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! Last year was my first time at the open and I basically survived it with your page full of tips and I don’t know how I’d have made it through otherwise. Thank you so much for this! Also, I was thinking of going the 28th this year for the day session since I went the same day (first Wednesday day session) last year and it was great seeing all the players on the practice courts. Federer was basically one of the only players I didn’t see and I was hoping to see him this year. Is there anything… Read more »
Hi Usha, so glad it was helpful! Unfortunately, there’s no way to make even educated guesses in advance as to which dates Federer would be scheduled, or whether he would be scheduled for a day or night session for the reasons I outline in FAQ #1. If it were me and seeing Federer were the top priority, I would wait until Day 1 schedule is published on this page, which will happen on either late afternoon/early evening Friday August 23 or Saturday August 24th, then focus on the particular day(s) that Federer will be scheduled if he advances. Players have… Read more »
Thanks so much for this, it definitely helps with my decision. I most likely would not be able to attend night sessions so I would go for the day session on either day. I saw QF tickets for the day session at Arthur Ashe to be quite cheap, cheaper than I’ve been finding for the 28th day session at Ashe actually. I was surprised by that. So then if I were to put aside my priority of seeing Federer, would it generally be better to go for the QFs (which I would go on the 4th) than the week before?
Usha, you’re most welcome. Yes, those QF Day session tickets are outstanding deals (purely a function of fewer tourists being in town). The main caution is that they tend to put Fed/Novak/Rafa/Serena on evenings during QFs… but it’s an exciting time to see matches as you’re down to the last 8 players, so regardless of who is scheduled you will see some great tennis (and you may even get to catch Federer practicing). The secondary caution is that the only things happening outside of Ashe are Doubles (which I love to watch, but not everyone cares) and Juniors; this means… Read more »
Okay, got it. Might go for QFs then as I haven’t been before. So if I wait until the 24/25th for the schedule to come out, would the tickets be more expensive? I would still get lower promenade seats at Ashe but I was wondering if they would be more expensive if I wait that long. Also, I need 2 seats together so at that point would it be more difficult to find seats together since it’s late?
There will always be resale tickets available even until the session starts. Unfortunately there’s no way to predict on prices exactly. Here’s what is most likely: if you are checking for schedule constantly and are able to buy tickets shortly after it comes out, prices probably won’t have changed much (most people don’t see it right away). But after a couple hours, word gets out and people start making decisions based on it, and prices start changing. Once it’s clear which schedule Federer is on, prices for those days will probably stay high or may go up (including esp the… Read more »
Just bought lower promenade seats for the QFs and I’ll just hope for the best. Either way, glad I’ll just be at the open and watching some good tennis! Thanks so much for your advice!
I just read somewhere that it might be a good bang for the buck to buy the cheapest daytime Ashe Stadium ticket to get into the grounds early and secure a good seat in the Armstrong stadium. The tickets on ticketmaster say 12noon for the Ashe tickets. Do the Ashe tickets really get you in earlier than a regular grounds pass does? This is for Labor Day weekend. I appreciate this wealth of information!
Hi Laura, an Ashe Day ticket enables entry at 9:30am just like a grounds pass (or an Armstrong Day or Grandstand ticket). So yes you can use it to get in early, go to Armstrong for GA seating, then go to Ashe whenever you’d like (matches start at noon but you can arrive anytime). PJ
Thank you so much. One more question…Where is the GA seating in Armstrong and Grandstand? Do we assume they are the top rows of the stadiums?
Hey Laura, sure thing. GA seats are on the second level of both stadiums. Grandstand is already quite intimate, so GA seats are all excellent – the challenge is getting into them during popular matches. See my annotated seating maps linked in Box 2 above for some views. P.J.
Hi, PJ, It is getting close. I still plan on buying a ticket for either Monday or Tuesday day session to try to catch Serena in Ashe. I doubt she will be scheduled based on last year’s schedule, but one can hope. Plan B is to see Coco Gauff. Now, my mom wants to come and she just wants to get a Grounds ticket. I have booked for 2 people in the Chase Cardholders lounge, so I am thinking that if she gets tired, she can just go in there for the AC. Your thoughts on this? Will all tickets… Read more »
Hi Linda, definitely do not recommend making purchasing decisions around how individual players were scheduled last year — there is no correlation (see my FAQ #1 for details). If you really want to see Serena, I recommend waiting until the Day 1/2 schedule is released on Friday Aug 23 (or possibly 24th if they release it late). Yes, good to have Chase lounge backup to refresh. Any resale platform, including Stubhub, will indicate if e-ticket. The vast majority are, and I would not take a chance on anything other than those given proximity to the event. P.J.
PJ,
Yes, I am waiting until Friday Aug 23 or Aug 24 based on your excellent advice!!!
I will be sure to use the links on this website when buying a ticket.
The ticket is going to take a big dent in my wallet. Ouch.
Let’s hope the weather cooperates.
Hey Linda, super. Last year they released the schedule around 6pm on the Friday before the main tournament (which will be Aug 23). I started refreshing the schedule page as well as checking the official US Open app’s schedule page often starting around 4pm that afternoon and recommend you do the same if you can. And yes, I empathize about dropping a good chunk of change on the event… But this is my big splurge every year and it brings me so much joy – I’m sure you will have a great time! P.J.
Hey pJ. A quick question on the parking for the first week. I noticed that the Mets are playing their home games that week. What is the parking situation for citi field in this case? Thanks.
Hey Raul, yes they’re playing Tues-Thurs that first week, so no parking at Citi Field those dates. You’ll be directed to available spots at one of the other public parking lots on this map. There will be a lot of folks directing traffic. P.J.
PJ,
Do you have an idea where wheelchair/ADA parking spots will be based on those particular days, given that it won’t be the Mets parking lot?
Hey Tom, I’m sorry I don’t know – I’d recommend you try calling US Open Client Services at 718-760-6363 to see if they know or could find out for you. P.J.
