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.












Thank you for this thorough piece, PJ! We are going to our first Open & I feel prepared w this as a resource. One thing – we have an extra pair of tickets for today’s Day Session Ashe Loge Row A that we can’t seem to unload. Any suggestions or leads on how we can get these tickets into the hands of fans? Thanks in advance!!
Hi Melissa! A fellow fan from Brazil, Alexandre, posted last night that he got an evening session today but is dying to see Federer and was hoping to trade… Being from outside the US, he can’t sell his tix on the Exchange (which requires a US bank account) – so if you’re feeling magnanimous I am sure he would be ecstatic beyond words… His comment below, his email is alexandre.alvim2@hotmail.com. P.J.
Melissa, I would be extremely pleased if I could get this ticket from you!
I would have no words to say thank you!
P.J. Tank you for remember me!
My WhatsApp +5512991850420
Hi P.J.,
Everything is crystal to me except the issue of Grounds Admission pass vs. General Admission areas. If I buy a Grounds Pass for this Sunday, can I get there early and queue for the GA area of Armstrong and stay there all day (switching for better seats when some vacate I guess) watching R4 matches? In essence getting an Armstrong seat (albeit not courtside) for the price of the Grounds pass?
Or is it a cascading system, where only people from Ashe get to go to GA Armstrong and so forth?
Thanks a million in advance.
Hey again! Yes, it’s a confusing for the first time! If you look at my map towards top of my post (just under Tip #1) you’ll see a dotted yellow line around the entire grounds… * ANY ticket (including Grounds Admission ticket) to the Open gets you into the grounds. * Every stadium within the Grounds has unreserved/ general admission (GA) seating on a first-come basis * Once in in the grounds, anyone can access GA unreserved) seating at ALL stadiums except Ashe (Ashe is the only stadium without any GA seats). * All GA/unreserved seating is first-come * See… Read more »
Thank you! I took your advice and opted for 2 reserved seats in Armstrong for my first time at the US Open with my girlfriend (in the past I’ve done Grounds Pass to Wimbledon and got a last minute 4th row seat to a Federer/Roddick semi-final at the Australian open and LOVED both experiences). We’re in zone 12, row P and I absolutely cannot wait!!
Thanks so much for this page and for answering everyone’s questions. They should be paying you for this (or at least giving you a free Ashe courtside tournament pass!!).
Thank you Ismail!! I’m so grateful, and so glad to hear it helped. P.J.
God bless you for this. Absolutely amazing.
Thanks so much, Ismail!! P.J.
Hey P.J., Great work, love the updates from last year ! With your suggestions last year, we got Row D Sect 20 in the Grandstand for Sat of Labor Day weekend with “cheap” tickets just a day in advance and saw Delpo up close, AMAZING, making sure we get to the open every year now! Only day we can make it is Monday this year and wondering now that weve gotten some schedules out if you think the Grandstand would be getting a mens singles match for Monday, or if everything will be sticking to AA and the new LA?… Read more »
Hi Anthony, thank you! I had an incredible day Monday and will be there a ton between this Fri-Tues. I can’t be certain, but my strong assumption is that there will be a men’s singles Round of 16 match on both Armstrong AND Grandstand on Monday. However, you may want to hold off until schedule comes out – and closer such that weather forecast becomes more clear (it can change so quickly this time of year). Lots of possible rain in the forecast over the next week, so Armstrong (and Ashe) ticket holders may benefit from more matches than normally… Read more »
This is almost too detailed LOL. Thank you so much for your helpful insight. First time going to US Open and I’m extremely excited!
🙂
P.J – thank you for the great site you are running! I usually look for last minute good deals on tickets but last week saw some standard tickets pop for for Armstrong for this Saturday and went for it. Section 7 Row B for $380…there was another standard seat behind me for the same price. I logged on a few days later and saw my seat for sale for $230 (!) as well as the stanadrd seat behind me. Worrying about some fraud, tried calling TM but in the 10 minites of wait time the situation corrected itself with my… Read more »
Hi Anya, while I haven’t tracked or seen that happen personally, there may well be a situation where USTA has lowered prices for some seats based on the supply and demand to date. As I mentioned to a couple other readers, I too paid a lot for some great seats in Armstrong for sessions where there are resale tickets averaging less than the original standard price. It’s a whole new situation with the new stadium this year – fans are just getting to know it and assess value, and USTA is trying to figure out demand. I suspect we’ll see… Read more »
I have night session tickets. Am I able to see any matches before 7 p.m.?
