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! Thanks so much for taking the time to make this comprehensive site, it’s been soo helpful! I am planning to make my first visit to the open this year and am super excited. I would love to see Rafa, and think that my best bet would be to get Arthur Ashe day session tickets on both Friday 8/30 and Saturday 8/31. If this year’s draw follows similarly to last year – I think I’d have a good chance. Do you have an opinion on what is my best chance to see Rafa when attending Friday and Saturday on… Read more »
Hi Olivia, my pleasure – wonderful to hear it has been helpful to you! Unfortunately, there’s no way to know what will be the “best bet” now — either between those two dates, or whether it will be a day or night session. For all the reasons I outline in FAQ #1, it’s impossible to make even educated guesses before the Day 1 schedule is released (last year’s draw and schedule will not help). Even after that schedule comes out, it’s dangerous to make guesses about Day or Night session scheduling in advance because there are big scheduling surprises every… Read more »
PJ – thanks so much for the advise, I really appreciate it! I agree, the plan of waiting until draw is announced will guarantee me knowing which day of 3rd round matches he’d play on (fingers crossed that he advances!). Only thing I’m slightly worried about is cost. If I wait until the draw is announced, will the pricing on these tickets skyrocket?
Thanks in advance,
Olivia
Hi Olivia, my pleasure! Yes, it’s always a risk and unfortunately it’s a lot like playing the stock market: there’s just no way to know for sure. Prices do usually skyrocket for any specific Federer session after he’s confirmed for them; but they probably won’t go up much more than they are now for other dates like 3d round because people can’t predict whether he will be play Day or Night. (Prices do tend to decline on days Federer would not play based on Day 1 schedule). Wish I could give more clarity, there’s just a lot of inherent uncertainty… Read more »
So helpful. 1) What sections are the players’ boxes? [Nevermind, I saw your answer below] 2) In the final, what side of Ashe do the winners face for the award ceremony?
Hi Mary Allen, apologies for the delayed reply – busy week at work! In the final, the winners are lined up near the net and face towards the South –I.e., such that they are facing those sitting in the President’s Box (section 2). P.J.
You’re website is super helpful, so thank you! I’ve never been before and for 2 people who would like to come from Aug 29-31, what would you recommend while optimizing cost? Thanks!
Hi there, glad it’s been helpful! The answer really depends on your priorities and budget… Some food for thought: Thurs 29th Day: I’d recommend very cheap Ashe Promenade tickets to give you the option of going in if a player you love is playing, but would plan to spend bulk of your time soaking up action on outer courts OR skipping the day altogether to spend money on the evening session… Thurs 29th Evening: Of the three, this will be the best opportunity for decent-priced Ashe seats to experience an evening session, if you wish. Night sessions are exciting on… Read more »
Hi PJ–I’ve never been before and wondering your advice. I’m flexible to going to either of the weeks. I feel like Ashe would be really cool but they are very expensive. Are the earlier matches in Ashe not as exciting/would not be worth the splurge? What days would I be likely to see the stars in stadiums/courts other than Ashe? Thanks
Hi Josie, the best way to start is by looking at each day’s schedule for last year here: take a look at which kinds of matches/players are scheduled on the various courts each day. Coming on any of the first 4 days (first two rounds) offers the best chance to see many of the highest-ranked players outside Ashe (though you’ll only see Federer, Novak, Rafa, and Serena on Ashe). Many matches during the first two rounds can be competitive and exciting, and there are always some upsets. P.J.
Hi P.J. — I’ve put off going to the US Open for years because I just didn’t know where to start with planning; but I’m finally going to make it this year thanks to your website! Thank you so much for all the time and effort you’ve put into assembling all this information. Do you have any ticket-purchasing tips for those of us attending solo? Not surprisingly, there are many more tickets for sale in quantities of 2+ rather than 1. Do stray single tickets tend to pop up as the Open gets closer? Any other strategies you can suggest?… Read more »
Hey there, it’s so rewarding to hear that feedback, thank you!! Absolutely, positively, you will be able to find a great deal on a single seat and should NOT purchase two in the hopes of reselling the second. Because it’s often hard for resellers to sell one ticket only, those who need to sell one often have to lower prices to find a buyer. So you’ll have an advantage. Just stay patient and keep monitoring – they will pop up (as will the occasional single standard, face-value ticket (“blue dot” on the map). As for courtside, the key to getting… Read more »
Hi fellow solo tennis traveler. just a fyi if you are looking for a single Loge ticket Round 1 sessions, you can already get some pretty good TM standard tickets for $150-$200 including fees. I check several times a day and today saw a lot of Loge single seats: Sec 101 & 102 row K seats for $130. There is a single Loge corner row D, for $160. If your budget is higher, you lucky devil! Like PJ said, look for the single blue dots! and keep checking, they change all the time. Have a blast!! Last year was the… Read more »
Hey , Good luck. Its my first visit to US open too. I am having company to NYC but not to the matches. There are pretty decent loges (first four rows) available now for the early rounds and even for quarters. I did find a trick by increasing the ticket to 2 and saw many blue dots came up. I did not find the same with single ticket option. Good luck and hope you have a great experience.
