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

▸ Returning Visitors: Click Here for Latest Updates!
- June 28: Published fully restructured new version of this post to facilitate navigation, including this PDF 2026 US Open Ticket Options and Average Prices: How to Spot a Good Deal — day-by-day ticket options and direct links to check prices and comparison shop on Ticketmaster and Stubhub.
- July 3: Added FAQ: “Which seats in Promenade have obstructed views?”
- August 3: Updated details on shade patterns in Armstrong Stadium in FAQ: “Which seats get the most shade?”
- August 27: The NYT reported that the Open would offer limited $25 evening grounds passes for purchase on-site only through Sep 6: “However, they can be purchased only on-site the evening of entry and on nights that Louis Armstrong is sold out (not including resale tickets).” When I asked the US Open box office to provide more details, they wrote: “No unfortunately we cannot confirm availability beforehand, these specific passes are on a day-to-day basis. Evenings grounds passes are only made available day of based on the capacity of the events and the stadiums.”
- August 29: My new chart outlining how scheduling should work beginning in Round 2: “Who Plays on Which Dates After R1?”
- September 1: Fellow fan Carrie reported on the late-night taxi situation: “I had a great experience with getting a yellow cab at the rideshare area by the NY Hall of Science at around 11:30pm the first two nights. NYPD organized the taxis and the taxi line and I waited only a few minutes in line before I was able to get a cab and a fast ride back to the hotel at a very reasonable cost. There were plenty of taxis waiting to pick up folks. This was probably way faster than waiting for an uber, and the police officer organizing the taxi line even made the sure my driver had his meter on when he saw I was a woman traveling solo late at night!”
- September 3: I share observation on the new post-renovation Courtside and Loge sections in my updated FAQ “What’s different about Ashe after the big 2026 renovation to Ashe Stadium?“
By P.J. Simmons
If you’re a fellow tennis fan planning a trip to the US Open — whether it’s your first visit or your fifteenth — I built this guide for you. As a serious tennis player and fan living in NYC, I feel so lucky that the US Open is in my backyard. I absolutely love the tournament, and find nothing more educational and inspiring for my own game than seeing world-class live tennis.
2026 will mark my 18th time at the US Open, and I’ve learned a ton over the years through trial and error about how to maximize the opportunity, find the best tickets and seats on the Official US Open ticket site on Ticketmaster, StubHub, and other reseller sites, and generally get the biggest bang for the buck. Likewise, I’ve learned so much thanks to fellow fans around the world who have shared their own insights since I wrote the first version of this post over a decade ago.
Below are my top 10 recommendations and practical resources to help you sort through the complexity, understand all the ticket options, and make the best decisions for your own priorities and budget so you have an incredible experience. I’ll continue to update throughout the summer and the tournament. Don’t hesitate to reach out with a question below if you can’t find what you need – I’ll reply as soon as I can.
For my returning friends: Please let me know what you think of this newly restructured and updated version (June 28), which hopefully will make navigation easier and faster for you. Please let me know what you think – I’d really appreciate your feedback!
What Every First-Timer Should Know Before Buying Tickets
Whether it’s your first Open or you just haven’t been in a few years, here are a few things worth understanding before you spend a dollar or make final decisions on when to attend.
Consider taking advantage of incredible FREE opportunities to see world-class tennis and superstars the week before the main tournament (August 23–29)
Before the main tournament begins, there’s a packed week of events at the US Open grounds (“Fan Week”) that offers many opportunities to experience the magic of the Open without spending a dollar on a ticket.
The week kicks off Sunday August 23 with Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day. If you have kids, this is a great day to go with lots of interactive games, music, activities.
Then, the Qualifying Tournament (Monday August 24 – Thursday August 27) is an amazing opportunity for serious fans to see major rising players and incredible tennis up close. 128 of the world’s best male and female players (whose ATP and WTA rankings were just shy of qualifying automatically for the US Open) will compete for the final 32 spots (16 each for men and women) in the singles draws. In 2021, #150-ranked qualifier Emma Raducanu went on to win the US Open women’s singles title – the first Grand Slam champion in history to come through qualifiers. Maja Chwalinska came close to doing the same at the 2026 French Open. Read why Fan Week/Qualies are so special in this excellent piece by Steven Kutz.
Throughout the entire week, there are opportunities to see some of the top-seeded players and biggest stars in unofficial practice sessions (details posted on the practice schedule the morning of).
Note: Fan week also features four special events that require paid tickets: including Mixed Doubles Rounds 1&2 (Aug 25 10am); Exhibition play with Roger Federer (Aug 25 7pm); Mixed Doubles Semis and Finals (Aug 26 7pm); and a “Stars of the Open” exhibition (Aug 27 7pm).
IMPORTANT: TO GAIN ADMISSION DURING FAN WEEK, YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER FOR A FREE FAN ACCESS PASS.
The US Open is much bigger than Ashe Stadium. Get the lay of the land before you make your plan.
Most people think of Arthur Ashe Stadium when they think about the US Open—and understandably so. It’s the largest tennis stadium in the world (almost 24,000 seats) and home to many of the tournament’s biggest matches. But the US Open is so much more than Ashe. Think of it as a massive tennis festival spread across an entire campus. On a typical day during the first week, world-class matches take place simultaneously on Ashe plus 16 other courts.
In fact, some of the most exciting tennis during the tournament happens on Louis Armstrong Stadium (almost as big as the main show courts at Wimbledon, the French Open, and the Australian Open with around 14,000 seats plus a retractable roof in case of rain), Grandstand (with 8,100 seats), Court #17 (2,800 seats) and the smaller field Courts #4-16.
Some important basic rules about how entry and seating works:
- Any of the almost 80 ticket options gets you access to the entire US Open grounds — you’ll find every option laid out in the ticket chart below (2026 US Open Ticket Options and Average Prices).
- Once you’ve entered the US Open grounds, you can access unreserved seats (on a first-come basis) in Armstrong, Grandstand, and on every other court except Ashe stadium. Ashe Stadium has no unreserved seats, so you need to buy an Ashe-specific ticket if you want to get in. Armstrong and Grandstand have both reserved ticket options and unreserved seating. Courts #4-17 are entirely first-come, unreserved seating.
- Grounds entry times vary depending on your ticket: A grounds pass or “Day” session reserved ticket for either Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand allows entry when gates first open (usually 9:30am). If you only purchase an “Evening” session ticket for a particular day, you’ll have to wait until 6pm to enter the grounds. Once you’re in the US Open grounds, you can stay as late as you want until closing.
Learn how player and match scheduling works to raise the odds of seeing your favorite players.
Most fans coming to the Open dream of seeing their favorite players in action. But what many first-timers don’t realize is that it’s impossible to predict which players will play on which days, on which courts, or at what time until the detailed “Daily Schedule of Play” is released shortly before the actual match day. So if you buy a ticket to the Open prior to that – which most people do – you’re buying access to matches in a particular round of play, not a guarantee that you’ll see any specific player.
The good news is that having a clear understanding of how scheduling works can dramatically improve your odds of seeing the players and matches that matter most to you. Taking a few minutes now to review these things will put you ahead of the game:
1. Start by getting the big picture of the tournament’s schedule – here’s an overview:
>> You can find a comprehensive, day-by-day breakdown of the schedule and every ticket option here: 2026 US Open Ticket Options
2. Get a sense of what day-by-day match scheduling looks like by reviewing last year’s “Daily Schedules of Play” to get a feel for what types of matches are played on which courts during the various rounds. Keep in mind this is just illustrative: for instance, just because a player was scheduled for certain days or played on certain Ashe Day or Night sessions does not mean you can expect the same for this year!
3. Go deeper: see the FAQ “How can I predict when and where my favorite player will play?” below — it explains how to make educated guesses about who plays when and where.
How to Choose the Right Tickets and Spot Good Deals
One of the most common questions I get every year is some version of: “What’s the best ticket to buy?” The honest answer is that there are many “best” tickets — it simply depends on your priorities and what kind of experience you’re hoping to have. Some fans want the energy of being with 24,000 others in an Arthur Ashe night session. Others are happy spending an entire day roaming the grounds in the early rounds, hopping from court to court. Some want to treat someone special to courtside seats in a final round. Others want the most tennis possible for the lowest price. So the goal is simply to find the ticket that’s best for you.
Below are my top recommendations—followed by a time-saving chart I built to help you compare all the options, benchmark average prices and comparison shop, and make decisions with confidence.
Don’t miss the chance to see world-class players and great matches up close on the other courts beyond Ashe Stadium.

It was awesome seeing Ben Shelton up close for the first time in 2022 on Court #10 in Round 1 (v. Borges)
For my first US Open, I spent about $250 per ticket for a seat in the upper portion of Ashe Stadium for a night match so I’d be guaranteed to see at least one Top 10 player live. While it was certainly thrilling to experience the electricity of an evening Ashe match, I still felt somewhat distant from the action (it’s a mammoth 24,000-capacity venue) and spent much of the time watching the match on the huge video screen. Moreover, because the tournament prioritizes putting the biggest stars on Ashe over the best match-ups, the matches I saw weren’t terribly exciting.
Since then, I’ve become addicted to the unparalleled thrill of seeing many world-class competitors from a few feet away in epic duels on several of the smaller non-Ashe courts (Louis Armstrong Stadium, Grandstand Stadium, the very cool Court #17, and other outer courts #4-#16). Once you have this experience you’ll likely get addicted too. While it’s rare that you’ll see the Top 5 players on those courts, you WILL see other awe-inspiring players in very competitive matches –including seeing rising stars before they become household names, and feel the excitement of “discovering” new talent to cheer for. Over the years I’ve seen countless “next-gen” players up very close for the first time on outer courts before they were super famous — including Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Madison Keys, Dominic Thiem, Sasha Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and many others.
