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.












PJ, this is outstanding! Thank you for all of your hard work and effort you have put into this to help us out! As much as I’m looking forward to my trip to the US Open for the first time, I didn’t plan very well and we will only be there for the Men’s Semis on the 7th. The lower level pricing has stayed relatively the same and I was wondering in your experience what are the chances of them dropping below face or 3K? Even with a strong matchup do you see people getting desperate and dropping the prices… Read more »
Hey Chris, thanks man!! Much depends on whether or not Federer/ Nadal/ Nole (Fed especially) make it to semis. If Federer loses before quarters could mean lower prices. There is just so much excitement this year given so many great men playing… However I don’t think they can go up much beyond what they are now! PJ
Thank you for the quick reply! I am zeroed in on the below sections/rows. Could you share a little insight on the 3? Thanks in advance!
66 row – G
11 row – J
13 row – E
Hey Chris, first of all, any courtside for semis will be over-the-top amazing. 66 G would be considered by most to be primo. You’re a couple sections over from the USTA President’s Box (Section 2) where you’ll see several celebs that day. It’s also shaded for almost the entire time. Section 11 will get a good deal of shade relief early on, but will get sun later in the afternoon. Similarly, Section 13 will some breaks from sun, but comparatively speaking get even more than 11 later in the afternoon. So, given that it’s a Day session, my recs in… Read more »
What I was leaning towards, thanks PJ. Though if sun is not a factor if I’m reading your FAQ correctly you would prefer to sit closer to the action in section 13 row E rather than a littler further back in 66 G right? I’m sure I’m splitting hairs just want to make most of my experience.
Hey Chris, it’s a bit of a toss-up… But I think you can’t beat the behind-the-server perspective in 66 — that’s what the vast majority of folks would consider to be the optimal one. I think if you could get first 1-4 rows in section 13, I might say it’s worth dealing with the sun for the thrill of being so darn close and on the same level as the players, but there are trade-offs to that angle, and I like it for very specific reasons related to working on my own game… Trust me, from 66 you’ll have an… Read more »
Hi PJ,
Thanks so much for putting together details. This is very helpful. I just booked tickets for this Thursday Days session in Arthur Ashe. Do you think there are good chance to see Federer since he would be playing evening session on Tuesday? Also any additional feedback on section 105 would be helpful. Thanks again!
Hi Shailendra, yes indeed – a good chance he will. Never a sure bet, but a very strong chance. Section 105 is very good — corner is a great perspective. You will get shade most of the day but may get some late-afternoon sun. Enjoy! PJ
PJ:
Hope you’re having fun at the Open today. I’ll be there later this week and next.
Do you know which section has the players’ coaches/family at the Grandstand?
Thanks!
Hey Tom, thanks so much – it was a great day. Except for the bummer of Ferrer having to retire and announcing this would be his final slam :(…
I discovered today where they sit in the new Armstrong but haven’t had a chance to see where in GS, and frankly didn’t pay enough attention last year. If I find out this week I’ll let you know – please do the same! PJ
Awesome summary! My question: I have a reserved Armstrong day ticket for Tuesday Aug 28. Will that allow me to potentially snag an unreserved seat for the two nighttime matches scheduled for Armstrong that same evening? Thanks!
Hi Andy, absolutely – once you’re in the grounds you can access unreserved seats on amy stadium (except ashe) as late as you want. PJ
Hi PJ,
So I saw the practice schedule up for today (Day 1). Are the other days practice schedules up on the day of, Do I have to wait until Wednesday to find out Wednesday’s practice schedule?
Thanks.
Hey Al, you have to wait till day before/morning of… pJ
Love the awesome tips here !!
I have Ashe night tix for this wednesday. I know the gates to Ashe won’t open until 6, but when can I get on the grounds ?
I saw another site said 5pm … but just want to be sure.
Hi Carter, thanks! You can only enter the grounds at 6pm with an eve ticket. A lax ticket person may let you in sooner but officially it’s 6. PJ
One more question, j.P:
Can I bring food to the US Open. I am talking about cashews, peanuts, grapes, strawberries…
I haven’t read anything about that.
Thanks
Hi Lucas, yes food ok in “limited quantities.” However they say “no sealed containers of any kind.” Security guards will just look for people being reasonable (e.g., if someone tries to bring in an elaborate picnic lunch for their family, they may have issues). P.J.