Hi PJ, I will be up in NYC for a wedding during the second week of the Open. I’ve never had the chance to attend a Grand Slam, so I’m really excited for the opportunity. The only time I will be free to go during my trip is the night session on Wednesday, September 4th (Men’s and Women’s Quarterfinals). I really want to get Loge seats, but there are very few available under $500 and I can’t pay that much per ticket. I’m wondering if you think there’s a chance tickets will be cheaper if I wait until the absolute… Read more »
Hey Chris, yes if it were me I would absolutely wait until closer. I would start with the Ticketmaster main site and click detailed map view when the time comes to be able to get the best birdseye view of what’s available. There are almost always desperate last-minute sellers. The only caveat: if we determine that Federer might play on that day (which you’ll know if he’s first scheduled on Day 2), then prices will likely remain high on speculation he makes it through and is scheduled for that evening session (they are much much more likely to schedule Fed… Read more »
Thanks for the helpful tips! I’d love to see Fed play in person, but my wallet hopes he plays Day 1 so ticket prices will go down. I think I will follow your advice and sit tight for now and wait until the tournament starts before buying tickets. I’ll probably end up waiting until the day of to buy them since that will probably guarantee I get the best deal regardless of where we end up sitting. Is it worth it to keep a look-out for BOGO deals or any other promotions in the next couple of weeks? Do any… Read more »
Hey Chris, sounds like a good plan. No, haven’t seen any such deals for QF night sessions (most BOGO deals are for nosebleed upper Promenade seats). I’ll keep fingers crossed it works out for you! P.J.
Hi Mark, you’re welcome! I wouldn’t recommend it – there are indeed standard (face value) tickets still available on Ticketmaster. Click Day 7, then look for “Sun Sep 01 11:00 AM Billie Jean King National Tennis Center”, click Find Tickets, and choose the Standard Ticket option for $110. Also strongly urge you to consider paying about another $60 each to reserved seats in Ashe or Grandstand (Armstrong right now significantly more expensive). With Ashe, you’ll have rain insurance because of the roof and at least the option to go in if someone you’re wild about is playing; with Grandstand, you… Read more »
Hi PJ. I was fortunate enough to receive 2 tickets to a day that I can’t attend. They are great seats (113 row F) in Arthur Ashe on Sunday 9/1 day session. The person who gave them to me suggested I sell them to purchase 1 ticket on the day I can attend earlier in the week. Do you have any suggestions where/how I should attempt this? The tickets are labeled $245/ea and I really don’t want to make a profit. I’d like to make enough to buy 1 ticket for myself. So I guess I’m saying that I’m willing… Read more »
Hey Jenna, great news: yes, it’s easy to post tickets for resale, and that session is one of the best in the tournament to try to resell tickets for, because demand is usually so high. If you go to Ticketmaster and click on Day 7 and that Ashe session, then click on section 113 on the actual seat map, it will expand to show you individual dots for each seat. You’ll see that currently there are two tickets up for resale on Ticketmaster Exchange for $355 each in that same section and row, and that there are two standard (blue… Read more »
Hi PJ!
thank you very much for the amazing website.
I am planning on going to new York with my daughter on monday and leave on saturday the first week.
we were thinking about buying courtside tickets. Can you please recommend what two days would be the best to go and if we should buy daytime tickets or evening tickets. I am not sure if we should buy tickets for Ashe stadium or Armstrong .
thank you very much,
julia
Hi Julia, your timing is great — there are some fantastic standard Courtside seats that just got released today (some new, some were formerly being sold as VIP Premium offerings and they switched to standard. I would highly recommend applying your budget to the following two sessions to get the best bang for your buck: (1) Tues DAY Ashe Courtside – look for blue dots on Ticketmaster seat map for that section in Ticketmaster, esp section 45. Incredible first-row seats at face-value price in corner section above where players come in and out. (2) Wednesday night Ashe Courtside: Same as… Read more »
Hi PJ,
I really appreciate your help,
so far I bought tickets at Ashe for Tuesday day session and Wednesday night session. Still looking for Wednesday day session 🙂
thanks to you I got tickets in section 45 for Tuesday and in section 62 for Wednesday.
thanks again,
Julia
Great to hear it, Julia!
PJ,
Have you heard of any US Open promotional events in the city in the weeks preceding the tournament? I seem to recall an event at the Hyatt Grand Central in previous years in the weeks leading up to the Championship.
Thanks!
Hey Tom, haven’t yet— there always are some… Keep an eye on the Fan Week page for updates. PJ
Thank you so much for the wealth of information you’ve provided on this site! It has been a wonderful resource. I am currently looking at ashe loge seats in section 134 row A (seats 5-6) v section 135 row A (seats 10-11). I know you’ve said to prioritize obtaining a row as low as possible. In the off-chance you happen to see this, which of these sections/seats would you recommend? Or to ask the question differently, is there anything odd about the seating arrangement/view in 134 that I should know about? Thanks so much for all of your guidance.
Hi Seeta, so gratifying to hear, thank you! Either of those would be excellent and no red flags at all about 134— I’d go for whichever is cheaper :). P.J.
Awesome, thanks so much PJ!! 🙂
Hey Mark, yes unfortunately evening session tickets only enable entry to grounds at 6pm. Any Day session ticket enables entry at 930am (or 11 finals weekend). See my Box 1 above for a detailed overview of each type of ticket. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news! P.J.
Hey PJ, This page has been invaluable! I moved up to NJ a couple years ago after graduating college, and my younger brother is coming up for the US Open this year. This will be the first time either of us have attended a tournament. He is a Nadal super fan, so our top priority is seeing Rafa play and practice. I know it is impossible to predict exactly when he will be scheduled, but I was hoping to get your opinion on my strategy. My younger brother will be here 8/29 – 9/1. I have already purchased Arthur Ashe… Read more »
Hey Carissa, wonderful to hear it’s been helpful! The good news is he will absolutely play on one of those two days (assuming he wins in first 2 rounds) based on the day’s you’ve chosen. But the bad news is there’s no way to predict whether he’ll be scheduled day or night. I’d recommend checking the Day 1 schedule when it comes out to determine whether Rafa will play on the M/W/F pattern or the Tue/Thu/Sat that first week (see my FAQ #2 above for more details). Based on that, you can then purchase tickets for the other session on… Read more »
Hi PJ! It’s Debi again. I found some tickets for tue 3rd in section 335 J for 43.00. I know that’s pretty high up. :/. But affordable and gets me into Ash for the day and we can move around to practice courts and the other courts throughout the day. Was wondering if you were able to find any better tickets? Should I wait? I did find some also in the 300 section in D etc.. for around $50-60. I don’t think I’ll be able to get into lodge so I’ll end up in the 300 section for the price… Read more »
Hi Debi! Not a bother at all. I would definitely push your budget for one of the standard tickets for that session priced at $65 that are in lower rows – makes a huge difference in Promenade, which is already so high up and on a very steep incline. You certainly may have the option of moving down that day, but it’s always more comfortable to actually own your own seats and not count on that strategy. That particular session (Tues DAY of quarterfinals) is always one of the easiest to get seats for, so I wouldn’t feel pressured to… Read more »
Thanks again!! Maybe I should come Sunday instead? We will be in New your sat-tue. I already have evening tickets for Monday the 2nd. Which session do you think would be best for day tickets?