While I recommend everyone experience Ashe Stadium at least once, I also can’t recommend more strongly that you make time to explore the opportunities to see thrilling tennis in more intimate settings on the other 16 courts.
On a tight budget but want to see a lot of tennis? Consider going during Rounds 1 and 2, and aim for an affordable Ashe Stadium (or Armstrong Stadium) DAY session ticket — often comparably priced to a Grounds Pass, but a much smarter buy.

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

Me spotted on Netflix “Break Point” series cheering on Taylor Fritz and Brandon Holt at the 2022 US Open – front row during awesome match on Grandstand
As a general rule, I encourage fellow fans to budget their time and money in ways that maximize the possibility of a few magical experiences versus a ton of forgettable ones. For instance, if you’re opting between multiple days of cheap nosebleed seats in Ashe’s Upper Promenade versus applying the same budget towards excellent seats on Armstrong or Grandstand for a couple sessions, I generally recommend the latter.
Louis Armstrong (14,053 seats) and Grandstand (8,125 seats) are the other two main show courts after Ashe Stadium – and they offer a much more intimate experience. A reserved courtside ticket for either can give you access to thrilling matches and players up close that you’ll never forget.
The first time I did this in 2010 I saw an unforgettable marathon slugfest between David Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco from the first row of the old Armstrong stadium… It gave me a memory I will treasure forever. Ever since, I’ve made it an annual tradition to go with friends to get excellent courtside seats in Armstrong during the 3rd Round or Round of 16. In 2019, I got to see Matteo Berrettini crushing balls in the Round of 16 on Armstrong from the second row (and my phone exploded with texts when my friends and I were spotted on ESPN frequently cheering for him). I’ve had similar transporting experiences in Grandstand over the years – including sitting first row behind-the-server for a match between Auger-Aliassime and fellow Canadian Denis Shapovalov.
Both stadiums also feature general admission seating on a first-come basis, but getting good GA seats can be tough and involve long lines for the higher-profile matches — so having a reserved courtside ticket gives you the dual benefit of skipping long lines plus incredible proximity to the players.
If you’ve never done it, consider splurging once on a courtside Ashe seat.

Me caught on ESPN cheering very loudly for Carlitos from front row Ashe (lower left) during 2024 Round 2 (v Botic van de Zandschulp)
After dreaming for years of the possibility, I finally bit the bullet to invest in Arthur Ashe Stadium Courtside seats in 2011 for the first time. It was bliss. Ever since, I’ve made an annual pilgrimage to experience Ashe Courtside with a few close friends at least once.
What most people don’t understand about the mammoth Ashe stadium until they’ve been in person is that even Loge seating is fairly high up because (a) the stadium is very vertically oriented (seating is on a sharp incline) and (b) there are two levels of suites above Courtside before the first row of Loge even begins. So when you’re down in Courtside, you feel like you’re in another world. The feeling of being that close to greatness in Ashe’s electric atmosphere is pretty amazing.
Here’s a video I shot of Federer from the front row in 2011, the very first time I sat courtside at Ashe. I found a great deal on a resale ticket on Labor Day during the Round of 16 and got to witness Federer perfection from a few feet away. Best money I’ve ever spent.
Before you compare options, get clear on what matters most to you for this particular visit — seeing a favorite player, incredible proximity, atmosphere, the most tennis for your money, shade, flexibility, or certainty. The more familiar you become with the market, the easier it becomes to recognize real value when you see it.
Here are 4 steps to making sure you make your decision with confidence:
- Know the benefits/restrictions of each type of ticket – read “What Each US Open Ticket Type Gets You” below.
- Review the day-by-day ticket options and average prices in the chart below. It will give you valuable context for smart decisionmaking, including up-to-date price ranges of what to expect for every single ticket option plus benchmark ranges from last year’s Open.
- Comparison shop — best done on a computer. For my full step-by-step process — which sites, how to read the maps, what to avoid — see “Which ticket site should I use?” under Before You Buy below.
- Scan the topics below under “Before You Buy — Common Questions” to dive deeper into many important questions that may impact your final decision about what’s best for you.

Before You Buy — Common Questions
▸ Should I buy now or wait? Will prices go up or down?
The frustrating reality is: it depends — and it’s impossible to predict with certainty. Buying US Open tickets can be a bit like investing in the stock market: knowledge and good judgment dramatically improve your odds, but there are always surprises because so many variables are involved.
One thing many first-time buyers don’t realize is that the inventory they see today may look very different tomorrow, next week, or later in the summer. Much of the market is driven by resale, because the USTA typically makes relatively few Standard tickets (“blue dots” on Ticketmaster) available, with most inventory pre-allocated to subscribers — and even Standard tickets are dynamically priced rather than sold at a fixed “face value.” As a result, prices can move in unexpected ways.
Historically, some sessions get cheaper as more resale tickets hit the market and sellers compete, while other high-demand sessions rise substantially. Who gets scheduled on which days, courts, and sessions matters too. Last year (2025), schedulers surprised everyone by putting the blockbuster Djokovic–Alcaraz semifinal in the day session rather than at night — so day prices spiked and night prices dropped.
Resale tickets are almost always available until the last minute, so patient buyers sometimes find great deals — but waiting trades certainty for risk. The best advice I can give: familiarize yourself with typical prices for the sessions you’re considering so you can recognize a good opportunity when you see one. The chart above is built for exactly that — every option, this year’s average ranges, and last year’s day-of benchmarks (for context, not prediction). One clue: if you enlarge the Ticketmaster map and see few tickets, scarcity often signals prices may keep rising; abundant inventory often means more downward pressure.
▸ Will the tournament release more Standard tickets and Grounds Passes?
Sometimes yes — but in a completely unpredictable way. The USTA has historically released additional Standard (“blue dot”) tickets throughout the summer for some sessions, sometimes for surprisingly good seats. There has never been a reliable pattern for which sessions or ticket types get more inventory, and Grounds Pass inventory can fluctuate too. My advice: check periodically, especially in the mornings, but don’t count on it for any specific session.
▸ Will I still get good tickets if everything looks expensive right now?
Usually, yes. One of the biggest misconceptions among first-time buyers is that the inventory available when tickets first go on sale is all there will be. In reality, more resale inventory appears throughout the summer, and the USTA often releases additional standard tickets too. The market keeps evolving right up until the tournament begins — and sometimes even on the day of the matches.
▸ Which sessions are the best deals?
This varies year to year, and some of the best last-minute deals turn up when the lineups aren’t what people expected (last year, for example, a marquee semifinal landed in the day session instead of the night). Still, here are a few sessions that tend to be overlooked and have historically offered relatively good value:
- Armstrong evening courtside, week 1 — exciting under the lights in a big stadium, but demand is lower because many fans choose day-session tickets instead (understandably, since a day ticket lets you in as soon as gates open, so you can catch as much tennis as possible). The trade-off: an evening-only ticket won’t get you onto the grounds until 6pm. But it can be an affordable way to see bigger names from a far better vantage point than the upper tier of Ashe.
- Quarterfinal day sessions — the biggest-name lineups almost always go to the night sessions during the quarterfinals. With many tourists gone and locals leaning toward evenings, day tickets here are often cheaper than the Round of 16.
- Labor Day Ashe evening — historically cheaper than other Round-of-16 sessions, since many tourists have headed home and demand dips. You still get great matches, and it’s a great time to experience Ashe at night.
▸ How do I see the exact location of seats I might buy?
Use the “Map View” on Ticketmaster for any particular session provides the best reference for the exact location of specific seat(s). After you click on the session/stadium that interests you, choose Map View, then mouse over or click any of the dots to see the exact section, row, and seat number. This is also helpful if you’re comparison shopping with Stubhub or other resale sites, whose maps may only feature sections and zones and not individual seats.
KEY SEATING CHARTS AND SHADE MAPS
ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM
- NEW 2026 Arthur Ashe Seating Chart
- My NEW 2026 annotated Ashe Stadium SHADE map
- Ashe “Interactive Seat Viewer” (updated for 2026) to give you a sense of what view is like from specific seats – which from my experience tends to make seats look like they’re closer than they actually feel when you’re there, but helpful nonetheless.
Update on the Renovated Loge Section
In previous years, I recommended prioritizing the lower half of Loge when Courtside wasn’t in the budget, because even the front rows of Loge were already relatively high up. With the new design, the front rows of Loge now sit meaningfully farther from the court (only 5 of the original 13 rows of Loge remain) – so sitting in Loge is only marginally better than lower Promenade, making it hard to justify paying much of a premium.
A warning about the first row of the new Loge section: The roof of the luxury suites just below juts out like a sore thumb from the front row, both creating a visual and emotional barrier to the court. Here’s a photo I took from the new Section 231 Row A.
LOUIS ARMSTRONG STADIUM
- Louis Armstrong Stadium Seating Chart (Official)
- Louis Armstrong Chart (with my annotations)
- Armstrong Interactive “View from Seat” Map
- My annotated Armstrong Stadium SHADE map
GRANDSTAND
▸ What’s different about Ashe after the big 2026 renovation to Ashe Stadium?
A lot. 2026 brings a huge change to Ashe: a major renovation added 2,000 new Courtside seats and removed around 2,800 Loge seats to make room for the expanded courtside area and newly designed luxury suites between the Courtside and Loge levels. Promenade remains exactly the same.
My initial observations after spending a few days watching play from various sections of Ashe in 2026:
The New Courtside
- Courtside seats (even higher rows) remain qualitatively much, much better than Loge and Promenade, which now feel even more remote. Overall, though, courtside feels far less intimate. And more numbers create intense crowds in the “Club Level” corridors (where you get drinks and food).