Hi, P.J. I am Lucas, from Brazil, and tomorrow I will be fulfilling one of my dreams: watch the US Open. I could’t be more excited. I have one question: I have ground admission tickets and a reserved night Ashe ticket. Besides the evening session at Ashe, I was thinking about watching Halep and Murray on Louis Armstrong, and Shapovalov in the Grandstand. Will there probably be long lines to access Louis Armstrong or Grandstand without a reserved ticket in these first days of tournament? Should I get there some time before the match I wanna watch? Also, I was… Read more »
Oi Lucas, Bem-vindo! Expect longer lines for Armstrong during men’s matches with big-names like Murray, smaller lines for women’s matches (although Halep should draw a crowd). There will likely be a lot of demand for Delpo tonight. But overall, usually it’s nowhere near as bad Mon-Wed of this week as it is around Labor Day weekend. P.J.
Hi PJ,
Thanks for sharing this! With the night sessions this year – will an Ashe night session ticket also give you the opportunity to watch on Armstrong in a non-reserved seat?
Thanks,
Jon
Hi Jon, yes absolutely. Once you’re in the grounds, you can line up for unreserved seating anywhere, anytime. P.J.
Hi Pj thanks for this great tips.
This is my first time going to the usopen tomorrow morning, im driving from new jersey , can you give me some information about the parking area.
Is the free parking lots?
At what time should i arrive?
Do i need tickets for parking at flushing?
Hi Diego, See the map and corresponding details on this page regarding parking. “YELLOW ZONE PARKING will be the primary parking zone for all US Open guests. If full, you MAY be directed to park in Lots 1, 2 and 3 BLUE ZONE PARKING or 4, 4A, 4B, 5 and 6 ORANGE ZONE PARKING as directed by NYPD.” There will be shuttle service provided from parking lots. Last year it was about $25 for the main parking lots — still haven’t seen prices posted for this year, may find out tomorrow when I’m there… I unfortunately don’t have solid advice… Read more »
Hi PJ,
My wife is determined to bring her purse despite what you’ve said. And I don’t want to wait in any lines!
Although, I didn’t read anything on the prohibited list about ‘fanny packs’. Can we bring one in without having to go in a separate bag check line up? Or would we still have to?
As always, thsvjs in advance for your advice!
Duey
Hi Duey, no problem getting in with a purse – just means you have to go through security line versus the fast-track no-bag line. Fanny packs also fine, but I’m 99% sure you’d have to go through security line with it. Can’t say with total certainty, through. Let me know how it goes! P.J.
Hi PJ,
First time visitor and I have two questions:
1. We plan to arrive that morning on Sunday 9/2 and will have a typical carry on bag. Will it be big enough to fit the $10 locker at the South or East gates?
2. I have a SLR camera with a zoom lens. Will I be allowed to bring it?
Hi Alex, yes and yes! Just make sure your camera bag meets dimensions and doesn’t look like a backpack. P.J.
I had my camera bag inspected at the security entrance last week. I was told that I was “lucky” because my 300mm lens was the longest allowed without being credentialed. Since this is not mentioned on the list of prohibited items, I texted the Command Center the next day, and they confirmed the rule. So beware of overzealous security staff if you have a lens >300. (Yesterday, my camera was not inspected.)
Thank you Bill!! Important info. I’ll update my post later today to reflect this. PJ
Hey PJ! Thanks for updating us every year! Do you know if we’re allowed to bring empty plastic water bottles? I was thinking of just refilling the bottles at the water fountain instead of buying new ones there.
Thanks again!
Hey Ike, sure thing! Yes, plastic bottle fine – just not metal or glass. P.J.
PJ,
I read somewhere that only 1 bottle of water, unopened, is allowed. Is that not accurate?
I was going to bring empty bottles to refill once on the grounds.
Thanks!
Hi Tom, I haven’t seen that on any official US Open website or at the sign on the grounds. The security guards have discretion to deny anything unreasonable, but a couple of water bottles should be fine. P.J.
Hi PJ,
we are first timers with various travel and time limitations. your post is phenomenal and immensely helpful. I read thru it several times and felt confident tracking tickets and finally booking and knowing what to expect. we are sitting in the Ashe lower promenade on the busiest day – sunday 2nd afternoon and have chase lounge access. kudos to you for writing the Bible on US Open tickets and experience!
Thank you so much, Shaun! Really appreciate hearing that!! Hope you have an incredible time. P.J.
Hi PJ
The details you provided are very helpful. I have two tickets to Luis Armstrong tmrw Day Session.
Do you know the food pricing there at the outside courts? Not the restaurants in Arthur Ashe.