Hi PJ, A couple of friends and I were considering splurging and purchasing courtside tickets in the lower (lowest?) rows as you mentioned in your post. Some of the tickets that we are looking at are in section 50, row AA. However, in some videos that I’m seeing online, it appears that a linesperson chair is placed in front of that section, since it looks onto the service line. Would you happen to know whether the views from these seats are in fact obstructed by the linesperson? I guess the baseline courtside seats may be a bit better in that… Read more »
Hey Brandon, yeah it’s definitely a tradeoff. Sitting first row AA is so cool because you feel soooo connected… And the first row on the West side (which 50 is on) is slightly elevated such that the linesperson’s head will be lower than your line of vision (similar to having someone a couple rows in front of you but slightly lower). The main hinderance when in the front row in that specific area to consider (affecting sections 50-56) is the Chair Umpire’s chair and the stuff/people around it, which will slightly obstruct your view of the player on the other… Read more »
So I saw some really great standard tickets in sections 12, 7, 24 and 13 in Ashe. I have been stalking them, They were as low as $330. Now the exact same tickets have jumped up to $480.00. Which I am surprised they are still up, but why would you raise the price if they weren’t moving. Anyway, any chance they may go back down?
Hey Gina! They use a computer program that uses a dynamic pricing algorithm that may have more to do with overall sales trends for a particular session versus whether particular seats are selling. There is absolutely a chance they will go back down. But unfortunately, it’s always a guessing game and a bit of a gamble. I have guessed right about 50% of the time on average when taking chances along those lines 🙂 P.J.
Thank you. I wanna try and wait it out and this year going on a Friday instead of Thursday so I know the tickets will most likely be a little more. I can’t wait to see what my 3rd year will be like. 🙂
So waiting has definitely not worked in my favor. Tickets I have been eyeing in Ashe have jumped up $200.00. By the way I went to the Citi Open last night. I will definitely plan to go there again. I was in MD earlier doing some volunteer building work on a Kingdom Hall there and Rock Creek park was only 30 minutes away. Small venue made me want to make it to US Open even more, However I got super close to Melo, Monica Puig walked right past me, I watched the Bryan brothers workout in the gym only 30ft.… Read more »
How much does a beer cost at us open?
Hi Kadija, between around $11-14 depending on the vendor. I know. Please don’t shoot the messenger 🙂 P.J.
Thanks
Hi, How are the Row N seats in the lodge section?
Hi, Row N is the last row in Loge and designed to be wheelchair-accessible. Lots of legroom. But they’re not significantly better than sitting in the first row of Promenade. P.J.
If Row N are the seats on the walkway area around the Loge then you get a moveable chair not one of the permanent fixed seat and I’ve always found the chair more comfortable. And I can’t comment on whether the price difference is worth it but I find a noticeable difference between climbing up to Row A of the horrible promenade and the chairs on the walkway. A nice thing about those loge seats is you can come and go as you please and you won’t disturb anyone or think you should wait for a changeover. And you can… Read more »
Hey there, great points. Not 100% sure (will double-check this year), but I have definitely seen N seats that are fixed, not moveable chairs… Very good point re: getting up and leaving during changeovers. PJ
Hi PJ-
If you had Ashe Night tickets for the first round, what are the chances you’d catch some action outside of Ashe/Louis Armstrong? Any other matches still finishing up after 6:00 would technically be on the day schedule, correct?
Hi Brad, chances are 100% you’ll see plenty of play on outer courts after 6pm during round one — with several matches going until much later. P.J.
“I did this in 2010 I saw an unforgettable marathon slugfest between David Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco from the FIRST ROW BASELINE!”
Were you sitting on the South baseline in the box next to the lower TV camera ? Maybe wearing an orange shirt ?
Hey there, no I was in NE corner baseline, think it was section 60-something in the old stadium… PJ
I was checking photos to find you.
NE corner baseline box I think would have been right next to Verdasco player’s box for that match.
ok PJ, yet another question for the expert 🙂 I’ve decided to buy tickets now through TicketMaster official site. (I only watch men’s singles). My hunch is that resellers price will be higher now, until draws are announced. Then as you say, prices will either skyrocket for sessions with the Top 3, or drop if less spectacular sessions. I only want to see Federer. I’ve seen the other 2, and will see some others in Montreal. I am gathering all info (esp yours) to make educated purchases now. As long as he is playing in the tournament, am I right… Read more »
Hey Courtney! (1) Correct: you have 100% certainty of seeing Fed (unless he were to withdraw) if you purchase Day and Night sessions in Ashe on Day 1 and 2. (2) Yes, keep checking TM for the occasional release of standard tickets in Loge – they do pop up randomly (3) If your plan is to sell all three sessions you would not attend (besides the one with Fed), I would say it makes more sense to wait until the Friday**(see note below) before the tournament begins — assuming you can be free and near a computer and refreshing the… Read more »
PJ – this is MORE than I could have asked for in an answer!!! Thank you. Your page is bookmarked and indispensable. I wish there was some way I could repay you for your advice! What you say makes a ton of sense. I know it is risky to hope to recoup all my costs so I aim for Loge, lowest row, TM standard tickets, not resale, and I often see good deals. Just now I bought a ticket Sec 102 Row J for Day 1 a.m. for $130+fee – crossing fingers it’ll be Roger 🙂 I think that is… Read more »
Hey Courtney, I’m thrilled it has been helpful! My experience with getting tickets immediately after Day 1/2 schedule is announced has been that there are generally quite a few resale tickets that are competitively priced for those sessions – and it usually takes a couple hours for large numbers of buyers to start going after tickets for sessions that feature the biggest names. Last year I scored an incredible deal on a courtside seat during that window for the opening night featuring Serena and Rafa. Quite often, you’ll find resale deals that end up being the same or even less… Read more »
Just to add my $0.02. I had Loge seats in Ashe and had a hard time reselling Round 2. Lost a bit of money when it was a session that didn’t involve Fed. So follow PJ’s advice b/c it was tough to swallow.
