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, can you actually confirm that gopros are not allowed on site? I’ve seen videos online taken on US open grounds by what appears to be a gopro or something similar
Hey Dave, GoPros (anything that is exclusively a video-recording device) are definitely NOT allowed. P.J.
If I have a day ticket, can I leave and reenter during the day session? (I’ll have an 8 year old with me who may benefit from a non tennis diversion at some point during the day.)
Hi Matt, yes you can – as long as you re-enter before 6pm. P.J.
Thank you for all the great tips! I went five years ago with some girlfriends and am taking my husband for round 3 this year. Your information helped me figure out how to make the most out of our day.
Ligaya, you’re so welcome – I’m thrilled this could be helpful. Have a great time! P.J.
Great information. Thank you. My family and I have been going to the free week for the past couple years. It’s a way for those on a budget to see live, quality tennis and the star players as they prepare for the tournament. Tickets to tournament matches are pretty pricey but now, thanks to your detailed information, I know how to go about trying to get the best seats for the lowest cost. Much appreciated. Hope it works out.
Hey Susan, I’m so glad to hear it, thank you very much for your thanks and for letting me know! P.J.
Thank you for always keeping this updated. I check it every single year without fail. 🙂
I do have a question the $25 General Admission tickets for finals weekend. What date do they go on sale? They are just on the ticketmaster website? Are they hard to get?
Hi Silpa, thanks so much!! They post exclusively on Ticketmaster and usually release after the tournament begins (sometimes during the second week); I expect them to do the same this year, but they never seem to put anything in writing that they’re doing it. Usually there are plenty and they don’t sell out. I’d recommend checking back on TM latter part of next week. P.J.
Great site! Thank you! One question that I did not see answered: I assume that when I look at the seat maps, south is down?
Hi Bill, thanks so much. Yes, that’s correct for the maps I have linked above! P.J.
Well, so I bought tickets I don’t need. Accidentally bought for the wrong day. I posted them on Ticketmaster for resale, but I’m very worried I won’t sell them at the very least for a fair price, or at all. Part of the problem is they are so much more money from the resale sites because of the fees. I’ve asked friends and family and no bites. Tickets are for 8/30 Arthur Ashe Day session, Section 134, Row H. Selling them for less than I paid and less than other seats in the section. I have no desire to make… Read more »
Hey Laura, that’s actually an excellent day to try to resell your tickets – there is heavy demand and will continue to be– and you have a great section that enjoys shade all day. I would try to stay patient – a lot of folks buy tickets next week and last-minute. Ticketmaster is definitely the most important to post on. If by Tuesday next week they haven’t sold, start lowering the price a little each day as Friday approaches. You might also post on Stubhub, which is probably the second-most visited resale site. Good luck! P.J.
Laura, I was able to sell a ticket on the TM Resale site. I set the price so that I would get back just about what I paid for it when I bought it from Ticketmaster.
I was surprised how quickly it sold because it was a $330 ticket! In Prime Promenade. (It’s men’s semi-finals, but it might be an unstellar session, who knows.)
Be patient. You never know.
Thank you!! Sure enough they sold! Must have helped to post here first:) Whew! Will be in the same seats the following evening. Hoping for a great match or 2!
YAY!! Fantastic news. Congrats, and enjoy!! P.J.
Fantastic site!! Thanks for curating it so well.
I didn’t see you recommend a subway / train from Grand Central Station. Any thoughts from that location?
Thanks!
Hey Mike, I need to fix that in my post (will do now!). Take the 7 train from Grand Central to Mets-Willets stop (about 30 min). P.J.
Wow. This is an amazing list of info. Thank you so much! I know you can bring an SLR but I was wondering if there were lens restrictions. I’m not going crazy. The one I plan to bring goes up to 200mm. Thank you!
Hi Ally, that should be fine – they have never published specific restrictions to my knowledge. A friend of mine has been taking hisCanon 7D SLR with a 200mm telephoto to the Open for years.The key is the size of the bag you’re carrying it in – make sure it abides by the size restrictions (12″x12″x16″). Enjoy! P.J.
Thank you so much! My bag is just a normal purse, so no worries there ?. Thank you again for all the info!
Hey man thank you for sharing this, so let me see if i understood this right, you can see Federer or Nadal practicing for free? You just have to check on the schedule the night before and head to the US?
Hey Segundo, yes that’s correct for all of this week (“Fan Week”) before the main tournament starts! If you sign up for the “Fan Pass,” you’ll be able to access the best seating for certain practices. The Fan Pass check-in is near the East Gate entrance on the left. P.J.
Fan Pass is actually on the LEFT side as you come in. I was incorrect in my earlier response.
THANKS!