I’m trying to budget my afternoon lunch/ snacks. Thanks
Hey Patrick, that’s great – I’ll be there too. The average cost of entrees (including entree-size gourmet sandwiches) at the food stands — both in the “Food Village” across from Armstrong, and inside Armstrong too– average about $15. Drinks around $5. It’s expensive, but there actually is a lot of really good food. P.J.
Hi there, thanks for such an informative guide! Is it okay to bring a point-and-shoot camera? The official site says video devices other than cell phones and SLRs aren’t allowed, and technically my camera does take video, but it’s not professional by any means.
Going tomorrow — can’t wait!
Hey Sarah, yes no problem! Just make sure the bag doesn’t exceed the dimensions or look like a backpack… Have fun! P.J.
Thanks so much for the quick response! 🙂
hi, so cameras except phones are allowed? like normal cameras or go pro? selfie stick?
Hi Dim, the rule exactly as stated by USTA is: “No video cameras or recording devices (except for cell phones and SLR cameras with video or recording capabilities).” I don’t believe a GoPro would be allowed. No selfied sticks. Here’s the list. P.J.
I got them, P.J.! Thanks! You are the best!
Hi PJ! Thanks so much for this awesome post. Quick question. If I have an Armostrong evening ticket can I enter Armstrong or any otherr court after 6 pm even if it’s a day session match? For example, if the last match of the day session run long past 6 pm, can I enter the stadium or will they not let me go in until the evening match starts?
Also what are your thoughts on section 15 row C in Armstrong?
Thanks for everything!!
Hey Dan, No – an evening session reserved ticket will only get you into the stadium after the evening session starts. I literally sat in 15 C the other day during qualies and will be literally sitting there all day tomorrow! They are awesome seats (see my FAQ #7 above for a photo from there and why I like that perspective). Only downside is they are in direct sun during day session (all seats on East side are). For a night session, those are killer seats. P.J.
I’m going tomorrow night session! If those are your chosen seats then Im glad I got them. Thanks!
Awesome! I’ll actually be there for at least part of the Delpo match tomorrow night in Row B… Also have tickets in Ashe to see Rafa/Ferrer and Serena and wish I could be in both places at once… If you see me please say hi! P.J.
I have a friend who has reserved seats for this Wednesdays day session. He is bringing his wife who is only staying for one a few hours. Can I use her ticket when she leaves?
Hi Marc, you should be able to – but she will need to transfer the ticket to you via te app (or US Open Ticket Manager or Ticketmaster) AND will need to give you any physical ticket allowing for reentry that she receives when exiting the grounds because each barcode can only be scanned once. Each year they use a slightly different system for reentry, so until I go tomorrow I won’t know 100% how it might work this year… I’ll add this to my list to check tomorrow and try to remember to reply to you Tues. If I… Read more »
Hi P.J. – just wanted to find out if you were able to check on this? I’m facing a similar situation where my friend would like to use my ticket after I leave early on Wednesday. Thanks!
Marc (and AJ) – Apologies for the delayed reply. Here’s the deal this year: When you enter the Grounds (at East or South Gate) with a reserved ticket for Ashe/Armstrong/Grandstand, you’ll have your mobile ticket scanned and they’ll give you a little paper receipt that you can show to ushers in stadiums to access your seats (your mobile ticket works too, but this is just in case your phone dies). If you’d like to give your ticket to someone else who is already INSIDE the grounds (e.g., another person with a Grounds Pass or someone with a reserved seat in… Read more »
Hi again, P.J., hate to wear you out with questions. Thank you for being so helpful, though. I am going to buy tickets for the Ashe night session on Sep 3. I’m planning to splurge for good seats – I’m hoping for something around section 14. My problem is, I am needing three tickets for me, my husband, and our son. When I go to Ticketmaster or the ticket exchange site, though, there are not three seats together shown in any of the sections I’m interested in. Any advice for me?
Hey Kelley, check out Section 60 Row G – those are incredible seats and standard (ie low fee)! If you’re really set on section 14, check other resale sites I link to above – there are some with 3 together on those sites in that section (albeit more expensive). P.J.
I got them, P.J.! Thanks! You are the best!
Fantastic! I’ll be there that night too, last row of section 7. Hope to at least wave to you from a distance 🙂 P.J.
Hi PJ,
I have a seating question for you. I am planning to go on Wednesday and it is supposed to be HOT!
I thought I’d buy reserved Armstrong seats in the shade and have looked at your photo. I couldn’t tell if the sections shown in the photo retain the shade for the whole day or do sections 3-6 become sunny as sections 11-12 become shady?
Are there any reserved sections that retain shade for the entire day? (or almost entire day?)
Thanks in advance for all of your help!
