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 PJ,
I’ve been considering buying tickets and I wanted to know your opinion on this: If I were to buy tickets for the 3rd Round, do you think that buying both night sessions in Ashe and Day sessions in Armstrong would be a good idea? I mean it would possibly give me some good matchups in Armstrong and the chance to see some superstars in Ashe (3rd round matches start getting competitive, right?). Oh and what do you think are the chances of seeing at least 2 of the Big 3 members? Would you say they’re high?
Thanks,
Leo
Oh and would you say it’d be a better idea to buy Grandstand or Armstrong tickets (if I wanted to watch Men’s matches), given that last year they scheduled 2 women’s and 1 men’s matches for the 3rd round in Armstrong day sessions while it was the other way around in the Grandstand, do you think it’ll be the same this year?
Hey Leo, sorry just saw this -responding in chronological order… I do think 99% they will stick to the same plan as last year regarding number/type of matches per stadium, so I’d use last year’s schedule as a guide for what to expect. Just replied recommending you consider doing GS for Friday and Armstrong for Sat. You could certainly go with GS both days, but Armstrong is great because of the shade it affords (see my shade map) as well as the roof for rain insurance. By doing both, you’re spreading any risk in case of rain and also giving… Read more »
Hey Leo, for me personally, that sounds like a dream scenario. The chances are very high you’ll see two of the top names (not necessarily of the top 3) on those evenings. My only suggestion would be to consider doing Friday Day session courtside reserved in Grandstand to get that experience too (which will also give you access to TWO men’s singles matches, versus only one in Armstrong). P.J.
I am a wheelchair user and for more than 15 years, my son and I have had access to wonderful unreserved seats at the old Armstrong stadium and Grandstand. We only attend for one day the first week, usually Wednesday or Thursday (weather permitting) purchasing reserved seats in Ashe (so that my son can go there if say Roger is playing and he wants to see him) the night before online so that we can get a full day of tennis. Last year I noticed (at the grandstand) that in order to get equivalent seats, I would probably want to… Read more »
Hi Susan, great to hear from you. Yes, unfortunately it seems with the new versions of GS and LA, they moved the previously designated unreserved wheelchair-accessible seats to the upper concourse in each stadium (both stadiums got substantially larger). And as you observed, they created reserved accessible seating at the courtside level in both stadiums, just as they had been doing for years at Ashe. These tickets ARE actually posted quite often on the resale market (probably unethically often times, as there’s no necessity of proof required that the buyer actually needs accessible seating). In addition, I’ve noticed over the… Read more »
If you have the chance to sit on courtside seats, 3rd row up, would you rather be midcourt or at the baseline?
Hi Steve, I’d personally prefer baseline when that close. You get super close to both players in each match (because they keep changing sides) and you get a pretty good perspective of the point as it plays out because you’re almost in the corner. See e.g. my photos in FAQ #7 above. P.J.
Hi P.J. !
Could you believe I got the exact same tickets @ Arthur Ashe (104 H 11-14) as last year ? Even the seats 11-14 are the same ! Wow !
I bought them for Fri Aug 30th and Monday Sept 02 both for day session.
Hope this year we can watch Roger. I can’t wait to be there enjoying a beer, a hotdog and watching tennis…
Thank you again and best regards !
Hola Sergio, that’s so cool! Hopeful you get to see Roger too 🙂 P.J.
If you only purchase an evening Ticket to Ashe or Armstrong you can’t get on the grounds at all until 6:00 PM with that ticket, is that correct? Speaking about the first week of the Tourney say round 3.
Thanks,
Trent
Hi Trent, correct. PJ
Wow you have done everyone a HUGE favor with all of this great info. I appreciate so much all you have done for those that are going for the first time. I have been dreaming of doing this for the last 10 years and we are finally doing it. You answered Jen Cates about a Saturday Day match in Armstrong Aug 31 and that it would be 2 women matches and 1 men. Would it be a good guess to assume Friday day Aug 30 would be 2 men’s matches and one women’s matches? Thanks so much for all you… Read more »
Hey Trent, THANKS! No, Friday Aug 30 Armstrong will also likely feature one men’s and two women’s matches. See 2018 schedule for that specific day as a general guide for what to expect. P.J.
consultation: to participate in the week fan week I must register first?
Hi Eduardo, not for any of the events at the US Open grounds during fan week – you can just show up! No tickets or anything required. You would only need a ticket for any other special events in NYC that they host (they have not announced any yet). P.J.
Hi PJ. I I am so thankful for your tips! This will be my first time attending the U.S. Open with my husband. We already purchased Arthur Ashe day tickets for Thursday, August 29th and an evening match at Arthur Ashe on Friday night, August 30th. . I was thinking of purchasing day tickets for Saturday the 31st and was wondering what you recommend. I just want to get the most bang for my buck. I was thinking of spending no more than $500 total for two tickets on Saturday. Should we try for more reserve seats at Ashe or… Read more »
Hey Jen, tough call… Since you’ll be guaranteed to see some star power at Ashe on Thurs and Fri, I’d probably lean towards recommending allocating your budget towards excellent courtside seats in Armstrong or Grandstand for Saturday so that you can experience some high-quality matches from much closer. Grandstand advantage: two men’s AND two women’s 3d round matches that day; however, disadvantage is the possibility of rain. With Armstrong, you’ll get two women’s matches and one men’s match for the day session (it has a separate evening session); however there are seats that have shade almost all day (see my… Read more »
Thank you so much! Not sure how I’d do this without your recommendations! I will take your advice and wait until after the tournament begins to check the weather/prices.
Hey Jen, my pleasure – so glad it’s been helpful! Keep me posted on how it works out. PJ
Hey PJ,
It’s me again!!! If I buy Ashe tickets for the evening session can I get in in the morning?
Thanks! you’re awesome!
Hey again! No, evening session tickets allow entry at 6pm. PJ
Thought so!! Had to confirm with you!
Thanks
Good God! This is a treasure trove of useful information. I’m heading to the tournament at Queen’s in London this afternoon, and am keen to watch some tennis in NYC this summer, so all you’ve written has been lapped up. Thank you, just thank you.
