. Can you try calling the box office and seeing if they have any clue then let me know (718-760-6363). If not, I can try to ask some friends connected to the tournament to see if it’s even possible. Given that there are 23,500 seats, it may well be that there’s a policy not to do any such announcements given the potential for a slippery slope issue… P.J.
This is truly an amazing blog PJ, thank you! I’m looking to take my son for a special graduation gift. We’re going on Friday, August 31. Some tickets opened up in the side sections (43 and 30) in row J. Those look like handicap accessible seats though, and in looking at some pics on the internet, they look like different seats with a bar in front of them. Do you have any idea if Row J of the lower level are an issue at all? Thanks again for all of this information; it’s fantastic!!
Thank you Matt!! Great question. Theirs seats are just one stair-level above the last row courtside – but they are still below the lowest-level suites. In short, they are excellent seats. Sometimes USTA designates these seats as exclusively for those with disabilities, and other times — as is the case with the ones you’re looking at — they release them as standard seats with no restrictions. The only difference is they have a bit more legroom and have a safety bar in front of them (which do not impede viewing in the least). If they are in your budget and… Read more »
Okay, thanks! They’re in section 43 so I’m slightly worried about the umpire chair being the way of the player on the other side of the court. But since it’s in the top row of the section, maybe we’ll be okay? And do you think section 43, Row J is significantly better than the first or second row of Loge seats directly behind the baseline? Thanks again, you’re awesome!!
Hey Matt, no worries at all (even on first row) from 43! It’s really sections 50-55 where there’s a minor issue for lower rows… I have sat in 43 before and it’s an excellent vantage point. And yes, a totally different world courtside level vs Loge; most people don’t realize, but there are two levels of suites separating courtside and Loge. It’s a world of difference. P.J.
Okay, thank you so much. I definitely went a little over budget with section 43, but you alleviated my fears about the umpire chair. The views I saw from some web sites had me a bit worried. And hey, it could be my one and only time enjoying this with my son. Keeping our fingers crossed that Fed will play Friday night! 🙂 Thanks again!
Just wanted your opinion on how the new Armstrong is going to factor into the top level match distribution. I’m thinking seriously of buying daytime courtside seats in Armstrong since Ashe will only have two day matches. Don’t they usually have a top male & female match during each session in Ashe? I usually buy Daytime upper level Ashe seats JIC in case it rains but obviously the view is not as good. Your thoughts? BTW, I’m shooting for my 3rd year in a row to make it on ESPN. 2 yrs ago, I was 2nd row back when Gasquet… Read more »
Hey Tracey! How great you were a beneficiary of that very rare upgrade offered by ushers to courtside! So cool. For Armstrong this year, I think the biggest impact will be that Armstrong is viewed much more the way that Court #1 is viewed at Wimbledon— that is, with a lot of respect and prestige. As such, I think the organizers will be more prone to put some very big names on Armstrong this year (though certainly not Fed, Rafa, or Serena). My most thrilling experiences at the Open in the last 10 years have always been either courtside Ashe… Read more »
Thanks so much for the advice and what you do on this site. Ur advice has invaluable.
Thank you so much, Tracey, really appreciate that! P.J.
Hello again! A few months back I contacted you regarding the LIRR and you were extremely helpful….I have one additional question that I hope isn’t too ignorant! Our tickets are for the evening session on Tuesday, Sept 4. I’ve seen your information about arriving and I’m confused and hope to clarify… can we not arrive early (like 530-6) to explore the grounds, eat, drink, etc? Or must we go straight into AA to see the matches? We were thinking about doing the Chase Lounge but now confused about if we can get in to do so prior to the actual… Read more »
Hi Kimberly, not at all!! With an evening session reserved ticket like you have, you will be able to enter the grounds at around 5:30pm (officially it’s 6pm, but I usually get there by 530 to get in line and have often been let in). Once in, you can wander around the grounds as you like before entering Ashe. You do not need to enter Ashe promptly at 7 – you might, for instance, want to finish watching a practice session or seeing something or shopping while a warm-up or first couple games are taking place in Ashe. For the… Read more »
Thank you so much for the clarification, it now makes much more sense!! Can’t belive it’s just a few short weeks away! Truly, thanks for all the wonderful information!!!
My pleasure!
Hi, P.J.,
So if I have daytime tickets to Ashe during the first week, but I want to stay on the grounds in the evening, I can do that. But I can’t get into the Chase Lounge for the 6-8pm time slot?
Thanks for the clarification.
Also, I snoozed and missed out on registering for the Lounge, so now I’m waitlisted. Do you know if those on the waitlist are able to get in? Wife is 8 months pregnant so really would like the Lounge to give her a chance to cool off and take a break.
Thanks so much!
Hi Tom, I’m afraid they are a little ambiguous on that question. While you definitely can’t reserve for the Chase lounge during Day with an evening session ticket (you wouldn’t be able to gain entry to the grounds), you might be able to reserve for a 6pm slot with a Day session ticket. They are a bit vague on that particular scenario. A strict reading of their wording would suggest it’s not possible: “all members of the party must have tickets to the US Open for the corresponding session in order to gain access to the US Open grounds and… Read more »
Quick question about bag recommendation. I see the requirements in regards to size, but what kind/brand of bag would you recommend to bring, in other words, what is the most efficient bag in your opinion that fits the size requirements, and is still able to tote all the gear necessary for a day/night at the open…? Sorry if this question has already been addressed in the thread…
Hi Chris, I usually bring a drawstring bag that I can sling over my shoulder (anything with two straps is usually rejected as a “backpack”). Just google “drawstring bag” or search on Amazon – many really inexpensive options. P.J.
Hola P.J.! Since I found this article 3 years ago my experience at the open has been amazing. Thank you, really appreciate all the effort that took to gather all this information. Hope you can give me some guidance. I’m a Rafa fan and I’d like to see him play the second week in quarterfinals, assuming he will get that far based on his level of play. If that is the case, looking at the schedule for the last 4 years (with the exception of last year) the world number one plays the opening day, that means he will play… Read more »
Hey John, thanks so much for the super kind words! I actually did an analysis over several years, and unfortunately there is no way to predict. See my explanation PDF linked under FAQ #1. One anecdotal piece of info that may be helpful: last year, the tournament director was more inclined to schedule Fed at night and Rafa for day sessions, without alternating as usually is done for the sake of fairness. My take on this is that Rafa is known to prefer playing in day Sessions and Fed prefers night – so the director may have assumed both players… Read more »
Thanks P.J.! Yeah hard to predict, so many assumptions on my side. I’ll buy a ticket now and if there is no luck I’ll get a last min ticket to see Rafa. Enjoy Europe!