PJ, I see that for yesterday and today, qualies started at 11 am and the matches go into the early evening (with the last match of the day on some courts not starting until 5:00 or 5:30). I see that for Wednesday, it’s the next round of qualies, and they are also starting at 11, but there are less matches scheduled per court, since obviously there are now half the number of competitors than for Monday’s session. So my question is about the qualies schedule for Friday, with Friday being the final round of the qualies. Will they also start… Read more »
Hey Tom, yes 11am start all days this for Qualies. Last year they had several final-round qualifying matches that were scheduled “no earlier than 2pm” or “no earlier than 3:30pm”, so I believe it will be similar this year (even though there are 5 days of qualies instead of just 4 as in previous years) and you should be able to catch plenty of action in the mid-afternoon on Friday! P.J.
Thank you for doing this! I re-check your list every year before we go! We always go the first Wed and Thur to get to see lots on the grounds plus doubles. Thank you again for putting this all together – a great reference.
Margot, thank you so much for letting me know – means a lot! Have a great time this year!! P.J.
Greetings and thank you SO much for sharing your knowledge; you and this site are the bombdiggity! Our time in NY is short and we’ve dedicated Monday (8/25) as our day @ the Open, our first time and a life-list item for me! I’ve read this page 100 times and true to form, I have a few questions please: – Sunday (8/24): As I understand it, scheduled practices end on Friday, with kid’s day on Saturday…is Sunday more of a ‘catch ’em if you can’ day then? With our limited time in the city, I’m debating whether visiting on Sunday… Read more »
Hey Wendy, you are the bomb for the kind and very funny comment, thank you!! (1) I’m pretty sure there will be some great practices to watch on Sunday and it will be relatively quiet (and good weather), making it a nice day to go. However, I didn’t take notes on who practiced last year on Sunday, and every year it’s up to the whims of different players. So I would definitely check the practice schedule Saturday to confirm and make sure it looks like it would be worth your while. (2) Sounds like a great plan! A few thoughts:… Read more »
Planning to take either Thursday or Friday day off next week to get some courtside seats. I noticed they tend to put the top players on at night as much as possible. Do you think there is any chance that there will be a top player (Nadal, Fed, Djokovic) on during the day sessions on Ashe?
Hi Kirsten, there will almost certainly be top players during those day sessions. There actually has not been any predictable pattern over the years for scheduling top players (day or night)– the only exception being quarterfinals (Tues/Wed second week), when it is fairly routine for them to put the bigger stars at night. See last year’s daily schedule as an example, and see my FAQ #1 for more context. P.J.
I ended up buying a courtside to the day and night session for this 3rd round Friday. My plan (happy to hear thoughts) is to either keep 1 or both tickets (I’d like to see Djokovic and/or Nadal again) and sell the ticket for the session Roger is playing (if he’s playing Friday). If he ends up playing Saturday, that means Nadal will be on Friday so I win – then I’ll probably take a bit of a loss on the other 3rd round match. If Djokovic and Federer are playing on Friday, I will sell one or both, and… Read more »
Brilliant! Sounds like a well thought out strategy. Let me know how it goes! PJ
Hi,
Kudos to you on the best US Open guide. It’s gonna be another hot one today. Day 2 qualies are beckoning me. I’ll need shade. Aside from the “show” courts, I don’t recall which outside courts have any shaded seats or benches since they’re exposed without a roof. Any tips regarding this? On behalf of your readership…THANK YOU!
Stan
Flushing, New York
Hey Stan, THANK YOU for a comment that made my day! I’m jealous you’re headed out today – I’m flooded with work this time of year and don’t think I can make it out at all this week, which is killing me. Unfortunately not too much shade protection on courts except for Armstrong (which has ample) and Grandstand (which has a good amount in upper rows under the overhang). Ashe, too, has a tremendous amount of shade – but doesn’t look like there are any practices in Ashe today – I would double-check on site today. Did you sign up… Read more »
I downloaded the Fan Pass but was interested in some live qualie action. The Fan Pass check-in is pretty close to the entrance off the boardwalk and on your right. You scan your code and that entitles you to sit in on practice sessions close to the players. I overheard a spectator saying he had just seen Rafa practice. I chose to watch a match on Court 17, behind the main building and sat behind the southern baseline near the top. I had 2 1/2 hours of sun-free tennis watching. I’ve been coming for over 30 years to this pre-Open… Read more »
Stanley, THANKS for sharing this super practical, helpful detail! So glad you had a great time. And I’m with you 100% in awe of the talent on display. Always great to hear from a fellow fanatic who gets excited about qualies and appreciates the “unknowns” as much as the Rafas. P.J.
Hi! This is an amazingly comprehensive guide – thanks for putting it together! As a teacher in NY, US Open main draw begins the week that we start faculty meetings, and second week is the first week of school, so it makes going to the US Open a little tricky. I did manage to go to the Federer Delpo quarterfinal (?) a couple years ago where Delpo beat fed in four. Also, usually go to qualies which is a blast. This year we are going to the Bronx open on 8/23 and we got grandstand tickets for next Friday (8/30).… Read more »
Samm, this is awesome, thank you so much for sharing! Cincy is a fantastic event and everyone I know who has been has really enjoyed it. Thanks for taking the time to put together this great summary of your experience! P.J.