Are Grounds Passes available for purchase the day before?
Hi Dana, depends entirely on the day. Almost always for the first Mon-Thurs. They often sell out in advance for Labor Day weekend days. PJ
PJ,
Tuesday QF night ticket in upper Loge: $280 face value
Wednesday QF night ticket in upper Loge: $320 face value
Any thoughts why the difference? Same section, same round of play.
I noticed the same pricing trend last year.
Thanks!
No difference in quality of matches whatsoever – just because of the “dynamic pricing” algorithm USTA uses based on overall supply and demand. Why more people are demanding Wed evening over Tues is anyone’s guess! PJ
So I can bring my DSLR camera for pictures?
Hi Sam, yes you can. The key is that your bag is not a backpack and does not exceed 12″ x 12″ x 16″. PJ
PJ,
Can I take videos of key points in a match using my iPhone or camera or is that frowned upon, like at a concert?
Hey Tom, sure thing, many many people do. You’ll sense when there what feels right and not disruptive. If you continue to be self-aware and consider the moment (e.g., avoid continuous shutter during critical points when you can hear a pin drop) you’ll be just fine. PJ
for the night time women’s semifinals, which section do you think has the best view – 102, 103, 104, 105, 106 or 107? I am looking at seats in the first few rows. Thanks!!
Hi Robin, the eye is in the beholder, but most people would probably say 102/103 (behind the server) is their favorite. Then corner (104-106) then 107. But those are all good sections to sit in. PJ
PJ,
What are my chances of getting two unreserved seats together in LA on Sunday of Labour Day weekend? What should my strategy be? I really would like to spend my day there, although I have tickets for GS.
Hey Tom, Sunday LD weekend is one of the busiest at Armstrong. You will almost certainly be able to get in, but you may have to grab two individual seats and wait till people around you leave to get two good ones together. I’d recommend arriving early Sun morning (around 830) to line up at East gate (nearest to LA) so you’re in decent position when gates open at 930, then go directly to Armstrong. That will give you best chance of getting great seats together from the start. Aim for the West side for max shade! One great thing… Read more »
Hi PJ,
Thank you for all the info and tips. I am planning on going on 8/26 daytime. Would you recommend getting Louis Armstrong courtside reserved row C or Arthur Ashe Loge Sideline seats?
Thanks
J
Hi John, I’d recommend Ashe Loge for that first day of the tournament. There will be star power on Ashe you’ll likely want to see at least for some time, while outer courts will feature so many opportunities to see other great players up close that a reserved seat in Armstrong isn’t necessary (you can sit in GA seating there, but go sit closer at another field court). See last year’s schedule for what to expect.
Which seats are more shaded, Loge Corner 123, 114, 115, 116, or 134?
Thanks again for your help.
Hi John, 134 by far. See my annotated photo under FAQ #4. P.J.
This a great blog! So helpful for us first timers! One bit of confusion, though… if I buy an Ashe day session ticket, can I stay for night sessions on Grandstand and Armstrong? Or do I need to buy a separate night session ticket?
Thanks Mike! Any Day session ticket enables you to enter the US Open grounds anytime after 9:30 am and stay as long as you like. You can exit and re-enter grounds as you wish. However, Day session ticket holders must enter before 6:00 p.m.
Once you’re in the grounds, you are entitled (with any kind of ticket) to line up for unreserved seating for Armstrong or Grandstand (or any other non-Ashe court) at any point in the day or evening. PJ
Great- thanks! That will save a little $$ so I don’t have to buy night session tickets!
So many options on that first day! You’ll be able to stay and keep watching until around 11pm if you want… Enjoy!
How do we now when and what court doubles are played? Is Armstrong doubles on 9/3? Thanks.
Hi Daniel, see my US Open Schedule at a Glance at bottom of Box #1 for when doubles matches are played. See 2018 schedule for indications of where played. Yes, on Tues Sep 3 Armstrong will feature Doubles, no singles matches (contrary to what Ticketmaster and US Open sites say for that session – it’s a misleading misprint they have not corrected). PJ
Hello PJ, I bought tickets for Ashe evening sessions 8/30 and 8/31 – do you think I will get to see Federer, Nadal or Djokovic play? Thanks so much!
Hi Wanda, you have a very good chance, as Federer (assuming he advances to third round) will definitely play one of those two days. However, there’s no way to predict whether he will be scheduled for a Day or Evening session… I’ll have fingers crossed for you 🙂 P.J.
PJ – Thanks so much for all the great info. I’m an avid tennis player and fan. Will be attending USO first time this year and feel so much more comfortable, being armed with the info you provided. Have tickets for the first 5 days of the tournament. Free lodging at a friends apartment not far from Flushing is why I’m just in NYC for early rounds… Purchased a mix of reserve seats in GS and Armstrong, both day and night sessions, all on the shady side. 🙂 My most expensive Armstrong seats are located in Secs 4 and 7… Read more »
Hey there, so glad it helped! I myself purchased tickets for Armstrong section 7 row B — literally one of my favorite places to sit. You feel like you’re on court with the players. It’s amazing. And that section will get good shade fairly early in the afternoon. Ditto section 4. You won’t see Roger, Rafa, or Novak on those courts, but you will see SO many other AMAZING players up close and will love the experience. And I find the seats quite comfortable (unlike the GA seating, which is benches that become uncomfortable quickly) – I’ve never found the… Read more »
PJ,
Unreserved GA seats at LA are individual seats, no?