Hi Eric, with an evening session ticket you can enter grounds at 6pm and visit any matches you want on outer courts – there will be plenty going on (assuming you’re going this week – matches go well into evening through the third round of play). You can enter Ashe whenever you want – you don’t have to enter right at 7pm if you want to skip the first part of whatever match starts then. PJ
Hi,
I am over in NYC(from UK) for the weekend of the final, and really hoping to land tickets for the men’s final.
I am happy to buy resale tickets, and don’t mind sitting in the gods, however I don’t like the ridiculous fees TM charge – do you know of a site where tickets can be bought without the massive fees?
Thanks
Hi David, unfortunately not – even resale sites that factor fees into the first price you see are essentially building in fees, which pay for the services they provide that protect buyers and sellers from fraud and other issues. The situation isn’t unique to tennis… It’s common for other sports, concerts, and theater too. The only upside is that quite often (albeit rarely with semis and finals) the resale market gives access to more people to buy better seats, many times at lower prices than the standard no-few tickets. P.J.
So disappointed. We bought our 2 Louis Armstrong tics for Sun of Labor Day weekend in Row T for $340 each from Ticketmaster the day they went on sale to the public. Couldn’t manage to get better seats that day but now there’s lots of regular seats for sale on TM better than ours & the most expensive is only $270. Feeling ripped off.
Hey Fran, know that you aren’t alone. I too bought some Armstrong standard tickets early for sessions where resale prices ended up much lower on average. And I have so many friends who subscribed to Armstrong tix and are not able to recoup costs for many tickets. I think USTA priced the tickets way too high on average – and it’s killing me to see so many unsold empty courtside seats this week while upper deck is packed with serious fans. I suspect some price adjustment next year. In the meantime, do know that (1) the new stadium is pretty… Read more »
This was amazing!
Thanks a million, Val!!
Hi PJ, if I have an Ashe day ticket, can I access Armstrong for a night match? Thank you for an informative blog. I don’t think anyone knows about the Open better than you!
Thank you Ilana! Yes you certainly can – Once you’re in the grounds, you can stay as late as you want and access unreserved seating in any stadium (except Ashe) any time on a first-come basis. PJ
Hello PJ!
I am attending tomorrow’s evening session. Have a ticket for Ashe, but was wondering if there will be games happening on the smaller courts before/during/after Djokovic plays? I love the small courts but do not want to miss Djokovic! What do you think?
Thanks so much!
Hey Daniel, yes and yes! You can enter at 6pm with your ticket. Will be lots going on before and definitely some after Nole finishes (unless it’s a long 5-setter!). PJ
Hi, P.J.! How are you? I’m from Brazil and I would like to thank you for all the tips that helped me to go to US Open!!
I bought a ticket for Arthur Ashe night session on 30th, but I would like to exchange for a day session!
I WANNA WATCH ROGER FEDERER IN ACTION!
My Seat: Section 122 Row J Seat 8
Can someone help me?
Hi Alexandre, you’re welcome! I suggest you include your email in this post so anyone who might be open to a trade contact you directly. P.J. *** FYI to all readers *** Normally I only allow posts along these lines when fellow fans have FREE tickets to offer others. I am making an exception to allow this post because non-US visitors to the Open like Alexandre are not able to sell tickets on the Ticket Exchange (which requires a US bank account). I do not allow posts for any private ticket sales or exchanges, mainly to protect readers. Professional sites… Read more »
Sorry I didn’t know about it!
But I’m not a lucky guy haha! I have bought two sessions to watch Federer (1st and 2nd rounds), but both I will see Djokovic…
Anyway, my email is alexandre.alvim2@hotmail.com
Thank you P.J.!