Hey Debbie, yes Tues and Wed in particular are looking pretty miserable… They may well close the roof altogether those days to provide players and fans alike some relief. I put together that shade photo and FAQ quickly last week and need to revise today to add more detail – thanks for the prompt. Here’s what I gleaned from being there last week between about Noon and 3:00pm. I’ll be there tomorrow all day and may be able to fine-tune this afterwards: Summary: Sections 1-8 are best for shade Detail: Noon * South sections entirely shaded (sections 1, 2, 17,… Read more »
OMG – You really should get paid or provide a service for your level of detail, I love it.
LOL, thanks Gina!!!
Hi P.J.! Since we’re talking about all the different matches one could see with 1 admission ticket, as a first-time attendee, I was wondering when is one allowed to enter and/or leave a tennis match (other than the beginning and the end)? I don’t know what the proper etiquette/rules are regarding this. Thanks again for all the help and info, your blog is amazing!
Hey Deborah, thanks! Great question. Ushers will allow people to leave or take seats during every “changeover” (when players get a brief break and switch sides), which happens after every ODD game in each set beginning with the 3d game. For instance, you’d need to be seated before the start of the first set, then stay in your seat until someone won the THIRD game was completed (e.g. score could be 2-1 or 3-0 or any combination adding up to 3) then people can get up briefly during the changeover then take seats again and stay until FIFTH game is… Read more »
Perfect sense, thanks!!
I really appreciate your blog. We flew in from Canada and it’s really helped us plan for this. We brought our two kids and are on a tight budget. I am wondering how busy you think courts 17 and 10 will be for G. Muguruza And Tsitsipas tomorrow Monday Aug 27? Do we need to wait in line an hour before or so before? Or even get into the court for the match before and stay there? Or both will be too crazy and we should look at checking out another match? Thanks!
Hi Michael, appreciate you saying so- thanks! It’s always hard to predict these things… Court 17 is really big, and women’s matches (sadly) tend to attract far fewer fans – so you should be in good shape for Muguruza. Tsitipas will be playing on 11 (not 10), and his match with Robredo will follow a women’s match that will not attract many folks – so strongly recommend you arrive during the 2d set of women’s match prior (Strycova v Lao) to grab seats. Tsitipas match probably won’t start until at least 5pm, probably later. Have a blast – I’ll be… Read more »
Hi! I got tickets for the opening sessions… however my partner isn’t coming /: how can I sell the tickets? In the app, what does it mean when it says that “your check will be sent to the address on your TEAM account within seven business days of ticket sale”? What is the TEAM account? I’m leaving NY on Thursday. Does it mean I won’t be able to sell them? Is it a physical check? Thanks in advance for the information!
Hi Guillermo! The best place to start is with the official Ticketmaster Exchange, which is where your ticket will be posted if you select the ticket on your app (after you’re signed in) and choose “sell.” Usually it’s very straightforward, and I haven’t seen that particular message about “TEAM” account– so I’m afraid I can’t help with that particular one. Usually they issue payment directly to your bank account or sometimes credit card if you purchased tickets from them and they have the cc on file. Here are key links that may help: Call Ticketmaster Ticket Exchange support at 800.842.7112… Read more »
hi!
thank u for a great website!
i’m going to the practice tomorrow.
am i allowed to any size bags? are foods allowed?
it’s just practice day so i’m assuming that there are no regulations but wanted to check with u just in case .
Hi Aiko, check out https://www.usopen.org/en_US/visit/prohibited_items.html?promo=subnav
for the official line on what you can/can’t bring in. For food, signs on site say OK to bring if in small quantities for for medical reasons. Bet, P.J.
PJ – do you know what the Centurion Lounge in Armstrong exactly entails?
We have a Platinum card – but not sure if we need Armstrong tickets to access it? Also, do you know if you can see the court at all from that lounge? Thanks!
Hey Jason, I don’t, sorry! Please let me know how ti is if you go! PJ
Hi PJ,
I have been following your blog for the last three months and must say this is quite awesome! It has got everything one can expect about the US Open. I do have a small question. I have bought tickets for Sep 1 evening session (7 PM) on Arthur Ashe. Is it possible to predict now who will be playing on that day ( Wozniacki/Sharapova/Rafa/Novak). Thanks for all your hard work my friend.
Hello Sandipan, many many thanks!! Yes, at this point we can predict which players (which half of the draw) will play on Sat Sep 1 – just not whether they will play during a day or night session. That day will feature the BOTTOM HALF of both the men’s and women’s draw, which includes:
Men: Federer, Djokovic, Sascha Zverev, Cilic
Women: Madison Keys, Kerber, Kvitova, Wozniacki
Cheers! P.J.