Hi P.J. Great information here. I noticed a discrepamcy in what is listed on the USGA site and the information you have here. On the USGA ticket site, the evenining (7:00 pm) tickets do not state you have grounds access, only reserved at whatever stadium you purchase for. Compared to the day tickets, which specify that you have reserved seating AND grounds access. I want to get evening tickets, but don’t want to be confined to one stadium the entire time.
Hi Mark, sounds like the wording on the site you saw is confusing/misleading. To clarify: you need a ticket to enter the US Open grounds, which includes all the stadiums and courts (see my map under Tip #1 above). Once you are in the grounds, you have access to general admission seating for every stadium/court except Ashe (there is no general admission seating in Ashe). So effectively, EVERY ticket gives you “grounds access” (no one is confined to any one stadium). The only difference between an evening session ticket versus a day session ticket is the time you can enter… Read more »
And the later it is in the tournament (ie – second week), there is not much action going on on the outer courts – except doubles, juniors, and wheelchairs.
PJ, Having a problem accessing/managing my tickets via the US OPEN app. I go to tickets, and then I have an option to buy or manage, I click on manage. I then see my tickets on the screen for each of the sessions but I cannot tap on them. I should be able to do so to expose the bar code for scanning and to see the seat location, etc. I wanted to know if you or your other readers are having the same issues. I called the customer service number but was put on long holds and never got… Read more »
Hey Tom, that’s odd and frustrating – mine is working well and haven’t heard anyone else having the problem, so not sure what’s causing it. Just to confirm: did you buy your tickets through Ticketmaster? If not, it won’t work. If so, you should also download the Ticketmaster app, login to that, and see if you can access that way. It may just be that the two aren’t communicating properly. If worse comes to worse, you can just access your tickets via the Ticketmaster app rather than through the US Open app. P.J.
PJ, They updated the app and it now works as it should. It worked prior to today also, so I was frustrated this morning trying to tap on the app to see my tickets because nothing was happening. It was very frustrating, and I logged in/out and even deleted and reinstalled the US Open app. I am only able to add tickets to my wallet for Monday, August 26, and not any other sessions. But I think this is normal as I understand that the barcode will not be provided until one week before. I was able to access my… Read more »
Super helpful, thanks! Yes, it’s normal that they hold off on issuing the barcode until closer. P.J.
Hi PJ! Your site is absolutely amazing and I am deeply grateful for (and incredibly impressed by) the depth of your passion and the breadth of your knowledge! So, here’s my question: We have courtside tickets (section 13, row F) for day session on Ashe. Are these good seats? Secondly: We were interested in eating at “Aces” but the website says that it’s reserved for “courtside box” ticket holders. Will our tickets grant us entry to Aces or do you need some other special kind of courtside “box” ticket?
Hi Crystal, Thank you so so much for the super thoughtful compliment! So pretty much every seat courtside is great, in my opinion. It’s another world down there and you have access to a totally different concourse area (the indoor ring around the stadium with food and shops) that features more quality options than outside Loge and Promenade levels (think Lobster Rolls and champagne options versus hot dogs and beer). And yes, your ticket includes access to Aces (which still often requires a reservation, which you can make here). 13F is either 10th or eleventh row in that corner section… Read more »
Thanks so much! We will be sure to bring sunscreen, hats and glasses.. I made the reservation for Aces! Now my only worry is that our courtside tickets are day session and the reservation is for dinner at 6. If you have a day time session courtside ticket, can you go to Aces for dinner and stay until you’re done eating or do they throw you out of the stadium when the clock strikes 7? I called the restaurant and asked and they weren’t even sure.. I’m also wondering – is it very likely that the second day time match… Read more »
Hi Crystal, you’re welcome! I’m 99% sure that you’ll have no problem at all having dinner at Aces at that time. They will ask everyone to leave the stadium area once the Day session is complete, but they won’t push everyone out of the concourse area (in which Aces is located). You should be fine. As for match end times, it will likely wrap up by 6pm — but if the women’s match is a 3-setter and the men’s is a 5-setter, it’s possible it could end past 6. P.J.
Wow, thank you P.J.! This is quite reassuring. I can’t tell you how grateful I am for your generosity in answering so many questions from so many people — and so quickly! Wishing you a wonderful US Open with lots of incredible up-close, unforgettable moments with your favorite players!
You’re so welcome, Crystal! Wishing you the same!! P.J.
Hi P.J.
What time can you enter during fan week?