Hi PJ, again thanks for this incredibly useful information! A couple of questions… 1) I have tickets for Ashe for both day and night sessions on Wednesday 5 September. Do I need to exit between the two or can I just move from my seats for the day session to my seats for the night session? 2) My tickets appear in my account on the official US Open app but when I tap to view the barcode, there’s just a white square where the barcode should be. Is this supposed to appear nearer to the time I’m attending? Or is… Read more »
Hi Stu, you’re most welcome!
1) You’ll need to exit Ashe after the day session then re-enter for evening
2) That’s normal – the barcode often doesn’t appear until 5 days before the session date (frustratingly!)
P.J.
Hi there! I have Friday day passes at Ashe. Tickets say 12. Can you get in before that? Or do they hold you at the gates until noon?
Also, what is your prediction on where and when Serena and Venus will play Friday? Trying to decide if I should buy evening tickets Friday.
Thanks!
Hi Kristen! You can enter the grounds at 930am with all Day tickets – but the Ashe matches don’t start until noon. I’m very reluctant to make predictions about Day v Night, esp for a Serena/Venus match… they could easily go either way. See my reply to Sam below. I would consider holding out until Fri schedule comes out tomorrow afternoon (today it was out by about 330pm). PJ
One more quick question PJ…what do you think abt (Ashe) section 102 row K seat#1 and 2 ? will it attract a lot of sun ?
Thanks again.
Hi Sarvesh, 102 is excellent from shade perspective. See my Ashe shade map above in FAQ #4. PJ
Hi, If I transfer a Ticket to my brother, do I then lose my own version? Or do I just create a copy?
Best regards,
Petter
Hi Petter, not sure I understand your question… If you transfer your ticket to someone else, you are, in effect, giving it away and can no longer use it for yourself. If you have multiple tickets and want to transfer one of them to him, you can choose to do that and keep the other(s) for yourself (I.e., you can transfer one or many tickets to others). P.J.
Hello there! Thank you for having created this fantastic, informative and all-around wonderful blog–I have used this as my main resource to plan my visit to the US Open this year (first time, I am excited!). Just one question–I bought reserved Armstrong tickets for Monday 9/3 in section 6. We’re not as close up as I had wanted (row S), but the prices I saw were the lowest I have seen in the 2 months I have been checking, so I went ahead and bought them. One thing I have noticed from watching the matches on TV these first couple… Read more »
Hi Rae, great choice of section – when the other side is baking in the sun on Monday you’ll be very happy you went with that side of the stadium :). I will be nearby in section 4 that day. The official policy is that you cannot move your seat. However, ushers don’t really have the capacity to enforce this — especially in the new Armstrong, because the sections are so big. And fellow fans generally don’t mind if you take their seat as long as you are ready to move the INSTANT they return to their seat without causing… Read more »
Hello again PJ! I have day and night session tickets on Ashe for this Friday. Although there could be some rain, I’m happy the temps will be much lower, and they can always close the roof if it rains. I assume Serena and Venus will play in the evening if they win today. I also assume Nadal will be on Ashe that day (or night). As far as the other men’s match on Ashe for that day (or night), do you think it could be Stan vs. Raonic? Stan may not be seeded, but he’s very well-liked and is obviously… Read more »
Hey Matt! Fellow fan Sam asked some similar questions, so I posted extensive thoughts on this in my reply to him below. (I don’t think Stan/Milos would be likely for Ashe – but I may be wrong!). Let me know if they make sense! P.J.
Thanks P.J. I personally don’t think they’d schedule both Serena vs Venus and Rafa on the same Ashe day session. I know that would require Serena or Rafa to play 3 straight night sessions, but that Day lineup on Friday would be outrageous. I’d definitely want to upgrade my loge seats for the day session if that happens! Thanks again. It’s fun to take some stabs at it, but I’ll guess I’ll hold tight for now.
Sounds like a good strategy! It is always fun to guess and feels great to make a bet on seats and get it right… but I have learned the hard way over and over that one can never be too confident about any trends/predictions. So support your decision to hold tight 🙂
hi pj,
which seats would you recommend row A section 105 or row section 113 ?
Hi Fernando, if during a Day session definitely 105 to maximize shade potential (avoid 113 for Day). If for evening, either would be equally terrific. P.J.
