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

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

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

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

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

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

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












Hi P.J., first, thank you so very much for all of this detailed, valuable information. I will be making a lot of decisions based on this information. Question – I am planning on spending a day at the courts on Friday, August 23 to watch the practice sessions in the hopes of catching glimpses of favorite players (Federer/Nadal/etc.). Do you think the chance of spotting those players is just as good as any of the earlier practice days, and if it’ll be as good a day as any for practice session viewing? I’ll be taking time off work and traveling… Read more »
Hi Oyuka, yes that’s a great day to try to catch them practicing! No guarantees, but very high chances – and if not them you’ll definitely see some other greats. Ditto on Sunday. P.J.
I am trying to figure out a way to carry my ID without having to put it in my husbands wallet (so I don’t have to go through the bag check line). Would a clear holder on a lanyard be a viable option—like a passport holder? ?. Some are even able to hold a phone.
Hi Susan, yes that would work well:) – they don’t consider a lanyard a bag needing to be searched. Or you could get a phone case that also holds credit cards and ID. P.J.
I vaguely remember seeing somewhere that during the presale for Amex cardholders, there would be a bogo free for Ashe tix in the promenade. However, I don’t see that anywhere posted today. Do you know anything about this?
Hey Isadora, yes, it’s just a little obscured. Go here for details, click “Learn More” then “Find Tickets” for the session that’s part of the offer (there are a handful listed on the page I linked) and when you get the pop-up box you’ll see a “Buy One Get One Free” box along with others appear IF it’s available. PJ
Thanks. I did find it but it’s totally useless because not one available seat is joined with another one. They are sporadically scattered around the stadium. This site has been invaluable for providing much needed information for our first US Open. We’re hoping to secure seats for sessions 15 and 16. As you stated , the pre-sale tix were very disappointing this morning,so I’ve decided to wait until the public sales start. Thanks for all your insight and expertise on this adventure that I’ve waited to experience since Borg!
Hey Isadora, I frankly find the whole Amex pre-sale experience to be maddening. Every year I get on to make sure the situation hasn’t changed so I can advise fellow fans, and every year I’m disappointed. Please know, too, that day one of public sale can be equally crazy-making. They don’t release all the inventory at once, and the crush of thousands of simultaneous buyers means it takes forever for pages to refresh to see what’s available (and often the map view isn’t available, so it’s not as transparent as it normally is). If you don’t see what you’re looking… Read more »
I picked up two BOGO tickets for Monday of Labor Day in Ashe promenade for $40 each…. cheaper than grounds pass, which is what I plan to use them for that day…. It is worth it!
Great to hear!! Thanks for sharing – really valuable info for other fans. I’ll update my post to reflect. P.J.
Question – what hotels will many players be staying at (in 2019)? I’m bringing my daughter and thought it might be fun to rub elbows.
This website it an amazing resource – thank you.
Hi Lisa, I’ve had friends share sightings of players at the Grand Hyatt (near the 7 train) and UN Millennium Plaza. This great article also mentions the possibility of the Westin NY Grand Central. Will update if I get any better intel! PJ
Is the free grounds admission on the second Thursday of the tournament every year?
Hi Emily, yes that’s been the case for several years and expect almost certainly will also be the case this year. P.J.
Hi PJ, I hope you are well. This is Gina (ntrigue76) I see you are still giving us great info for the US OPEN – Of course we are very thankful. I wanted to give an update from my trip to the US Open last year. First year I went was 2016, had a ball we were gifted tickets and I went with my daughter. We stayed until 12:30am. Last year i took a good friend and serious fan, she unfortunately hurt her foot and could not walk. The handicap and disability service they provided was horrible. My friend needed… Read more »
Hey Gina, thanks for sharing your experience! I’m sorry you had those troubles that put a damper on things last year. I have mixed feelings myself about the new Armstrong. The higher courtside seats on the West side, in particular, were especially noisy given loud generators outside the stadium on that side and concession stands on that level… and as more people feel it’s ok to talk, it kind of spills over. I hope they try to address it this year. I found sitting behind the server and in closer rows to be pretty great. And the extra shade that… Read more »
Hi, I’m Guillermo from Uruguay and I’m glad to say that this year I’ll attend this amazing event. This will be my first time in a Grand Slam and I really want it to be as great as possible, since I live really far from the places where this tournaments take place. For me it will be a one in a lifetime experience. I’m going to be in New York from the 1st until the 7th of September, and I’m not sure which of the days will be the best option for me. I was considering men’s semifinals but not… Read more »
Hola Guillermo! (1) For Men’s Semis day (Fri Sep 6) there is only one ticket/session (it includes Mixed Doubles Final 12pm and Men’s Semifinals 4pm). You can arrive anytime. It is one of the most expensive tickets of the tournament because you get two amazing men’s matches in the same session. Average Promenade prices last year were around $275. As far as experiences at the US Open go, Men’s Semis is probably my favorite – regardless of who is playing. (2) For Ashe Promenade seats, I generally recommend prioritizing seats in the lowest row possible regardless of where they are—… Read more »
P.J. thank you very much for your recommendations. I’ll definetly go for the semifinals for now and I’ll think again about the Round 16 closer to the tournament. Thanks again for all the information, it was very useful!
You’re most welcome, Guillermo – so glad it was helpful! P.J.