- Noise levels are worse than ever in the stadium due to the larger numbers of people in courtside and folks in suites, many of whom are drinking heavily and carry on conversations at full voice. All it takes is a few loud conversations to spark a chain reaction: background conversations become white noise, and everyone feels permission to talk loudly.
- Gone are the days when you would be embarrassed for standing in an aisle except during changeovers. The longer stairways — coupled with the highly questionable elimination of the continuous walkway at the top of Courtside — means people take too long to get to their seats.
- The addition of two cordoned-off Courtside rows (“100A-100E”) with walkway behind the umpire chair feels, to be perfectly frank, obnoxious. One the one hand, I applaud the move to put Players’ Boxes into the first row on this side (section 100A) and directly opposite (105AA). And I understand the need to reserve parts of these rows (especially 100G) for VIPs like Billie Jean King and provide special security for them. But selling the rest of these seats to ultra-rich subscribers — many of whom skip matches in favor of hanging in suites or resell the seats at out-of-reach, exorbitant prices — is infuriating to someone like me who has spent hard-earned savings on those seats in the past and literally been moved to tears of joy and appreciation to be in them watching favorite players.
The New Loge
In previous years, I recommended prioritizing the lower half of Loge when Courtside wasn’t in the budget, because even the front rows of Loge were already relatively high up. With the new design, the front rows of Loge now sit meaningfully farther from the court (only 5 of the original 13 rows of Loge remain) – so sitting in Loge is only marginally better than lower Promenade, making it hard to justify paying much of a premium.
A warning about the first row of the new Loge section: The roof of the luxury suites just below juts out like a sore thumb from the front row, both creating a visual and emotional barrier to the court. Here’s a photo I took from the new Section 231 Row A.
I’ll update the FAQ on views from seats as soon as I can with a few more photos, but wanted to share this update in real time (Sep 3, 2026).
▸ Which seats get the most shade?
ASHE STADIUM
The roof creates a huge amount of natural shade all day for many seats. The most shade is in the South and West sections. Next-best is the North. The most sun (to avoid for Day sessions) is on the East side. See my Ashe shade map. I will update this with more details after I’ve experienced Ashe post-renovation in person during Fan Week this year.
GRANDSTAND
Much less shade overall, but South and West are again better because the sun is more at your back. GA seats higher under the overhang — especially the Southwest corner — get the most.
ARMSTRONG STADIUM
Sections 1–8 (South and West) are best overall for shade, with Section 2 the best (in shade all day). Sections 11-16 (East) are the worst and sit in direct afternoon sun (however the top couple of rows are shaded all day due to the overhang from the upper deck). See this basic overview of the Armstrong shade pattern – then see these additional photos showing how various sections are impacted throughout the day. Additional details:
- Section 1 is fully shaded until around 12:30pm, then some rows and some seats in the first 8-10 rows start getting some sun). See this photo.
- Sections 17-18: Fully shaded until around 12:30pm, then lower rows start getting sun. By about 2:15, many of the first 8-10 rows (rows E-O) are getting sun – see this photo and this photo. By 3pm a few more rows in 17 and 18 get sun – see this photo. By around 4pm (not sure exact time) all of 17 and 18 are shaded completely again
- Sections 3-8 (West side/Chair umpire side) is in full sun at 11am, but the shade gradually moves down to blanket more and more rows such that by 12:30pm the top 10 rows (appx) are in shade and by around 1pm all seats are fully shaded.
- The last 2 rows in the lower bowl around the entire stadium stay shaded (under the overhang from the upper bowl).
- Sections 8-11: Rows U and above are always shaded, most other seats always in direct sun.
▸ Which sections and seats have the best views?
Most people consider “behind the server” seats (the North or South ends of the court) the best — and prices reflect it. For first-timers, that’s my top recommendation. It’s the angle used for broadcast: you can follow point construction and see the court from the perspective of the player on your side of the net, without moving your head side to side. Here’s a photo of the same perspective (from higher up seats) in Armstrong. Here’s another photo from Ashe courtside front row.
Corner sections are also widely considered to be highly desirable — and for good reason. They carry many of the same advantages of the above, with the added benefit you can see the player on your side of the net from the front as their hitting the ball not just the back. Here’s a photo from the new Armstrong from that perspective.
As a serious player myself, I personally love sitting courtside as close as possible in lower rows of sections where seats are practically on the court, perpendicular and near to the actual baseline (e.g., section 120 in renovated Ashe) because it gets me physically even closer to the players and more on the same level. Sitting in the lower rows, I feel even more like I’m on the court with them. I feel the speed of the game. In these seats, I personally enjoy watching one player at a time sometimes to see their footwork, how they prepare for the next ball, etc. Here’s a photo from Ashe courtside from that perspective.
For Loge or Promenade in Ashe, I generally recommend the lowest rows you can get regardless of location, since Loge — and especially Promenade — are already quite high up.
For Day sessions, factor in shade (West, Southwest, and Northwest get the most relief; see the shade question above). The umpire chair is never a real obstruction, but in very low rows on that side it can be a minor annoyance.
▸ Which seats in Promenade have obstructed views?
There are a handful of specific seats worth avoiding in Promenade based on reader reports in the comments over the years and posts on “View from my Seat.” Two recommendations based on every obstruction complaint I’ve ever heard about the Promenade:
1. Avoid aisle seats in Promenade rows A-E (due to large glass safety panels at the bottom of aisle stairways).
At the bottom of every aisle staircase, there’s a clear safety panel (with a metal support bar) to keep people from stumbling over the ledge. These sit at the ends of the rows, all the way around the stadium. If you’re in one of the first several rows (roughly A through E) AND in the seat or two directly beside an aisle, that glass and bar can cut right across your view of the court. Fans report this year after year, always in the same spots: the aisle-adjacent seats in the low rows. A few rows up, or a few seats over, and the problem disappears. The added bonus of skipping these seats: you’ll avoid fans walking up and down the aisles (which they’re only allowed to do in Promenade).
2. Unless you are fairly tall, avoid Row A in Promenade due to the metal safety rail. The front row of the Promenade has a horizontal rail along it. For many adults it’s a non-issue — you see right over it. But if you’re on the shorter side, or bringing kids, the rail can sit annoyingly close to your sightline to the near baseline. My advice for most folks is to avoid the first row altogether. Rows B and C give you virtually the same view with zero rail, and Row A’s extra legroom probably isn’t worth the tradeoff.
Check out photos from other fans of particular seats in Promenade at “View from my Seat.”
Note: I am not able yet to address questions about structural obstructions in the newly renovated Courtside and Loge sections – I’ll update after I’m there this year.
▸ Day session or evening — which is the better value?
For most fans, day sessions offer better overall value. You’ll typically get more tennis, more scheduling flexibility, and grounds access from morning until late evening. Evening sessions often feature big names and a special atmosphere under the lights, but you’re usually paying for fewer matches. Which is “better” comes down to whether you care more about the quantity of tennis or the energy of a showcase night session.
▸ Is a Grounds Pass worth it?
Sometimes — but usually not. Many fans assume a Grounds Pass is automatically the best value; often it isn’t. Before buying one, always compare prices for Ashe and Armstrong day-session tickets. If they’re available for a similar price, you get all the same grounds-access privileges plus a reserved seat and valuable rain protection from the stadium roofs.
▸ Should I buy a subscription or multi-session plan?
For most serious fans, I don’t recommend it. Most multi-session and first-time subscription plans are only for Promenade seats — so high up in that huge stadium that you’ll watch much of the match on the Jumbotron or through binoculars. It can take years to upgrade to Loge (only available with the very expensive full-series plan). For the price of a full-series plan (well over $2,000 each) you could buy several amazing seats across the tournament — or two excellent seats for the Men’s Final. And there’s always a glut of Promenade Ashe seats on the resale market, so an entire series of Promenade seats can be hard to resell.
▸ Which ticket site should I use? How to comparison shop?
Start with Ticketmaster, then compare resale. My process:
- Consult 2026 US Open Ticket Options and Average Prices: How to Spot a Good Deal to learn the average price ranges for the sessions you care about.
- Always check the official Ticketmaster US Open site first — on a computer for the fastest navigation. Use “map view” (click any section), try different sortings, and use multiple tabs to compare sessions. Ticketmaster shows both Standard tickets (“blue dots” — face value, most often Promenade, occasionally Loge/Courtside) and resale tickets (“red dots”). Surprisingly, resale red dots are often the best value, because resellers undercut each other. Tickets stay on sale up to 59 minutes after a session starts if inventory remains, and both Ticketmaster and StubHub make it easy to relist if your plans change (you need a US bank account to re-list on Ticketmaster).
- Compare availability and prices with StubHub and any other preferred resellers to see if you can find an even better deal for comparable seats. Other sites I’ve never had any problems with include Viagogo, VividSeats, SeatGeek, or Ticket Liquidator. I personally no longer recommend TickPick after two very poor experiences. My “2026 US Open Ticket Options” chart linked above links directly to every specific Ticketmaster and StubHub session ticket option.
- Only buy resale tickets that specify the exact Section, Row, and Seat (or seat range) matching the stadium seat maps in this post. Double-check what you receive matches what was advertised; reputable resellers refund a misrepresented ticket (but then it’s on you to find another).
- Never buy off Craigslist or classified sites — too many scams, and NYC law bans “scalping” within 1,500 feet of the venue (effectively everywhere off the subway), with undercover police on site.
- Going with friends? Consider buying a mix of cheap and amazing seats and trading off time in the great one (Promenade vs. Courtside, or across stadiums) — I do this every year. All tickets are mobile-only; if you don’t have a smartphone, Ticketmaster customer service can move yours to Will Call.