Thanks again!! I do appreciate it!
Debi
Hey Debi, Tough call. Tues 3rd is a great day for Ashe because it’s quarterfinals and prices are often less for that particular session than other during Labor Day weekend (juts because so many tourists are in town demanding tix). Sunday there will be more options for you to see on Louis Armstrong and Grandstand — however crowds will be intense that day (Mon Labor Day too). Saturday is also super busy but even more happening on outer courts because it’s 3D round. I would look carefully at last year’s schedule for the days you are considering to get a… Read more »
Thanks again!! Appreciate the info… So after looking at the schedule for day 8 & 9 I see what you mean! It looks like the evening matches at ash on tue day 9 will be better matches than any day matches! So one more question! So you think I should buy the evening ash for tue instead of the day? I won’t be able to go into the ash stadium on tue evening without a tackier… so even if I buy a day ticket for tue I will miss the big singles matches in the e ending in ash it… Read more »
Hey Debi, my pleasure. So with QF matches, it definitely has been a historical trends that they put the biggest names on at night. This is NOT the case earlier in the tournament, which I constantly warn people about (they really mix it up until QF)… But that Tues and Wed of QF, there has been a very strong tendency to put the biggest stars at night. So while never guaranteed, it’s much more likely you’d see a Federer/Nadal/Nole/Serena at night during QF. And if that’s important, then yes I’d recommend going for the Tues evening session (the downside being… Read more »
Hey PJ – I signed up for the chase lounge today (first day open) – and still got waitlisted. Do you know the chances I’ll get off the waitlist or any way to jump the line? Thanks!
Hey Julie, I’m a Chase customer myself but in all these years actually have never once signed up, so I’m not sure – sorry! I have a suspicion that if you got on the waitlist today (first day open) you’ll have no problem getting in because you’re so high up on the list, but that’s just a hunch. If you think of it, please let me know how it works out so I can be better informed if someone asks in the future! Thanks, P.J.
Hi PJ, I have a bit of an odd question for you. We’re planning on going to the US Open on 9/1 and 9/2. When I look up the schedule it looks like these two days are the round of 16? When I mentioned this to my 17 year old son, he said he didn’t think they’d play on Sunday because typically Grand Slams don’t play on Sundays? Do you know anything about this? Thank you so much! I’ve been reading your blog for years getting tips. 🙂
Hi Rochelle, yes indeed they do play Sun at US Open (not at Wimbledon). You can see detailed schedule in my Box 1 above. The Sun and Mon of Labor Day weekend are round of 16. The following Sun is Men’s Final. P.J.
Hi PJ, thanks for creating this website! I am planning to go this year and treat my dad for his birthday who is a huge tennis fan. but I only have the budget for one day. Last year we got an evening ticket on the first Friday for Ashe so we’ve experienced that. Mind you it was one of those far high back tickets. Which one do you think is better, a day ticket on Friday the 30th (or possibly Monday the 26th) and get a ticket in the 100’s sections of Ashe, or a day ticket on Saturday the… Read more »
Hey Alejandra, my pleasure! Tough call. Any chance you could go on Sunday 9/2 instead? If so, I’d probably recommend Armstrong Courtside for that day: it’s Round of 16 so competitive matches, plus it’s the day that Armstrong stops having separate evening sessions, so you would get to see 4 matches (2 men’s singles, 1 women’s singles, and 1 men’s doubles) which means great bang for the buck, and Courtside seats would give him a much different experience than last year when you sat way back. (The Saturday Armstrong Day session, 3rd round, will feature 2 women’s matches and 1… Read more »
Wow that was super quick, very very much appreciated. thanks!!
PJ, Have you heard anything about them changing the schedule a bit from last year, such as placing 2 men’s matches in Armstrong during day as opposed to 1 men’s and 2 women’s? And scheduling 2 women’s/1 men’s on Grandstand. In other words, the reverse of last year. I am just curious to hear your thoughts. Do we know for sure that they’ll follow the 2018 schedule? Being that I am a fan of men’s singles more, I’d rather sit in Grandstand and get 2 games of men’s (and 4/5 matches overall per day on Grandstand versus 3 matches during… Read more »
Hey Tom, I haven’t heard any rumors or seen anything written on that. I suspect they will not make the change because, with men playing best of 5 sets, the possibility of matches going too long and seating the start time for the separate evening session would likely be too high. Grandstand doesn’t have a separate evening session, hence the difference. I certainly will try to keep my ear to the ground and let you know and update my post if I hear anything along those lines. P.J.
Hi P.J,
At the moment most resale tickets are at higher prices than standard tickets on Ticket Master. Will that change closer to the day of play?
Thanks for your informative pages!
Lars
Hi Lars, thanks for your thanks! For many sessions it is indeed likely to be the case that some resale ticket prices will dip below the price of standard tickets. That’s there will be more competition among sellers in the weeks ahead as more sellers post their tickets, and several sellers will be desperate to lower prices to recoup at least some of their initial investment. It’s highly dependent on individual sessions – no way to predict what will happen across the board. However, when it happens, it’s usually in either Promenade (where there’s frequently a glut of unsold tickets… Read more »
Thanks for tips! By the way you have your acronym spell out reversed. It is Frequently Asked Question (FAQ).
The spell out first with the acronym in the enclosed parenthesis.
Caryn
Thanks, Caryn! Much appreciated, just fixed 🙂 P.J.
Just want to say I read your blog before every US Open! Some day I hope to be able to splurge on Ashe courtside seats but for now, just Grandstand. Thanks for the advice about checking out Grandstand reserve prices before buying Grounds Passes. I found a reserved seat for just $15 more than the Grounds Pass cost. Hoping it works out well!
Hey Carlie, I’m so happy to hear it, thanks for letting me know! Hope you have a great experience. P.J.
What sections/rows are the player boxes for their guests?