Hi PJ, Thanks so much for the awesome guide and sharing your knowledge with us! I know you said to wait until June 3 or later to see what Ticketmaster had to offer for standard tickets, but I’ve been looking at the resale market to get a sense of what prices might be. I noticed the day/night sessions for the first Monday and day sessions for Tuesday (Aug 26-27) have courtside tickets in the $450-550 range, but the courtside night session for Tuesday (27) seem to be $750+ range. Is there a reason why? Do you think the standard tickets… Read more »
Hi Jolie, you’re very welcome! Good to be checking out the resale market to get familiar with how it all works and average pricing. There will almost certainly be some cheaper night session tickets for Mon/Tues Aug 26-27 that show up during the summer and as we get closer… In general, however, night sessions in Ashe are almost always pricier than Day sessions – mainly a function of more people being off work and demanding the tickets and the “fun” factor of being in Ashe at night. In addition, last year they did manage to put Federer on at night… Read more »
Hi PJ!
Thanks so much for the great response! Follow up question. I know that courtside baseline/corners/behind the servers sections are preferred, but I’ve read conflicting info about whether it’s better to be in the first few rows (AA, A, B) or further back (G, H, J) because there’s more elevation in the view?
For example, in sections 13, 47, 24, or 58, would rows A or B be better than rows H or D/E? Are corner sections like 62, 30, or 7 preferable to either regardless of the rows?
Jolie
Hey Jolie, you’re welcome! Check out my answer to FAQ #7 in Box 3 and some of the photos I link to – I personally love sitting as close as possible at baseline, but it’s a personal preference as a player: I value watching the athletes moving really close-up and “feeling” like the player most. If you’re sitting behind the server courtside or corners Ashe or Armstrong (and to a lesser extend in Grandstane), there’s really nothing better than first few rows in my book – you’re already elevated quite a bit because of the way the seats are designed… Read more »
Hi PJ, Thanks again for the great response! I’m still planning to wait for tickets, but was looking at your annotated shade page for Ashe and had a question. Section 58 seemed to be at the edge of the shade. Is that section (especially the first few rows) covered for most if not all of the day session, or only for parts of it? Would section 62 be a safer bet for shade than section 58, or are they about the same? Also, I know prices are all guess work, but would $400 be a good deal for section 58… Read more »
Hey Jolie, you’re very welcome! I took that photo at 12:50pm, and after that point the shade starts wrapping around pretty quickly. 62 gets shade a bit sooner – but not a big difference. $400 for 58 B is generally an excellent deal– it’s rare to find any courtside seats much below $400 (especially after 3d round), as that’s around the lowest face-value there is. P.J.
Hi PJ. I’ve run into a bit of a dilemma and could use your advice. I managed to score front row, baseline tickets in Ashe for $380. At the time of purchase, only my mom and I planned to go to this particular session, but now my dad wants to go, too. Currently, there are no other front row tickets available in our section, and the closet row available is C for almost twice the price of one row A ticket. Ideally, we’d like my dad to sit with us, especially as it’s a night session. I know none of… Read more »
Jolie, first of all, you SCORED with those tickets. Front row Ashe are very very hard to come by, and usually command a crazy premium over even a couple rows behind. Second, it’s highly likely many more seats will become available in the same section and, if you’re persistent and patient, you’ll find lower prices pop up. I do advise clicking on the actual seat map if you haven’t already to make sure you understand exactly how seating works in that particular section: Ashe seating is quirky (some sections A isn’t front row, because there may be two rows of… Read more »
Hi PJ, Haha, yes I was super lucky with the tickets. It’s the very front row (this section has no AA and we’re in the first row of A). Hope you don’t mind another question. Is there any major difference between Section 60 row G versus Section 7 row J (this is for another, day session)? I checked out your map, and they both appear to be in the shade, but is one section more shaded than the other? Also, are the views better or worse, or are there any other factors to consider (player box, etc.)? We currently have… Read more »
Hey Jolie, that’s so awesome about those front-row seats. For 60 vs 7, the major difference is shade. 60 is protected virtually the entire time. 7 will have moments of sun because it’s just on the cusp (see e.g. this photo I took from the opposite corner of the stadium (was sitting in section 41) – you can see upper rows in section 7 in sunlight. I don’t recall exactly how much sun affects which rows when for section 7, but it’s definitely on the cusp because so close to East side. Otherwise, they are both great sections to sit… Read more »
Hi PJ. Thanks so much for all of the amazing info you’ve been so kind to share with everyone! I’m considering either the LIRR or a car service to take us back into Manhattan after the night sessions. My questions are: If we decide on a car service, how do we arrange a pickup time if we don’t know when the match will end? What was your experience with Riverside with this? Will the LIRR be crowded similar to the subway? I assume the answer is yes, but want to be sure there will be enough people around for safety… Read more »
Hey Jolie, you’re most welcome! There’s always a critical mass of people on the LIRR and you’ll feel extremely safe. (FYI I’ve never found LIRR to be uncomfortably over-crowded – and it’s such a quick ride that even if you have to stand it’s not a big deal). The entrance is closer to the East Gate than the subway. FYI, here is the LIRR special schedule for the Open through Sep 2, so you can see all the times. You’ll see there are departures this coming Mon-Fri from Mets-Willets at 11:40pm and 12:05am (but then not again until 1:11am) and… Read more »
Awesome info! We’re actually starting our USO on Monday (we’ll get to see Novak, Serena, and Roger courtside!), so I’m figuring out transportation this weekend. For the car service, does the car meet you at the NY State Pavillion where the other rideshares go? I read there’s a shuttle that takes you from the South Gate to the Pavillion. I don’t mind the walk, but my parents will be with me sometimes so I want to make sure they’re comfortable. Does the shuttle still run for evening sessions? Also, did you use Riverside car service last year, and do you… Read more »
Hey Jolie, thanks – and that’s awesome about Mon night, will be incredible!! You’ll have to tell the car service where… What I usually do is put in “mets-willets point station” as the pick-up spot and meet them on Roosevelt Ave under the pedestrian bridge that leads to/from the East Gate. They can circle around that area or wait nearby if necessary, whereas everything around other rideshare areas can be pretty chaotic. I did use Riverside last year and had a very good experience – key is downloading their app so you can be in good communication directly with the… Read more »
For Labor Day Weekend, do the superstars (Fed, Nadal, Djokovic, etc.) only play on Arthur Ashe or do they also play on Louis Armstrong/Grandstand?