Benches are found at all the other courts, including GS?
Thanks!
Correct! PJ
PJ – I am surprising my wife with a birthday trip to watch Federer at 2019 US Open. If I am reading this correctly, the schedule will come out on either Friday (8/23) or Saturday (8/24), correct? We will be there for both days of the first round.
Hey Dominic, that’s awesome, she will be thrilled! Yes, start checking Friday late afternoon. Last year was the first time they released before Saturday – not sure if that will become a new tradition, or whether it was an exception (previous years had been Saturday). Also, they released both Day 1 AND Day 2 schedule that Friday, which was also a surprise – one they’ll hopefully repeat again this year. P.J.
Hi PJ, thanks for all sharing all this insight… definitely helps. I’ll be in NYC for US open from Aug 30 to Sept 05… 2 years ago I traveled for the semis to see Roger only to be devastated after he exited in the QF. this year I’m earlier so I hope to catch him. What are your thoughts on what date and sessions should I buy… I’m nervous waiting for later as prices may rise and I’d love to get tkts for less than $500 lodge or courtside would be a dream… thoughts?
Hi Reyanne, my pleasure. For the reasons I outline in FAQ #1, it’s impossible to make even educated guesses before the Day 1 schedule is released. And even then, it’s dangerous to make guesses about Day or Night session scheduling in advance because there are big scheduling surprises every year. Last year, for instance, they scheduled Fed for two Day sessions in a row (Day 4 and 6). So please take what I say with that in mind… If it were me and I were taking a chance, I would first wait until Day 1 is announced (the Friday night… Read more »
Thanks PJ, Definitely helps!
Can you say if on the day of the game, do ticket prices usually drop? Last minute deals right before the match?
Hi Reyanne, hard to predict– totally depends on who’s scheduled to play, the expected quality of the match, and which day within the tournament. (E.g., if Federer is playing, prices usually stay sky-high). For a large number of sessions, there are usually great deals to be had on the day of the match, and tickets remain onsale on Ticketmaster for 59 minutes after the start of the session. In short, you can’t count on it – but I often will wait until the very last minute if my schedule is flexible. PJ
Reyanne, I feel your pain about RF! I didn’t see him either and he just dropped out of Montreal where I am schleping up to next month. I am curious if you are looking for single tickets for yourself only. I ask because I go solo, and sometimes the pretty good ticket deals on resale sites are for TWO people only. It’s disappointing to see a good deal and be locked out because I go alone. Maybe PJ could connect us if you are interested in talking about pairing up last minute (if you are going solo) if there is… Read more »
Hi Courtney, I’m actually taking my mum along… sorry 🙁 Maybe we can still catch up at the Open…
Nice to meet a fellow Fedfan 🙂
HI Courtney,
Exactly the same feelings. The verified resale market has really good deals. Unfortunately I couldn’t wait and snapped the single ones while I can. I even had some few BOGO offers pass by .
Good luck.
I’ve been frequently visiting the ticketmaster site and looking at various standard tickets. Do you think paying $640/ticket (times 2 tix) plus fees for section 60 row G is that much better than sections 112, 118 or 108 in row L for $195 each?
Hey Seth, which session (date and day/night) are you looking at? I do personally feel that being down courtside is significantly better than being in row L in Loge (remember, there are two levels of suites between the top courtside seats and the first row of Loge)– but again, the value depends a lot on the session you’re considering. PJ
this would be for Wednesday 9/4 at noon. Thoughts?
Hey Seth, for QF, if it were me I would absolutely go for those seats versus anything in Loge: — Those are standard courtside seats, which don’t pop up that often for Quarters, and if you look at going rate for resale tickets around them they are all much higher (and carry higher fees) — Those are in one of the “player’s box” sections – I once sat next to the entire Williams family in that section — For that Day session, that section is entirely shaded all day — Fourth row corner courtside is, in my view, literally at… Read more »
thanks for the story, very cool! I went ahead and purchased the section 60s fourth row! For Friday 9/6 (mens singles semifinals at noon) what is your advice? there are no standard seats below the 300 level. Have you experienced USTA adding standard seats in the 100 level or better between now and the event? Other alternative would be to wait until the week around actual day of. I’ve read your blog where if upsets happen that could drive resale prices down. I assume resale prices never go below standard prices. Thoughts appreciated!
Nice! I promise you you’ll be thrilled. For Men’s Semi’s (and Finals), it’s always a nightmare trying to buy in advance (and if the big names make it through). The only times I’ve seen standard Loge and Courtside become available for Semis are much closer to/during the tournament (including day before/day of), and usually only if the lineup lacks major star power (which happened in 2016 and 2017). Same with Men’s Final. In those cases, resale prices DO often go below standard prices. Standard Loge in previous years for those sessions has been around $650 and Standard Courtside around $2,500-3,000…… Read more »
Hi P.J.