Hi Steve, last year (2018) they stuck to using sections 8-9 and 28-29 for players boxes – but in previous years they had used 62-63 too. I’ve never seen them use the NW corner (although FYI enter and exit the stadium from an entrance underneath that section). P.J.
Are there other non-US citizens who have problems with the payment by cheques for resold US Open tickets? For the third year in a row I bought a Championship Plan (all quarters, semis and finals). But I do not attend all sessions because I am only in NY for 6 days and want to see more than just the tennis. I managed to sell the tickets in 2017 and 2018, the system is great since it indicates the prices of the tickets around your seat so selling is easy if you ask a correct and realistic price. However, the payment… Read more »
Ugh, I am so sorry to hear about your troubles and completely understand the frustration. The situation is maddening and you are absolutely not the only one who’s experienced it (and no, it’s not your impeccable English!). I have heard from several other folks outside the US like yourself over the years who have been unable to resell tickets on Ticketmaster without a US bank account. Actually, I didn’t realize there was even an option to receive a bank check; until now, I had heard you couldn’t even proceed with posting tickets without a US bank account. I don’t understand… Read more »
Dear PJ, thank you for your reply. I have used StubHub (did not know them but found the mention of them on this website – thank you :-)) the first year I went to the US Open but that was to buy my tickets. At the US Open I learnt that I could subscribe to the Championship Plan which has the advantage of being a very good price for 8 sessions (quarters, semis and finals) and once you have bought it you get priority to buy the Plan the year after. So I now kind of have my fixed seat… Read more »
Thanks so much for the detailed context, really helpful. StubHub does allow the posting of electronic tickets — and I believe you would still just use the TM platform to transfer ownership following the sale. Please let me know if you have success. And agree entirely – TM needs to find a better solution! P.J.
You are able to post resale tickets on Stubhub, as well as other third-party resale websites like SeatGeek and TickPick. The way it works is you list your tickets, and when they sell, you log in to your TM website, and initiate the transfer there, by transferring and emailing the link to the tickets. Once that’s confirmed, you get your payment via the website you listed them on.
Hi P.J.- I cannot believe how comprehensive this site is. Amazing thank you so much! I am taking my bro for his birthday…we are planning to go to the day sessions Monday, Tuesday and possibly Wednesday of the first week. We have been to other tournaments, we both play, we are similar to your sensibilities…we rather see “up close and personal” than far back with a “top name”. First my question, how does it work with Grandstand seating (and Armstrong seating as well)? Since a grounds pass allows “first come first serve” with these venues…. how does that work with… Read more »
Hey Michael, you guys sound like fellow fans after my own heart! And thanks so much for your thanks 🙂 So very frustratingly, reserved seats in Armstrong and Grandstand are never made available to anyone besides the ticket holder, even if they never show up or went unsold. I know… It drives me insane to see them empty. It’s why I have the “Pay it Forward” box in my post, to try to encourage folks who leave them to hand their tickets to others if they leave. So yes, you only have access to the second-level general admission seats unless… Read more »
Hi P.J,
I wanted to know if there’s a way to upgrade my seats for Arthur Ashe day sessions? There’s not much information on the US Open website.
Thank you
Hi Abhi, yes indeed if there’s availability: you have to go in person to the box office at the US Open site on the same day as the session you’d like to upgrade (right by the East Gate entrance). They will give you upgrade options based on availability at that time. P.J.
Hi P. J.
Regarding the seating, which section(top one.. 300 series) would you suggest for the best experience in Arthur Ashe Stadium (planning to go for round 16)
Hi Cherry, my recommendation for 300-level Promenade seats is always to go with the lowest row you can afford regardless of section (but also keeping in mind my shade map/guidance above). You’re already so high up in those sections that you have a great birdseye view of the court – so you’ll want to sit as far down as possible. P.J.
Hi P.J. I´ve a couple more questions. Any tip for the practice day ?? ( I mean for Sunday 25) Any specific hour do you recommend to be in the US Open?? Like to reaaally make the most of the day. Does the ground admission ever sold out for the first Thursday of the tournament?? Because maybe I will buy one in the Box office of the US Open the Sunday before. I couldn´t solve the issue of selecting resale tickets in ticketmaster page yet, buy I realize of ticketExchangebyTicketmaster is another option. About that, how the process of buy… Read more »
Hey Guillermo, (1) For Sunday Aug 25, I would check the practice schedule the night before/ morning of to see which players are scheduled to practice when and build your plan around that. You don’t have to worry at all about lines to get in– but I’d recommend arriving at the specific practice court where someone you want to see practice is scheduled about an hour before (just to be on the safe side… You probably will be able to get a seat just before the time of scheduled practice, as crowds are remarkably light the entire week– but better… Read more »
Hi PJ, so I am planning to travel to NY to watch Federer play this year. Is there any way to find out for sure which games/stadium he would be playing at? I’ve read FAQ#1. So is it safe to conclude that he will definitely be playing either on Day 1 or Day 2 for round one and my best bet is to keep checking the schedule before day 1&2? I really want to know because I have to book return flight tickets and I can’t stay after 29th August. P.S. I have never been to any tennis tournament, so… Read more »
Hey Rashmi, that’s correct. He will absolutely play either Day 1 or 2 (as long as he’s healthy!). And he will play on Ashe. But we won’t know which day — or whether he’s scheduled for a Day or Night session — until the Day 1 and 2 schedules are released, which will happen on either late afternoon/early evening Friday August 23 or Saturday August 24th. I would recommend waiting (if possible) until Friday August 23 and keep refreshing the daily schedule page until the Day 1 and schedules are announced-–then apply your maximum budget to the specific session Federer… Read more »
Hi PJ,
During qualifying week, do the top players like Federer, Djokovic, and Nadal typically practice every day? Do those three always practice in Armstrong as opposed to the regular practice courts? In other words, I’m curious as to their practice habits for that first week before the main tournament starts. Also, are all concessions and gift shops open that week just like during the main tournament? Thanks so much!