- For package deals (tickets + hotel/transport/VIP), trusted options include Championship Tennis Tours, Grand Slam Tennis Tours, and Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours.
▸ Are resale ticket sites safe?
Generally, yes — provided you use reputable marketplaces. In some cases resale tickets are actually better values than standard tickets, because sellers compete on price. Before buying, always verify the section, row, and seat numbers, and make sure the ticket is clearly marked for mobile transfer.
▸ How can I predict when — and where — my favorite player will play?
While you can never be absolutely sure whether your favorite player will be scheduled for a Day or Night session (or on which court) until the Schedule of Play is released the day prior to matches, you CAN predict which DATE your favorite players will play if they advance after the Round 1 schedule is announced. Here’s a chart showing which players would play on which days after Round 1 if they advance (based on the pattern from the first two days of Round 1).
To be absolutely sure you see your favorite player, consider waiting until the schedule is published the day prior (start checking frequently early afternoon, usually out by 5:00pm), then immediately go to the official Ticketmaster US Open site or other resale sites like Stubhub to grab a resale ticket. This strategy requires, however, that you monitor the ticket situation closely in the days prior and are prepared to act immediately when the schedule is announced. Also, if you see tickets becoming scarce and prices going up in the days prior, you may conclude it’s worth taking a chance and purchasing based on an educated guess.
Another way to see your favorite player up close is to watch them when they’re scheduled for practice on the practice courts. See Tip #9
- Only the biggest superstars (like Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff) are sure to be scheduled on Ashe – others might be scheduled on Armstrong, Grandstand, or field courts. Schedulers have been known to put even the #1-ranked player in the world on Armstrong or Grandstand, as they did in 2021 with then #1 Simona Halep during Round 1 (on Grandstand) and then #2 Aryna Sabalenka (Armstrong).
- There’s never any sure way to predict whether players will be scheduled for DAY or NIGHT sessions. Officials try to spread the wealth and be fair to players by alternating players between Day and Night sessions. Contrary to popular belief, they do not always schedule the biggest stars at night. The one exception to this is Quarterfinals, when biggest stars are almost always scheduled for the night sessions.
- For Men’s Semifinals, we learned last year (2025) never to assume that the biggest starpower matches would be put on the Night session: they shocked everyone and put the Alcaraz v Djokovic match on during the Day session, and Sinner v Auger-Aliassime at night.
How to Get the Most of Your Visit
The night before you go, check the Schedule of Play
1. Download the official US Open Everywhere App (search “2026 US Open Tennis”) for the latest schedule, scores, and live updates. I also recommend SI.com’s tennis page for terrific day-to-day coverage and analysis.
2. Be sure to check the Schedule of Play here (or on the App) to identify the matches that most interest you and build your plan around that.
3. If you are targeting the first match of the day on either Grandstand or Armstrong and if you don’t have a reserved seat, aim to get in line early at either the East Gate (for Armstrong) or South Gate (for Grandstand) so you can be among the first to enter when gates open at 9:30am. Then speed-walk over and grab the best seat you can.
4. If you’re a player, you might be interested in reading my ten ideas for watching a pro match to help improve your own game— some of the ways I challenge myself to watch live tennis more deliberately from the perspective of a player who wants to improve.
Check out the practice courts for close sightings of the superstars
Check the practice schedule here (or on the US Open App) the night before and the morning of your day at the Open. Note: the best time to see top players practice without fighting as many crowds is during the Fan Week (see Tip 1).
Don’t drive unless you really have to — here’s how to get there
My top recommendation is to take the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) to “Mets-Willets Point.”
It’s super fast (under 20 minutes from midtown Manhattan) and drops you literally steps from the US Open’s East Gate. You can take it from either Moynihan Train Hall (8th Avenue between West 31st-33rd) or Grand Central. Look for “Port Washington” train on the monitors (signage may say “GREAT NECK” or “PORT WASHINGTON” — double-check the train number.) See 2026 LIRR schedule here. Download the MTA TrainTime app to purchase tickets. Important: the Mets-Willets LIRR stop is NOT accessible for fans with disabilities — exit instead at Woodside/61st St and transfer to the 7 train (or just take the 7 to Mets-Willets Point).
The subway #7 train is also a convenient (and the least expensive) option.
Takes a bit longer, but runs 24 hours. Stops include Grand Central. Download the MTA App for train time and routes. If you must drive: See the US Open’s driving directions and parking details. Plan extra time when the Mets are home (Aug 24-30 and Sep 4-6); I recommend arriving no later than 8:30am on Mets’ dates to be on the safe side. A good alternate parking option is the Shops at Skyview – about a 10-minute walk to the East Gate (and you can reserve a spot in advance for a discounted rate here). Consider buying a resale parking pass on StubHub for a specific lots. Fellow fan Harry notes street parking under or south of Highway 495 is viable if you don’t mind a walk.
Thinking of using UBER/ LYFT/ TAXI? They’re great getting out to the Open – but can be a nightmare coming back after a night session.
To the Open, set the destination to “Billie Jean King National Tennis Center” (drops near the South Gate) or “Mets-Willets Point” (near the 7 train, then walk the footbridge to the East Gate). After a night session, be ready for long waits and heavy surge pricing — thousands of people will be trying to do the same. Alternatives: reserve a car service in advance (I’ve used Riverside), take the LIRR or 7 into Manhattan and hail a cab there, or hail under the 7 train on Roosevelt Ave (or use the Curb app).
Consider staying nearby in Queens and walking or biking.
Fellow fan Mark stayed at an Airbnb on Queens Boulevard about 2 miles away: flat terrain, good bike lanes, and bike racks across from the South Gate — “a fun and hassle-free way to make the commute.”
Coming directly from Laguardia?
It’s only a 9-minute cab ride — or take the Q48 public bus to the “Roosevelt Av/Willets Pt” stop (around 30 minutes). You can check your bag at the US Open before you enter the grounds.
More Common Questions - Good to Know Before You Go
▸ What can I bring — and what’s not allowed? (No backpacks!)
Be sure to review this official complete list of prohibited items before going! To help clarify some common confusions:
- You CAN bring a drawstring bag (click here for example) but NOT a backpack with two straps
- You CAN bring a digital camera with video capabilities (however they do NOT allow “Video cameras or recording devices”, which includes GoPros)
- You CAN bring a plastic or metal water bottle 24 oz or less to refill on site (but NOT anything glass!)
- You CAN bring a fanny pack: but if you do you’ll still need to go through the “with bag” security line
- You CAN bring sunscreen in lotion form only, NOT aerosol cans
- According to the US Open bot on the website: “Outside food or beverages (excluding alcohol) CAN be brought into the US Open grounds, but must fit into one sized bag. There are no exceptions.”
- There is storage outside both East and South Gate entrances if you need it: (in 2025 it was $10 per locker, $20 for large items including suitcases). Bag check for American Express cardholders is discounted (1 bag per card).
Be prepared to wait in a potentially long security line if you have any bag at all (i.e. an enclosed object that doesn’t fit in your clothes), whereas you can breeze through a separate express line for those without bags.
Before Leaving, Don’t Forget…
- Download your mobile tickets to your mobile wallet (e.g. Apple Wallet or something like WalletPasses on Android)
- Sunglasses and sunscreen (lotion not spray)! If you forget, La Roche offers free samples just inside the EAST gate entrance.
- A backup phone charger (e.g. a Mophie) if you have one – although there are Chase-sponsored free chargers on site.
- A lightweight white towel (and/or lightweight neck gaiter) to protect exposed skin from sun or to sit on when in unreserved seats, which can get hot and uncomfortable.
- Reusable plastic water bottle (to refill using any of the many water fountains).
- A small umbrella if rain may be in the forecast
- Dress in layers as it can get hot during the day and occasionally chilly at night
- Contacts wearers: A very small bottle of contact lens solution in case you get something in your eye
- FYI: There are two entrances to the grounds: (1) the main entrance, the “East Gate,” located near the Subway/LIRR; and (2) the “South Gate” entrance near the iconic World’s Fair “Unisphere” (globe) – see map above. While lines tend to be shorter by the South Gate, the wait may end up being about the same because there are fewer attendants and metal detectors.
▸ Can I exit and re-enter the US Open grounds?
DAY SESSION ENTRY TO US OPEN GROUNDS (Gates open usually 9:30 most days, 11:00am Finals weekend)
- With either a Grounds Pass (Day) or a DAY-session reserved ticket in Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand), you can enter the US Open grounds as soon as gates open (usually 9:30am, 11am on Finals weekend)
- Enter the US Open Grounds through security with your ticket scanned at the East Gate or South Gate; if you have a reserved stadium seat, your ticket is re-checked entering that stadium. Once you enter the US Open grounds with any ticket, you can stay as late as you want until closing.
- Note: DAY-session reserved tickets for Ashe or Armstrong only entitles you to that seat for the Day-session matches — after which you will have to leave your seat but can remain on the US Open grounds and access general unreserved seating on every court except Ashe (which has no unreserved seating).
- You can exit the grounds and re-enter as much as you’d like before 6:00pm (you can’t re-enter the Grounds after 6:00pm).
EVENING SESSION ENTRY (6:00pm)
- If you only have an Evening session ticket, you have to wait until 6:00pm to enter the grounds.
- If you are already in the grounds and also hold an Evening reserved tickets (for Ashe or Armstrong) for the same day, you do NOT need to exit and re-enter the grounds.
- If you’re in Armstrong for the Day session (courtside or GA), you’ll leave your seat between sessions while they clean, but you can stay in the Armstrong concourse.