Because of your blog and your responses I was able to purchase standard tickets on Wednesday 9/4 in section 60 for “just” $670 each for the day session. Now we will be spoiled because these are great courtside seats per your advice. And if we decide to stay for the night session, I am really surprised (and sticker shocked) that standard courtside seats are $1950!!! This is also for men’s & women’s quarterfinals like the day session. How can the standard price be almost 3 times more expensive (i.e. 26F) ? Thanks in advance for your answer.
Seth
Hey Seth, Yes, you will be spoiled and I think very happy you decided to go for those. So it’s a crazy situation with QF Day session tickets (both Tues and Wed Day sessions): most tourists have left town, and most people in NYC can’t take day off from work… so demand for Day sessions is much lower than for Evening sessions, which means much lower Day prices. The US Open builds its face-value prices around demand, which means sometimes the prices are astrononmical–as in the case for very popular QF evening sessions. They also use “dynamic pricing,” which means… Read more »
Hello P.J.
First of all, thank you very much for all of the information you have provided!
We will be in NYC and planning on attending our first US Open on September 1.
Following your advise (and our budget), we will purchase day session Arthur Ashe promenade seats.
Maybe catch some 11:00 am action before heading into Ashe.
If I understand, we can then stay for the evening session and try for GA in Armstrong or Grandstand.
Looking forward to entire experience.
Thanks again.
Hi Bruce, you’re most welcome, glad it’s been helpful! Great that you’re going during round of 16. Just to set expectations, there won’t be any matches on outer courts starting before 11am — however, yes, you will be able to stay on the grounds as long as you like through the evening and access GA seating in Armstrong and Grandstand. PJ
Hi. I went on Ticketmaster and it said you can only buy tickets with an Amex card?? That doesn’t seem right to me. Do you know anything about this? In previous years I went with a group so did not buy the tickets directly. Thanks!
Hi Maura, I would double-check the link you used. Ticketmaster definitely accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover in addition to Amex. It also accepts PayPal and offers a pay over time option with a 9.99% interest rate. P$
Ugh so I was mistaken. That was only for the club room. Sorry!
No worries, thanks for clarifying! PJ
Last year I bought a grounds admission ticket for the Saturday of the Women’s Finals. Did that change for 2019? It’s only for the first eight days now?
Hi Glenn, USTA usually releases cheap GA tickets on Ticketmaster (around $25) for Sat and Sun finals weekend closer to the tournament. Keep checking as we get closer. P.J.
Thank you very much.
Thanks for the great info. I understand that ticket prices fluctuate. With the tourney starting in 6 weeks, I saw that the grounds pass went from $65 to $80 and $90 on certain days. Does this mean that those prices will only continue to go up for the grounds pass?
Hi there, you’re very welcome. Yes, the US Open uses “dynamic pricing” even for standard, face-value tickets… so prices may go up or down throughout the summer depending on supply and demand. Frustrating, I know. Right now, GA tickets are available for $65 for Days 2&3 (Tues and Wed), $70 for Day 1 (Mon), $80 for Day 4 (Thurs), then up to $105, $135, $125, and $90 for Fri-Mon (respectively) of Labor Day weekend. PJ
Hi, PJ,
In FAQ #6, you write that you do NOT recommend a subscription ticket plan for most fans. You explain why that’s the case with respect to Ashe (seats are only in Promenade).
You also have written that a ticket plan for Armstrong is not advisable, based on what we saw last year, with an oversupply of unsold tickets (and high prices), and the prices started to come down.
But what about a ticket plan for Grandstand? The only drawback I see is lack of rain insurance. Your thoughts on a ticket plan for Grandstand?
Thanks!
Hi Tom, subscription plans are great if you indeed plan on using the tickets yourself (or giving away tickets to friends) and they are seats you would love. It becomes a risky proposition if you count on selling large numbers of tickets — sometimes it works out well for folks, other times they don’t recoup even the face value cost (reminder: every time you post a resale ticket, the broker takes a fee, so you have to list the ticket price at about 16% higher than what you hope to earn back – and when many others post their tickets… Read more »
As I found out last year, unfortunately. I had good Loge seats for the anticipated Wednesday night QF matchup between Nole and Fed…. only it turned out to be Nole and Millman. Thought I would make a quick buck and it blew up in my face. Also had other tickets, such as Courtside R16 for Labour Day (Fed-Millman) and I ended up selling those for a big, big loss. You have to list the tix for so much more to break even, and the seller is paying much more on fees associated with the red seats. Makes it rather difficult… Read more »
Absolutely you should get a subscription for the GS. And it comes with no “filler” on the subscription (i.e., early tournament night matches you may not be interested in compared to action elsewhere.) And most fans really seem like new GS as a court. With GS you give up the high profile early round Fed/Nadal/Djokovic/Serena matches at Ashe but often get what serious fans would consider a better match. All of which is probably why there are no GS subscriptions available. ? (And when subscribers choose not to resubscribe the seats are made available first to existing subscribers.) The “rain… Read more »
Hi, PJ,
With respect to parking, the FAQ section of the website says the following:
“When there is a New York Mets home game (known as a Conflict Date) guests will be directed to park at General Parking Lots 1 – 6. When there isn’t a New York Mets home game (known as a Non-Conflict Date) guests will be directed to park in Mets Stadium General Parking. Subject to change.”
Is there a map depicting the locations of parking lots 1-6? I can’t find it anywhere.
Thanks!