Hey Kevin, for the most part, it’s Ashe. Before the debut of the new Armstrong last year, there was widespread speculation that they might occasionally deviate from the past and put some of the biggest names on the new Armstrong, given that it now seats 14,000+– but they didn’t, so we can probably use last year’s schedule as a reliable guide to predict how they’ll approach this year. See the 2018 detailed schedule of play here to get a sense. P.J.
Hey PJ, I am curious if there is a way to get a similar detailed schedule of play from past years for other tournaments, I have been looking for a 2017 Montreal Rogers Cup that shows who played where. You seem like a wiz kid at this stuff. Any ideas?
Thank you and hope you are enjoying the holiday weekend.
Hey Courtney, Many tournaments don’t keep past detailed schedules on their sites– even the US Open only keeps them live for a couple years… They’re all different. Looks like Rogers Cup only has for 2018 Wikipedia always is a good resource for who won, but usually not that level of detail. Apart from that, I’d just try some creative googling to see if anyone downloaded and reposted the PDF for the schedule that year. Sorry not to be of more help! PJ
Hello PJ, Thank you for this excellent and comprehensive review! My dad is a huge tennis fan. We are planning to meet in NY for the open. We are looking to spend about a week in the city and attend the open for about 3 days, not necessarily in a row. Our dates are flexible and we are looking to get the most bang for the buck. I was considering the period of 8/28-9/3. What are your thoughts? How would you suggest to schedule the days and sessions we attend? Should we try and avoid the busy Labor Day Weekend… Read more »
Hey Jake, you’re most welcome, thanks for the kind words! That’s a great window you’re considering. For your splurge, keep a close eye in the weeks/months ahead for good deals on Ashe night session on Labor Day (Monday) itself – it’s one of the best times to get a great deal on Ashe courtside for competitive matches because so many tourists leave before then so demand isn’t as high. Also, courtside evening is just an awesome experience. As I mention above, don’t worry if you don’t see good options as soon as tickets go on sale for reasons I mention… Read more »
At Arthur Ashe stadium, where do the players come out? What sections are next to this?
Hi Steve, just under sections 42-42 — see my annotated Ashe seating chart. P.J.
Hello PJ – Attending the US open is a bucket list item and my wife and I are attending our first this year. Just wanted to thank you for the excellent information you provide. It is super helpful to those of us from far far away! Ed
Hey Ed, I really appreciate you taking time to let me know it was helpful! So glad to hear it. Hope you have a fantastic first experience! P.J.
Quick question for you. First timers and hoping to see some top seeds. We are attending opening day and going to book tickets for Arthur Ashe at 7pm.
My wife and I are open for the day session and want to buy good seats. Would you suggest reserving at Ashe so we can go in to the other venues if desired, or should we book good seats at Armstrong and then still have the option to hit the other venues? Appreciate the help. Awesome site BTW.
Hi Ed, thanks! Definitely recommend booking in Ashe on opening day versus any other stadium. This will ensure you see top seeds AND give you the option of going to the smaller stadiums, including but not limited to Armstrong (there will be a ton of great options all over the grounds). See 2018 schedule of play to get a sense of what your day would be like.
Hello PJ,
Looking at attending my first open this year but have a very packed schedule the weekend before the Open starts. This limitis my budget a little so I’m probably looking at going for the first round. My question is on average what do you think are the prices for Ashe stadium courtside or as closest as I can get for first week Mon. & Tues?
Thank you for all of the information you’ve provided as it helps me decide what my best options are.