Che, thanks for making my day! So glad it’s helpful! P.J.
Hola PJ este es mi primer torneo y estoy muy nerviosa, quiero comprar con tiempo los tickets para ver cuartos de final masculinos el día 03 de setiembre pero en el calendario me informa que el ticket es Men’s/Women’s Cuartos de Final, eso significa que voy a ver los dos partidos? es decir el masculino y el femenino?.
Hola Natalia, entiendo la confusion! El 3 de septiembre, sera dos sesiónes en Ashe Stadium — un “Day”, el otro “Evening.” Cada sesión uno requiere un boleto separado. Es decir, quieres ver los dos partidos masculinos aquel día, necesitarais comprar dos boletos. Por ejemplo, aquí esta el horario de 2018 por el mismo día: ASHE STADIUM DAY SESSION (12:00 PM) (1) WOMEN’S SINGLES – QUARTER-FINALS A. Sevastova (LAT) [19] v. S. Stephens (USA) [3] (2) MEN’S SINGLES – QUARTER-FINALS J. Del Potro (ARG) [3] v. J. Isner (USA) [11] ASHE STADIUM EVENING SESSION (7:00 PM) 7:00 PM (1) WOMEN’S SINGLES… Read more »
Entiendo que debo comprar un boleto para el dia y otro para la noche, pero en cuanto voy a hacer la compra no me deja elegir si el partido es para cuartos masculinos o femenino. O es que comprando los boletos de dia y de noche voy a ver los cuatro partidos? Saludos cordiales.
Hola Natalia, sera dos partidos en cada sesión: un partido masuculino y uno femenino en cada sesion (como el ejemplo de 2018). Si compras boletos de día y de noche, vas a ver cuatro partidos. Tiene sentido? P.J.
Perfecto!!! Muy amable en contestar, sos un genio! Luego te cuento como me fue. Gracias!!!!!
Con mucho placer! PJ
Thank you for the plethora of useful information. I am considering waiting until the day I’d like to attend and buy a ticket on-site. Do you recommend this?
Hi Jenna, my pleasure. My answer depends entirely on which day/session you’re considering and what your goals are. If, for instance, you’re hoping to see Federer or another superstar attraction, it doesn’t make sense: as soon as the schedule is announced (even for Day 1), average prices for the days on which Fed will be scheduled will go up substantially; and as soon as schedule is posted the day prior, prices will skyrocket for any session Federer is scheduled for. If your goal is to see great tennis regardless of who’s playing and get the best seat for the best… Read more »
You are amazing to respond and offer more specific information. It is much appreciated!!!! Here are my specifics: –I am planning to attend 8/27 & 8/29. My goal is to watch tennis up close, but don’t have to see anyone specific. I prefer to watch women’s matches, but would enjoy the entire experience. I am going to go alone so I’m very flexible and will be able to see what I want, when I want (I’m tagging along with my husband on his business trip). Based on what I can tell from reading your suggestions…. I should educate myself on… Read more »
You’re very welcome, Jenna! First of all, the fact that you prefer to watch women’s tennis — and aren’t putting a premium on Federer or Nadal– puts you at a big advantage! Both of those days will offer a ton of opportunities to see excellent women’s matches on smaller outer courts and you’ll have no issue snagging an excellent seat up close (the majority of crowds flock to men’s matches). Yes, I would keep monitoring prices throughout the summer so you can recognize a good deal when you see one. I’d probably aim for a reserved seat in Ashe (or… Read more »
This site is AMAZING! Just pure gold for the novice traveler to Flushing Meadows. Thank you!!
Thank you, Heidi, you made my day! P.J.
Pj, Your site is exactly what I was looking for.
I just purchased courtside seats on Sept 1st section 5 in Armstrong. The best part is I should be in the shade most of the day providing the roof isn’t closed.
Thank You!!!
Hey Brian, I’m so glad to hear it was helpful. Have a great time!! P.J.
Hi P.J, do you know what’s a good deal for courtside seats for the second round at Arthur Ashe? I’m talking about Aug 28th and 29th..right now the lowest price I’m seeing is around $500.
Hi Abhi, apologies for the delayed reply – was running a big conference last week and not able to keep up! If last year is a reliable guide, an excellent deal for second round evening courtside Ashe would be around/under $450 including fees, and for day session around $400. I’d recommend staying patient, as many more people will put up their seats for resale over the summer. P.J.
Great. Thank you!
PJ, I just wanted to say thanks SO SO much for sharing & posting! Your site is amazing! Am still pretty overwhelmed, but accomodations and tickets to NYC are booked. Now to comb thru/find and buy tickets to the matches. Thanks again.
Elisa, thank you so so much for taking the time to let me know – really appreciate it! PJ
PJ,
How would you rank the courts at the US Open? What are your favorites to watch tennis? What are your least favorites? Are there any outer courts that routinely have good matchups?
Hi Tom, it’s really in the eye of the beholder… Depends so much on whether you value seeing “stars” versus watching exciting tennis between players who are awesome but maybe not so famous. I have no least favorites 🙂 My favorite thing to do personally is sit Ashe courtside, especially during the evening – nothing like it. I also absolutely love sitting super close in Armstrong and Grandstand. Ashe, Armstrong, and Grandstand are the three courts where the biggest names are scheduled, so it’s always a thrill to get close to those players — and they’re also the stadiums where… Read more »
Me again. I was also at Shapo v. Seppi from first to last point. My friends wanted to go eat and they did but I sat for the entire match. It was the first Wednesday, the last match on ct 5. In case you are wondering the match ended at 9pm with Shapo dropping to his knees on the North baseline. Good stuff.
Hi PJ…we locked into dates September 4th and 5th before checking on tickets. But we did get tickets for the day session on Wednesday the 4th up in section 310. Thanks for writing the blog. I learned so much! Based on your advise we’re planning to splurge a little and get tickets for the evening session on Thursday the 5th…YOLO lol.