Hi P.J.
Thank you for such an informative blog. It has helped me to plan my first US open . I have Arther ticket for morning session for day 9 and day 10. I would love to see Fedrer in action. My plan is to book evening session on day 9/10 and spend full day. As day 1 and 2 schedule is out, when will be Federer’s quarters scheduled on day 9/10 &/ morning / evening session? (Hope he makes to quarters 🙂
Thanks & Regards
Aniket
Hey Aniket, you’re very welcome! Federer will definitely play on Day 10 if he continues to advance. We can never predict with 100% certainty whether a match (or player) will be scheduled Day or Night, however that could be a Djokovic-Federer match up that the organizers will be greatly tempted to put on at Night, P.J.
Sorry if it was answered already … I see you mentioned that slightly over half of the ~14,000 seats in Armstrong are non-reserved. How many of the ~8,000 Grandstand seats are non-reserved?
HI there, 6,400 seats in the lower-bowl are reserved and require a ticket; the remaining seats in the upper rung (7,661) are non-reserved. P.J.
you rock! thank you so much.
Hi, first off I would like to say, this is the most informative and helpful guide for the US Open out there! A quick question: I’m planning on attending some early round matches, and figured the seats wouldn’t be completely filled. Do you know if you’re allowed to move to any empty seat in Arthur Ashe? Obviously I would vacate the spot if someone came in late and had reserved the seat. But if there are unoccupied seats, would I be allowed to “upgrade”? Also, would I be able to sit in lower sections or is there an additional ticket… Read more »
Hey Eric, THANKS! Funny, I literally just typed an answer for someone else who had a similar question… While it’s often possible to sneak into empty seats WITHIN the section you have tickets for, it’s very risky to try to do so in other sections – and usually impossible to move into Loge seats with a Promenade ticket (separate ushers on that level will check your ticket and deny you entry). P.J.
Thanks for the info and the quick reply!
So i bought reserved Armstrong seats for the day session on 9/4 and didnt realize any singles would be playing there that day. I really dont have an interest in mixed doubles which seems to be the most likely choice for that time. I am trying to resell but there are just so many tickets available I doubt they sell unless I basically give them away. I can get really cheap Ash seats in the promenade section and figured I could just site in unused seats that are lower in the section. Do you think this is the best plan… Read more »
Hey Jason, I feel badly I didn’t make more clear – I’ve heard of a several people now who made that purchase because the ticket sites very misleadingly say “Men’s/Women’s Quarterfinals” for that session. I need to put some kind of “alert” box in my blog for a few things like that where people are commonly tripped up… I included it in my Schedule of Play outline and tips, but it’s embedded in the text and not prominent enough. There are some front-row Promenade standard seats for $90 still available for that Tuesday Day session, and also several good deals… Read more »
Hello!
Does a day grounds pass or any day session pass get you into the Armstrong night session in the first-come first serve section? I know you need to purchase an additional ticket to get a reserved seat but what about the upper open seats. And if so, do you think they will clear out the stadium before the night session begins or can you wait in it?
Thank you!
Hi Angelina! Yes, any Day ticket (reserved or grounds) gives you access to non-reserved seating on any court besides Ashe as long as you want; once you’re in the grounds, you can stay as long as you want.
They will almost certainly clear Armstrong between Day and Evening sessions to give others waiting in line a shot to get in.
P.J.
********** IMPORTANT UPDATE **********
THE DAY 1 AND 2 SCHEDULES ARE OUT! They have never been published this early before.
https://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/schedule/index.html?promo=subnav
P.J.
I’m going on Wednesday the 29th for the day session at Arthur Ashe, so who are the possible big players I might get to see?
Hi Al, take a look at the schedule for Day 1 that just came out (featuring players in the top half of both the men’s and women’s draw). See my FAQ #1 above for links. The winners of those matches are who you will have a chance of seeing Wed. Strong chance one of them will be Nadal. P.J.
We will be in Manhattan for a few extra days other than when we go to the Open. Any chance you know of some good bars there where they draw in a good amount of tennis fans and have the audio on?
Hey Neil, the best list I’ve ever found is this one from Time Out NY. I haven’t gone to any myself, so if you go PLEASE let me know if you have a thumbs up or down for any of them so I can let others know… You’re not the first to ask! P.J.