César
Hi César, my pleasure! You should be able to find an Ashe courtside for Mon/Tues (Round 1) for somewhere between $325-450 if the past is a reliable guide. Be sure to see my shade map above if you go during a day session. There are almost always a good chunk of standard-priced (non-resale) tickets available through Ticketmaster for those first 4 sessions during Round 1 (even if you don’t see them appear on June 3, they will over the summer); however, also know that because demand is lower across the board for round 1, resale deals can pop up during… Read more »
Hi PJ thanks again for your help with my question about the American Express buy one get one offer. I don’t think I’m gonna take it advantage of it and instead stick with your idea about investing in some cheap Ashe tickets that I can check out other courts as well during the day and stay on the site all day and night. What I find ironic is that when I look at ticket prices for the overseas tournaments they’re a lot cheaper. Why is that? And the arenas are smaller! Part of me wants to fly to Rome to… Read more »
Hey Courtney, great question about pricing… Wimbledon definitely rivals US Open for prices, however it does seem that money goes a bit further at Roland Garros, which is indeed a spectacular setting and experience with smaller venues. And without question, many other ATP tournaments beyond the 4 Grand Slams – like Rome- offer amazing opportunities to see top players up close for much lower prices. It’s simply a matter of prestige that drives up prices for the Grand Slams. Can’t recommend more going to experience those smaller tournaments – all of which need more hard core fans to support them!… Read more »
Hi PJ sorry it took so long to get back to your helpful – and inspiring- reply. After you wrote this, I started looking into ATP 1000 tournaments, and what was affordable and logistically possible and… I bought tournament pass for the Rogers Cup Men in Montreal!! I did the math and the Rogers Cup $500 ticket that gets me SEVEN DAYS/NIGHTS of all men’s tennis at the 1000 level is the SAME price that I’d pay for a terrible promenade seat for just TWO qf or sf night sessions at Ashe – and see likely only one men’s match… Read more »
Hey again! Sorry was replying in reverse chronological order and just saw this one 🙂 That is so awesome – I think you’re making a great decision and will have an amazing time. Have a blast, and please please let me know about your experience and any big lessons learned from it. Thank you so much for writing and also for the kind words!! P.J.
I will definitely make mental notes of helpful tips. I know I won’t be able to stay away from the US Open though. But I’ll do cheapo nosebleed seats this time. New Yorkers are just too much fun of an audience to not be part of! Thanks again for all your help!
Hi PJ, i am Annette, is there a ticket office that also sells rain insurance in order to get a refund?
thanks from Germany
Hi Annette, unfortunately not. However, if you have tickets for Ashe or Armstrong you are protected, as both have retractable roofs in case of rain. P.J.
Hi PJ, this is Sergio Martinez. As last year, here we go again. I just bought our flight tickets to NYC, this time we’ll change hotel. “The Roosevelt” is so very well located, no doubt about it, but the hotel needs investment, my daughters room was so bad, noisy a/c working bad, and in our room the bathroom was so small. We’re trying the “Roger Smith” this year, also pretty close to Grand Central, hope it will be better. Will follow your valuable 2018 instructions. They worked great as I already told you after the trip. Thank you again for… Read more »
Hey Sergio, great to hear from you again! And sounds good about trying the new place. NY is really tough with finding hotels that combine affordability, comfort, and most importantly, quiet! Let me know how it works out… P.J.
Have you looked at Airbnb? You may find convenient locations for less money and most hosts are very clean and the apartments are spotless
Great point!
Have they put any money into The Roosevelt since they filmed a scene there for The French Connection ? LOL.
Please do yourself a favor and stay on the West side of Manhattan and take the LIRR. The #7 subway takes about 30 minutes and it is unpleasant. The LIRR from Penn Station takes half that and it’s far more pleasant and let’s you off much closer to the USO East gate too.
Hi PJ ! Thank you SOOOO much for all this information. After watching the US open for years on TV, I decided last year to actually go. It was the first time I had seen a professional tennis tournament live and it was exhilarating! I am now hooked. I had the good fortune of being in Delray Beach visiting my mom during the DB Open – which is so cheap and so small – I think I will be a DB regular. Excellent players come there, surprisingly and half the seats are empty, I ended up sitting first row for… Read more »
Hey Courtney, great to hear from you and thanks for all the very kind words and for sharing the great story about DB and the experience on moving up! The Amex deal will likely just be for Promenade seats, which have very little resale value during the first week of the tournament. If you post for resale, once the resale broker (including TM Exchange) takes their “cut”, the price you have to charge someone to recoup what you paid (even 50% for those) may be too high to attract a buyer. Sat Sep 7 would be the session where you… Read more »
Hi PJ,
Great info in here!!
Do you know historically when in june tickets go on sale? Early/middle/late? I’m hoping to buy tix for my moms bday but she’s early June, so just curious 🙂
Caroline
Hi Caroline, thanks! Individual tickets go on sale to the public on June 3 at 9am EST. P.J.
Hi P.J.,
I am going to the US Open this year for the first time and I am so excited! I had one quick question that I was confused about– when I go to ticketexchangebyticketmaster.com, it looks like there are already individual tickets on sale…am I missing something?
Thanks,
Thomas
Hey Thomas, great you’re coming! It is indeed confusing: tickets you see now (on Ticketmaster Exchange and other reseller sites) are all resale tickets that have been posted by individuals or entities that purchased through series/subscription plans. I outline in Box 2 above why I recommend waiting until after individual tickets go on sale (June 3 at 9am EST). P.J.
Hi PJ, I wrote to you a couple of times last year as that was my first US Open, thanks for that as I have said before. Just want to share a slightly fun story how I now got to be a Grandstand full ticket plan owner. I have been checking the ticket plan page probably 5-10 times a day for months certainly the last 6-8 weeks intensely. Today I was flying back from a business trip to London, while taxing out I remembered I had been to busy working to check today and suddenly a handful of seats where… Read more »
Hey Stefan, that’s amazing, thanks for sharing. Glad it worked out! P.J.
Hi, I enjoy all the information that you gave us, but I have some questions:
1- You said that the best date to buy tickets is after the official ticketmaster sale. About that, you think that it will be possible to buy, considering that a lot of people will want buy tickets, like me?
2- What do you think about companies like Championship Tennis Tours?. They are selling tickets now, but I don’t know if there are more expensive than the other resellers o if these tickets will be guaranteed then.