Hey Lenny, great to hear it helped! Hope you have a fantastic time. P.J.
hi, we went two years ago and enjoyed the American Express ear phone. Do you know if the ones from the 2017 tournament will still work or we have to get new ones. I have only one card , can I use it at multiple locations for the earphone so I can get one for each member of the family.
THanks.
Hi Taryn, I’m pretty sure a previous version of the radio will work, but can’t guarantee, Just looked up the official Amex page and couldn’t find that answer under FAQs or Terms/Conditions (both pages currently broken because linked to 2018). Unfortunately don’t think you’ll be able to get more than one radio per card (says clearly “Limit one per Card” on the site, and they will be able to tell which card has redeemed regardless of location). There’s always the chance you can find a staffer who makes an exception. PJ
They do work year after year! May have to change the battery in them! I have about 8 of them!!
Also there are nice American Express agents that will give you an extra one!
Thank you, Liz! Great to know both from a convenience AND environmental perspective! P.J.
Hi, I read thru your amazing blog but I either missed or couldnt find anything on the exact logistics on how to utilize the general admission seating in the Grandstand and Louis Armstrong venues. I understand it’s first come first served but is there a specific place to line up for these seats so that you can get a better chance to sit lower in these areas?
Hey Jeremy, it’s pretty straightforward and clear when you go to either stadium – just look for the signs and the line, no special tricks to share there. The only trick I can share of note is that if you are in Armstrong for the Day session and want to go back in for the evening session (they clear seats between the two), I recommend hanging out in the concourse area (the level where there’s access to the Courtside seats where there are vendors) for an advantage to access seats for the evening. If they repeat the practice from last… Read more »
Hey PJ,
I love your site! So much info!!
This is my 6th USOPEN- however my first going the first week!!
I have to see a Roger Federer play!! I missed him last year?
I’m asking if I should get all Ashe tickets for Monday – Saturday I. The first week, day and night sessions!
I’m not familiar with Armstrong as far as if the top players are playing there on the first week.
My main goal is to See Roger play as many times as possible!
Thanks for your help and please keep blogging!
Have a great day?
Hi Liz, thanks so much! 99.9% change Roger will not be scheduled anywhere but Ashe Stadium. There’s no chance to predict yet, however, on which days he’ll play and whether he’ll be scheduled for Day and Night sessions. For 100% certainty, you’d have to buy tickets for Day and Night session every day that you’re planning to go. I generally advise against that, and instead waiting at least until the Friday/Sat before the tournament begins to make some educated guesses based on Day 1 & 2 schedule when they’re released. See my FAQ #1 for details on why… Also note… Read more »
Thanks so much PJ! Do you think we will get good loge tickets that close to the start of the tournament??
And should buy on stubhub or ticketmaster( those are the 2 I’ve dealt with before)
Thanks again and keep blogging!
Have a great day?
Liz
Hi Liz, absolutely they will be available. The key is to be hyper attentive to when the Day 1 schedule comes out and keep checking beginning on Friday. As soon as it becomes clear which days Fed will play, prices for those days (and particular sessions) will start going up very quickly. As I mention, this strategy involves some uncertainty and patience that is not for everyone… But it’s how I always play it myself, and when targeting specific players I think generally leads to the best bang for the buck. If you are not able to be checking regularly… Read more »
Oh wonderful advice!!!
2 years ago in the quarterfinals my sister and I had great Roger shirts!!!! And amazingly we got picked to be the guests of Dean and Delucca and received COURTSIDE tickets- $1000 per ticket!
Unfortunately Roger lost to Del Porto!
But it was an amazing experience!!!
Thanks again for sharing your info with us!
Take care!
Liz Watkins
You’re most welcome, Liz, so great to hear it was helpful. And how cool about that courtside experience – hope you have an amazing time this year as well! PJ
Hi PJ, Thanks for such an amazing post. I was totally clueless on what kind of ticket I should buy….. I am convinced that courtside Amstrong is a much better option than Ashe for the Labor Day weekend…..Thank you for all your insights. Can’t wait !
I am so glad to hear it was helpful, thanks for letting me know!! P.J.
Hi,
One more question, on the 3rd September (Tuesday), they say on the US Open website that Men’s/Women’s quarterfinal is scheduled at the Louis Armstrong stadium however last year’s schedule of play and your post both indicate that there is only doubles matches at the Armstrong on the 9th day. How likely do you think the information on the US Open ticketing website is bound to change?
Hi there, this misprint on Ticketmaster and US Open website has happened year after year and people get confused and justifiably angry. Unless there’s a radical change this year, all Singles matches beginning on Tuesday September 3 (Quarterfinals through Finals) will be played on Ashe. Armstrong and Grandstand on and after Sep 3 will feature Doubles matches exclusively (as well as Juniors and Wheelchair). P.J.
Hi PJ,
Thank you for all your information. This will be our first visit to the US Open travelling from the UK.
We plan to buy tickets for Aug 26th Evening Opening Ceremony, and wondered if you had any tips please? Does the Ceremony start earlier than 7pm?
We do plan to buy other dates as well but just researching our options at the moment, using your valuable guide.
Many thanks!
Hi Diane, you’re very welcome! No, nothing starts before 7pm for that session. It will feature a normal match play lineup (i.e. 1 Men’s Singles, 1 Women’s Singles) but it’s preceded by a musical performance (last year it was Kelly Clarkson, in 2017 it was Shania Twain) and a short program with brief remarks, sometimes tributes to special players. (I was there last year and saw Nadal v Ferrer, as well as Serena’s first match. It was super sad for me to see Ferrer, one of my favorites, have to retire due to an injury in his last US Open… Read more »
Hey PJ,
I’d really like to see a QF or Sf up close, but my neighbor has me chained me to a pipe in the basement and I can’t reach my iPad. Would you mind grabbing me a ticket for either round? I’ll pay you back when I’m unlocked. I’d forever be grateful.
Borna
LOL. Sure thing – will get right on that “Borna.” (And this means I’m going to definitely kick your butt next time we meet on court SR). XO
Very informative post. I have been going to the Open for the last 10 years, and I think this is the best post I have found so far. Great job!