Hi PJ,
Great information. I have been following this and it truly helped me to plan my first US Open. I will be there on 30th. I have a question – with excessive hot days, are they closing the roof of Ashe during the days to give some relief ?
Thanks,
Hi Sarvesh, thank you! Great question. So far, they have not (on either Ashe or Armstrong) – and I don’t believe they will in the interest of fairness to all the other players who are sweltering on outer courts. Next week we may see a different approach once all singles matches move to Ashe beginning with Quarters. Until then, I suspect not. P.J.
Hi PJ! Your site is amazing. Thank you so much for all the helpful info!
This will be my first time at the US open. Just two quick questions: Have day and night tickets for quarter finals, tues and wed. Just wanted to get your opinion on the seats i got – sections 132 and 320.
Also, does it get chilly in the evening?
Thank again!
Nelson
Hey Nelson, thanks so much! 132 great both from viewing AND shade perspective. 320 will be good perspective – just relatively high up, but that level is often a lot of fun because fans get really into it. It usually does get chilly evenings this time of year, but not this week! We are in the feeling the press of climate change this week big time, and even evenings in Ashe have been uncomfortable this week so far. However looks like there will be some temporary relief from the heat this weekend, but next Tues/Wed look fairly brutal again. So… Read more »
Hi PJ, we will be attending the Open for both the day and night session on Ashe Wednesday Sept 5. I have been monitoring ticket prices extensively for the past month and it looks like the budget will accommodate one of two options. I am holding on to hope that prices will still drop as we get closer to the date but who knows. Option 1- Day Session: Courtside, Night Session: Promenade Option 2 – Day Session: Loge, Night Session: Loge Keeping in mind that there is the potential for a Federer vs Djokovic match on this day (which if… Read more »
Hey Matthew, you’ve already done great homework and been very thoughtful about this! I share the hunch that a Nole/Fed match-up would be put on Ashe at night during Quarters (always with the caveat that there are crazy surprises every year where my hunches get tossed out the window). For that reason, I’d probably lean towards Option 2, pushing budget for best possible Loge seats evening and getting cheapest Loge seats for Day in the hopes of being able to sneak up to any empty seats in your session (with caveat I’ve made many times on this front that you… Read more »
Hey. Really helpful website. Thank you. I am traveling from CO and I have one night that I can go (third round, this friday). I have never been before. If you had to choose only one thing, would you buy a ticket for Ashe or Armstrong? Thanks!
-Niels
Hi Niels, as much as I love the new Armstrong (and will be there Friday night myself), if you only have one night session I’d absolutely make it Ashe. See possible lineups in my reply below to Sam. Will be an exciting night for sure. P.J.
Thanks PJ!
Hi again! During the round of 16 (Sunday and Monday) will there be only singles matches on Louis Armstrong (day and/or night)? I see last year that time there were doubles matches as well. Do you think that will change with the new stadium? Kudos to you and thanks!
Hi Deborah! Thanks 🙂 There will almost certainly be doubles matches during R16 on Armstrong as well this year. Only one session beginning Sunday (no night session). Re: singles matches, lineup will almost certainly not feature more than one men’s singles and one women’s singles each day (others likely to be on Grandstand). P.J.
hey pj this site is phenomenal but there are multiple things I’m wondering about I just read this site and did last minute planning as I am planning to go Friday to see a possible Venus vs Serena and Nadal and hopefully Sloane vs Azarenka and Murray vs del port but when should I buy tickets due to Azarenka having a tough 2nd round matchup and same as Venus and Murray so if I buy now I might not see them buy you said the tickets might raise with these matchups and also do you think I should buy both… Read more »
Hi Sam, All good questions – I can only share any hunches I might have, with the caveat that guesswork is always dangerous given the amount of variables. Sharing this detail below to help you and anyone else who might have similar questions about Friday. (1) We’ll know very soon today whether Sloane and Azarenka will play each other, as they playing Noon and 11am matches respectively. Similarly, you’ll know if Murray and Delpo win their matches by late afternoon/early evening today as they’re both playing Day session matches. (see today’s Daily Schedule of Play) (2) I would put strong… Read more »
Thanks for this ! Planning to attend this Thursday but waiting for official schedule before booking my tickets . Without this column , I would have been lost as a first timer to the US Open.