I noticed that there’s a lot of unsold day session louis armstrong stadium tickets (standard tickets, not resale tickets) for Labor day 9/3, do you know if they’ve ever reduced the ticket prices closer to the event? These tickets start at almost $300 after fees so I can see why they’re not being sold
Hey Bernie, the situation is entirely new and different this year with so many more courtside reserved seats than ever before, so hard to predict what will happen in the days ahead… Two factors have yet to come into play that may raise demand in the days ahead: (1) No one (except those of us who went out during Qualies) has seen the new stadium yet. It’s really awesome, and I think people will fall in love with it and realize the value of sitting down in those really great reserved seats; (2) I expect we’ll see more top-draw names… Read more »
Thanks for the insight! Yes I noticed tickets being resold were lower than the face value, that seems like the route to go for me. Great post btw, I’ve been visiting your site since you first wrote it, incredibly informative!
Hi P.J! Your blog is very helpful and I’m very amazed with your dedication putting all of these! I have a question regarding the schedule of play. Is it official that Roger, Djokovic and Sascha Zverev will play on the second day? I have one courtside ticket for Ashe day session on Friday 31st and I was expecting I can watch either of those 3 players 🙁 If the schedule of play is official, Where do you think is the best website to sell my courtside ashe ticket? Do you think it’s gonna sell fast? and what is your suggestion… Read more »
Hi Victoria, thanks! It’s not yet official – I’m going by Brad Gilbert’s tweet from this morning, which I believe we can treat with near certainty is accurate. I don’t think US Open officials will be happy that he leaked that out, but he did… and for them to reverse course after players have been notified would put them in an impossible position. We will have 100% certainty when official Schedule of Play for Day 1 (and possibly Day 2) comes out tomorrow. I’m so sorry about the draw/scheduling not working in your favor! The official Ticket Exchange is where… Read more »
Hey PJ,
Your blog is a lifesaver. I am traveling to NYC on 4th(Wed) & 5th(Thu) for watch my first ever professional tennis match and I cannot wait to watch Nadal play Anderson and Fed vs Djoker. I have tickets for both sessions. Your site has been super helpful in planning and I will continue to follow it. Wohoo!
Hey Rajesh, thank you! Just to make 100% sure you understand how scheduling for QF works, you know there will be QF matches in both the Day and Evening sessions on Ashe on both 4th and 5th, yes? Do you have tickets to all four sessions on both days? Regardless, you will see great matches – but without tickets for all 4 sessions there’s no guarantee you’d see all those guys (if they make it through). Here’s the link to last year’s schedule so you can see that as an example (days 9 and 10). P.J.
Yes, I have tickets for all 4 sessions in Ashe stadium, do you think it’s a safe bet that both Nadal and Federer’s matches should be night sessions at Arthur Ashe?
That’s fantastic, Rajesh – you will have an incredible time. Definitely not a safe bet that their matches will be night sessions. See my FAQ #1 above for why. P.J.
Hi P.J., I’m back again with a few more questions (sorry!). I’ll be taking the 7 train to the US Open. I read somewhere that the station is not directly by the US Open and you’ll have to walk some distance. Do you know how long the walk is and if there are signs to direct you to the US Open? I also read that you can upgrade your tickets at the upgrade window outside of the US Open. Would tickets that I buy from ticketmaster/tick pick be eligible? And where is this window located? Lastly, can I enter in… Read more »
Hi Jaclyn, the 7 train stop is only a 5 minute quick walk (max) to the East Gate (versus the LIRR exit, which is about a 2 minute walk). It’s very clearly marked and there will be hundreds of other folks leaving the train so you will have no doubt which way to go! The Box Office is located by the East Gate just after you pass through security screening (but before you get your ticket scanned to enter the grounds). According to the US Open website, the Upgrade Windows are “generally open from 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. daily…Hours of… Read more »
Thank you so much P.J.! Let me make sure I’m understanding this part…for example, if I want to upgrade my lower promenade seat for an upper promenade seat, I’d pay the difference of the standard price btwn the upper and lower promenade seat? Also, I noticed that when I select to purchase a standard seat on ticketmaster, there is an option to “Upgrade your visit with a restaurant pass for access to The US Open Club located on the ground floor of Arthur Ashe Stadium” for $10, but food and beverage are not included with the purchase of restaurant passes.… Read more »
Hi Jaclyn, you’re welcome! So it’s not exactly clear how they assess trade-in value of tickets, but I believe it’s based on standard ticket prices. For instance, let’s say you bought an upper promenade seat from a any resale site for much more than it’s actually worth– say you paid $300 for a seat that originally cost $80 before the resale; and let’s say you had the option to upgrade to a Loge seat worth $300; in that case, I believe the Box office would offer the upgrade to you for $220 (i.e., the amount you paid the ticket seller… Read more »
Hi P.J., Thank you for your dedication to thoroughly answer every question, and for letting me know that you responded. 🙂 I understand how the ticket upgrade works now. Thanks! Is the US Open Club just an area with more food options? Or is it a lounge area? If I buy a ticket to get in, does the ticket say the date that I have to use it for? For example, if I buy a ticket for Sept 5th and add this US Club ticket, does that mean it’s only good for Sept 5th?…and you are right (LOL!) I am… Read more »
Hey Jaclyn, you’re most welcome! The US Open Club does have offer food. I’m pretty sure you can use the pass to enter at any time during the tournament and it doesn’t have a specific date/time (unlike the Chase Lounge) but not 100% certain. I’d recommend you call Client Services at 718.760.6363 just to be sure (if you do, and if you go, I’d be so grateful if you let me know so I can know better next time someone asks! P.J.