Thanks,
J
Hi John, 99% sure it’s 9:30am – though haven’t seen anything in writing to confirm. But almost certain it will be 9:30 as in previous years. I’ll be checking the Fan Week page to see if they update. P.J.
PJ – I’m taking my 13 year old daughter to Saturday night and Sunday day in Ashe over Labor Day weekend. Our first trip to the Open and our first trip to NYC. Thanks so much for providing all of this invaluable information. I’ve used your advice to plan our entire trip from Oklahoma. I think you’ve answered all of my tennis related questions. I’d like to take my daughter to see the Statue of Liberty on Saturday before we head out to see the tennis. Thoughts on the best way to see it quickly without going out to the… Read more »
Hey Brad, So glad it’s been helpful. And yes that is the PERFECT way to do it– and the price is right (it’s free!). P.J.
Brad, I work for a tour company and I wrote our blog page about riding the Staten Island Ferry. It has everything you need to know about riding it, best times to go, where to sit on the ferry for the best views, so much more info, etc. https://freetoursbyfoot.com/staten-island-ferry/ No obligation to buy anything when you look at the blog. We arent a pushy company 🙂 The ride there and back will take about an hour total and be sure to check the schedule because there may be fewer ferries running as it is a holiday. Enjoy the ride. I… Read more »
Amazing, Courtney, thank you!
What a blog PJ! So many cool tips to organize my trip at the US Open. I have 2 questions, first : is this easy to find scalpers near the site? Second, I have hard time finding what would be the #/type of match for each session: Friday 30/08 Evening – Men’s & Women’s R3 – Ashes : ? – Armstrong : ? Saturday 31/08 – Day – Men’s & Women’s R3 – Ashes : ? – Armstrong : 2 women’s matches and 1 men’s match – Grandstand : Saturday 31/08 – Evening – Men’s & Women’s R3 – Ashes… Read more »
Salut Maxime, merci bien 🙂 First, trying to get tickets from scalpers is absolutely not worth the risk. I’ve heard tons of stories over the years of folks who got scammed– and New York City law prohibits reselling scalping 1500 feet away from the venue (which is effectively everywhere off the subway at the US Open), and they have undercover police on site cracking down on both sellers and buyers. Answers to your second question below: Friday 30/08 Evening – Men’s & Women’s R3 – Ashes : 1 Men’s + 1 Women’s match – Armstrong : Same as above Saturday… Read more »
Awesome P.J. This info is A1, much appreciated! Scalpers have easier life in Montreal ;). It’s well noted.
Do you know if there will be any single game will be played on outside court on the 30-31-1? Probably not anymore. If yes, do you know how many by date?
Now, Canadian $ have two weeks to go up!
Merci beaucoup mon ami. You do a truly exceptional thing for a lot of people.
Maxime
Hey Maxime, de rien, avec plaisir! Yes, there will be several singles matches played on Friday and Saturday on Grandstand and Courts 5 and 17 (in addition to Ashe and Armstrong) during 3d round, Aug 30 and 31st. See the 2018 daily schedule for those days for a good indicator of what to expect. P.J.
Hey PJ! Does the Open post practice schedules for Qualifying week? I want to go to see certain players practice, but would like to be able to plan to be there at the right time as I cannot sacrifice a whole weekday.
Hi Carissa, yes they do! They usually are updated the evening prior (or morning same day). Check here or the US Open app. P.J.
Thanks for this awesome information! The shade seating charts are the best!
Thanks, Jenny, so glad they are helpful! P.J.
Hi PJ, thanks for making such a comprehensive guide to the US Open and answering all of our questions here! I’m looking at buying just one ticket for the men’s singles final in the Promenade section – I’ve been checking Ticketmaster every day for the past week and prices haven’t really changed at all so was just curious if you had any thoughts on whether I should buy now or wait. Thanks again!
Hey Eric, my counsel would be to wait. While I have to add the caveat that there is no way to predict prices with certainty, my gut is that average prices for finals will only go up if Federer makes it to the finals – otherwise they will likely come down at least a bit. They are quite high now, so probably worth the risk to wait. P.J.
Hello! I’ll visiting the Us Open for the very first time this year, I come from Italy. First of all, your guide was really helpful for me, above all to buy my tickets. Now I’d like to ask your help about picking up my tickets, I chose the International Will Call pick up, I’m afraid my phone will have problems once I’m there, since I have an Italian sim card. Could you pls tell me where’s the International Will Call located and the opening hours, if you know it? Is there a long queue there? I’d like to arrive as… Read more »
Hi Simona, so glad it was helpful! I’m almost positive that your tickets will be held at the regular Will Call window at the Box Office location at the East Gate (see my map above under Tip #1). You should be able to pick up all your tickets at once. The line can be extremely long on Fri-Mon of Labor Day weekend, but otherwise isn’t terrible. I haven’t seen their hours posted anywhere officially yet for this year’s tournament… currently they are opening at 9:00am and may open a bit earlier once the tournament begins. Hope you have a great… Read more »
Thank you very much for your help! I’m going on Tue, Wed, Thu of the 1st week, so hopefully the line won’t be long and I’ll try to be there early. Bye! 🙂
Molto bene! Divertiti!