▸ What if it rains?
The good news: since both Arthur Ashe and the new Louis Armstrong have roofs, far more fans can keep watching even
if it rains.
The bad news: if you’ve invested in Grandstand seats or just a Grounds Pass, there’s less consolation. Keep in mind weather forecasts are notoriously unreliable and change by the hour — there’s always hope showers pass quickly.
In the rare event of an all-day rainout (or under 60 minutes of play), the session may be rescheduled to the next day and your ticket honored then — or, if you bought directly from Ticketmaster, you may be able to trade tickets for another session this year or next (see the US Open’s somewhat complicated 2026 Inclement Weather Policy).
Worst case, look for the silver lining: you’ll be among thousands of fans you can grab a specialty cocktail with, huddle under shelter, and watch an Ashe match together on the big screen.
▸ Is grounds admission free on the second Thursday (Sep 10)?
One of the best-kept secrets: for years the US Open has quietly offered free grounds admission on the second Thursday of the main tournament (gates usually open 11am or noon; you must arrive before 5pm) — a chance to see the Men’s Doubles Semifinals plus all-star wheelchair players, the world’s top juniors, and standout collegiate players.
If you’re a serious fan — especially a doubles player — this is a day not to be missed.
▸ Food
FOOD: There are a bunch of options on site, but they aren’t cheap! See my chart outlining examples of the food stands by area on the grounds.
- This PDF includes several menus from past Food Village stands. Every year there are some new additions and substitutions, but many of these will still be around in 2026.
- Korilla BBQ is one of my favorites, but lines are usually among the longest.
- Poke Yachty is absolutely delicious and lines move quickly because they’ve nailed their system.
- Oyster Bar behind Grandstand has killer ceviches and lobster rolls.
- Hill Country BBQ, Curry Kitchen, Fish Shack and Fly Fish are also delicious.
- Restaurants in Queens not on the grounds
▸ What are perks for cardholders?
- AMERICAN EXPRESS CARDHOLDERS: Bring your Amex card if you have one! See full Amex Benefits at US Open here. Perks from 2025 likely to be repeated in 2026:
- (1) Amex Card Member Lounge on the 2d Level of the Amex “Fan Experience” (where anyone can also play a “Glow Tennis” mixed reality interactive game and get a complimentary manicure with tennis themed nail art).
- (2) Centurion Suite in Armstrong (Exclusive to Platinum and Centurion Members). Book in advance on Resy
- (3) Book complimentary court time in NYC area at over 500 tennis and pickleball courts and unlock special access to peak reservation times when using your Amex.
- (4) Check your bag for a reduced fee at East or South Gate
- (5) Get a one-time $20 statement credit when you spend $100 with your enrolled card at participating US Open merchants
- (6) Get a free earpiece/radio to hear ESPN match commentary
- (7) Skip lines and grab concession items quickly (checkout-free shopping) at the Amex Shop in South Plaza .
- CHASE CUSTOMERS? Check this Chase site for updates on perks for 2026.
- Click here to make a reservation to access the “Chase Lounge”
- Other past perks have included offering cool video+mobile “Chase Charge & Watch” chargers
▸ Recommended places to stay?
This is not an area of expertise for me, but I trust fellow tennis fanatic Melissa, who maintains a great list of hotels appealing to all budgets here.
Fellow fan Mark recommends staying in Queens and biking, based on his experience: “We packed our bikes and stayed at a nice AirB&B on Queens Boulevard, a little over 2 miles from the stadium. Queens has a great network of dedicated bike lanes and a friendly attitude toward bikers, and best of all – the terrain is flat! Once at the grounds, there are bike racks across from the South Gate entrance and in front of the security tent that handles baggage claim. It is a fun and hassle-free way to make the commute for anyone that so inclined!”
▸ Grounds access on Finals Weekend?
Grounds Admission tickets usually get issued at some point over the summer for Finals Weekend (Fri-Sun Sep 11-13) on Ticketmaster.
You can’t access Ashe with these tickets, but you can walk the grounds, see juniors and wheelchair finals, and watch Ashe matches on the big screens.
Final Tip: Pay It Forward When You Can
If you have the opportunity, consider a random act of kindness for fellow fans during the tournament. Our tennis community is big, but in a way it’s small — and our passion is infectious; do something kind for someone today, and they’re likely to pay it forward.
For instance, if you’re leaving your great Ashe (or Armstrong or Grandstand) seat for the day/night while matches are still going, as you exit consider consider gifting it to a fan who’s waiting outside the entrance hoping someone like you might offer. Giving someone on grounds your seat when you’re done isn’t as easy as it used to be, given tightened Ticketmaster restrictions preventing transferring after the ticket is scanned and preventing screenshots from within the Ticketmaster app… But with a little creativity and effort you can pretty easily make it happen, and the gesture might create a lifelong memory for someone else. Here’s how:
- Take a screenshot of your ticket in your phone’s WALLET (Ticketmaster will block screenshots from within the app).
- For Armstrong or Grandstand, simply text someone else the screenshot and it should hopefully suffice.
- For Ashe:
- If gifting to someone already IN the stadium, a screenshot from your wallet should suffice — including if you’re leaving the Courtside/Club level area entrance and you want someone already in Ashe to benefit from your seat (from Loge or Promenade.
- If gifting to someone already in the Open grounds but not in Ashe already: You’d need to walk with them to the Ashe entrance, re-scan your ticket (telling the ticket scanner that you’re letting your friend go to your seat) AND give them a screenshot (which they’ll need to show to ushers or for entry to Club level); OR you’d need to walk with the friend(s) as if you were going to re-enter with them, hand the friend your phone to get scanned, then have the friend discreetly pass the phone back after they are “in” (then just turn around as though you changed your mind about entering themselves at this time).
I’ve gifted a lot of tickets over the years, and it always feels wonderful.












Hi im there for both sessions on Ashe Wednesday will Armstrong and grandstand courts be in use for doubles and juniors?
Hi Scott, yes indeed! PJ
Hey PJ,
Do you think there’s any chance they’ll schedule a hypothetical Djokovic-Federer match in the day session?
Thanks
Hey Leonardo, I’ve learned to say “there’s always a chance” because every year there are big surprises along these lines (we’ve seen several this year already). However, this is one instance where I’d say the odds are nearly certain that a Fed-Note match would be scheduled at Night. In QF, historically they always put the “biggest” matches at night because they are held on work nights, when fewer people tend to attend day sessions (due to work and fewer tourists in town) and likewise more people are home to watch a night match on TV. P.J.
That makes a lot of sense! Thanks for the information
Thank you. This is such a wonderful service you’ve provided to tennis fans. I’ve been before but picked up so many tips from this. Just wanted to let you know you’re appreciated.
Wow, I likewise really appreciate you taking the time to say that. Big thanks to you, P.J.
PJ – great great site. Thank you. Wondering if you had any thoughts as to why Nadal and Fed both got day sessions? Do the players prefer to play during the day or night? Any guesses as to who will get the day session on Labor Day?
Hey James, thank you. I wish I could shed light on it – I’m personally a bit peeved given tickets I’m holding that they scheduled both those guys Day sessions twice in a row. I outlined in a comment to Beau below some of the variables I believe factor into decisions, which can often seem random or nonsensical. Apart from that, I’m just as baffled and often frustrated as everyone else. For Labor Day, at this point I would be shocked if they didn’t schedule Djokovic during Day session and Fed evening — three times in a row putting Fed… Read more »
I was listening to the announcers, and I think it has to do with the heat. They were saying that the player Managers will lobby the tournament director very hard to play at night on the high heat days. So if you look at it, both Fed and Nadal played at night on the high heat days, then during the day on the more comfortable days. I would bet that for Monday and Tuesday, both Fed and Nadal will play at night.
Hi Pam, no doubt lobbying by managers plays a part. Although there are many other factors at play too, and I’ve learned it’s risky to use one of the variables to predict or to use one factor to explain a trend. Although last Tues was one of those exceptionally hot days and they scheduled Djokovic (former #1 in the world, Wimbledon champ, another icon) on Day session, and Thurs was also a very high heat day and they put Fed on Day then. For Monday, Fed will likely play at night because he’s been on evening sessions twice consecutively. Nadal… Read more »
PJ – thanks for a fantastic site. What do you think the Labor Day Monday lineup on Armstrong might be? Maybe the Sunday schedule is a good preview – 2 men’s matches, 1 women’s and 1 doubles?
Hey Ibrahim, thanks so much! Yeah, I suspect it will probably mirror tomorrow’s. We weren’t sure until this afternoon whether they’d put two men’s R16 matches on Armstrong and none on GS, but that’s exactly what they did. P.J.
I was hoping for one R16 match on Grandstand and one on Armstrong.
I think they’re trying to please the Armstrong subscribers who are re-selling their tickets below face value throughout the entire tournament, and I guess they’re also trying to showcase the new stadium.
Hey Tom, you are not alone. I was not totally surprised by the decision, but I do think it was an unfortunate one – especially because they weren’t transparent about this in advance. For every year prior (except 2016, when they didn’t have a men’s R16 singles match on GS on Monday but did on Sun), they have put one R16 match on GS on both Sun and Mon. Many folks bought expensive reserved seats for GS (and subscribers subscribed) with a strong hope/expectation along these lines.
I think your hunch is dead-on. P.J.
Hi PJ, sorry to keep troubling you. 🙂 We have Arthur Ashe tickets for Sunday’s day session. Since the Arthur Ashe matches starts at 12pm, one option we were thinking was to reach at 10am or a bit early and try to get general admission into Armstrong to watch first set of Anderson’s match. Would that be a good option? At what time would we have to leave Armstrong to reach Ashe promenade seats? Would it be worth to stay there than go to Ashe’s promenade? Any other ideas for how to plan that morning? Gracias!!!