Hey Scott, the big names don’t all practice on the grounds each day. Some days they will practice privately off-site. But usually each day you can catch at least one of those three along with many other greats. Best bet is to check the practice schedule night before/morning of… Concession stands and shops are selectively open that week. Last year a large number of them were open all week as far as I can remember. PJ
Hi P.J., Not only will I be attending for the first time, I’m bringing my tennis loving parents as well. We are planning to go all-day Friday the 30th. Like everyone else, we want the best bang-for-the-buck. So given we’ll only be there for a day, what would be your move here? Ashe Day pass in section 126 or Armstrong Day pass section 7? They are comparably priced and both give us the opportunity to attend some evening matches; but didn’t know if being close in Armstrong was superior to 100-level in Ashe. Also, if there is anything else specific… Read more »
Hey Tim, it’s a tough call without knowing your parents. Yes, sitting in Armstrong 7 will give you an entirely different, up-close perspective that is really special. And for anyone who has experienced Ashe at least once and wants to see some great players up close, I’d probably opt for that. But given that it’s your first time, and your parents would be almost certainly be super excited to see some of the sport’s biggest stars, then Ashe would be my top recommendation. Then you can meander over to other outer courts as you like to get the experience of… Read more »
Thanks P.J.,
As for my parents, they’re just happy to be there (this is a bucket list trip for them) but the appeal of seeing top talent will be high.
What are our chances of seeing a top-20 player during the day at Armstrong?
Thanks again,
Tim
Hey Tim, chances are near-certain you’ll see a top 20 player at Armstrong — just not Fed, Nadal, or Novak. See last year’s 2018 daily schedule for that day to get a sense of what you’d see. On Friday last year (Day session), you would have seen Kevin Anderson v Shapovalov plus women’s matches including Svitolina. They put Raonic v Wawrinka on that evening and Pliskova v Kenin (I was actually actually there for that session). In contrast, they had Nadal and Sloane Stephens playing on Ashe that Friday Day. My gut still leans towards recommending you take them to… Read more »
Hi there! First and foremost, thank you so much for this site!! SO helpful. Can I ask though, how does one gain entry into the grounds for Day 19-14? I know that general grounds admission is only sold for the first 8 days. Can you ONLY get in past then with an Arthur Ashe ticket? Thank you!!
Hi Kelly, you’re most welcome! Not sure what you man by “Day 19-14”; do you mean 9/4 (Sep 4)? After grounds admission tickets stop being sold, yes, you need an Ashe ticket to enter the grounds (or could be for Armstrong for Tues Sep 3, the last day they sell tickets for Armstrong). The exception is Thursday Sep 5 community day, which is free to everyone. PJ
I’m so sorry – I meant days 9-14!! ** (the 3rd-8th of September). So we’d need Arthur Ashe tickets if we want to get onto the grounds just to watch, for example, on the big screen? Also, are there any other locations throughout New York that you can watch from – not bars, but for example is the US Open ever screened in a park? Thank you SO much!!
Hey Kelly, no worries! Yes, you always need some kind of ticket to enter the grounds except for Thursday Sep 5 community day, which is free to everyone. The finals weekend they usually end up offering really cheap grounds admission tickets on Ticketmaster for the finals weekend for around $25 (check that week, there are always plenty). They used to show the Open on a big screen at Madison Square Park, but sadly stopped that a few years ago :(. P.J.
Kelly, just found out the following for big-screen viewing options via this NYT article:
“…can take the 7 train all the way to its last stop in Hudson Yards, where matches will be broadcast on large screens in a beer garden at the Crowne Plaza HY36 (320 W 36th Street).”
“At the Kimpton Hotel Eventi (851 Sixth Avenue, between 29th and 30th Streets), there is a plaza with a 30-foot screen on the side of a building. Known as the Big Screen Plaza, it too will be showing the matches.”
Hi PJ,
great website-very informative for newbies like me!
My question is for the free access community day on Sept 5? Do we have to register for this free access? If not, does it fill up quickly from 12pm opening time?
Many thanks
Barry
Hi Barry, thanks! No pre-registration necessary, and it’s usually not crowded. It’s a great day to go out there! P.J.
Thanks PJ for the quick response- enjoy the tournament!
Hi PJ! First of all I wanna thank you for this amazing website with a lot of valuable information!! This year will be my first attending to the US Open. I am from Argentina and I ´m super excited. Learned a lot thanks to you. I have a problem now. I already bought 7 tickets in total. 1 of them I have just transfered to my mum (who is coming with me), but when I enter the ticketmaster website to buy another ticket, it tells me “Opps there is no tickets available” and I can only choose official tickets (no… Read more »
Hi Guillermo, so sorry to hear about the challenges! I do know there’s an 8 ticket limit per session, but sounds like that may not be the issue for you. Apart from that I am stumped, so I’d suggest you contact Ticketmaster customer support directly. SOrry I can’t be of more help! PJ
Which lodge sections offer the best views that are closest to restrooms at the Ashe Stadium during the night session?
Hi there, my FAQ #7 above gives my perspective on what has the “best view.” For Loge, I generally recommend choosing seats based on the lowest rows you can find versus location, as it’s already quite high up. There are many restrooms scattered across the stadium, so never a long walk – I don’t know specifically which sections they’re closest to, sorrY! PJ
Is it cheaper to buy tickets at the box office the day before the session rather than buying the tickets online?
Hi Jeremy, a few things to note about the main box office on site by the East Gate. First, they only sell standard tickets (i.e., no resale tickets) based on availability; these are the tickets that appear as blue dots on detailed seat maps on Ticketmaster. If they are available, the prices are the same as what you see on Ticketmaster, but they waive the service fee. P.J.
Will the tickets get cheaper when the tournament is a few days away?
Hi Jeremy, unfortunately there’s no way to predict. Last year some sessions’ average prices fell in the days prior t the tournament beginning, other sessions’ average prices went up. As I mentioned in FAQ #3, prices can also be highly volatile once the tournament begins depending on who is scheduled to play or who is expected/predicted to play on certain days/sessions. It’s like the stock market: you can only make educated guesses, never with 100% certainty. P.J.
How much is the service fee?
I believe it ends up being about 2% on standard tickets including Grounds Passes. P.J.