I’m considering going for the first time this year and found this guide to be amazing! Thanks so much.
Scott, thank you very much for letting me know – really appreciate it! P.J.
Hey PJ! Some great info I just saw n USO website in case you haven’t already seen: 1) USO website says “The 2019 US Open men’s singles draw will be revealed on Thursday, Aug. 22.” Cool! 2) Oddly, however, qualifying and fan week schedule will be announced Aug 19. Kind of annoying since it STARTS Aug 19. Oh well. FYI: I’m back from Montreal Rogers Cup. I encourage anyone to go for the whole week on a pass if they want to see everyone who is anyone up-close. It was pretty awesome. Prices can’t be beaten. A whole week -day… Read more »
Hey Courtney! Yes indeed, they traditionally have a public draw ceremony that day. Just in case you don’t know already: the draw results will not help predict the days on which specific players will play (for reasons I mention in FAQ #1); we need to wait until Day 1 schedule is released to find out which half of the draw will play on Day 1. Great you had a good experience at Rogers Cup! I do agree that there’s something truly unique and electric about the Open. I get so excited this time of year myself!! 🙂 Hope you have… Read more »
See THAT’s why you are the man to follow! I know so little! Any qualifiers you like? Watching so as to decide what day to check out Fan Week. Hoping for an event with some great players. Have a fun Open!
Thank you, Courtney! I’ll be rooting for Noah Rubin during qualies week – great guy (and founder of @BehindtheRacuquet on Instagram). So glad you’re going to Fan week – it is awesome regardless of when you go. P.J.
Thank you for this brilliant Blog FAQ, information resource.
We’re traveling out from U.K., got tickets for the last Saturday, on Ashe, Ladies Final.
Everything I needed to know you’ve covered here. Thank you Sir/Madam !
Nick, hey THANKS so much for the super kind words!! Fantastic to hear it’s been helpful to you. If after your trip you realize it would have been helpful for me to include anything else, please do let me know. Have a great time! P.J. (Sir 🙂
Would like to attend the mens semi finals on Friday Sept 6. As there are two matches played, are these played concurrently or back to back? Looking at the tickets available on ticketmaster not sure how many matches the purchase of a ticket allows me to view and whether I have a choice in which match.
Hey Steve, they are back-to-back and your ticket covers both PLUS the Men’s Doubles Final — which is why that particular session is usually the highest valued/priced on the secondary market even above Men’s Fial. The first Men’s semifinal match will start at 4:00pm, immediately followed by the second. The Men’s Doubles Final will start at Noon (same session). P.J.
I literally read everything, amazing information in here.
This year will be my first time in the us open, I’m going with my family and we are planning on getting promenade tickets for the 26 (1 round), my question is the following: Is there a chance that you can move to rows closer to the court (if there is not people using them of course) even if your seats are on a higher place?
I hope I had explained myself.
Thanks for your time!
Hey Jonathan, thanks for reading it all! I know it’s crazy long at this point… You can usually move up fairly easily (especially that early in the tournament) to unoccupied seats WITHIN YOUR section – you just have to be ready to move immediately if someone shows up, so don’t get too comfortable :). Nearly impossible to move to Loge from Promenade because of the way ushers check for tickets; totally impossible to move to courtside seats, because they entrance is entirely separate and requires a courtside ticket to enter that level. P.J.
We are not sure we can go due to health reasons. IF WE CAN, is it possible to just “walk up” to the gate and purchase THAT DAY a General Admissions/Grounds ticket? thank you so much.
Hi Luanne, GA ticket availability depends very much on the day. They usually do not sell out of Grounds Admission tickets the Mon-Thurs of the first week; sometimes they sell out Fri-Mon Labor Day weekend. In general, I recommend you check Ticketmaster first — both for availability, but also to make sure you can’t get a Promenade Ashe ticket for less or the same, which is a better deal (see my Tip #3 above). P.J.
I am going to the women’s final (section 105, row A) and would like to know what time I should get there. Is there anything else going on before the match starts?
Hi Mary, great seats! That Ashe session includes the Mixed Doubles Final beginning at Noon, followed by the women’s final starting at 4:00pm. After the women’s final, they will probably schedule a wheelchair tennis final too (last year was men’s doubles), which if you haven’t seen is really amazing and means a lot to players to have folks stick around to support. Gates will open that day at 11:00am, but outer court matches also don’t begin until Noon (all wheelchair and juniors semis and finals). P.J.