Hi Jeronimo, no worries! Yes, I think trying to get to Armstrong early is a great idea – there shouldn’t be a problem getting a seat, but the GA sessions go up pretty high, so you’ll be grateful to be sitting a bit lower. No worries at all about the distance to Ashe afterwards: it’s like a 3 minute walk from Armstrong to Ashe, and will realistically should take you no more than 15 minutes total to get from Armstrong to your Ashe seats. P.J.
Great! Thanks for the advice PJ!!!
GREAT SITE! & thank you for helping with climate change for the day job!
Question Re: outside venue storage
Can you detail how large a suitcase can be stored for the $10?
or even better, show a picture if it is a locker?
trying to decide if my friends coming from airport need to find a different place to store bags.
thanks!
Hi Jen, thank you! 🙂 🙂 There is a checked bag area where they will even store large luggage bags (not in a locker), so everyone should be fine! It’s at the top of the ramp (across the LIRR entrance) before you go down towards the security area by the East Gate. P.J.
Quick question. Tickets for night session tonight at Louis Armstrong, took your advice and have seats in section 8 row j. Driving from NJ to stadium. Should I just head for the Citi field parking lots to park?
Hey David, so sorry for delay. Yeah, I’d head there and you’ll see signs for parking and be direct elsewhere if they’re doing overflow parking. Have a great time! PJ
Wow! I’m so glad I found this page- so much information!! Looking to go to my first US Open to see Djokovic, hopefully this Monday. Just curious, what corner section do the players walk out on Ashe? I’ve looked at seating charts and I think it’s 44-45. Thanks again for all of this info, I appreciate your time and effort put into this!! Saving for sure!
Hi Cindy, thanks! Correct, they walk out under 44-45. Glad to meet another Nole fan 🙂 PJ
Thanks for your reply! Go Nole!! Now I’m sitting here trying to decide if I should just go ahead and buy tickets for Wednesday night session on Ashe; I might jinx a Djok/Fed matchup!! The ticket prices are climbing!!! What should I do?!
Hey Cindy (and Haj’de Nole!) – I know, it’s super frustrating. Prices are insane for that evening. They have been high for a while, but the anticipation of another epic Fed/Nole showdown have made them stratospheric. Loge and Courtside resale prices are out of control – in Semis and Men’s Finals territory. It’s hard to give any solid advice here that’s not speculative. That said, if you’re targeting Promenade seats, there are now some several standard-priced ones available (339 F a decent seat) – so now could be a good time to grab them if indeed you’re willing to take… Read more »
Thanks again for the advice! I pulled the trigger and bought a ticket for Wednesday night. So I guess I didn’t listen to your advice, ha! I know I could have waited and hoped for prices to drop, but I’m sure once tomorrow rolls around and they both advance, they will become out of my reach. So I’m in section 116, row M; not the greatest seats or as close as I had hoped to be. But I’ll be IN the biggest tennis stadium watching Nole play some other guy 😉 Plus I can’t spoil myself on my first tournament-… Read more »
LOL, I think you made a great decision, Cindy. It will be thrilling regardless and those seats will be terrific. Enjoy!! PJ
Hi PJ! I have been going to the Open for my whole life and am still learning from your website. What time do they post the schedule for tomorrow? You mentioned the afternoon…I’m trying to find out when Serena’s next match is…Thanks! Julie
Hi Julie, apologies for the delay – was away for a couple hours. I’m sure you’ve seen by now schedule is out, Serena scheduled for Day session tomorrow (along with Nadal). P.J.
Hey PJ,
Would Federer be playing R16 on September 3 evening? Assuming he wins 3rd round against Kyrgios… He’s played 2 morning sessions in a row, surely they won’t make it 3?
Thanks
Hi there, probably – but unfortunately no way to predict for sure. Always surprises in the scheduling dept! P.J.
P.J., thank you again for the wonderful site and for all the energy you spend helping us tennis fans! We just enjoyed our 2nd US Open in a row, and your site was our source of prep for both trips and made life so much easier this year and last year. We really appreciate you! I was really impressed with the Amex benefits (free radio, $20 statement credit if you spend over $100, the blue payment bands this year) PLUS, we had to check suitcases and they did not charge us the $10 fee per bag since we were Amex… Read more »
Wow, Stephen, thank you so much for the kind words and for sharing your experience – much appreciated! So glad to hear you had a great time. And in all seriousness, my full-time work is on environmental issues – and working to curb climate change a major focus… so yeah, I’ll be working on that for next year LOL (although sadly the forecast is for more of the same, and then some, for many years until we can turn climate change around!).Thanks again, P.J.
Hi thanks for the great tips. As a first timer we are still a bit confused . We are staying in Manhattan and have evening tickets for Saturday 1st September. We thought we could enter the grounds early in the day but it appears the earliest entry is 6pm?
Is this correct?
If so when should we leave Manhattan? Are there other things to do near the grounds?
Hi there, you’re very welcome. Correct: grounds entry for evening tix isn’t until 6pm. See my tip #9 for transportation recommendations – depends on where you’re staying and your mode of transport. I usually recommend LIRR from Penn Station if that’s convenient – really fast and easy. Here’s a list of things to do near the grounds. P.J.
Hey P.J.
Thanks for the fully explanation about US Open. I want to ask you if there is any difference if the ticket is bought online or if I buy it in person at Flushing Meadow (I mean whether the quantity offered by the official partners and resellers is the same and is there any difference in the price?)
Thanks.
Hi Ivaylo, there are two places to buy tickets on site: (1) there’s a pop-up Ticket Exchange booth for resale tickets (where people can sell or buy resale tickets) near the LIRR train entrance at the top of the ramp leading to the East Gate; ticket prices and fees are exactly the same as the online Ticket Exchange; (2) there’s also the main Box Office just inside the East Gate security area (before you enter grounds) where ticketholders can try to upgrade their tickets to something better (you can only do this on the same day) for a fee, if… Read more »
Hey PJ,
This blog has really been helpful and thank you for taking time out to write this . I am currently in a dilemma to buy the Quarter-Finals tickets for 4th September at 7 pm night session. Any idea about how likely is that Nadal will play in that quarter finals if he wins his match on sunday . Please help me out. I am going to be missing my classes of grad school . It would be really nice if you could help. Thanking you in advance
Hi Vidit, Nadal would indeed play on Tuesday Sep 4th if he makes it to QF (winners from top half of the draw will play that day), however there is no guarantee it will be at night. There’s a very strong chance it would be the night session, but as we have seen already during this tournament there are always surprises. P.J.
P.J. – Thanks for this amazing post. My wife and I just finished an awesome day at the tournament today and all of your advice was incredibly helpful.
Awesome to hear, Grant, thanks so much for taking the time to let me know! PJ
Hey PJ,
Hope you’ve been enjoying the Open!
I jus won (!) some tickets for a session next week–Ashe, section 54.
Wondering if there are any perks with these tix that I should take advantage of. (For example, at Yankee stadium some field level seats give you access to a line with free soft drinks, popcorn, and peanuts.)
Any special lounges or vendors? Can I skip the line with these tix?
Thanks!
Meredith
Hey Meredith, congrats, that’s awesome! First, you can use the side entrance to Ashe with those tickets. It’s near Mojitos restaurant – look for a ramp with a security person checking tickets… that’s the entrance that courtside ticket holders can use, and can be helpful if there are a lot of lines by the front entrance (near the fountains). As a courtside ticket holder you have access to the entire club level of Ashe, which has some of the same vendors but shorter lines and some nice offerings. See club level list here: https://www.usopen.org/en_US/visit/arthur_ashe_stadium_food.html My go-to is the Oyster Bar…… Read more »
Thanks!
I was in section 54/H last night. Even though it’s behind the chair umpire, they were great seats. Watching Rafa and Thiem was incredible. The power and pace were unbelievable. I was really amazed with Thiem’s backhand–it seemed unreal. Unfortunately, I had to leave after the 4th–needed to get home before 2am so I wasn’t a zombie this morning at work. Got to see the very end of the match when I got home though! The lobster roll was very good, too! Thanks for the reco. One important perk of those tix is that you get early and expedited entry… Read more »
Hey Meredith, glad you were there!! And thanks so much for that perspective on 54 H and the other details. I think it’s really just lower rows where it’s even a slight issue. I was in 57 C other night and doesn’t bother me either, but just want everyone to be aware. And for day sessions, it’s a no-brainer to go for anything on that side to avoid the brutal sun on hot days on the east side. Yes indeed – that side entrance is a gift when crowds are intense. I should add a note about that in my… Read more »
Do price tickets Go down as the game stars and the Seller wants To get some money instead of nothing and lower the prices ?
Hi Rodolfo, occasionally that does happen indeed. Always worth checking. Tickets remain on sale online for an hour after the session begins. PJ
Hi PJ, I couldn’t thank you more for all the awesome tips here! I am a big fan for Federer and for the first time I am able to watch his game in court! I was patient enough to wait until the schedule came out (around 2:50 pm today Aug. 31) and the price for the Day session went crazy in a few minutes. Thanks again! I have one question about the day ticket. Am I allowed to enter the night session for Armstrong for the un-reserved seats? If yes, any tips for the night session? Should I start standing… Read more »
Hi Tracy, thank you!! Yes you absolutely can. Lines just depend on who is playing. So far this week they have been not too bad, and the way the stadium is set up you can often see the court from many waiting areas. The schedule should now show all the offerings (sometimes they take a while to list them all). Definitely check out Zverev on Armstrong if he’s still playing after Fed. Strongly urge you to see some great doubles on other courts – pick a court with some of the higher seeded players. And the Armstrong night lineup with… Read more »
Thanks, this site is very helpful!