Thanks again and let me know if you’re there on Thursday .
Cheers,
Nick
Hey Nick, you’re so welcome! Smart to wait till Thurs schedule comes out. FYI today it took until about 6:30pm to release the next day’s schedule. Hopefully they’ll release Thurs schedule tomorrow a bit sooner, given fewer matches to schedule. I won’t be out there Thurs, but have a great time and please let me know how it goes. P.J.
This site is AMAZING! You have thought of everything one might ask! Thanks for all the hard work you have put into it. I love playing and watching tennis and have always dreamed to see the US or Australian open, but I had no clue how the tournament ticket system worked. After reading this I feel confident and excited to purchase my first tickets!! Thanks again 🙂
Meredith, THANK YOU! It’s so rewarding to me to hear that it helped. Please let me know how your first experience at the Open goes! P.J.
PJ, thanks for all of your work that you put into this site! I purchased tickets for this coming Saturday night at Ashe (Round 3) in hopes of seeing Fed. I note that in your guide, you say that schedulers like to alternate night/day for consecutive matches. I noticed that Rafa played Ashe yesterday (Mon night) but is now scheduled for Ashe again on Wed night, which leads me to think he may get scheduled for a day session on Friday. My concern is that Fed may follow this scheduling as well (he played Tuesday night at Ashe, I read… Read more »
Hey Mark, you’re welcome, thanks so much! While there’s a distinctive pattern of schedulers tending to alternate, they don’t always – so it’s truly impossible to predict. However, if I were placing betting odds on it, I would probably put money on Rafa being scheduled Ashe Day on Friday given the two consecutive nights (which may, in large part, be due to wanting to give him a break from the predicted 96F temps tomorrow). To clarify, I would NOT place bets on Fed and Novak both being scheduled night on Tuesday – what I meant to communicate to another fan… Read more »
Hey PJ, back again, am I right in guessing that Federer will be scheduled for the Day Session on Ashe on the 30th?
I have a Lodge ticket for the Day session.
Hey Gautam, there’s no way to predict in advance whether players will be scheduled Day or Night. See my FAQ #1 for why. Cheers, P.J.
Your site is *amazing* — best thing around for navigating the Open. Just ordered a couple of tickets for Friday evening at Armstrong following all your good advice. Hope to see Stan as he is my #2 favorite next to Nole, who I know won’t be playing Friday but we had the good fortune to see him play in ’15 on the way to winning it all. Thank you!
Hey Lance, super grateful for you taking the time to say that! Thanks so much. I will be there Friday night in Armstrong too (Section 9 Row F) – if you see me please say hi! Would love to see Wawrinka-Raonic that night… would be awesome. P.J.
Hey PJ. One more question. I’m a little confused on the GA seating for the evening Armstrong matches.
I have reserved Armstrong day tickets for this Thursday. Can I stay and watch the evening matches on Armstrong in the GA section?
You mentioned that day ticket holders could stay in the concourse area while they cleaned up for the evening. Could we then move to the GA section for the night matches? If not, how would Armstrong ever be full for a night match? Thanks in advance for your Open knowledge.
Hey Carter, so first, know that the demand for seats will depend entirely on who gets scheduled. As one observant fellow fan pointed out earlier today, there’s a chance the could put either Federer or Djokovic on Armstrong Thursday night to spare them the heat (not necessarily fair to the other 62 players left, but certainly a plausible scenario). In that case, there would be crazy lines for GA seating; otherwise, this Thursday night may not be too crazy. Either way, I would plan on staying IN Armstrong after you leave your Day seats. Go upstairs to the upstairs GA… Read more »
Makes sense. Thanks for the advice. So glad we can stay in the upper concourse, grab some refreshments and have an advantage to watch the evening matches.
I also feel like they will put someone big there Thursday night. If it’s Sasha, my wife will be very happy ?