Miguel, THANK YOU so much for saying that, really appreciate it! P.J.
Hi PJ….I am looking for 2018 resale tickets prices.This year I bought the Armstong ticket series for 8/26-9/3 and would like to sell some of them. I would like to sell them at the right time to get the most from my investment and looking at last year’s prices would be helpful. Any idea how to find that info? I called Stub Hub but they do not have the info I need (so they say) . Any insight from the sellers viewpoint would be appreciated!
Thank you for all this very valuable insight into the US Open!
Hi Shari, now is an excellent time to put them up. Recommend posting on Ticketmaster Exchange and Stubhub. Just follow links above and look for relevant links for sellers. If you don’t have mobile tickets ready for delivery yet or a barcode, you’ll have to see what delivery date the seller promised you and put that in your offer. Let me know if you have any issues figuring it out. PJ
Hi PJ. Thank you very much for your guidance. I managed to purchase the tickets to the US Open. Your instructions to wait till the 3rd was well worth it. You are the best!!!!!!!!!! I even scored tickets to the quarter finals!!!!!!
Keep up the good work!
Are there any Buy One Get One Free this year?
Rich, I am SO so sorry I missed this when you first submitted this comment and for this delayed reply! For some reason, your comment got filtered into the spam folder by the WordPress comment manager I use and just caught it as I was reviewing to make sure I didn’t miss anything legit. I hope you found the info you were looking for since writing. If still helpful, I’ve been including any big deals I find out about under Box 2 (the latest being 25% off deals on certain Armstrong sessions during week 1 and Ashe Tues QF Day… Read more »
Hi PJ…, last year was my first US OPEN and your page and comments were super helpful. Thanks a lot!! This year I am going again with my parents and we got day tickets for Amstrong and night Tickets for Ashe (Friday 30 and Sat 31). We are hoping Federer will be scheduled on night session for the third round and also score some good action with quality players up close on Armstrong during the day (at a reasonable price). One question.., does section 1 row N at Armstrong gets sunny during the day, or is mostly shaded? I saw… Read more »
I already got the answer from another post.., Section 1 Armstrong shaded for most of the day (not all). Followin up on my post in case Federer is scheduled during the day we will try to sell / buy appropriately. Does this makes sense overall? Is it doable to sell (good) Armstrong tickets from one day to another (even if we take a hit) and by Ashe tickets (loge / courtside)? Travelling with my parents adds a little stress to the whole thing. And we would love to see RF. Thanks again for all your help and your comments!! Last… Read more »
Hey Carlos, was replying in order and just saw this one too… hopefully my other reply helped a bit. First off, good strategy for Armstrong Day and Ashe Night during both R3 days to target Fed. And while I don’t have a crystal ball and there are always exceptions, if I were a betting man I’d guess that Fed gets put on a night session first (on Mon or Tues), possibly put him on a day session (on Wed/Thu) then back on evening (Fri/Sat) – so good bet. Reselling a section 1 ticket in Armstrong will be easier than almost… Read more »
Awesome PJ! thanks for your words/advice.., have a great day!
Hey Carlos, so glad to hear it and you are most welcome! So first off, Section 1 Row N are excellent seats – great vantage point! There may be a little bit of sun at the beginning and end of the afternoon in those seats, but sections 1-8 overall are best for shade. This year I’ll try to take even more detailed notes, but here is everything I can recall from my experience last year: For the new Armstrong: Situation is similar to Ashe, now that there’s a roof. In short, Sections 1-8 are best for shade. West-side sections (Chair… Read more »
Very helpful.., thanks !!
Hi PJ: I commented earlier asking about shade in the grandstand and where the lockers were for a suitcase and racquet. I must say I was a bit disappointed in getting up at 6 am PDT on Monday, getting into Ticketmaster at 6:04 and still finding only resale tickets beginning at $169 for the Grandstand on Friday August 30th. I couldn’t decide what to do and not thinking that clearly wound up buying one — total cost about $200. It just seems that all the seats have already been sold before they put them on sale to the general public.… Read more »
Hey Larry, yes, I feel your pain. I experienced that same scenario for years – now I just don’t even bother with opening day for my own tickets (because I never target Ashe Promenade seats, which are usually the only things worth targeting during the opening day sale – and even then, it’s questionable as so many Promenade seats usually remain available even face-value for most sessions throughout the summer). And yes, for Grandstand and Ashe Loge/Promenade in particular, they tend to pre-sell most face-value tickets to subscribers and corporates. However, they do also (frustratingly) hold some of these back… Read more »
Thanks for your Bhuddist approach to buying tickets to the Open for non-corporate types. I’ve been recommending your website to everyone tennis related I see (and there are many). Have you thought about trying to get ads for the site? I think you deserve some compensation for this amazing effort.
Thank you so much, Larry, hugely appreciate the kind words and sentiment! I actually did take the recommendation of a friend a while back who knows a ton about web stuff to get special versions of links for ticket sites I was already including (Ticketmaster and top resale sites) that enable me to get a small referral commission if folks ends up buying tickets after clicking (I mention this up at the top of this post by my photo). I was initially reluctant for a long time, as I never wanted to clutter this personal site with ads or have… Read more »
Hi PJ, I’m planning a second trip to the US Open (was there for the 2017 edition) and wanted to know if you’d recommend buying a Louis Armstrong full series package to watch every match played in the Louis Armstrong stadium. I was thinking that maybe I could watch some competitive matches in the 3rd and 4th round featuring some top 10 players (maybe Delpo, Thiem, Zverev). I’m aware that it’s unlikely I’ll catch a member of the big 3 in that stadium but do you think that’s maybe a possibility? I mean Federer has played some matches in the… Read more »
Hi Leo, great to hear from you – and I’m so glad my post helped you in 2017!! A few thoughts: (1) Chances almost zero that they will ever schedule Federer, Nadal, or Nole on Armstrong, but high that many other amazing guys will be scheduled there (2) For most folks, I do not recommend a series subscription to Louis Armstrong unless you plan on attending most of the matches and/or can go in with friends and split the cost and risk of losing $ if you can’t resell tickets for value you paid for them. (3) I DO recommend… Read more »
Thanks PJ!