Good day! My dad is a huuuge tennis fan, he has watched and still watches every game for so so many years now, he used to play tennis too but he just watched all the games in our tv. He is 65 years old and has been a fan ever since and his dream is to go and watch the US open live. He is so passionate for the game and the biggest tennis fan i have ever met. For the first time he is coming to new york only for the last week of the US open and i… Read more »
Hi Inah, how wonderful you’re taking your dad – he will be thrilled! The second week of the Open is tough from a price standpoint, as everything gets more expensive as the tournament progresses. One of the best sessions to get good deals on that week is Labor Day (Monday) evening during Round of 16- prices tend to be lower that night because many tourists have left town. In addition, the following day’s DAY session (Tues Sep 3), which is quarterfinals, also tends to be a great bargain relative to all other quarterfinal sessions. I’d look into tickets for Ashe… Read more »
Hi PJ, it is me again. Your site is just so helpful I keep coming back! It looks like you made some aesthetic changes and it looks awesome. (My job is maintaining a website so I know a good website from a bad one, and yours is super user-friendly!) Two questions for ya today. When you talk about corner loge seats, do you mean one specific section or the 4 adjacent sections that form a corner? For example, Loge 122-125. I am looking at corner seats only (avoiding the sunny ones – your Ashe shade map is UNBELIEVABLE !!! Thank… Read more »
Hey Courtney, thanks so much! So reassuring you like the changes. The post has gotten so long over the years and I keep trying to find new ways to make it more navigable and clear, but always have doubts. Appreciate the feedback! Yes, for corners I mean all those sections… Also, to clarify on my preferences, when it comes to Loge I generally recommend folks find the lowest row possible (in more shaded section if Day) regardless of the section, as Loge is already high enough that the perspective is less important than for Courtside. (For Courtside Ashe or Armstrong… Read more »
Thanks again as always!! Especially clarifying the corner sections. So with your advice of seating, shade, prices, all that good self, I went ahead and bought Day 1 morning and Day 2 morning. Specifically in the shade! Last year was brutally hot. Your Shade map is a godsend. Thank you! I think though I didn’t read your advice as closely as I thought. So for us Loge-goers, “behind the server” isn’t necessarily a better view than other sections in Loge? Now I see you wrote that it’s a preferred choice for courtside. But for Loge what really matters is lowest… Read more »
Hey Courtney, thanks again for all the kind words!! 1. 118A will be awesome. And no, you didn’t mess up in the least by going for 102K – that will be a very good vantage point as well. And yes, particularly on those first two days (and if by yourself), you have an excellent chance of being able to move down within your section to an open seat. (I always feel responsibility to reiterate when mentioning this possibility that anyone sneaking down to an open seat should always be ready to move on a dime if the ticketholder does show… Read more »
PJ, It’s time to bid you farewell. I have made all my purchases for AM/PM for Day 1+ Day 2. I already bought a lower promenade for Semis so I am all set and won’t be bugging you for advice and reassurance. (you must be thinking ‘phew’!) I COULD NOT HAVE DONE THIS WITHOUT YOU. I feel good about my choices and your expertise and advice played a big part in that. And I totally appreciate you reiterating to me or anyone else that if you do move to an empty seat, get ready to move asap. I am always… Read more »
What is the best side of the stadium to see the band on the first night? Can you tell me te side the stage is on is it section 301 meaning we should get seats on the opposite side? Please let me know. Thanks you so much for all the tips you have given.
Hi Cecilia, really anywhere except sections in the North side of the stadium. They usually set up with their backs to North (see e.g sections 30-41) and facing the South. But usually the artists move around a lot to play to everyone. P.J.
Hi PJ, thanks for all this information, very helpful. I had questions regarding the practice session on Sunday, August 25 (day before the first day). The US open isn’t advertising this day as a practice session day on their fan week website, https://www.usopen.org/en_US/about/us_open_fan_week.html.
So I was wondering if anything has changed for 2019, or is it still expected to be free and open to the public to watch the players practice (and just a “best-kept secret” like you noted)? And if so, will they still provide practice schedules on the website/app the night before or morning of for this day?
Hey Zohaib, my pleasure. Great question. Last year there definitely were scheduled practices that Sunday — and it definitely will be free to enter the grounds on that day this year. However, the safest thing would be to check the practice schedule page (also on the app) the day before (or same morning) to be 100% sure. ** Update: I just checked the official poster (see the image I’ve embedded in Tip #10) and it says “Featured Practices with Top Tennis Stars Aug 20-25”– so looks like even though not on the website, we can almost certainly count on practices… Read more »
On Sun Aug 25 are food and retail vendors open for fans? Awesome site, our 3rd yr in a row visiting USO and your site – it’s an excellent resource!
Hey Francine, thank you so much! A large number of them will indeed be open that Sunday, and throughout the previous week during the qualifying tournament. P.J.
Ok thank you PJ!! 🙂 that’s ok. I’m happy I got the evening ticket for that price!! Do you recommend a day ticket for the 9/3 date? I mean location wise in the Ash stadium. I want to keep the price as low as possible since I’ve already gotten the evening ones.
Thanks again!! I super appreciate all of your help!! I am so nervous about this and confused too! :/
Debi.
Hey Debi, my pleasure! I will actually be in Ashe for that same session :). Let me keep an eye on tickets over the next week or so for that Day session – right now they are pretty high… You will get to see two great matches that evening (with men’s being best of 5, so could be quite long). Sometimes less is more, especially when on a budget. You will really appreciate every minute. I’ll loop back with a rec if I see something that might appeal… Feel free to ping me back in about a week if you… Read more »
Hi Pj, wow amazing information. Ive been looking for info about us open ticket and yours is very detailed. Its my first time to visit NY and watch this August and Id really want to see Rafa play, but the draw is not yet out so im not sure which session/ticket to buy. I plan to buy day and eve session for Aug26 and 27..do tickets sell out? Can i still buy online after they release the draw and order of play? Thanks much
Hi Len, thanks and great to hear it! Yes, there are always tickets on the resale market (and even occasional standard tickets) available for every session– even the same day of the session. Given that you’re targeting Rafa, I would recommend waiting (if possible) until Friday August 23 (note: last year it was released late Friday afternoon, in previous years it was Saturday…) and keep refreshing the daily schedule page until the Day 1 and schedules are announced–then apply your maximum budget to the specific session that Rafa will play in (and any other session(s) you care about). The good… Read more »
Thank you so much! Was thinking of cheaper tickets for 2 days session..Ill just wait, so i can see Rafa up close..:) thank you so much for response..very helpful!
Len, my pleasure! PJ
Hi Pj, it me again.. Draw is outbut sched of play still TBA, Rafa will play on the 26th, do you think he will play in the AM session? Or I just still wait for the sched?
Hi Len, unfortunately we have to wait until tomorrow and keep refreshing the schedule page until they release the Day 1 schedule (and possibly Day 2) to know which half of the draw will play on which days. We cannot predict at this time that Rafa will play on the 26th. See my explanation under FAQ#1 above as to why and how it all works. P.J.