Hey Camila, Re: your question #1: one of the biggest mistakes I see people make every year is either buying resale tickets at high prices before individual tickets go onsite (June 3 this year), or rushing to buy tickets on that first day without really understanding prices and comparison shopping. There are always tickets available throughout to the summer to all sessions – the uncertainty is always just around price (see my Box 3 FAQ #3). Re your question #2: Championship Tennis Tours is definitely reputable. Companies like them do charge a premium because they do the work of finding… Read more »
Hi PJ great information however maybe I missed it but where do you recommend to stay, someone suggested Manhattan, it takes some time to get from there to Flushing , particularly by 930.
Hi Rashid, thanks so much. My friend Melissa maintains a great list here. P.J.
This is a god-sent information for me! I have been a tennis fan for quite a long long time, but in Mexico we only have one “big” tournament (Acapulco ATP 500, not complaining seeing Rafa or “Rey” David tho) but since I’m a die hard Federer fan, my long awaited dream is to watch him live and I believe I will not have many opportunities from here on. So why not at the US Open. I’m planning way ahead of time for this trip, buying airplane tickets and maybe an Airbnb or hotel near the US Open grounds (recommendations for… Read more »
Hola Luis, con mucha placer! Thanks so much for the kind words,and great to hear you’re making the trip! Let me know if you have questions as you get closer. P.J.
Re: FAQ #6 For mini-plans, (in particular, Labor Day weekend in my case), upgrade opportunities in practice no longer exist. With Row J seats already, and signing on as soon as upgrades opened, my “upgrades” were limited to about 10 seats in other sections – all J. More importantly, they have eliminated upgrades into Loge for all plans other than a full subscription. So if you are thinking of using a mini-pan to get into Loge, (or even lower promenade) that won’t work anymore. Last, for the last 3 years, the plan prices have been going up considerably (over 10%… Read more »
Vlad, thanks so much for this update – tracks closely with what I’ve been hearing. P.J.
I will travel from paraguay (another country ) to NY and I really really hope to be able to buy a ticket , I’m so nervous bc I dont know if I should wait for resellers or buy anything that I can from ticketmaster on June ! Pls tell me what to do ! Love your tips ?
Hi Bi, please don’t worry – there will be plenty of tickets! The key is to be sure you understand the average prices for sessions you’re considering before you buy – too often, people get nervous and buy the first time they look (including during the few hours that tickets go on sale to the public) without getting the bigger picture. You have plenty of time. P.J.
I just want to thank you for all of this information!!!
This was one of the most informative and helpful guides I have ever seen for any sporting event EVER. I am a relatively new tennis fan (3 years or so). Never in my life have I been to an event, but me and my buddies decided we are going to do the US Open this year. I was already excited, but after reading this I am super pumped!!
Thanks again for all of this awesome information!
Chris, you TOTALLY made my day with your kind words. THANK YOU! You will love the Open. The energy is just awesome. Let me know if you have any questions as we get closer. P.J.
hi
can i trust tickets sold on https://www.viagogo.com. I read on the website that tickets become available in June. But this website has already got tickets available, in my home country currency. I am planning to attend.
Hi Catherine, yes, like most of the major reseller sites they have a strong buyer protection policy. That said, as I mention in my post I strongly advise not buying on the resale market anytime before June when tickets go onsale publicly (see Box 2 and FAQ 3 for rationale). PJ
Hello,
I really appreciate this guide! I just wanted some reassurance about buying tickets. I see that it’s available for purchase (or reserve?) already on the official US Open website. I worry that many spots will be reserved before tickets officially go on sale on Ticketmaster. What do you recommend I do? (I am interested in going for the women’s final).
Thank you!
Hi Beatrice, don’t worry! See my Box #2 and FAQ #3 above. Only tickets on sale now are Promenade (highest level) subscription seats. There will be plenty of tickets available for the women’s finals when tickets go on sale and in the months prior to the event. P.J.
I didn’t see any mention of handicap access. I am ambulatory use a walker but am unable to stand in lines…any suggestions? What a comprehensive gathering of great info. Mahalo…Bea
Hi Bea, thanks so much. The US Open has a large number of staffers dedicated to helping anyone with special needs – under their “client services” department. Here’s the official note they include on accessibility in general -note in particular the phone number at the bottom, which they encourage anyone needing help to call: “The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (“Center”) is accessible. Accessible vertical access is provided via ramps and elevators, with escalators offering additional convenience for ambulatory guests. Wheelchair-accessible seating is provided off both the lower and upper concourses of Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium… Read more »
Hi! I live in the UK and I’m hoping to visit the US open this year. Can you please advise on how best to plan this trip? Thanks!
Hi Tom, please let me know your priorities, budget (for how many people), etc and I’d be happy to try to help with suggestions. PJ
Hey PJ, Really great collection of information thanks for this! I’m still a bit confused on getting a package vs single day tickets. I’m planning on going Monday 8/26 through Wednesday 8/28 and was considering puttong a deposit down on the Opening Sessions package through the Open’s website. I envision spending a lot of the 2.5 days on outside courts as a lot of my favorite players (Monfils, Azarekna, etc.) aren’t always on Ashe or even Louis so I figured having day/night passes with the packge to the grounds (and first come/first serve to Louis and Gramdstand) would be best… Read more »
Hey Charlie, thanks! For the reasons you cite, getting a subscription for those first 5 sessions may be a good idea. The main thing I feel obliged to point out is that Promenade seats during those first sessions is usually very very easy, as there’s usually a glut of Promenade tickets on the resale market with subscribers trying to unload tickets they don’t need. As such, it’s often easy to get a cheap Ashe ticket for those opening sessions (often up until the days prior) that is about the same (sometimes less) as you’d pay through a subscription plan. Also… Read more »
Wow this is the best collection of information I’ve ever seen. I’m taking my wife to the event for our anniversary. It will be our 1st time ever. This has been great. Thanks!