Thank you for all your great tips. I have two quick questions 1. I got us open club pass located on the ground level of Ashe can you describe to me what they are ? 2. I have tickets for women semi final son Thursday September 6th is it worth going early and is there anything going on to see ? Thanks Liane
Hi Liane, you’re very welcome. (1) The entrance is on the “East Patio”, near the Heineken Red Star Patio Cafe… It’s on the side of Ashe before the area where you would enter. See this screenshot. (2) I absolutely think so… See my Box #4 above under Tip #10 for a description – it’s actually the only day where you can enter the grounds at 11am for free and see a lot of great stuff. Watching wheelchair tennis is a life-changing experience. Watching world-class doubles up close is just awesome, but for various reasons doubles isn’t promoted or celebrated so… Read more »
Amazing information site, thanks for all of your efforts. This past Saturday we bought tickets (not resale) for Sunday Sept 2 at Armstrong for $340 (Section 18), and I noticed today that the price has been dropped to $260 for all seats at the south end sections. Is there anything we can do about this?
Thanks.
Hey Dan, thank you very much, it’s a pleasure especially when folks like you are so appreciative. I am in exactly the same boat: I speculated early that demand would be higher for some primo seats in Armstrong both for Sun and Mon next weekend and paid $340 (for 9 tickets for me and friends!) and wish I had been as patient as I tell others to be. In part, my decision was based on trying to get 9 seats together, but I also didn’t expect to see prices drop as low as they have. Unfortunately no recourse for us,… Read more »
Mate. Super impressive article and commitment. I’m flying from London on Thursday and will be making the Night AA session. Thanks again!
Hey Mark, many many thanks! That’s awesome dedication to go the same day you arrive, love it. Have a blast! P.J.
Haha thanks! Bit miffed I got Djokovic instead of Federer but that’s the way the cookie crumbles I guess!
Hi P.J,
Great blog and very articulate on ticket buying tips. I’m hoping to watch men’s quarters on Tuesday (day session) and Wednesday (night session). I see that Wednesday night session tickets at Arthur Ashe are so expensive even for the top tier seats when compared to Tuesday night session tickets. Hoping for Federer-Djokovic showdown. Do you think it’s wise waiting for the tickets to go down below 100 for the Wednesday night session? Also, do seats in 329 section get shade for the day session?
Thanks,
Sahil
Hi Sahil, thank you! While I always hesitate to make any predictions on pricing (there are always surprises), I would be surprised to see prices for resale tickets for that Wed evening go below $100 – unless Federer doesn’t advance. Yes on 329 (see my shade map). P.J.
Hey PJ. Always fun reading the comments here. Curious on what you think the odds are of Fed and Djokovic both playing Thursday night (one in Ashe, one in Armstrong) to protect them from the heat, especially given today’s struggle for Novak.
Hi Josh, thanks! I don’t think it’s out of the question at all… While on the one hand the tournament needs to keep things are fair as possible for all players (there will still be 64 at that point), I imagine would be strong temptation for them to do that both for the reason you mention and to delight Armstrong courtside ticket holders (and sell more Armstrong tickets). P.J.
PJ, I’m going to the Open tomorrow for the first time and your blog was incredibly helpful. I took your advice on getting day tickets in the shady section at Arthur Ashe, which I think we’ll need with tomorrow’s forecast! I just wanted to say thank you for all of the helpful information, laid out in a very user-friendly format–I will mention your blog on Tripadvisor (where I write lots of reviews!)
Hey Leslie, I deeply appreciate hearing that and you taking the time to say so… THANKS a million! Have a great time tomorrow. P.J.
Hi PJ – Wonderful blog. I hope you get to see a lot of good tennis over the next 2 weeks. I am wondering if Armstrong on Labor Day Monday for the Day Session is a good idea. I am concerned that the men’s singles match might be only in the evening session on Armstrong on that day. Any guesses?
Thank you so much, Seema! There will definitely be a Men’s Singles match on Armstrong on Labor Day Monday (there is no separate Armstrong evening session after this Saturday). I will be there myself! It will definitely be players from bottom half of the draw (Fed and Nole’s), 99% sure it will NOT feature either Fed or Nole — would be next-level down in star quality. I will be at Armstrong for Day session, then Ashe for Evening (looking fwd to seeing Fed or Nole that evening assuming they both make it through). P.J.
PJ,
Have you attended the day session for Armstrong? I’m planning to get reserved Armstrong for day session on Friday and was wondering if I would be able to move into the general admission after the day session is over? If you hold a day session ticket, do you have to leave the stadium and enter again after the third match ends?