Thanks PJ, you’re really a great help for first timers like me. I’ll patiently wait today..
My pleasure, Len. FYI – they won’t release the schedule for Day 1 (and possibly day 2) until after the final qualifying match concludes today… I’ll be checking and will send an email to subscribers as soon as I can after it’s out and will also update my FAQ #1 above with a chart outlining how schedule affects key players. P.J.
Hi Pj, thanks much. Sched is out and he is 2nd day. 2th night session?
Hey Len, sure thing! Yes indeed – I’ve updated my FAQ #1 above to include a chart that outlines which days Top 20 seeds will play. That will be an exciting match (remember Millman took out Fed last year). P.J.
ticket booked! Thank you so much Pj! What would I do w/o u!! I’ll end up spending so much! ? And after 11years I’ll be able to watch Rafa! I’m so happy! Again! I really appreciate!
Awesome, Len!! So happy to hear it. Have a great time!!
Hi Pj, this is it!and I’m so excited?thanks again.. plan to watch Dom Tiem practice at Arthur Ashe 1030am then Ms Osaka game at 12pm then I’ll watch Rafa practice at 3pm also.. ? Is that possible? Then the big game at 7pm?
Nice!! You’re so welcome. You should be able to see Rafa’s practice, though probably standing since Nole is practicing just prior – so just head over right after the Osaka match concludes! P.J.
Hi again!! So I ended up buying those evening tickets on sept 2 for 140.00 ea in ash. Now I’m realizing I cannot enter until 6 pm and won’t be able to see any other practices or games on other courts? Is that correct? If so in order to enter during the day I will have to buy another ticket?
Thanks
Debi
Hi Debi! That is correct. See Box #1 above for all the details on what each specific ticket type allows and entry times. P.J.
I am enjoying planning our trip with all this super help. Is an iPad considered a laptop? I have everything loaded, bookmarked and it is my control panel for every detail.
Hey Ann, so glad it’s been helpful! You can take an iPad in with you, no problem. P.J.
Wow! Lots of amazing information – makes me even more excited to go! We have one day (either aug 30 (Friday) or 31 (Saturday) to spend there. Husband and three of our tennis loving kids. We were thinking Day session Arthur Ashe but do you recommend something different? Also, I feel like you need some sort of payment for all this amazing info!!!! Wine? Tennis balls? Thanks in advance
Hey Rebecca, thank you! I would strongly recommend Friday Day over Saturday for a number of reasons: – They are both 3d round, so quality of matches will be the same – Friday is busy but nowhere near as crazy as Saturday, so you’ll have an easier time accessing general admission seating at any non-Ashe court, day or night – Friday is much less expensive on average, simply a function of demand (more vacationing tourists in town demanding more tickets for Sat-Mon Labor Day weekend) And yes, I would recommend Ashe Day session: – There will no doubt be a… Read more »
HI PJ, Couple more questions: I have not yet got the tickets for Semi final as I am holding on to the last minute . How much do you expect the price to be for a decent loge. I see now they are at 700 but the Row N. Do you think I will get a better deal for better seat. I am skipping the labour day weekend completely due to my travel plans. Having attended the wimbledon matches, including debuntures, I strongly feel US open is so expensive. But I am equally excited, especially after reading your post. I… Read more »
Hey Praveen, Men’s Semis are generally even tougher than Men’s Finals– because people expect at least one superstar to make it through, so prices tend not to move too much unless there are major upsets. US Open has continued to raise the price of the standard face-value, such that (as you observe) even the worst Loge seats are $700-800. My experience has been that what you see now is close to what will be the average prices until there’s more clarity DURING the tournament about who will make it through. If Federer plays well and keeps advancing, prices will likely… Read more »
I am excited to part of this page actually :). Thank you for connecting all of us PJ. Thank you for your suggestion. I have now put my L row seat in ticket master resale. It was difficult without a US account but managed to get from my relative. I will keep the 4th row for myself.
I will wait for the event to get closer and buy the semi final then if it is affordable. I am sure I will enjoy the experience as I am attending the finals, quarters and first two rounds.
Hi P.J.! Thanks for all your hard work on this site, yet again! I use it every year 🙂 I have two questions. I’m going to treat myself to court side tickets in Ashe this year, most likely on Labor Day. I’ve noticed that there is a section selling 6 seats (3 in front, 3 in back). If I buy two of them the site says, “*You’ll get 2 seats together between 1-6. See exact seat numbers after purchase.” Do you think this means that I will definitely not get assigned one seat in each row? Also, do you think… Read more »
Hey Caitlin! Great to hear from you and so glad it continues to be helpful!! My top recommendation is for you to click on the seat map on Ticketmaster rather than to look at the ticket list. Once you click the seat map, you’ll see the individual dots for each seat and know EXACTLY which seats you are purchasing. For Labor Day, are you going for Day or Evening? Day is more expensive (simply for the reason that more people are around, nothing to do with quality of the matches). Regardless, be sure to look for blue-dot face-value seats on… Read more »
Hi P.J. Thanks for the response. I definitely use the seat map, but the seller doesn’t let me pick the 2 seats. They have 6 tickets (3 seats, two rows, right in front/back of each other). They just say that I’ll see exact seat numbers after I purchase them. I haven’t had time to look lately, but will keep my eye out for newly released seats. In your opinion, would you pay an extra $200 to sit in Row F instead of the last row? I’m guessing it won’t make much of a difference? I’m going to go at night… Read more »
Hey Caitlin, Sure thing! In that case I’d assume they will give you the second of the two rows and probably not the aisle seat…
The difference between F and last row of Loge is significant, but for most people not worth $200 more. Row A or B, yes, but not Row F.
No worries about sun at all for night sessions.
P.J.
Hi! SO appreciative of all your work! It’s helped us for a few years now.
If we buy grounds tickets and later want to get a ticket in Ashe, can we just pay the additional or would it be a whole new ticket?
Hi Amy, so appreciative of you saying that! 🙂 It would unfortunately be a whole new ticket – which is why I generally urge people to just go for an Ashe seat (for many many sessions you can obtain for same or less than a Grounds Admission ticket, albeit usually in Upper Promenade). P.J.