Thanks so much, Mike – really appreciate it! P.J.
My plan is to purchase the Men’s quarter finals now and then wait later to get our daily tickets. Plan on going 3 days. Or do you suggest waiting until later in the Summer? I like your idea about splurging for 1 courtside seat.
Hey Mike, definitely wait until June (or later)! Just updated “Box 2” of my post above to include the following: Individual tickets do not go on sale on Ticketmaster until June 2019. Before that, the only tickets available are (1) through “ticket plans” (which I don’t recommend for most – see Box 3 FAQs) or (2) resale tickets through Ticketmaster and other reseller sites (tickets that subscribers put up for resale, even if they don’t have in hand yet). I strongly recommend waiting to purchase tickets until AFTER tickets go on sale to the public in June for the following reasons: (1) You may be able to find the seats you want on Ticketmaster… Read more »
PJ,
Can you elaborate more on (1): getting tickets thru Ticketmaster with no service charge?
Thanks!
Hi Tom, I’ve actually adjusted the wording in my post based on your good question. Ticketmaster does charge a minimal service fee for every ticket no matter what — but the fees for the face value tickets are modest compared to higher service charges for resale tickets. P.J.
Hi PJ, Thank you for this great information, very helpful! My husband and I will be celebrating our 36th wedding anniversary this year (2019) and want to mark the occasion with a trip to the US Open. We have limited funds and want to use them wisely. We plan to fly into NY on Tuesday Sept 3 and stay the week. Our goal is to buy tickets to the Men’s Semi-finals (Loge is the best we can do) and hopefully see some other matches prior. We are dedicating our entire trip to the US Open and want to make the… Read more »
Hey Kelly, congratulations on the big anniversary – and how amazing that you’ll be celebrating at the Open! That’s fantastic you’ll be at Men’s Semis, truly my favorite day of the entire tournament. First, if the weather is good, I’d definitely consider spending the day for FREE on Thursday Sep 5 and watching some incredible doubles matches as well as the nation’s top juniors and the world’s best wheelchair players (see Day 11 of this link from last year’s schedule to have a sense of what you’d see). Second, I’d consider checking online throughout the summer – potentially even waiting… Read more »
P.J.
June 3 (I believe this is the day tickets go on sale to the public) is fast approaching, we are ready to secure our seats for the Men’s Semi finals. Regarding loge seating; do you prefer seats in the corner, middle or end of the stadium for best viewing.
Hi Kelly, see Box 3, FAQ #7 for my complete answer on that one! PJ
Hi there, thank you so much for such detailed information on US open. I did have a question, wonder if you could help me? Since I find it hard to walk for over 10 mins (may be 5 mins for normal bodied folks), was there some information you could add in terms of shortcuts in and around the stadium or time taken to get from A to B? I’m interested in attending Armstrong games in 2019.
Hi Geetha, happy new year! The distance between Armstrong and Ashe stadium is minimal — they are right next to each other, so you should be just fine. In addition, there are many US Open staff and volunteers throughout the grounds who can help guide you towards the fastest routes. P.J.
It is a long walk from the parking lots to the USTA campus. You can take a shuttle bus from the Citi Field parking lot to the South gate. The buses pick up near the Home Plate area of Citi Field (that’s where the Jackie Robinson Rotunda entrance is if you want to check out an online map to orient yourself). From my experience, unless you’re there in the morning, the ADA parking spots that are closest to that area are occupied. But no worries, as you can park anywhere, and notify an attendant to bring over a golf cart… Read more »
Great info, Tom – thanks so much!
Hi P.J. and Katie! Like Katie on 12/04/18, I am planning to gift my mother a Christmas gift of US Open tickets in 2019 but was unsure of booking this early. I, too, watched my parents play singles and mixed doubles growing up while also sitting with them as they watched TV with Evert/Connors/ King/Nastase/Ashe playing in the 70’s. Unfortunately, my dad passed away seven years ago but my mom continued to play in leagues until this past spring when she sadly put her racquet away due to a heart condition at the age of 81. She had always considered… Read more »
Hey Kirsten, how absolutely wonderful that you’re doing that for your mom. Thank you for sharing your moving story. So glad this helped. Happy Holidays! PJ
Hi PJ, I wanted to gift my parents, who are life-long tennis players and spectators, tickets to their first live-Grand Slam event – the 2019 U.S. Open – for Christmas. Growing up I was either watching my parents play on the neighborhood court or watching Graf/Evrert/Borg/McEnroe/etc on t.v. by their side. I am so happy that I stumbled on your site in my search. As of right now, and I realize I am early, the sessions are described a bit differently on the official U.S.Open site, and you can now put a $100 deposit on the Armstrong full series, Ashe… Read more »
Hi Katie, what a great Xmas gift – your parents will be thrilled. However, I’d recommend gifting them with a nice card or printout you create yourself that promises to take them to an amazing US Open experience and leaving your options on the specifics open until early summer. I strongly recommend against subscription tickets unless you want to settle for sitting in the Promenade section of Ashe — so high up in that huge stadium you’ll end up watching a lot of the match on the Jumbotron or through binoculars. You WILL be able to find a combination of… Read more »
That’s a great idea. I didn’t realize the deposit was for the subscription tickets – why do they make the website so confusing? Thanks again for your advice.