Hey Tom, so looks like they’ve deleted the map they used to have on that US Open page… Here’s the map from 2017 — however it doesn’t clearly indicate lots 1-6 (I just see the lettered lots and #s 4 and 7). Also, they sometimes make adjustments from year to year, so I’d check back closer to see if they update their FAQ page. Sorry not to have more clarity on this! PJ
Hey PJ – Fantastic blog! Been eying a pair
of day session seats in Armstrong in section 3 row V but the tickets say “Partial Video Board View,Full Obst Rows Y-Z.” which obviously Y-Z not include V. Any idea if these are obstructed seats? Was hoping for a west side corner for shade
Hi Jason, I’m pretty sure that literally means you won’t be able to see the video board from those seats (not that the view of the players/court will be obstructed). That said, I’d strongly encourage you to sit a bit closer and deal with the sun for a relatively short time if you can find comparable prices. The tradeoff is worth it, particularly because in upper seats you’ll hear a good deal of background noise from the electric generators and the concessions behind you (particularly on the SW corner and West side in general, because they generator trucks are parked… Read more »
Speaking of unwanted noises if you are in the scrim covered West side GS seats closer to the top you can hear the traffic from the Grand Central Parkway. Fun.
Thanks PJ, I can find similarly priced seats in Ashe for Day 1 also in Section 132 Row L….thoughts?
Didn’t realize you were looking at those Armstrong seats for Day 1… If that’s the case, I would definitely strongly urge you to consider Ashe instead. Will be relatively easy to get into GA seats in Armstrong first few days of the tournament, and there will be so many other great matches happening on the grounds too. For Ashe, check out the face-value courtsides for $330 (i.e. 3% fees instead of 16.5 for resale). You’d almost certainly be able to move down. I know it’s a lot, but the difference between upper loge and courtside is like another world. If… Read more »
Awesome, thanks for the advice…will look at Ashe instead. It’s actually 4 tix so I see 136L is 2 and therefore won’t work. What about 101L right next to it?
Yup, great section to sit in!
Hello hello. Thanks so much for your help. I love the call out you make about looking out for other tennis fans re: handing off tickets when possible. I have comment & question. My comment is about parking- yes I am going against all smart advice & driving. Per US Open website, Mercedes vehicles get free parking in all paid lots, which is cool. I’m buying a lot H pass from reseller per your advice though, to avoid potentially full lots. When I clicked your first link to see parking map it directs to US Open website, they must have… Read more »
Hi Devon, glad it’s been helpful! Yes indeed, if you stop by the Amex lounge you can get a free radio that will enable you to hear commentary during matches. Also, 116 won’t be that bad in terms of sun – you’ll get some relief at some point for sure, much more than folks on the East side! P.J.
Hi. Can you tell me what section(s) the players’ boxes are in Arthur Ashe?
Hi Christy, over the years I’ve seen coaches and families seated in sections 26-29, 8-11, and 60-63. P.J.
Christy, update on my previous response: I checked my notes from last year… Last year (2018) they stuck to sections 8-9 and 28-29 for players boxes – but in previous years they had used 62-63 too (I vividly remember sitting right near the entire Williams family one year in that area). I’ve never seen them use the NW corner (although FYI enter and exit the stadium from an entrance underneath that section).
“all-day rain out or under 60 minutes of play (which happened to me unforgettably in 2012 on the day I treated 6 friends to pricy Armstrong front row seats), ” I’m trying to figure out what day this was. It rained on the second Tuesday but it was not a “rain out”. Ferrer played Gasquet on Armstrong — I was there too — and finished and Djoker came in the evening to play Stan but they only played a very short while before the rain came for good. The next day they continued as the second match on Armstrong. Stan… Read more »
I may be misremembering the year or the exact circumstances – it’s a bit of a blur given the number of years that have passed. Maybe it was the year before or after? Or maybe it was that day and it wasn’t technically a rain out as there was more than 60 minutes of play— and maybe my tickets were honored the next day. Either way, what I do remember vividly is spending well over $1,000 to treat several friends who ended up not coming out at all because it was raining so much (I remember standing by myself for… Read more »
If you ever buy tix in the future and your friends are no-shows, let me know, and I’ll be glad to put those tickets to good use 🙂
LOL, will do! 🙂
You may be thinking of 2011 when the second Tuesday was a complete rain out and the second Wednesday they only got a short amount of play in before the rain returned.
2013 didn’t have a rain out. (The men’s final was actually scheduled for Monday that year.)
Sounds exactly right, thanks! PJ
Hello P.J.
Greetings from Spain. Your web is awesome. thanks!!
I am interested in quarterfinals. Why prices are higher in night session? Are less matches in day session?
Hola Moi! Prices are higher in the evenings for quarterfinals simply because of demand: more people prefer to go in the evenings on weekdays, both because they don’t have to miss work and because night sessions at Ashe have very a special “electricity.” The number of matches is exactly the same for both day and evening: one men’s, one women’s. P.J.
Hi PJ, This is a fantastic guide, thank you! I need to leave my luggage at one of those bag storage places, but I’m not sure how long they are open. I would like to stay late in case a match goes beyond midnight. Do you know when those bag storage places close? Thanks again!
Hi Stan, thank you! I’m not sure myself and can’t find anything written about it… But I have left late myself on numerous occasions and always remember seeing them open. I think it’s safe to assume they will be open for at least 30 minutes after the end of the last match, however late that is. You should of course double-check when you arrive just in case, but I’m pretty sure tat’s a safe assumption. P.J.
Thank you so much for your response. One last question: Is it possible that grounds admission tickets become sold out? Or if I just show up at the entrance, am I guaranteed to find a grounds admission ticket? Thanks again, really appreciate your help!