First time US open attendee… taking my daughter who loves tennis!! On a budget however! Can only spend like up to 150.00 per ticket. Her birthday is sept 3 so we’ll be going that day. Which should I buy tickets for Ash or Armstrong? There will be 3 of us. So we need 3 tickets. We will be in New York from sept 2-6. If another day would be a better day to attend we could change the date too. It’s a surprise for her. I could choose any of those days to attend. Thanks so much for writing this… Read more »
Hi Debi, your daughter will be thrilled and grateful! Sep 3 DAY session is actually a great day to go, because (1) it’s Quarterfinals so very exciting and (2) the ticket prices for Tues DAY QF are always super low compared to any other QF session. Take a look at Ticketmaster section 136 row L standard (face-value) seats for $195 – above your budget, but an outstanding deal and also in a shade-protected part of Ashe (these are the kind of face-value seats that randomly pop up throughout summer, and just did). Alternatively, you could go the night prior (Round… Read more »
Hello PJ, Love all of the information provided it’s been really helpful. I’m going solo and it will be my first time to the Open. Really want to see a certain player that’s why I am attending the first round as my first venture. Do you think it wise to buy for both days Mon. & Tues. Day/night sessions in Ashe as this is really the only way to guarantee to see the player. Looking at Loge sections for both days, would love courtside but not in the budget this year. Since it is my first time I would like… Read more »
Hola César, me alegra que la información sea util! If targeting a specific player is important, I would recommend waiting (if possible) until Friday August 23 (note: last year it was released late Friday afternoon, in previous years it was Saturday…) and keep refreshing the daily schedule page until the Day 1 and schedules are announced–then apply your maximum budget to the specific session your player will play in (plus one other if you want a Day and Night experience), rather than spreading your budget over four sessions and settling for lesser seats. The good news is that prices are… Read more »
Cesar, I have the exact same situation! Going solo, can’t afford courtside, really want to see Federer. I don’t have the tolerance for the uncertainty of waiting till they announce the schedule. So I am starting to buy my single tickets for Day 1 (am/pm) and Day 2 (am/pm). I figure if I buy all 4 sessions now I will definitely see Federer and then decide if I want to try to resell my other 3 tickets (probably at a loss) OR enjoy my Ashe tickets and stay Ashe for matches I want to see, and then walk around to… Read more »
Thank you so much for your detailed post and also continuous support to all the tennis fans . I am attending this year US open , first and second week excluding the labor day weekend . I got my tickets through ticket master including the finals but unfortunately I will not be able to attend. I would no go for the Semi and Women Final instead of Men Finals. However I do not have an US bank account and in this how can I put my tickets to resale in ticket master?. It specifically ask for the US bank account.… Read more »
Hey Praveen, you are so welcome, and thank you for your thanks! I’m so sorry about the Ticketmaster resale dilemma for those without US bank accounts – it is a real frustration for so many fans. Have you looked into posting the tickets on StubHub? I’m pretty sure (but not 100%) they don’t have the same restriction. Please let me know if you have success so I can advise others with the same dilemma. The crucial difference between Ashe and many other stadiums is that there are two levels of luxury suites between the courtside bowl and the Loge level… Read more »
No one will say the emperor has no clothes (though John McEnroe certainly used to say it in the early years until they shut him down). Anything above the corp. suites (all three digit numbered tickets) are simply bad seats for watching tennis including the entire loge. Yes, relative to the promenade seats which are atrocious the lodge is a dream but that does not mean they are good seats. And charging a fortune doesn’t magically turn them into good seats. They wanted two levels of corporate suites and that pushed probably 80% of all seats in Ashe way too… Read more »
Thanks PJ, I managed to get an account of my Brother who is in US. I also figured out stubhub accepts PayPal account as a mode of payment . However I have currently listed them in ticket master. The ticket is for the Men’s final and I hope it shouldn’t be a problem to sell it through them. But the service charge incurred to the buyer and seller is fairly high. I wonder why people have not figured other way around instead of selling tickets through stubhub/ ticket master exchange .It is fairly simple to transfer mobile ticket over email… Read more »
Hey Praveen, that’s fantastic (and helpful to know about Stubhub, thanks) You should have no problem selling (be patient, a lot of people end up buying closer). Yes, the service charges are very high across all platforms. The main reason why they are so high– and why people use them versus informal means– is because of (1) the service they provide to sellers to make it super easy to post tickets for resale and then handle all transactions afterwards; and (2) the protections for buyers that are built into the resale platforms. The major, trusted platforms (Ticketmaster, Stubhub, etc) all… Read more »
Hi PJ — Thanks for this updated blog and great tips year after year! Unless I missed it somewhere above, I’d like to point out that since Mercedes-Benz is a sponsor of the US Open, you will get complimentary parking in the US Open parking lot proper if you drive your Mercedes to the Open.
Thanks so much, Priscilla! I meant to include this last year and forgot… thanks to your reminder I will edit post now. P.J.
Great, PJ. Glad to be of a little help when you’ve helped us with so much for so many years!!!! Best, Priscilla
Hi PJ- A+++ job on this website. You have anticipated every question one could possibly have! I am taking my husband to the US Open on 8/30 for his bday—both of us have never been and have always wanted to go. I have spent hours looking at tickets and cross comparing them with your maps and info. I have narrowed it down to a few options and wondering which seat you would choose if you were in my shoes… Options: * Ashe tickets in sections 120 or 136 (row B, C) * Ashe tickets in sections 54 or 55 (row… Read more »
Hey Jillian, THANK YOU!! Means a lot 🙂 Apologies for the delayed reply, crazy week at work. Take a look at Ashe 45F – new standard seats just released in the front row. A big splurge but would be ah-ma-zing and way way way better than 120/136 rows B and C, which are fine, but huge difference in quality. (Yes, you do need a ticket to enter Ashe, no unreserved seating; and yes, you’ll see the biggest stars Ashe). Give a holler if you are weighing other options… P.J.
Thanks for the info PJ. So you would recommend those seats over the Armstrong ones too? (We would still be able to see games at Armstrong right?)
Hey Jillian, I would, especially given the date you’re going: the Friday before Labor Day weekend is busy but you should have no problem getting into Armstrong for general admission seating (there may be a wait, but not an interminable one) with your Ashe Day ticket if you like, including for evening matches, and there will be lots of action on outer courts worth exploring.. In addition, you will see serious starpower on Ashe that I’m sure your husband will appreciate for his birthday. And finally, if you do go for those courtside seats, the experience will be exceptional and… Read more »
Thanks so much for the thoughtful advice. I got the 45F seats!
That’s awesome, Jillian. You will LOVE that experience! Enjoy!! P.J.