Hey Katie, my pleasure! Yeah, it can be really confusing. Feel free to loop back with questions in the spring as you get deeper into exploring the options. Happy holidays! PJ
P.J., Thank you so much for this blog! Your time and effort are much appreciated. I went to the US Open this year for the first time. (First thing I’ve crossed off my bucket list, all Grand Slams are on the list.) With the information I gathered here, I felt like a pro. I never sat once in the sun and had a plan before I stepped foot on the ground. I’m planning to go to Wimbledon next year, the Australian in 2020, followed by the French. Not sure if there are blogs for those that compare to yours, but… Read more »
Lisa, thank you very very much for taking the time to let me know it was helpful!! Means a lot. I’m so glad you had a great experience and wishing you all the best as you embark on your Grand Slam journey! P.J.
Hi PJ, thanks again for your awesome page, went to the US Open last year and your info helped me a lot. I am planning on going to the ATP World Tour Finals this November, have you ever been there? Any advice on how to try and watch Federer on his first match? Where to buy the tickets and try to resell them if could not catch Roger?
Thank you so much.
Hi Alejandro, thank you! Great to hear. I am also dying to get to the ATP Finals myself. I’d definitely start with the main tournament ticket site to check inventory and minimize fees – there are still plenty of tickets for many sessions. The specific players for each session won’t be known until 24-48 hours before each session begins, so unless you plan on purchasing multiple sessions, you might want to wait until you’re there and purchase once schedule is out. As with every tournament, sites like Stubhub post resale tickets, so it’s always possible to get them. You may… Read more »
Hey Neil,
Can’t thank you enough for the comprehensive guidance you have provided. Bought Men’s semis and finals for the LOGE section at an affordable price only because of your guidance.
A further question for you: When and from which site can I buy the tickets at face value for 2019 US open? I am assuming that face value tickets are cheaper than the resale sites. If it means blocking my money for several months, its ok with me.
Many thanks once again,
Anil G
Hi Anil, you’re so welcome, glad it helped!! A couple things: (1) Face value (aka “standard”) tickets are usually easy to come by throughout the summer for most sessions in the Promenade section of Ashe (and Armstrong), and occasionally in Loge and Courtside. (2) USTA releases standard tickets in a non-predictable way throughout the summer, so you have to keep checking; (3) Standard tickets are usually only available for Promenade section on the first day/week that tickets go on sale in June – for that reason, I encourage most people to wait and not try to buy tickets immediately because… Read more »
This is unbelievable information – thanks PJ. I’m coming for the first week and have found your site the absolute best for reliable info. Brilliant! To Alejandro Urreta – you can sign up for early purchase for the ATP. If you buy tickets too far in advance you have to choose between 4 sessions – 2 day and 2 night to ensure you got to see the player you wanted. I lived in London 7 years and went every year. I used to buy tickets in advance but after the the 3rd year I waited until the schedule came out.… Read more »
P.J. I just wanted to thank you for putting this gold mine of information together and for keeping it up. My friend and I are planning our first trip to the US Open for 2019, and thanks to your tips, we’ve been able to put a rather complicated trip together fairly easily while keeping the costs at about 1/2 of what I was prepared to pay. I’ve been going to the Western & Southern ATP since 1978 when it was at Coney Island (the one in Cinci), but the US Open, Wimbledon, the French and Australian are all on my… Read more »
Hey Thane, fantastic to hear it has been helpful! Excited for you to come for the first time. Let me know if you have questions as we get closer! PJ
We went to the Open last week and the information here was amazing. Especially the shade map!!! Wow it was a hot one. We were right by Penn Station and the LIRR was perfect. Took and uber day 1 and the LIRR was much easier and faster day 2. We did four sessions in a variety of seats. The promenade seats were not bad at all in the lower rows. One concern is you don’t want to be too low and on the isle when the isle is on the side you will be looking because there was a glass… Read more »
Hey Neil, thank you very very much for taking the time to share all this. Great info, super helpful! P.J.
P.J.
Thank you so much for all the information you provided. It was spot on and this first timer to the US Open couldn’t be more pleased. It was an awesome experience and this Texas girl is on cloud nine still! Best of luck with your tennis addiction!
I’m so so glad to hear it! You are the best for letting me know. Thank you! PJ
Thank you so much for such a detailed explanation of everything one needs to know before and after buying tickets for US open.
I would like to attend mens finals tomorrow but my budget is very limited. I found some tickets for 65$ with explanation only that these are clubs tickets ? Any idea what does it mean and is this allowing me to enter Ash and watch the finals ?
Thanks in advance
Hi Mirjana, those $65 tickets are NOT tickets for the match! Please check your email for a personal reply from me. PJ
PJ I’ve rushed into buying the Open Club pass before reading the above, purchased through my company’s employee perks/discounts program. What can I do now to unload them? Or can one watch the match from the Open Club?