I’ll take this advice into consideration. In your opinion, what would be a good deal to go to the Round of 16 matches in Armstrong and be fairly close to the action?
Hey Leo, a bit too early to say. I can only tell you that I’ve learned to wait myself for pulling the trigger on Armstrong tickets until at least July (sometimes well into August) once more resale tickets are posted and there’s a clearer sense of trends for various sessions. P.J.
PJ,
In your response, you say you wait until July or August to pull the trigger on Armstrong seats.
Have you seen Armstrong prices come down yet? I am still waiting myself to buy, because resale prices are still high, and plenty of face value available.
What are your thoughts on buying Armstrong tix, being that we are now less than a week away?
Hey Tom, the large number of standard seats still available in Armstrong make me think that the best approach this year is a last-minute approach. With a glut of available seats, some nervous sellers are very likely to keep lowering prices – with some doing so potentially dramatically the night before or day of a session. So with the caveat that there are never certainties and this is all a speculative exercise, my personal strategy would be to wait. The only exception is if you see primo seats in exactly the location you want at a price you feel good… Read more »
I recommend Armstrong starting Sunday of Labour Day Weekend. Sunday + Monday (R16) is great for Armstrong. Prior to that, the outer courts are great b/c you get to sit up close and see many great match ups.
Ashe matches are rarely competitive the first week.
Hi PJ, wonderful site my friend. I want to be sure that this info is for the 2019 tournament: Men’s Round of 16 Singles matches will likely be played on Ashe and Armstrong only, not on Grandstand, due to the new stadium…. No single game like 2018? BOX #1: UNDERSTANDING YOUR TICKET OPTIONS & HOW THE SCHEDULE WORKS 2019 US OPEN SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE Sep 1-2 (Sun/Mon): M&W 4th Round (“Round of 16”), Doubles 3d Round (+ Juniors). Note: Men’s Round of 16 Singles matches will likely be played on Ashe and Armstrong only, not on Grandstand, due to… Read more »
Thanks, man! Yes, that’s my assumption. Last year (2018), Sunday and Monday of Labor Day weekend saw Round of 16 Men’s singles matches only on Ashe and Armstrong. Grandstand featured one women’s R16 match each day plus doubles. (See 2018 schedule for Day 7 here) I expect it to be the same this year. PJ
Excellent information! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this post. I have a question regarding individual suite tickets. How does one go about purchasing them? Is it through a specific company or what?
Hey Dani, thank you! Unfortunately, individual suite tickets are never available for sale. Each suite is contracted in its entirety (session by session) by individuals, groups or companies — and each suite accommodates about 20 people. So unless you go in with a group to purchase an entire suite, you need to have a friend/employer who invites you. P.J.
Makes sense! Appreciate the response.
Just wanted to add to what P.J. has already said. If you have an American Express Platinum or Centurion card you can buy individual tickets to their suites. We usually do for Memorial Day weekend and they’re about $1000 each. This year it seems like they’re exclusively for the top tier cards but if you have a different AMEX you can try calling to see if you are eligible. If you go to the website under Rewards and then Entertainment and Events you’ll see the information there. Hope that helps!
Niya, thank you very very much for this valuable note – I feel embarrassed I didn’t know after all these years (sorry Dani)! Just looked, here’s the direct link (which I’ll add to my post):
https://global.americanexpress.com/entertainment/details?event&name=2019%20US%20Open%20Tennis%20Suite%20Access&type=INVITE_ONLY&start_date=2019-08-26
P.J.
You’re very welcome! I’ve returned to your page around this time for the last few years and am happy to be able to add something of value :). I wasn’t sure if posting external links was allowed so thank you for including it.
Hi! Wow thank you so much on behalf of everyone! We’re coming over from Ireland for the first time so can’t wait!
I know you are not a fortune teller, but we were thinking of getting cheapest Ashe tickets for the first Tuesday or Wed, then purchasing more expensive tickets for the evening session, as we’ll only have one day.
What price do you think is reasonable for any Lodge tickets first Tues or Wed (evening)? Currently only lower promenade are within the budget. Do you think Lodge tickets could come down to $100-$150 for the evening session? Thanks! 🙂
Thanks a million, Kyle, really appreciate that! Loge tickets almost never dip below $100 on the resale market (their face value price is higher). However, something around $150 is absolutely realistic to find this summer for Tues/Wed night. Stay patient and you’ll have a very good chance of finding them in that range. P.J.
I do have a question for you, but before I ask, l just wanted to say a huge thanks for putting the effort in to put this together. This post of yours is an absolute goldmine of information! This will be my bible as I plan my first trip to the USO this year (I’m flying in from Canada). A friend and I will be going to 5 sessions in total, from Sun evening through to Tues evening of the 2nd week (so, 3/4 sessions of 4R and 2/4 session of QF) and will be getting Arthur Ashe tickets for… Read more »
Hey Dory, you’re so welcome – very glad it’s been helpful! My top piece of advice: keep a close eye for good deals throughout the summer on Ashe Loge seats on Sunday and Monday nights of that weekend (esp Mon), as prices tend to be a little lower than Fri/Sat night prior and the days that follow – and you may find something that’s in your budget. It is absolutely worth the price difference to be in the lower half of Loge over first row in Promenade. Tues night prices will almost certainly be significantly higher on average. For me,… Read more »
Thanks so much, P.J.! That totally helps and I’ll certainly take your recommendations.
Hi PJ,
Thanks so much for the information! I purchased Armstrong tickets for Sunday 9/1 because I will get to see 4 (hopefully) great matches up close by only purchasing one ticket. Do you agree that should be the case? My seats are in section 5 because it looked like that would get me the most shade. Do you know if there will be any times where those seats will have sun? Also, I purchased row H and I’m worried about being directly behind the umpire. Do you think that will impact my viewing experience? Thank you for your help!