Thanks,
Brendon Meknavin
Hey Brendon, yes, was there all day yesterday. You certainly can– once you are in the grounds, you never have to leave and are entitled to go to any unreserved section until the end of the night. Yesterday the only cleared out the courtside reserved section after the Day session, and didn’t make the folks in GA session on the second tier leave their seats… It will be interesting to see if they continue to do that as demand grows, esp on Labor Day weekend. P.J.
Hey Brendon, big update: here’s what happened today, which is what I believe will happen going forward: * Once Armstrong Day session ends, ALL sections are cleared for clean-up (Courtside and GA seating) * Anyone who was seated in either section can stay in the stadium’s concourse areas (the inner-stadium areas with food stands) – however once you leave the stadium you can not re-enter for a time… They don’t allow anyone new to come in for a period while they’re cleaning up. * So if you were in the stadium for Day and want to line up for GA… Read more »
Thanks for the update! Totally planning to camp out in Armstrong for Friday and Saturday, hahaha.
Fantastic blog, PJ. I am coming to NY on Sept 7th. Just realizing that I may get glimpse of US Open actions this year. The tickets are quite expensive for the finals. What does “$25 General Admission tickets on Friday for Final weeks” entail ? Do I get to see some practices and big-screen
Hi Jun, yes exactly – that ticket won’t get you into Ashe but will enable you to enter grounds to watch on the big screens by the fountain outside the stadium and also see junior and wheelchair finals on outer courts. PJ
Hey PJ – curious what your observations from the first day of the tennis have been? Any guesses as to what the day session on Armstrong might look like for labor day Monday? I am wondering how they will allocate the men’s singles matches between the day and evening session on Armstrong?
Hi Nisha! My best guesses (please do not take these as gospel, they are just educated guesses!) would be the following lineups for Monday IF these players make it through: Nishikori v Zverev (prob Armstrong) Cilic v Goffin (prob Grandstand) Federer v Foginini (Ashe Day) Djokovic v Carreno Busta (Ashe Evening) Observations from Day 1 (thanks for asking, I wouldn’t have written this down otherwise!): * This is one of the most exciting years I can remember. SO much energy among fans and buzz with the combination of all the legends playing (Fed, Rafa, Nole, Murray, Delpo, Serena, Venus, Sharapova)… Read more »
Hey I have two free tix for today’s day session…reserved seats in section 101 at Arthur Ashe…let me know who
wants them…. no charg
Emily,
You are a wonderful and kind person, and I appreciate your kindness and generosity. Unfortunately I cannot make it today (I am in TX).
Just in case you have any Thursday (Aug 30) Day Tickets, please save them for me.
Thank you again for being so kind!
-Vish
Dear P.J.
You are totally amazing!!!
The extent and depth of your knowledge just amazes me!
Thank you for all of your efforts and generosity on behalf of die-hard tennis fans everywhere!!
Going tonight to see Fed and for the first time I got a court-side ticket.
I see that my section (13) has the photogs in front –are they a big distraction?
i know they have to stop once the service motion begins but…
Thanks so much!
Patricia from Queens
Hey Patricia, THANK YOU!! Absolutely no distraction whatsoever. You will love sitting in that section. Enjoy!! PJ
Thanks for all the awesome tips. After reading these I ended up buying Arthur Ashe tickets instead of grounds pass as originally planned and it looks like rain this Friday 🙂 . Not sure if you have already covered this – in case of rain, can there be more than two daytime matches on Ashe? I know this depends on the organizers but would be interested to know your experience.