Based on the comments seems like they have finalized Saturday’s schedule, but I couldn’t find it on the site – which matches are scheduled for Saturday evening?
Thanks again!
Hi Anish, it’s all posted. You can view if you download the US Open app and/or here:
https://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/schedule/index.html?promo=subnav
PJ
Another person checking in who is quite disappointed that Fed. v. Kyrgios is not in the PM session. This is the biggest scheduling shocker to me in quite some time. Having already spent a good amount of money on the PM session, I now have zero funds to be able to spend on the AM session. Thanks for all of your help on the blog–I read through all of your scheduling advice/hunches and really thought we had this one nailed down. Happy that they scheduled Ostapenko v. Sharapova at least in the PM session!
Ugh, I feel your pain, Bill – so sorry about the bad luck!! P.J.
Thanks for this site, P.J.!
Cannot praise your work enough. I highly recommend your blog to my tennis buddies in club where I play.
Going to Ashe-night this Sat. Big bummer though:( I was hoping to see Maestro and studied all tips you have gathered thru the years.
So, i thought that they would schedule him on night for his 3 match (day /night alteration). They didn’t! I am so mad…
Hi Vik, thanks a million – and I’m so sorry about the bad luck 🙁 Please know you’re not alone in the disappointment. There are a lot of people really, really bummed right now who had every reason to conclude it was almost certain they’d put Fed on a Sat night match. I would have put a lot of money on it if I were a betting man. See my reply to Beau on this topic… P.J.
Hey PJ – you helped me out TREMENDOUSLY when I went to the Open last year, as so many others have said, you do know your stuff and so many people have benefited. Do you know why there isn’t consistency with how they schedule the big names? They often rotate day and night sessions for Rafa, Fed, etc. A good friend spent A LOT of money on Ashe tickets for Saturday night assuming Fed/Kyrgios would be the night session and now we see they are playing the day session. So that is two times in a row Fed is player… Read more »
Hey Beau, great to hear from you – I’m so glad it was helpful! It’s frustrating beyond belief, I know. I have been disappointed myself on so many occasions along these lines over the past decade, and already have during this year’s tournament. And on this particular decision, a huge number of folks are going to be massively disappointed and miffed. Here are factors they are juggling that explain inconsistency: – Fairness to players. Balancing time of day, heat, potential lateness of matches, etc. (On numerous occasions, the logic may not be readily apparent: tournament staff may know things about… Read more »
Amazing. The scheduling surprises continue. Fed v Kyrgios day session – I think almost everyone expected this to be a night blockbuster.
I know! Just goes to underscore: you can never, ever predict with 100% certainty who will play Day or Night. Big surprises ever year. P.J.
Hey PJ – Your site has been incredibly useful so far and I am set to go to Ashe for tonight’s matches. Quick question on your best advice. We were going to try to go to Saturday night and Sunday night as well but given how much we spent to see Serena those tickets for Saturday night seem to be a little out of budget. This has been on my list to take my dad to for years now. I am trying to make the treat him to the best experience before he goes in for his 55th surgery next… Read more »
Hey Caitlin, so glad it’s been helpful! Tickets for tomorrow (Sat) night may come down on average a bit in the hours ahead and through tomorrow as more people realize Federer isn’t scheduled. I’d keep checking all the sites I list above – sellers tying to recoup their costs may panic and keep reducing prices as we get closer. P.J.
Just a little more info:
I was initially planning on looking for Ashe Promenade tix for this week (as per your rec), or Louis or Grandstand, but now these are prohibitively too expensive for Monday. We love Louis best and really enjoy the up-close action on the “smaller” courts. As we only go one day, we try to pack alot of tennis in. We could also go Tuesday, but there’s less tennis and prices are still out of our budget. Please advise.
Hi Teri, please check your email for a personal reply from me. P.J.
Hi PJ, I am a single mom who can’t afford holidays so the highlight of the past several summers has been taking my son to The Open. Because of our tight budget, we always went early the day of to get Grounds Admission. This year, $ is extra super tight and I decided we couldn’t afford to go. I am feeling so guilty (I have a great hard-working kid who deserves this), so I am looking at StubHub ($85 + $22.50 fees/per). Is there a cost-savings of buying day of at the Box Office or should I bite the bullet… Read more »
PJ, Yesterday was my first day ever at the US Open. I had reserved Grandstand seats behind the server, section 1, and I saw Zverev-Mahut at LA and then Poulle-Baghdatis at Grandstand. I also got great pictures, especially at the Grandstand since I was so close. I had an amazing time and I wanted to thank you for putting together this comprehensive guide, updating it, and responding to the comments. It’s really helpful in every respect, from where to sit, what to bring, what tickets to buy, etc. It made the experience so much easier and I want to thank… Read more »
Tom, THANK YOU very, very much for taking the time to write down those kind words – I really appreciate them. Weather looks very good for tomorrow – fingers crossed! If there’s an 11am match on Armstrong that interests you, yes I’d try to arrive early to grab a good lower-row GA seat at Armstrong for that first match. What time you’ll need to arrive for a great seat depends totally on who’s scheduled for the 11am match. Schedule should be out by around 3:30pm today. As always, the reality (however unfortunate) is that men’s singles matches command the greatest… Read more »
P.J.
There are some standard tickets that showed up for the Wednesday night session, that could be Fed x Djoko.
Is this normal?
Also, I decided to take a risk and bought tickets for this session (Wednesday night at Ashe) for 220 tax included, expecting to see Fed x Djoko. Session 319, row F.
Did I overpay or is it a good deal?
Thanks
Hey Lucas, yes it’s quite common for USTA to release more standard tickets throughout the summer and also closer to the tournament (no rhyme or reason to timing, no way to predict when). Standard tickets sometimes end up costing more than resale tickets with fees, depending on the session, because sellers may need to lower their prices when ticket supply is high – so always pays to do homework and not assume a standard ticket is always the best deal. However, for that particular session, demand is very high (as are average resale prices) because (1) that night is always… Read more »
ESPN website shows Wednesday night quarterfinal match as mens doubles. Is this correct? It has all four quarterfinal mens singles matches on TUE AM and PM then two days off until mens singles semifinals on FRI.
Hi Kirk, the only matches that will be played on Ashe on Wed are Men’s and Women’s QF singles matches. Doubles QFs will also take place on Tues/Wed on outer courts, probably Armstrong (not on Ashe). And no, men’s QF will be held both Tues and Wed, Day and Evening sessions (1 match per session, 4 sessions total). See my schedule outline for details under Box 1 above. Players from top half of draw will play Tues, bottom half Wed. P.J.
Hi PJ, I’ll have to say your recommendations for seating were pretty spot on! People heed this mans wisdom. He knows his stuff! I now know why you are so adamant about SHADE & RAIN. The difference of being in the sun and shade on 100° day is huge. Night courtside seats were AWSOME! Thanks ? Definitely watch the smaller courts especially the dbls and mixed (AMAZING perspective! And Experience!) My quick tips: Bring a hand towel and wrap a few pieces of ice inside and place it on the back of your neck. So goood! Bring a small spray… Read more »
Duey, THANKS man!! Both for your incredibly kind words and for this awesome advice. (And great to know on the fanny packs, will adjust my post later today!) P.J
PJ – hope you are enjoying the tennis. I see AA tickets directly from the USTA are cheaper for the evening session on 9/3 than the day session on that day, by quite a lot. For example section 41 row H is 900 for the day session and 480 for the night session. This seems very odd. Is this is clue as to scheduling for that day? They put both top stars as day matches?
Hi Jacob, this is actually common year over year for Labor Day Ashe sessions: Day session prices traditionally average much higher than Night sessions, simply because more tourists are in town fueling greater demand. It doesn’t have to do with potential quality of the line-ups. Last year I saw Federer evening on Labor Day. P.J.
Hey PJ – Amazing site. Incredibly useful and strangely fun to read all the tips.
Quick question re: Saturday at Armstrong – I noticed that courtside reserved day tickets start around $230 and night at closer to $100. What are people predicting in terms of matches that is driving that spread?
Thanks so much!
LOL, thanks! On Ticketmaster the lowest price now for Saturday Day resale is $180 and for evening is $74 (plus fees). I think may be a combination of several factors, possibly including the following– none of which, I believe, have to do with predicted quality of match-ups Day v Night: (1) A Day session ticket anywhere gives anyone the opportunity to stay as long as they want (including through evening) and line up for nonreserved seats – so you get more bang for your buck (2) People may understandably anticipate greater difficulty in getting a non-reserved seat in Armstrong during… Read more »
Hi I am meeting a friend at an upcoming day session and I have both tickets so we need to meet outside- you provide so much great information but I don’t think you mentioned a landmark for meeting up with someone/- thanks so much for your help!
Hi Alan, great question. If meeting before you enter security, I’d suggest in front of the LIRR ticket window at the top of the ramp heading down to security at the East Gate (where they divide lines to those with bags and those without). If inside the grounds, I’d recommend any of the following: — In front of the “Gate B entrance” to Armstrong (easy to find, near East Gate entrance) — In front of the “Gate A entrance” to Armstrong (easy to find, closer to Octagon–shaped “US Open Collection Store” kiosk where they sell merchandise) — In front of… Read more »
If both are driving and parking at Citi Field, then a good meeting point is the Home Run Apple across from Citi Field’s home plate entrance.
Excellent, Tom, thank you!