Hey Julie, yes indeed – you should see 2 men’s singles matches, 1 women’s singles match, and 1 men’s doubles match that day. Section 5 will indeed get you great shade. H is high enough that I don’t think it will be much of an issue for you – you should be just fine and enjoy those seats. P.J.
Thanks so much! One more question – I followed the link to make a reservation in the chase lounge but it’s not open yet. Do you know when registration typically opens? And how will I know when it’s open without having to keep checking the website? Thanks!
Hi Julie, you’re welcome! It’s usually August. Just went to check on the Lounge FAQ page, clicked through and got the pop-up: “Reservations will begin in late summer 2019.” Sorry can’t be more definitive 🙂 P.J.
Awesome blog post. Super helpful especially with this being my first trip to the us open. Was originally looking for holiday weekend tickets but was lucky enough to find face value court side afternoon tickets on Ashe for Tuesday Rd1 along with lodge tickets for Rd2 the next day. I know it’s a toss up with the schedule but I’d have to imagine a top player will be on court Tuesday afternoon for one of the matches. Thanks for the help PJ!
Hey Ryan, that’s awesome! You are in for a treat and will definitely see some great players. Enjoy!! P.J.
Hi PJ, Thank you for all the information on your site. I am surprising my mom with a trip this year, but I know nothing about tennis so your tips have helped me navigate. Two questions, if you have the answer… 1. We fly in on the Sunday before the tournament starts. Do you know about how long the free practice sessions last that day? I think we get in around 1:00, so don’t know if it is worth it to travel over. 2. I am debating buying tickets for opening night at Ashe. I saw there was an opening… Read more »
Hey Julie, how wonderful – your mom will be thrilled! (1) Practices usually go well into the afternoon, so I think it would be cool to swing by if you can. (2) Opening night features a normal match play lineup (i.e. 1 Men’s Singles, 1 Women’s Singles) but it’s preceded by a musical performance (last year it was Kelly Clarkson, in 2017 it was Shania Twain) and a short program with brief remarks, sometimes tributes to special players. (I was there last year and saw Nadal v Ferrer, as well as Serena’s first match. It was super sad for me… Read more »
Hi PJ, first time buying US Open Ticket. I’m trying to buy tickets for first weekend (Fri. 8/30 to Mon 9/2) at Ashe. I’m seeing high $300-high $400 as the price for lower loge seats (rows B-D, sections 129-134). Do you think these prices are reasonable? Should I go for it for hold out a bit, like the advice you have given other buyers? Thanks!
Hey Kyle, I would hold out a bit personally (just giving advice that I follow myself). I never buy tickets on opening sale day because I only buy lower Ashe Loge and Courtside and Armstrong/GS courtside — having been so many times, I have become spoiled. And I have always, always found better deals on all those tickets in the weeks/months that follow opening day for the reasons I mention. Caveat: pricing always has some unpredictability, and I can’t guarantee anything– but that’s been my experience every year for over a decade. P.J.
Thanks a lot PJ! I hope we both will get good deals this year.
Hi P.J, I love your site. I used it last year and you helped me out get some good seats. I want to upgrade my experience this time around and want to buy Loge (closer to the court) in Arthur Ashe stadium. I’m seeing the prices right now are above $1000 per ticket. Any idea if this might go down later?
Hey Abhi, thanks and so glad to hear it! Which session are you looking at? You will absolutely be able to find Loge seats for well under $1000 for every session, including Men’s Finals, if you stay patient: USTA will release more standard face-value seats over time, and more resellers will post their tickets too. P.J.
Thanks P.J , I’m looking for the tickets over Labor Day weekend.
Thank you so much for this information! Super helpful!
Re: Armstrong, which sections would be considered “behind the server”? Sections 1-3 and 7-9?
And is the entirety of section 1 always in the shade throughout the day?
Thanks and blessings!
Hi Gigi! “Behind the server” seats in Armstrong would be sections 9,10, 1, and 18. 1 is in the shade for most, not all, the day and is a great place to sit. P.J.
Thank you so much! This site has been so helpful to my husband and I as we plan our trip to NYC and the US Open!! Do you happen to know what the cost of the fees are on Ticketmaster? I couldn’t find it on their website as an FAQ. Just trying to understand total cost of each ticket.
Hey Gigi, you’re so welcome! Here’s a detailed answer covering not just Ticketmaster, in case of help to others too: Service fees by the ticket resale brokers (I.e. Ticketmaster Exchange, Stubhub and others who enable resellers to post their tickets for sale) are a percentage of the ticket price set by the seller– not a flat fee. Ticketmaster charges around 6-10% fee for face-value tickets (regular blue dots, not the premium package ones, where it’s much less because I think they build fees into the crazy high prices). Ticketmaster Exchange adds around 16.5% for resale tickets (+ a nominal “delivery… Read more »
Thank you! So I’m on the Ticketmaster site, just poking around, getting a feel for prices and what’s what, I put a ticket in my cart to run through the checkout process and I notice there is a “free look period” if I go to purchase a ticket. It says “If you’re not completely satisfied, you have 10 days or more (depending on your state of residence) to request a refund if your event hasn’t occurred or you haven’t filed a claim. Premium is non-refundable after this period.” Do you know if this free look period applies to US Open… Read more »
Sure thing! First of all, beware that “free look period” only applies to ticket insurance – not to your ticket! The “Premium” refers to the insurance premium, not to a premium ticket. The fact that they put that clause in a separate paragraph is mildly infuriating to me, given the potential for confusion. Second, I have never purchased ticket insurance myself because the terms are usually very restrictive. See e.g. this LA Times article on the matter. Maybe google a bit on “ticket insurance” and read some more about it in general to see where you come out. P.J.