Hey Manny, yes indeed – one of the collateral benefits to Ashe ticket holders if it rains… Ditto Armstrong. PJ
Hi PJ…Thanks so very much for the helpful tips and blog! I thought I was a big tennis fan but have a longggg way to catch up with you 🙂 I’m going to the Open and will be there 9/3, 9/4 and 9/5; taking my dad along for the first time. Targeting to see Federer, Nadal, Djoker et al in action. Few questions: – I haven’t booked tickets yet to the games, was looking at lower promenade or loge, everything else would be beyond budget. Would you recommend locking now or wait further and snag some deals? – Based on… Read more »
Hey Vik, seriously appreciate your appreciation and kind words – thanks so much! With the caveat that there truly is no way to predict (and I’ve been wrong multiple times!), my gut is that average prices for those sessions will not go up beyond where they currently are (which is already high). I believe the only Amex deal was during pre-sale. I would continue to keep a close eye on all the various sessions you’re interested in, as all may be quite different. The highest demand (and highest prices) will likely be for evening tickets Wed 9/5 (Federer/Nole half of… Read more »
Hi, PJ, I mistakenly purchased tickets for Wednesday’s Day session at Ashe. I say mistakenly because I had intended to purchase tickets for next Wednesday (quarterfinals). Now I’m trying to resell but I’m finding that resale prices, without fees, are below face value for my Loge seats. I guess I’ll have to eat a loss 🙁 But I don’t understand why prices are so low and I can’t even break even. I think there’s a strong chance Nadal will play the day session since he played the Monday night session. Not a guarantee, I know, but I think a strong… Read more »
Hey Tom, your ticket may well still sell – many last-minute buyers will wait until after the schedule comes out this afternoon for tomorrow. You may have to lower price a bit, but I’d wait until after you find out who’s playing (I would also put money on Nadal for Wed Day session). Every year there are wild, unexpected, unpredictable developments with ticket prices. I never get it 100% right myself. I have purchased standard tickets in the past that I thought were the best I’d be able to do, only to find much better deals later on the resale… Read more »
This is amazing! Thanks for this write-up. I’m finally going to New York, and as luck would have it, all of my favourite athletes will be there for the Open. I purchased a grounds pass before coming across your article, but either way, I’m beyond excited just to be in the atmosphere of this tourney. Being my first Major, which has always been on my bucket list, I’m not sure what to expect, and that makes it all the more exciting. I’ll be flying back home to Toronto from LaGuardia that night, around 10pm. Am I taking the same “Q48”… Read more »
Hey Branko, thank you! Yes indeed. Here’s the current schedule in PDF p check also online schedule here. Have fun!! P.J.
Hi P.J. – awesome writeup, very helpful for a person who has never attended a tennis tournament like me. I will attending the US Open over labor day weekend – Ashe Evening Lodge Sect 135 Row G tickets were the best I could find in my budget. So hopefully, these seats are at least decent. Question about the evening session – you said that we are allowed entry to the grounds at 6 PM. Is that entry to the stadium or entry to whole area? Wondering if I can arrive earlier than 6 and visit some of the merch stands… Read more »
Hey Joe, thank you! You’ll be in great shape with those Loge section 135 seats, don’t worry! Evening tickets only allow you to enter the Grounds at 6pm — Grounds includes everything… So unfortunately yes, you have to wait until 6pm. P.J.
P.J., sorry to bother you. We have tix for Friday day and Saturday night and I was wondering about the best way to get back to our hotel in Manhattan on saturday , as I guess we can leave Flushing around midnight or so. Is Line 7 by subway available at that time ?
So excited to be back at a US Open, I was there in 1981 for the complete 2nd week. Wonderful memories.
Thank you again !
Hey Sergio, not a bother at all! Strongly recommend the LIRR back to Penn Station and a cab from there to your hotel. See my Tip 9 for links to the schedule. There’s usually a train right around midnight and it’s super quick to Penn (costs about $8). Otherwise yes the 7 does run quite late. An Uber is a major pain that Time of night and outrageously expensive because of surge pricing. PJ
Back home, back to reality. Sad.
Was a blast ! We enjoyed every minute out there.
Nadal match vs Kachanov was so exciting ! Watching Sloane, Maria, Viktoria, Novak, was unforgettable.
Thank you for ALL your help ! So many tips very useful, all of them excellent.
Hope you enjoy tomorrow the semis, 4 great players indeed.
Thank you again, see you next year ! NYC is always a delight.
Sergio.
Sergio, muchísimas gracias! I’m so very happy to hear the passion and happiness coming though. I feel the same way – it’s been such a great tournament, with the old guard performing beautifully alongside so much great new rising-star talent. Thank you so much for your thanks. Look forward to being in touch again next year! P.J.