PJ, I currently have tix for Saturday night (and am hoping to see Federer and Kyrgios). I also just realized that entry is at 6PM and I’ll only get to see basically two matches. Is that right? There are no evening matches scheduled, so despite my paying hundreds of dollars for great Ashe reserved seats for the PM, I can’t even get into the grounds to see a match on one of the side courts, right?
I guess I might have to spend another hundred/ticket on AM grounds pass?
Hi Bill, yes that’s correct – sorry to be the bearer of bad news. There will still be matches happening at 6pm, so you can at least catch an hour of them (and can enter Ashe whenever you want in case, for instance, there’s a women’s match first that you don’t value seeing as much as something on an outer court). P.J.
Sexist!
Hey Claire, while I think you probably know this if you follow my writing, just wanted to be sure my personal views are very clear on this (!)… As I’ve written on countless occasions, I believe think it’s a huge shame that fans overall don’t value professional women’s or doubles matches as much as they do men’s singles matches. In Bill’s case, he has a conundrum in wanting to see outer court play and Federer — so his only option would be to miss a women’s match on Ashe if he wants to see much outer play. That match may… Read more »
Hi PJ – love the site, kudos to you. I am trying to decide between Row A in Section 120 or Section 122 for an AA evening session. Any thoughts?
Hey John, I’d vote for Row A 120 – fantastic seat! P.J.
Hi PJ,
Looking into some Armstrong tickets for this weekend, day not decided yet . Any idea why section 2 (corner) always seems to be by far the least available? Is there something that makes it better than the other corner on that side (section 8) or the directly behind baseline?
Thanks!
Matt
Hey Matt, sections 1-8 are all great from a shade perspective. 2 is corner, and many folks love the corner perspective. 7 and 8 would be equally good from that perspective, but not everyone may realize that. Section 1 would probably be considered by most to be best from a viewing and shade perspective. PJ
Hi PJ, I got tickets to AA day session tomorrow and would love to check out games at Armstrong, Grandstand or Court 17. What games do you recommend? I don’t want to miss Nadal though.
Hi Sophie, To get a sense of those courts, I’d probably head to Armstrong at 11 to take a quick look first… then head to Grandstand soon after during the Makarova v Sevastova match to grab a really good seat before crowds come in under the more shaded section (under the overhang on the WEST side of the court), and watch a bit of the Thiem v Fritz match. Then again, if it were me I would not miss a moment of that Sloane v Vika match on Ashe! 🙂 There will be action on outer courts after your Day… Read more »
Thanks so much for your advice. Noted every piece of it LOL This is now my go-to blog for US Open!
Thank you very, very much, Sophie!! P.J.
You really made my US Open experience awesome!!!! Thank you for this in depth analysis!!!!!
Cheryl, you really made my day with that comment! Thank you!! PJ
Hey, I’ve got general admission tickets for tomorrow but would love to upgrade to ashe unreserved/cheapest ashe tickets available – would this be possible?
Thanks!!
Hi Seun, you can try at Box Office on site tomorrow morning (at East Gate, just after you pass through security on the left) and should be able to if there’s availability (there may well be for Day session). P.J.
2:35 pm: It’s official (Ashe schedule just released for tomorrow)
ASHE DAY
Sloane v Azarenka
Nadal v Khakanov
ASHE EVENING
Serena v Venus Williams
Delpo v Verdasco
Hey PJ, we accidentally bought extra tickets to the finals that won’t sell. Doesn’t look like much movement is going on. any advice? should we just stomach the loss and lower price?
Hi Andrew, it’s still very early – many people wait until it becomes more clear who might play before buying tickets to semis and finals. I’d stay hopeful and patient, while continuing to monitor average resale prices around your seats and adjusting your price to stays competitive relative to others. P.J.
Hello P.J. Thank you for the great info. I wonder if I buy a ticket of ground pass, will I get access to first-come/first-serve seating for the night session of Louis Armstrong as well? Or is it just the day session?
Hi Percy, yes you sure do. P.J.
Hey PJ –
I am going to be in town for Friday afternoon through Sunday night so I can go Friday night, any session Saturday and day session Sunday. Are we thinking that Serena will be daytime Friday and if she wins, also daytime Sunday?
Thanks,
Caitlin
Hi Caitlin, because of the unusual high-profile much-anticipated Serena v Venus match-up, my gut is that it’s likely to be tomorrow night even though they scheduled Serena twice night already. No guarantee – but another reader just reported that someone on Tennis Channel spilled the beans and said night, so… If Serena plays tomorrow night and wins, I’d wager a lot that they schedule her for daytime on Sunday. P.J.
Thanks so much! We ended up getting tickets for Serena v Venus tomorrow night in section 125, row J. Hope this is a good view.
Any guesses on when Federer would play on Saturday?
Sweeet! Tomorrow night will be one of the most exciting on Ashe of the tournament. Great lineup. You will have a blast. My best guess is Federer will play night Sat because he’s on Day today (and Nole Day assuming he wins tonight). But as we have seen, there are always exceptions to the trends so just a guess! PJ
Awesome. Thanks again for all of the posts. It is super helpful.
Should section 125 row J be decent?
Hi Caitlin, yes absolutely! PJ
Hi again-
Tennis Channel is saying Venus will play Serena Friday night. I’m assuming Ashe??? What do you think!?!!!!!
Thanks!
Hi Kristen, Ashe definitely 100%. Who said it on TC? May have been a leak – probably a reliable one. I think Nadal probably Day tomorrow and Serena v Venus evening is most likely, but I don’t have inside info on that. PJ
Martina and all commentators with her then showed the two players warming up today and at bottom of screen it said “Venus and Serena Williams. Playing for the 30th time Friday Night”
Thanks!
P.J.,
We’re so excited to be at the Open tomorrow. Thanks again for all your help! It looks like it will be rain. We ended keeping the evening seats in Armstrong, so we have day seats in Ashe and evening seats in Armstrong. Do you have any recommendations for a rainy day?
Thanks!
Hi YC, you’ll have plenty of tennis in Ashe Day and Armstrong evening if it rains! So recommendation is to simply stay put in your seats and enjoy. 🙂 There may even be more matches scheduled on both courts if it rains a lot… P.J.
Do the pros typically practice in the indoor facility? Our 11 year old fan was really hoping to see Federer and Djoker practice since they will be on their off days tomorrow.
Hey there, practices open for public viewing during main tournament are mainly on outdoor courts P1-P5 (the stifling heat has pushed many practices until late afternoon much of this week). See schedule here. P.J.
Hi PJ,
I found your blog 3 years ago before my first trip to the Open and have regularly checked for updates since then- it has been an awesome resource, so thank you for maintaining it! I have a great seat in section 9 at Armstrong tomorrow (Friday) night- any guesses on who will be playing?
Hi Elizabeth, I’ll be there too! We will have exciting matches for sure, no matter what. Hesitate to make guesses – see my replies on this to Paul and Manny. PJ
Hi P.J.! Thank you so much for a great article and very informative site!
I just need some predictions I may – where (which stadium and time) do you think William’s sisters will play on aug 31st? Also, where ( stadium, time) Svitolina will play at the same day?
Hi Paul, Serena v Venus will 100% be on Ashe. My guess is probably night session, but because they scheduled both of Serena’s last 2 matches at night there’s a chance it could be Day.
Svitolina will almost certainly NOT be on Ashe. Probably Armstrong (Day or Night, impossible to guess) or possibly Grandstand.
Schedule for tomorrow should be out in a couple hours. Recommend you keep refreshing the schedule page and make decisions immediately after posted if you have very specific matches you want to see! P.J.
Gotcha! I thought the same way:). Tnx for confirming.
I’ve got Day and Night passes at Ashe, but still hope to see E.Svitolina somehow…….
tnx for a quick reply
You’re in for an absolutely incredible day at Ashe!! Jealous! 🙂
;))
Both 2017 Champions at Ashe, daytime…yay!!!!
Svitolina is out to Grand, I guess
Svitolina on Armstrong tomorrow DAY. Schedule just came out a bit ago. PJ
Hey PJ, any thoughts line up for tomorrow and interesting matches to watch? Especially on Arthur Ashe day session. Cheers, Manny
Hi Manny, everyone else’s guess is as good as mine! I suspect Nadal will probably be scheduled Day session on Ashe tomorrow. Serena v Venus could be day or night — my guess is probably night, but because they scheduled both of Serena’s last 2 matches at night there’s a chance it could be day tomorrow (but probably not). The other Ashe match will almost certainly be Sloane v Azarenka. The remaining men’s match on Ashe tomorrow (besides Nadal) is a big question mark. There’s justification to think it could be any of the following: Delpo v Verdasco, Shapo v… Read more »
Hi P.J.
I’m coming for the first time this year and this blog has been a real help! I’m trying to find tickets for the Thursday (6th) but cant seem to find any. Are tickets still required or are you able to get in without a ticket?
Thanks,
Robbie
Hi Robbie, Thurs Day session is free – see my green box under Tip #10. Evening session for Ashe requires a ticket. P.J.
This is a great and very useful guide, I am taking my father to the US Open for the first time (also his first time in NYC), and used the advice from this very heavily. Thank you for creating it! I wanted to get your perspective on my current situation. I have both day and evening session tickets for Louis Armstrong on Saturday, 9/1. I fear that Roger will play on Ashe (possibly in the evening since he is playing day session today) and I know that both my father and I would love to see him. Do you think… Read more »
Hey Jon, thank you so much! With the caveat that this is truly just what I would do myself (thanks for asking that way!), I’d wait until Federer wins his match against Paire later today — we all expect him to win handily, but between the heat and reality that tennis is always filled with twists and turns, one can never know for sure– then I would personally take that gamble on Saturday night given the never-certain but common practice of rotating Day/Night scheduling. P.J.