Thank you P.J.! I think I will do without the insurance then. Also thanks for your advice to not panic; that has been super helpful advice as I browse this morning and check out all the different tickets sites and options and prices and fees, remaining calm and confident that I will find something at some point throughout the summer that is going to work for us. So…I notice at least for Armstrong where I’m looking, the standard reserved tickets (blue dots) that went on sale today are all in the “higher” rows. All the closer rows are resale tickets… Read more »
Gigi, I’d recommend holding off on Armstrong for now. Average resale prices last year declined sharply over the summer, and additional blue-dot seats did appear (albeit very few in the lower sections– those are almost entirely subscriber seats, so the only way to get them are via resale). As for rows, all those seats are truly excellent from viewing perspective, even highest row. Only issue is “feeling” and noise: You feel more connected to the court in the first 2/3 rows of the section for sure. And because people can stand and watch behind the top rows, there can occasionally… Read more »
Will do! We are planning on either Sunday or Monday of Labor Day weekend for Armstrong. I notice from last year’s pricing that Monday day session is a bit less expensive than Sunday day session, at least for courtside seats. Any particular reason for that? Or was it simply because of the players involved?
Do you see 4 matches on Armstrong on either day or 3 matches? Box #1 mentions 3 matches, but perhaps it’s actually 4?
Also, how often should I be checking Ticketmaster and others for seats? In other words, how often do things pop up?
Thanks P.J.!
Hi Gigi, (1) Price differences simply a function of the fact that many tourists coming from out of town put enormous pressure on tickets for Sat and Sun Labor Day weekend, and many depart Monday so there can be slightly less demand overall that Monday (esp evening session). Has nothing to do with the players – no one knows who they’ll be in advance for reasons I mention in FAQ#1. (2) Yes, expect 4 matches Sun and Mon in Armstrong: 2 men’s singles R16, 1 women’s singles R16, 1 doubles. See relevant days on 2018 schedule for kind of lineup… Read more »
P.J.! We bought tickets! We got what we felt was a really good deal and committed, especially since we are coming to NYC to do other things, we really needed to nail down US Open tickets so we could plan everything else around that. Just wanted to say ‘thank you’ again! We truly couldn’t have done it wisely without your helpful information. It can be very overwhelming for a newbie. Blessings!
Fantastic to hear, thanks so much for letting me know. Enjoy!! P.J.
Hey P.J.! Looking at tickets for evening sessions now. Are the standard tickets pretty much face value tickets? Do their prices ever drop? Also, is it possible that the resale tickets will drop lower than the standard tickets (as we move through the summer) for similar section/row? Just trying to figure out what is a good deal and what isn’t. Thanks!
Hi Gigi, people generally use “standard” and “face-value” to mean the same thing – these are the blue dot tickets you see if you click on a map view in Ticketmaster. An uncomfortable and little-known truth is that the US Open uses “dynamic pricing” (sadly, standard practice in ticketed sporting and entertainment events), which means prices can drop or increase over time for those face-value tickets depending on demand. A general rule: if you see a lot of blue dots for any given session (see, e.g., Armstrong early in the first week), some of those prices may drop — and… Read more »
Thank you P.J. for all your helpful advice! So we ended up with Armstrong day session for labor day and Ashe evening session for labor day. It will be a full day of great matches!!! Excited!
Hey Gigi, that’s awesome! I’ll be there for exactly those sessions, same stadiums myself. Let me know how it goes! P.J.
P.J. Great site as always, love the new (this year or last?) feel overall that you’ve applied here, while still keeping everything in tact! Always my go-to, even just to keep up to date on whats new. Two (or 3?) years ago, followed your advice and got 4 tickets in the corner of the Grandstand for Sat of labor day weekend, 5th or 6th row, saw a great DelPo match, one of the best sporting experiences I’ve had!. Loved having a “home base” to come back to throughout the day. I’ve got 6 people total this year to Saturday afternoon… Read more »
Hey Anthony, I LITERALLY just did the same thing last night— same exact 6 seats (rows 2 and 3), same section, for Labor Day Monday! So yeah, I agree 🙂 There is always a chance some lower-priced options will become available closer, but unlikely in first few rows… and for me, that’s my favorite place to be (I’m spoiled). I sat in those seats last year and it’s literally my favorite place to be. And good shade for large portion of the afternoon. Umpire chair will only be slight slight issue – but the pros for those seats outweigh that… Read more »
Does the US Open have a jumbo screen where you can watch the matches going on in Ashe from the grounds (similar to the hill at Wimbledon)? Thanks!
There are a few big monitors situated around the grounds, the biggest outside Ashe itself. Unfortunately, however, nothing like Henman Hill at Wimbledon (ie., no big area where folks can sit comfortably on grass and watch with that level of communal experience). PJ
Ah…okay…I was thinking of going to the free day on Thursday to catch some of the doubles and wheelchair matches and then staying to watch the Ashe evening match on the big screen. So I guess I’ll have to re-think that. I can’t tell you how helpful this site has been especially since this is our first time to US Open. We went to Wimbledon in 2016 and had an amazing time!! Hopeful our US Open experience can “match” that. Lol
Hi PJ. I love how detailed and informative is your blog. I’m from Poland and it’s gonna be my first time at the us open. Me and my family are staying in NY during the first week of the tournament. I thought about going for the practice day and later on pick one day to enjoy the competition. Do you think, that it’s better to go on Friday to see more competitive matches, or during the second round to see more matches? Also do you have any tips for the drop tomorrow, as I’m probably aiming for promenade seats.
Hey Michael, thanks!! Good plan to combine a practice day with a tournament day. Really good question – a bit of a toss up. I’d probably opt for Wed/Thurs R2 to maximize your return on investment. * In addition to more options on Wed/Thurs (R2), crowds will be a bit lighter than on Friday * Matches on outer courts will go on well into the evening (assuming no rain) * The cost of a decent Ashe seat on Wed/Thurs will be less than on Friday. If it were me, I’d hold off a bit and not buy tomorrow during the… Read more »
Wow! U.S. Open is a bucket list item for me and we are coming next year (from MN) but already trying to plan ahead. Your site is absolutley amazing! Thank you for the effort in putting this out there and updating. It certainly lowers our anxiety levels. I’m sure I’ll have some questions for you next Spring, but will make sure to read all info thoroughly (and check back for updates) so not to pester you too much. thanks again!
Dan
Dan, huge thanks for your very kind words – made my day! P.J.