-Stan
Hi Stan, you’re most welcome. Yes, they do sometimes sell out of GA tickets – esp for Labor Day weekend. PJ
Hi, I have to say that this is an amazing site with amazing tips for tennis lovers like me. I come from Venezuela and right now I’m living in NJ. I went to the us open last year and I loved, I’ve never thought that I could experience something like that, but the current situation of my country force me to move here and now I’m here starting over. it’s my favorite grand slam of the year. Right now I’m on a tight budget so I go to the cheapest seats, but with this tips now I’m going to try… Read more »
Hey Francisco, you are most welcome. I definitely recommend you keep a close eye on the practice schedule this year during the week PRIOR to the tournament (see my Top #10) and try to head out to see Rafa practice then as opposed to during the tournament itself – crowds will be much, much lighter! And keeping my fingers crossed for you that you get to see Rafa closer soon, and that the situation in your home country improves soon too – my heart goes out to you and your fellow Venezuelans. Muchos saludos, P.J.
Hi again ! NYC plans seem to be changing ! We now have Saturday afternoon – aug 31st as of approx 2 pm – on Knowing this is too late to catch any of the matches that start at 11 & 12 on Armstrong/ Ashe respectively , what do you think the value is in purchasing a grounds pass for the afternoon to walk around and maybe see some practice courts/ or unreserved seating and then purchasing evening session on either Armstrong or Ashe ? There are 5 of us ! Thanks again for your invaluable help … a fan… Read more »
Hi there! I still generally would favor trying to find Ashe Day seats IF you can find some at around the same price as Grounds Admission tickets (which you probably will be able to do). This gives you rain insurance AND also the chance to see what’s almost certainly going to be one men’s match because they usually put the women’s match on first during Day sessions (last year, e.g., you would have seen Federer starting to play around 2pm on Ashe that day). Alternatively, I’d consider investing in 2-3 reserved seats in Grandstand or Armstrong plus 2 GA or… Read more »
Excellent blog! First timer…only can attend Sept 7 and 8. If money were no object can you recommend where to try and find the best seating?
Thanks, Steve! Almost every reseller (including small independent ticket brokers) will eventually list their tickets on Ticketmaster, which is why I recommend everyone always check there first using “map view” for the specific session to get a birds-eye view of what’s available and see the going prices for specific seats that interest you (note: Ticketmaster also lists most tickets put up on Ticketmaster Exchange as well, which appear in red dots versus blue). Then try the others I mention in Box 2 for comparison purposes (StubHub, etc). For Sunday Sep 8 especially, my advice is to wait until during the… Read more »
Hey PJ, Thanks for creating this site and helping tennis fans who comment. I’ve read every word of your guide and am wondering what you think the odds are of Federer playing on the Day 2/4/6/8/10 schedule for this year. In the past few years, I’ve noticed that the large majority of tournaments have been scheduling Federer’s half of the draw to play last, which I have assumed is a strategic business decision (it keeps Federer in the tournament longer, thus selling more tickets overall). In looking at the past several years at the US Open, Federer’s half represented this… Read more »
Hi Eric, that’s an astute observation and totally makes sense. I don’t have a shred of other evidence, anecdotal or otherwise, beyond what you’ve pointed out to confirm. So in this instance, your guess is as good as mine – and I’d probably guess that the odds are greater than 50% they’ll keep putting Fed’s half beginning on Day 2 for the reasons you cite. That said, I wouldn’t say they are much stronger than 50%, as I’ve seen so many instances over the years when the odds of a scheduling decision seemed nearly 100% with regard to the Day… Read more »
Got it. I appreciate your insight and educated guesswork. Thanks!
I’m not sure how I feel about the change in qualies to a Monday start and 5 days instead of the Tuesday through Friday. I’ve been going to the USO so long I remember when the main draw started on Tuesday, back at FH. At the time they didn’t play Bo5 until R4 I think it was. I’ve seen a crazy amount of USO tennis. You would not believe me if I told you how many sessions I’ve been to. Of course I too was at the 2010 match Ferrer/Verdasco with Verdasco running down the drop shot on match point… Read more »
Amazing you were there for both those matches! I’ll never forget that Ferrer/Verdasco match… My recollection is that it was more like 11:30pm or later – but maybe just romanticizing 🙂 And yeah, that Delpo/Dog match started out so strong with that crazy tiebreaker that seemed to go on forever. PJ
PJ, yes about 30 minutes of romanticizing. 😉 The tiebreaker ended at 11:02pm. Photo EXIF data…also you may have stuck around for the post-match stuff and eventually strolled out of the tennis center closer to 1130pm.
Is there a big screen outside the stadium for the finals that can be watched for free or for a smaller fee?
We will be in New York and can’t stomach the cost of finals tickets but would love to get around some of the energy.
Cheers.
Hi Guy, yes there is – nothing like Henman Hill, but many people do congregate and watch there. They aren’t available yet, but close to the tournament keep an eye out on Ticketmaster for $25 grounds pass tickets usually made available for that day (you will need them to enter the grounds). PJ
Thanks so much P.J.!
Interestingly the biggest single percentage ticket price increase I think ever was the 500% increase when they jacked the $5 to $25 for a final weekend grounds pass. Still it’s less than the cost of two Honey Dueces.