Thanks! That’s great to know
First off, wow! Amazing stuff here. Thank you for all the information. Wondering your opinion on my scenario. Looking to go on either the Thursday or Friday of week 1 of the tournament this year. Really want to see either Federer or Nadal court-side. If I booked court-side tickets say for that Thursday for both day and night session this would practically guarantee this correct? Lastly, would you recommended that strategy as opposed to just waiting until the night before when schedule is released for buying tickets? I would prefer to wait until the night before because then I would… Read more »
Hey Ryan, thank you for your thanks! So for 100% chances of seeing Fed if he makes Round 2, you’d actually need to purchase day and evening sessions for both Wed AND Thurs (i.e., 4 sessions), which I don’t advise because it’s not always easy to resell for sessions you don’t attend. This is because Round 2 matches take place on Wed and Thurs, with one side of the draw playing on Wed and the other on Thurs (we won’t know which until the Day 1 schedule comes out next Friday Aug 23 late afternoon/early evening (or Saturday if they… Read more »
Hi, PJ, At last check, I noticed that there are many (at least compared to Ashe) standard Armstrong tickets still available. This was the case last year. I thought they set the prices too high last year for Armstrong because resale tickets were selling for less than face value. Granted, last year was the first year with the new Armstrong, so maybe they overvalued the tickets. Do you see a difference price-wise with Armstrong for this year? I am not certain that I do. What do you make of it? Can we expect Armstrong prices to come down like they… Read more »
Hey Tom, I find the US Open’s approach to the new Armstrong ticketing to be pretty baffling for the reasons you mention. The decision last year to create separate Day and Night sessions for the new stadium (and set at very high prices) was controversial and not well received by many fans. They also designed the stadium around a majority of reserved courtside seats, forcing people to pay to sit in them — very different from the old Armstrong, where sitting in courtside boxes felt so special because there were fewer seats. As a result, there were a lot of… Read more »
Maybe because most of the New Armstrong “courtside” seats are further back then the first row of the unreserved in Old Armstrong and grossly overpriced. And you get less matches for your money too. The USTA may be in for a reckoning once Serena and The Big 3 men retire.
Hi,
Your website is truly amazing! thanks for putting out all this valuable info!
Just purchased tickets for Quarterfinal at 7 pm in the Arthur Ashe. Is my first time, so here the question to you:
The ticket says “men’s/women’s quarterfinal” does that means that I can see both? (men and women)? is it just one? which one? I’m confused.
Thanks!
Hey Paul, thanks so much! Yes, you will see 1 men’s QF and 1 women’s QF match that evening. That same pattern holds for Tues Day, Tues Evening, Wed Day, and Wed Evening sessions. See last year’s daily schedule for examples. If past year’s are a reliable guide, they will put the bigger “star” names playing in the evenings for QFs, so you should be in for a treat! P.J.
Hi! Huge thanks for this site – very helpful. If I wanted to see a day-session match (let’s say Djokovic) in Armstrong GA seating, what time should I get to the gate and wait in order to secure good seats? Do people start lining up in the wee hours of the morning? Or would 730/8am be OK for the 930am open? Thanks.
Hi Elizabeth, thanks for your thanks! It all depends on which day and who’s scheduled to play. Mon-Thurs first week doesn’t require getting there so early. Sat/Sun/Mon of Labor Day weekend are when it’s most important to be conservative and arrive early. (Note: it’s highly unlikely they will put Federer, Novak, or Rafa on Armstrong). For very popular players, you’re almost 100% certain to be able to get an excellent seat even on Labor Day weekend if you get there by 8. I think the earliest I’ve ever showed up is 8:45am and I’ve never had an issue, even for… Read more »
Thanks PJ! We are attending on Sun/Mon of Labor Day Weekend (Round of 16) so likely that the trio you mentioned will all be on Ashe, where we have Lodge seating for all sessions (yay!). Hoping to still catch some good matches in Armstrong though so your timing suggestion is great.
Hi PJ. I purchased 2 day tickets in row D section 130 of the Loge for ashe during for the second round day session (ticketmaster). About a week ago, I received an email for stating that since I bought the day tix for ashe, they were offering courtside seats for the night session on Armstrong for half price. Have you heard of this before? They are extremely reasonable but the only catch is they are only for the night(Thursday) Armstrong session. My question is, this early in the tournament, will there still be quality matches played at night on Armstrong… Read more »
Hi Isadora, they are doing a few big promotions like that because looks like several Armstrong sessions have not been selling well during that first Mon-Thurs (I still really question the wisdom of them splitting up the Armstrong sessions into Day/Night for the first 6 days – I hope they go back to the old practice at some point of just one session per day in Armstrong, like on Grandstand). In any case, I do think they will feature some excellent players given that it is the second-largest “stage” at the Open. I would look at last year’s daily schedule… Read more »
Hi! If anybody has discount codes to share for 50% off Armstrong, as mentioned above, I would be a happy receiver. I love the new Armstrong!