This is a fantastic site. I checked it twice. While you say the seats with shade in the new Grandstand stadium are on the south and west side could you specify which sections (in terms of advanced purchase reserved seats) at in the shade (most of the day). Also I’d like to confirm that the south side (Unisphere) entrance to the tournament grounds still has lockers that are large enough for an overhead roll-on suitcase plus one tennis racquet (I may have to bring both to the tournament — I’m not in the draw but playing later) Thanks much. Larry
Hey Larry, thank you!
(1) Grandstand courtside seats get very little (to no) shade during the day. It’s really only the upper general admission areas that enjoy shade under the overhang (esp SW corner). South and West sections are better for courtside because the sun is more at your back.
(2) Yes indeed: unless they change something this year, there will be a large bag-storage trailer at both the East AND South entrances that can accommodate regular-sized luggage and a racquet.
P.J.
Thanks for the answers. I’m now leaning towards buying a seat at Armstrong and braving the lines in the Grandstand if necessary. Since I may have to bring luggage can you recommend the best entrance (East or South) for arriving in a taxicab? Joel Drucker (we’re friends at the Berkeley Tennis Club) says he knows you and says hi. LD
Hey Larry, cool connection about Joel- please likewise give him my best! I think probably best to ask Uber/Lyft/Taxi to put into the GPS “Mets-Willets Point Station” on Roosevelt Avenue as the destination (not Billie Jean King National Tennis Center). This will take you directly to the spot on Roosevelt Avenue where the 7 train lets people off, then you can just walk up the accessible ramp and across the foot bridge towards the East Gate. The storage facility will be on your left as you approach after you cross the bridge and before the hill slopes down towards the… Read more »
PJ, What great information! We are arriving in New York On September 5th and were planning on only going to Womens Semi’s that evening. In regards to the “free” day that day, do you have to leave the grounds completely at 5pm if you don’t have a ticket or can you stay on the grounds? Will there be a grounds ticket on sale for that night? We most likely will get stadium tickets ahead of time but just wondering how that all works. I appreciate any information you can provide.
Thanks, Jeanette! Once you enter the grounds, you’re in – they can’t kick you out 🙂 They only clear Ashe (within the grounds) between Day/Night sessions. PJ
Which sections of Armstrong and Grandstand are GA seating and which ones do you recommend?
Hi Isadora, See my annotated Armstrong Seating Chart (other seating charts also in Box 2) and my annotated Armstrong Shade Map — West side gets more. PJ
Hi PJ,
Thanks for taking the time to compile such a helpful, detailed and honest guide to trying to find good tickets for the tournament. This is by far the best resource on the web for the job!
Ian, thanks for the incredibly nice note – extra motivation to keep trying to improve it! P.J.
Hi P.J., thanks for the informative post. It’s my first time going and I plan on going the middle weekend, and then back during the finals. I’ve seen on another blog that they have Buy One, Get One ticket sales during the regular sale, have you seen these pop up in previous years? I saw that they had some sessions during the American Express presale this week that had bogo, but I missed out on them.
Hey Ralph, you might want to keep checking Amex throughout the pre-sale for the particular days – one reader just reported they got 2 for Labor Day Promenade (though not sure when they purchased). When I checked yesterday, I didn’t see any but also didn’t check every single session. I have seen some BOGO sales for Promenade seats pop up occasionally over the summer, particularly for upper promenade-level seats and for first week of tournament. P.J.
Hi, P.J.,
I am back from last year determined to see Serena Williams play at the US Open.
I forgot to bookmark your website, and I am relieved that Google help me find it again.
Thank you again for a very helpful website.
If 2019 holds to 2018 form, I won’t be able to see her play in the afternoon until Round 4.
Do you think the same thing will happen this year?
.
Hey Linda, great to hear from you. Last year, it was stunning to those of us who pay careful attention that they put Serena on night sessions 3 times in a row and did the same for Novak (and almost equally shocking that they put Federer on two Day sessions in a row). As I note in my FAQ #1 in Box 3, and can’t emphasize this enough, there is absolutely no way to predict with certainty in advance which session the tournament director will schedule players for, even if you know which day they’ll play based on Day 1… Read more »
Hi P.J.–thank you for these tips, they’re very helpful! So….a dream of mine has always been to see Roger Federer play. I only want courtside tickets because I’ve watched the U.S. open from the Loge seats before, and it just wasn’t worth it to me (still felt a million miles away). I wanted to know if this is a really dumb idea or not lol–since I don’t know when he’ll play, I was just going to buy tickets for day 1 and day 2 (day and night sessions….so 4 tickets), then once the schedule is released, I’ll sell the ones… Read more »
Hey Christy, you’re very welcome! Not a dumb idea at all. However, a few things to consider: * Right now we’re in the pre-public sale phase, so tickets you see in red dots on map on Ticketmaster are all resale tickets (via the TM Exchange). When you see tickets being offered only in pairs, that’s because the individual seller has decided (not TM) they want to ONLY sell in pairs. (It’s sometimes more difficult to sell a single ticket). This will change once tickets go on sale to the public next week. Any blue-dot ticket on the map will be… Read more »
Thank you so much for that detailed response. So based on what you’ve told me, I think I’ll just wait until the schedule is released–I didn’t realize the Day 1 schedule is released a week prior, so I’ll wait until then instead of the day before the tournament. It sounds like there’s no need to worry about no court-side tickets being available, which was my biggest concern. I just had some follow up question re: prices/seats: 1. From your experience, what do you think I should be prepared to pay for a courtside R1 seat? I know prices fluctuate, but… Read more »
Hey Christy, just to confirm: the schedule for Day 1 (Monday, August 26) will be released on Friday August 23 or Saturday August 24 (just a couple days prior, not a week prior). In addition, I should have mentioned that sometimes they actually release the schedule for Day 1 AND Day 2 on that Friday or Saturday — just no fixed rule (last year, they released Day 1 and 2 on Friday evening). So as long as you’re willing to stay patient, and keep checking beginning August 23 so that you’re ready to act ASAP, you should be fine. Other… Read more »
Thanks so much for this info and for your advice, I really appreciate it!