Hey John, sorry to be the bearer of bad news: a US Open Club pass doesn’t even get you entry into the grounds — you will need a ticket of some kind to gain access (a ticket with a reserved seat to a stadium or a General Admission ticket). The US Open Club is an indoor restaurant located on the ground floor of the Arthur Ashe Stadium and has no view of matches (just TV monitors). You can post for resale on Ticketmaster Exchange or StubHub, etc, but doesn’t have a lot of value. Is it possible your employer was… Read more »
PJ, thanks so much for helping to make our first grand slam such a great experience. We spent the day on Sunday the 2nd, Armstrong for the day session, and Ashe at night. In hindsight, it’s probably better to go to Ashe first, where we had 4th row loge, and then go to Armstrong, where we had south end courtside seats. Armstrong was fantastic, we could see and hear everything (except for the PA, which needs some work). After seeing Thiem take out Anderson, was not surprised that he gave Rafa such a great match, and seeing Isner and Raonic… Read more »
Hey Dan, such a pleasure! Thank you so much for letting me know, and very glad to hear you had a great time!! P.J.
Dear P.J., Thank you very much for such a helpful blog. We saw matches on Sunday September 2 in Louis Armstrong and had a great time. I agree the stadium is really nice, not too big, and plenty of shade where we sat (section 4 courtside) after 12-1 PM, although it was a bit hot and sunny earlier. I brought a hat and plenty of sunscreen that I reapplied frequently. We took the LIRR from Penn Station and that went great – everyone else on the train was going to the Open and we had some nice conversations along the… Read more »
Bonnie, you’re most welcome, thank you so much for your very kind words! And thanks a million for sharing your experience – super helpful to me and fellow fans. Hope to cross paths again next year! P.J.
Hi PJ,
Thank you so much for your blog, lucky enough to have a person like you who can guide these all together. Do you have any suggestions for tomorrw final on sunday? Since the weather says 50% chance of rain and 68 degrees so might be cold when it happens? In case the game is cancelled, and Monday will rain harder…
Please advise. Many many thanks ?
Hi Jun, my pleasure, thank you! Thankfully Ashe stadium has a roof that can close in the event of rain, so the match will be played no matter what! P.J.
PJ,
Thank you so much for this post! My husband and I went to the Women’s Semis this week and we enjoyed it so much that my sisters and I are going to the Women’s Final today. We’re taking your advice and holding out to purchase our tix at the last minute since we’re happy to just be in the building. Again, thanks so much and I’ll report back on how we did!
Melanie, thank you so much! FYI – turns out yesterday tickets for Men’s semis stayed on sale longer than usual after session started… For every other session prior, Ticketmaster closed sales promptly at 60 minutes after session started, but yesterday they kept them open longer – much closer to when the first men’s semis match started. They haven’t published exactly what time they will close sales today before women’s final, but it will almost certainly be after 1pm. Just don’t know when, so don’t want to steer you wrong! Good luck and let me know how it goes! P.J.
Hey P.J. (for the fourth time!) took your advice again and kept refreshing Ticketmaster yesterday. Also wanted to let you know that ticket sales went well beyond 1pm for the men’s semifinals. Ended up finding courtside seats for 900 dollars at around 2pm!! Was so sad to see Rafa retire, but so happy for Delpo! Can’t wait for tomorrow.
Ps you were right. Getting an Uber back to manhattan is the worse. Took us forever to walk to the pickup area and there was a line of over a hundred people. LIRR is definitely the way to go.
Hey Nina!! Thanks so much – yes, I noticed too. They’ve done this occasionally in past too for Semis and Finals, but the frustrating thing is that they don’t announce when exactly they will close sales, so you never know how close you can cut it. Aargh! But how great you ended up getting those courtsides for yesterday!! I’m with you 100% on your feelings about Rafa and Delpo. And also super excited for the matches today and tomorrow. Keep in touch! P.J.
Yes, Rafa and Delpo, so sad to see him have to retire, but wow the matches Rafa endured and worked through to get to the Semis. I found myself unable to decide on who to cheer for in the finals, I wanted both the Djoker and Delpo to win. The good thing was that it was pretty much a guarantee of excellent tennis. Being unable to decide on who I wanted to win, I ended up cheering for “Delpokovic” :o)
Ha! I did exactly the same thing (but now I have a good name for it)! 🙂 PJ
PJ, Thank you for this excellent resource you’ve put together. I can now cross attending a grand slam off my bucket list! It was a tremendous experience, thanks in no small part to your guide. A few small contributions: – I absolutely loved the new Armstrong, especially under the lights. Wanting to see the superstars my first time, I went for Ashe tickets both days, but I could definitely see getting a courtside Armstrong seat on a return trip. – I didn’t notice a big enough difference between Loge and Promenade in Ashe to justify the sharp price difference. I… Read more »
Michael, I’m so grateful that you took the time to share your experience and reflections and happy to hear you had such a great experience. Thank you so much!! P.J.
Hi, P.J. I’ve written you a few times, and your answers and your blog have been incredibly helpful. Last time I wrote, I was telling you we were planning to be there last Monday night, Sept 3. I was trying to find good seats for me, my husband, and son. Finding good seats for three was a challenge. Three seats for a decent price came up in section 60, and you quickly notified me about them. I rushed over and bought them, and I can’t tell you how wonderful the experience was. We got to see Millman beat Federer, and… Read more »
Kelley, I am so very very (!) happy to hear this and so grateful that you took the time to let me know! You made my night, thanks so much. Hope to reconnect again next year and wishing you all the best in the meantime! P.J.