Hey PJ! You helped me last year scope out some great SHADED seats for the US Open and I thought that you might be able to help me out with the Western and Southern Open (random I know but I have no one to go to). I am flying up there Friday night and looking to attend Saturday’s potental semifinal’s attachment of Djok and Federer. They have the men’s semi’s split into two different sessions and as I would like to go to both I am trying to save money to go to the US open in a couple weeks… Read more »
Hey Chris, so glad that was helpful last year! I have some friends who know WeSo very well and can ask… Let me check and get back to you ASAP. P.J.
Being that Fed lost to a 21-year-old qualifier, looks like prices will be coming down. What a shocker.
Indeed – total shocker. Tom, sorry again I wasn’t able to be more helpful earlier. In retrospect, should have offered the insight that the order of play for Semis could be predicted by order of play for today’s Quarters– i.e., the winners of today’s afternoon match would play first in Semis Saturday, and the winners of the night matches would play tomorrow night. Hope you get to see a good match tomorrow regardless! P.J.
Hi, PJ,
I am a planner at heart.
In the event Serena is not scheduled for day session for round 1, I am interested in seeing Coco Gauff play.
Do you think they will schedule her for the Grandstand? Armstrong?
Hey Linda, I get it 🙂 However, hard to predict. It’s possible they would even put Coco on Ashe, given all the buzz (remember she played on Centre Court at Wimbledon, and just won the doubles title at the Citi Open). The Open has on many occasion scheduled exciting, rising American stars on Ashe– even if unseeded or lower-ranked. Depends a lot on who else is in her half of the draw… She will almost 100% be on either Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand. P.J.
Hi PJ:Thanks for your sharing.
Do you think it’s worth to buy us open club row pass?
Cause last time I was hardly to find a place to take rest and enjoy my food comfortably. Too hot and too crowded around those food corner.
Hi Zoe, my pleasure. Depends a lot on which day you’re going – but it certainly can be a bit of an oasis for the reasons you describe and isn’t too pricey. I’m constantly grabbing stuff and taking to eat in my seats, so I’m a terrible person to ask! 🙂 P.J.
Hi PJ-I’m compelled to run my plan by you after lots of research. Going with my 2 teenage sons (tennis players). Thinking about buying grounds passes for Friday, 8/30 and then reserved seats in Armstrong on either Sat, 8/31 or Sun. 9/1. Both would be for day session. Seems to make sense because there will be many more matches to see on Friday and less crowded to try to get seats in the stadiums vs Sat/Sun. Then, we’ll be guaranteed a seat on Sat or Sun when it is much busier. What do you think? Thanks for all this information.… Read more »
Hey Laura, I think that Friday plan makes eminent sense, given that the prices of even upper level Promenade Ashe seats on Friday are astronomical at the moment. They may well come down once the tournament begins, but there’s also a chance that face-value grounds passes will sell out and resale prices for them will go up. Never any way to predict these things with certainty. My only pause has to do with choosing Armstrong on Sat over Ashe. I would DEFINITELY recommend Armstrong for your boys Sunday: no evening session, so you get two Men’s round of 16 matches… Read more »
For Armstrong, I like the seats in the upper rows of courtside, under the overhang. That way you are always covered from the sun!
Hey Tom, my caution to folks about upper rows in Armstrong is that there is considerable background noise from the food court area behind them and, in particular on the West side, from the loud generators outside Armstrong in that area – at least that was the case last year. It’s a markedly different situation from the previous Armstrong, where there was no food court and overall the stadium was much quieter. I have found that rows half way up on South and West side are generally far better: you get shade benefits for much of the day but feel… Read more »
Thank you so much! I’m so torn about the Ashe vs Armstrong tickets. I can’t afford the Loge seating for that day though the night session is less on Saturday night. Then we would hope to see big names, but that’s a gamble. I know they would love to see a player like Nadal, but is it worth being so far away? Just can’t decide!
Hey Laura, it’s highly likely you’ll see a really big name that Saturday night on Ashe. I do think it’s worth the gamble for the boys, and would be a cool experience for them even if it’s upper Loge or lower Promenade (but definitely try for Loge if you can!). They will appreciate the up-close experience on outer courts even more, and you’ll avoid the “FOMO” (fear of missing out) syndrome that can strike if you don’t set foot into Ashe at all. P.J.
PJ – I notice people often ask you when the best time to buy tickets would be. I have wondered that myself so this year I have been keeping a spreadsheet with ticket prices(just the cheapest ticket available on Ticketmaster) for several sessions that I was interested in attending – first 3 days and Friday/Saturday/Sunday of Labor Day weekend. If you would like to share it here, I am glad to send it to you. It is probably a moot point for this year, but it might be interesting to people next year to see how prices have fluctuated on… Read more »
Bill, that would be amazing, thank you so much. I’ll email you – I’ve been tracking as much as I can too, but the more data the better and will help me make more informed recommendations! P.J.