Your site is amazing!! Thank you! I am flying out from Seattle the weekend before it starts and taking my 1 and 3 year old to Kids Day. I am going to buy tickets for either Monday or Tuesday (8/26,27) and unsure which day or court to buy. Because I will have small kids with me, I don’t think I am going to buy night tickets. If I am looking at Monday, the first day, is there a court that I should buy? I also have an AMEX Plat card so I am hoping to take advantage of the perks.… Read more »
Hi Lauren, thank you so much — and you’re most welcome! For that first couple of days (both “round 1”), I’d recommend Ashe Day tickets. That way you’ll be able to gain entry to general admission seating in every stadium besides Ashe, will have “rain insurance” because Ashe has a roof, and will be guaranteed to see at least one big-name player. You can also stay as long as you want on the grounds either day with your Ashe Day ticket, and there will be TONS of action on outer courts through the evening. P.J.
You can get into the Centurion Lounge near Armstrong with ye old Amex Platinum Card and it’s pretty sweet especially when the weather is hot. Take the kiddies to the Kids Zone thingy too if they have it this year. I have very different ideas then the blog author on seating but it’s not my blog and IMO there simply is no one best USO experience. It depends on what your interests and priorities are. If I were taking very young kids I’d strongly suggest a shaded reserved seat and I wouldn’t direct my worst enemy to Ashe stadium but… Read more »
Great thoughts, thanks for sharing! PJ
Not trying to be a broken record but I need to echo everyone else’s thoughts that this is unbelievably helpful. My wife and I are going to our first US Open for our honeymoon and this has been the best resource for planning how we will spend our time… and money. We have Sunday and Monday of labor day pretty well planned out but I’m looking to splurge on baseline courtside for the Tuesday night Quarterfinal Session #18. What is the furthest row back that still offers YOUR ideal perspective (Faq #7) from these seats? Also, compared to the current… Read more »
Hey James, thank you so very much for the kind words! The good news is that sitting virtually anywhere courtside Ashe feels special and offers a pretty incredible experience – I’ve never had a bad one, and I’ve sat in myriad locations. I’d say ideally within the first 12 rows if you can, but that’s a fairly arbitrary cutoff. Face value for that session is around $800-1400 per ticket… If you see something under $1,000, that’s a pretty good indicator of a good deal. If you wait until after the Day 1 schedule comes out, you’ll know whether Federer could… Read more »
If I have night tickets for Ashe on Friday of the first week, will I be able to enter the grounds before 6 pm?
Hi Jennifer, no – night tickets only allow grounds entry at 6pm every day. PJ
Hi, First, this website is exceptional, tons of great useful information. I am in Canada and plan to buy tickets using “ticketexchangebyticketmaster”. My understanding is that I will need to setup a Ticketmaster account first so that the tickets can be transferred by the seller. Once I get to the ticket gate I will then present my ticket using my phone. Couple questions please. Have any Canadians had issues with tickets ? I likely will not have cellular service available (company phone) but can use WiFi. Will that work ? Any other gotchas or heads up for Canadians coming to… Read more »
Hey Rick, so glad to hear it’s been helpful! You should have no issues with either Ticketmaster or Ticketmaster Exchange purchasing from Canada. After you create an account and download the Ticketmaster app, you’ll be able to view your tickets electronically as we get closer (sometimes tickets with barcodes aren’t viewable until much closer to the actual tournament). You will be able to access via WiFi on the US Open site, however as an extra and probably unnecessary precaution (I always do this myself too), I recommend taking a screenshot of the ticket with barcode and saving to your photos… Read more »
Hi there! This is the 2nd time in a few weeks I’ve read through the amazing Information on this site ! Surely I will visit it again … my family and I are headed to see the US Open for the first time to celebrate a milestone bday We will only have one day – Sunday sept 1st Although I hope to see some of the greats I am trying to maximize our experience – based on what I have read so far … this is what I am thinking … purchase day session tickets at Louis Armstrong stadium (… Read more »
Hi there, great to hear from you and thanks for the kind words! I do think Armstrong stadium could be a great choice for you that day: it’s 4th round (round of 16), which is when Armstrong switches to having only one session each day and therefore more matches per ticket, including two of the men’s round of 16 singles matches. See Day 7 on last year’s schedule for an example of they type of lineup you would see. However, please note: these matches will absolutely extend past 6pm/dinnertime. I also don’t think it would be worth going all the… Read more »
Hi! I have tickets to Armstrong for Saturday 8/31. In your opinion, should I get Friday tickets at Armstrong again or Grandstand? I think you said there were more matches in the grandstand? Love your website. I update myself every year and share with newbies so thank you!
Hi Doreen! Thanks so much for the kind words 🙂 Bit of a toss-up for Friday 8/30… If they follow the approach from last year, which I expect they will, they will have 3 matches on each stadium that day. The big difference is in the type of matches: for Grandstand, it’s nearly certain to be 2 men’s singles + 1 women’s singles; for Armstrong, 2 women’s singles + 1 men’s singles. I’d probably recommend adding Grandstand for Friday to round out your experience, as long as you’re willing to risk the potential of rain. It’s such a different experience,… Read more »
If you could choose any seat in Arthur Ashe to watch a match, where would you sit?
Hey Steve, sorry just saw this – replying to comments in order in which they came in… My FAQ #7 outlines my personal preferences. I always end up going with baseline courtside when I can, but I’d guess if you polled most other fans they would probably say behind-the-server is their favorite. P.J.