Of course P.J.! I’ll definitely update you if I go. I’ll also try calling client services today and see what they say 🙂 Is client services the general inquire line? I’ll what they say about Amex holders in other countries too.
Thanks so much again! 🙂
Super, thanks Jaclyn! Yeah, they just have that one number for Client Services and Box Office… It may be a wait to get through, I was on hold the other day for 25 minutes waiting to ask a question a reader had asked about… P.J.
Hi PJ, Thanks so much for the amazing updates, it looks like Federer and/or Djokovic will be playing on Thursday!!! Super excited. I am having a time trying to figure out a problem that just arose. My companion now has a boot on her foot. She can’t walk very far. I have tried to map out our travel to the Open without having to drive. At first everything looked good. We planned to drive into Newark and take NJ Transit to LIRR. but if we do the handicap accessible route it adds an additional hour to our travel, I can’t… Read more »
Hi Gina, I’m so sorry but I don’t think I can be of much help on this one. Just don’t know enough about where exactly they will allow drop-offs for non-players. Sorry!! P.J.
Thanks. I spoke to someone on the US Open Chat today. She said that there is a taxi drop off at Lot H, which is by the South gate. Then she told me to call guest services at 718-760-6363 and she can have a wheel chair come pick her up the person that is having mobility issues and they will transport he to a stadium. hopefully I can give you some accessibility feedback after our trip. We are definitely going to get evening session seats now to make sure we have seats, since the outside courts will be harder to… Read more »
Gina, that’s great to hear! I’m sure similar questions will come up again in the future, so this is very helpful and your feedback afterwards will be very valuable to others too. Hope you have a great experience, and please do keep me posted. P.J.
This was extremely helpful. Thank you.
I’m so glad, thanks David! P.J.
Real awesome blog and website. Every tennis fan should salute you !
Reuben, that’s too kind – but I am most grateful for the high praise! Thanks so much. P.J.
hey pj awesome site helped us buy some good tix to the mens SF. issue on hand is i have too many 🙂 whats the easiest way to sell some extra mobile/electronic tickets? i have 4 for the SF, and have listed 2 for sale on ticketmaster and stubhub but there seems to be no movement in the past 3-4 weeks, people are likely getting turned off by the fees adder on top, is there a place i can list them without these fees? i also cant list them on ticketmaster exchange yet as it is asking for a barcode… Read more »
Hi Adi, yes it’s super frustrating that we can’t list tickets on the Exchange without a barcode – I am in exactly the same boat with tickets I purchased by accident thinking friends would be in town on a different day. There’s an exceptionally strong chance that at least Nadal, Federer, or Djokovic will be in the semifinal — which means there will be strong demand for tickets. Know that many tickets don’t sell until much closer to the actual match, so stay hopeful. As soon as you get your barcode (which I believe will be at least 5 days… Read more »
Hi! I am huge Federer fan and I will be in NY for the US Open, I love tennis but my main goal is to try to catch Federer in a competitive match. I have done my research and I thing budget wise I can buy a ticket for Round 16 in Arthur Ashe at night. I was almost sure Federer will play (if he wins of course) on Monday 3rd, you also made that prediction in this article but I just saw that he is schedule to play his first match on Monday 27th meaning that if he gets… Read more »
Hi Maria, thanks! To clarify – unless Brad Gilbert’s tweet this morning was incorrect, Federer will play first on TUESDAY Aug 28th, which means if he keeps winning his round of 16 match will be Labor Day Monday Sep 3. As I mention in my post, though, no way to know for sure if he will play Day or Night until the schedule is released the day prior. Last year they put Fed on a lot at night, but there’s no way to be sure. P.J.