I compiled my own list of Ashe and Grandstand standard value ticket ranges for every day of the tournament. Let me know if you want it, P.J.
Tom, that would be awesome, thanks so much – I’ll email you. P.J.
Really interested to see the fluctuation. Can’t wait to look at it! Thanks guys.
Thanks for all the great info. I’m going Sat 8/31 for the day session. If I get there at 9:45/10 is that plenty of time to get through security/walk around the concourse? Also is the south side entrance usually less crowded?
Hi Corey, my pleasure. Yes that’s more than enough time if you’re going to Ashe sessions that start at Noon and just want to walk around to check out the grounds/shops etc or if you have reserved seats for Armstrong or Grandstand (matches start at 11). If you’re hoping to get a GA seat in Grandstand or Armstrong for any men’s match that starts at 11am (women’s matches tend not to draw the same crowds), you might want to consider getting in line a little earlier so you can be among the first to enter when gates open at 930… Read more »
Hi there, Thank you for this 🙂 amazing I am going to the US open on the First Tuesday – Arthur Ashe. I am going to go to a day session too, likely the Arthur Ashe ticket for Tuesday afternoon so that we can just spend the whole day there. However, two factors are making me wait, wanting to see federer and the weather (as we are going to use the afternoon ticket to see outside matches) Do you know how quickly cheap/high promenade Ashe tickets would go once the US open draw is done (ie when we know what… Read more »
Hey Kyle, I promise you there will be always be Promenade seats available for every session, even if Federer is playing. The variable and uncertainty is always around price. I would undertake the strategy of checking for release of Day 1/2 schedule of play compulsively every 15 min or so towards the end of the afternoon on Friday Aug 23 and acting immediately after it’s announced so you get the best seats you can afford for Fed, as prices will almost certainly go up significantly for that session. If Federer is scheduled for Day 1, you’ll unfortunately miss him but… Read more »
hi PJ I went to the Us open last year to see Venus vs Serena best experience of my life, thanks for the great advice. I want to see fed and Rafa should di guess the early
Great to hear it! PJ
So I’m planning on attending either a day in the first week or during the second week (QFs). Is the QFs definitely better than the first week for the best experience? In terms of the players I can see on the practice courts, and watching good matches in the stadium.
Hi Ravi, it really depends on your priorities. I would look carefully at various days week 1 and during QFs on the 2018 Daily Schedule of Play and ask yourself, “which day looks best to me?” Here’s what I just replied to another reader with similar question: There are some outstanding QF Day session 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… Read more »
Hi PJ, question about some Grandstand viewing. Are the seats in the wheelchair sections like 9A normal box seats? On the US Open virtual view the look like box seats but I seem to remember from being there last year that it was just an open space for wheel chairs to pull up or folding chairs. Also in section 1 it says limited view seating but on virtual view I can’t tell any obstruction. Do you know how bad the limited view is? Thanks
Hey Andrew, I’m pretty sure there are foldings chairs plus extra space to enable wheelchairs if needed. I’ve looked back at all my photos to try to assess situation for section 1 – it looks like it could be pretty bad (camera person is the obstruction, and s/he often uses an umbrella). P.J.
I sat in Section 1, Row R, seats 3-4 last year for a match and there were no issues whatsoever because the seats in that row are sufficiently elevated over the cameraperson. I loved those seats b/c I like the perspective of being behind the server. I can check my photos from last year and upload to an image hosting website to show you the perspective.
Very helpful, Tom, thanks. That’s one of the rows they mark as partial view, so great to have your first-hand perspective. P.J.
Thanks for the detail writeup, much appreciated. Quick question, are the grounds open for practice viewing on the 25th, i.e., if I don’t have a ticket to arthur ashe kids day can I still get in to watch the practice?
Thanks!
Hi there, yes indeed – no ticket required for Kids Day, admission is free. Check the practice schedule the night before/ morning of to make sure there are folks practicing you’d like to see. P.J.
Hi. I know it isn’t tennis related but we will be visiting NYC from the UK from 23rd to 27th August 2019 and wondered whether as a local, you would be able to recommend the best company to contact for a helicopter ride over NYC. We are a family of 4 with 2 sons age 20 and 12. We would also like to see some early rounds of the tennis but despite your fantastic advise it seems very expensive for a family of 4. I think we will wait until we are in NYC and look at ticket availability then.
Hey Linda, I have no personal experience in that department, but I often look to Time Out for “best of” advice– and they published this list of their favorite helicopter tours in NYC recently. For the US Open, you should be able to find some relatively inexpensive Ashe Day session tickets for Mon-Thurs of the first week, even right up until the last minute so good strategy to wait until you are here to decide (with added advantage of being able to factor weather forecast for certain days into your decisions). P.J.