Hi P.J,
First meaning Ashe day session or first meaning first match of the night session? Thank you!
Hi Natasha, I mean his first match will be on Tuesday Aug 28. There is no way to know in advance whether it will be Day or Night, or to be 100% sure it will even be on Ashe. See my updated FAQ #1 above for details. P.J.
PJ,
Your site is fantastic! Thank you so much for all the work you do to provide such great information.
Looking for your advice/input on how best to resell non-electronic tickets. I have the actual tickets and am told I can’t do the US Open resale site due the fact that I have the hard tickets. I have a couple tickets for next Wednesday and Thursday night sessions that I’d love to get rid of. Appreciate your feedback.
Thanks.
Thank you, Jane! Not sure who told you you can’t sell your tickets, but I believe that’s incorrect information. Your hard tickets have a barcode number. If you go to the Ticketmaster Exchange site, click “Sell, then follow instructions, it should coach you through how to simply enter your barcode and post your tickets for sale. I’d contact them directly if you have any issues – they should be able to help. Let me know how it goes! P.J.
Hi Again PJ, I have another question that you may not know the answer to unless you are up on all the USTA benefits. I received this in an email….The first 250 Members at each session who stop by the USTA Membership Booth to claim their gifts will also receive two passes for the US Open Club, located on the ground floor of Arthur Ashe Stadium. US Open Club passes are available on a first-come, first served basis, and are available to Members only for the session in which they claim their gifts.* Does this mean we gain access to… Read more »
Hi Tamara, no – the Club is just an area with food and amenities. See description here. P.J.
Hi PJ,
I have my eye on a couple of tickets in Armstrong on Weds. evening. Do you think I should pull the trigger on them today (Fri.) before the schedule comes out tomorrow (Sat.)? Even just your gut feeling would be great.
Hi Tamara, the schedule that comes out tomorrow will only cover Day 1 (and possibly Day 2). Wed schedule won’t be posted until Tuesday. I hesitate to make predictions at this point – it’s possible that they schedule some major players on Armstrong for Day 1 and 2, which could push prices up overall… Recommend you take a look at my updated FAQ #1 before making a final decision. P.J.
when do you think Tsitsipas will play?
Hi Dim, Tsitsipas is in the top half of the draw with Nadal, so will play on Day 1 (Mon) and every other day thereafter through Quarters if he makes it through. See my FAQ #1 above for more. P.J.
hi, are 329-334 west better than corners like 304-306 south or 324-328 west on ashe?
I have found some B-D rows for around the same price but do not know if it is better in the middle or corners
Hi Dim, most people prefer “behind the server” or corner view to sitting in the middle. My experience from Promenade is that what’s most important is sitting in the lowest row possible regardless of the section. Avoid East side sections (including Southeast corner) for day sessions when possible because of sun. P.j.
Hi PJ,
Your site has been just incredibly helpful, your work is really appreciated. Do you know how legit is this? https://twitter.com/bgtennisnation/status/1032960341448314880
Coming from Brad Gilbert I’d expect we could trust in this? What do you think? Would you buy tickets based on this?
Gustavo, WHOA – this is a HUGE LEAK on Brad’s part… That’s his official Twitter handle and he is someone who would have access to that kind of early information. THANK YOU so much for alerting me and others in this community to this! So yes, it seems we can assume the following based on this: MONDAY/ WED/ FRI/ SUNDAY Men (top half): Nadal, Del Potro, Thiem, Anderson, Dimitrov Women (top half): Serena & Venus Williams, Simona Halep, Sloane Stephens, Azarenka TUESDAY/ THU/ SAT/ LABOR DAY (Mon) Men’s bottom half: Federer, Djokovic, Zverev, Cilic Women bottom half: Madison Keys, Kerber,… Read more »
You’re welcome 🙂 But this is stuff is hard! I really want to see Federer’s third round. So would you say there’s a chance he’s not playing on Ashe the 3rd round? I’,m traveling to NYC next week, arriving for the 2nd round and I really really don’t want to miss him. Would you say I should just wait for the actual schedule and maybe pay a bit more and not risk it?
I know, incredibly tough and over the years I have learned the hard way not to be overly confident about any predictions! I’d be shocked if Fed didn’t make it through at least to 3d round based on the draw. And while I do think there’s a chance they will shock everyone and put Fed on Armstrong during 1st or possibly 2d round, my gut is they would only put him on Ashe thereafter thereafter. However, even if that were a safe assumption, guessing between Day v Night is risky. Last year they put Fed on Night a ton –… Read more »