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,
Quick question.
Do people just sit in their seats all through the three matches at Armstrong?
In other words, except for bathroom breaks, do they buy food and bring back to their seats to eat?
Hey Linda, assume you mean the general admission (non-reserved) seats? There usually a lot of turnover, although some people definitely do “camp out” there all day and alternate with others to protect seats for bathroom/food breaks – which are easier in the new stadium because there’s a large concourse just below GA seats from which you can actually continue to see matches. In general, there is much higher attendance and pressure for seats during Men’s matches. P.J.
Oh, sorry. I should have been more clear. We have reserved seats in Armstrong section 4.
Not sure what the etiquette/protocol. 🙂
Also, you mention separate entrances for courtside seats in Ashe. Is it the same way in Armstrong?
No worries! People with reserved seats come and go quite a bit — one of the benefits! Protocol is to stay put through the first 3 games of every set (no coming or going), then leave or come back during changeovers after every odd game (e.g., after 3d game of a set, then after 5th game of a set, then 7th, etc) or during the longer break between sets. Some people are better about abiding by this than others, much to the occasional chagrin of players and fellow fans 🙂 There are separate entrances for ticketholders – when you get… Read more »
Glad I saw this reply about the concourse — that sounds like some modern baseball stadiums which have nice views of the action as you wander the food area (often better than from your seat!) I’m very much looking forward to the new Armstrong.
It is a really great stadium!!
Hi, awesome site! I’ve only ever gone for 1st/2nd round, but this year hope to go for Saturday 3rd round. Do Labor Day wknd crowds (plus only 12 non-Ashe singles matches that day) make it risky to get into unreserved Armstrong & Grandstand areas? Hate to spend all day waiting in lines.
Hey Kevin, thank you! I’m always nervous about definitively answering questions about crowds and lines… I was there two days last year during Labor Day weekend and crowds were very heavy during certain Men’s matches in Grandstand and Armstrong, but plenty of seats during many of the women’s matches. I tried getting GA seating at one point for Grandstand and it was totally impossible because I timed it wrong. They key is to get there well before any match you’d like to see. You might keep checking up to the last minute if there are any resale tickets that come… Read more »
Thanks. One positive for me is that I follow more women players than men. But even so, I’m sure it’s much harder to bounce around the stadiums on the weekend, compared to the luxury of R1/R2 when I saw matches all over the place (including climbing the big stairs to the top of old Armstrong & old Grandstand balcony, bypassing all the lines!) When GA is full, do they let in groups at any changeover whenever some fans exit?
That’s great and certainly will make it easier! They did a pretty good job last year of managing movement of people in and out of GA during changeovers even when there were large crowds last year.
Hi PJ,
So so glad I stumbled upon your website! This will be our very first time at the US Open! We are planning on watching the night session match on the 28th for Arthur Ashe. In your opinion do you think there’s a good chance Serena (given she wins) will play again night session? Also our hotel will be located in Long Island. For 5 people do you recommend the subway or by car? We have our own car but are worried since parking is not guaranteed at the US Open.
Hey Beddy, glad you found it and will have your first experience at the Open! There’s certainly a chance they will schedule Serena for a second night session — last year they took the highly unusual step of scheduling her three night sessions in a row. But you never know… There’s always parking at the US Open in lots (for $25), it’s just an issue of which lot, time it takes for the shuttle (potentially from some lots) to the grounds, and traffic. I’d check the LIRR to see if it has a stop near you — if it does,… Read more »
Neither seat is worth watching tennis from let alone paying for. Anything above the FIRST level of corporate suites is not adequate to watch a tennis match. It is what it is.
Please do not waste your money.
Hey Larry, appreciate the thoughts! I’d have to beg to agree to disagree slightly: it can be pretty thrilling to be in Ashe for Semis even in a not-so-great seat, especially if you haven’t been before and have a limited budget. But I’m with you in spirit: I haven’t set foot in a Promenade seat in years, even when money is tight, preferring to see players up closer on the field courts for reasons I outline in my Tip #1. P.J.
When you’re a tennis fan…being at the actual match is where it is at…. I cannot afford a $500- $2,500 ticket for resell of courtside…however…sitting in the loge is quite nice and for those who love tennis the first 3-5 rows of promenade are acceptable if you must… I have been to many an Ashe event and wouldn’t have traded it for anything when I got to see my boy Rafa play each and every time no matter where I sat… When you’re a fan , you’re a fan…and being there is the greatest!!!
PJ, thanks for the amazing insight into the US Open! This will be our second time attending, but the first time we went through a tour company and watched the finals. This time, I’m buying the tickets for the semi-finals, which leads me to a (very likely stupid) question: The mens semis are scheduled for Friday, but I only have the option of buying tickets for the 4 pm match. Will buying those tickets only secure one mens semi-finals match, or both semi-finals? I am a bit confused on how that works, and I’ve tried reading and researching to see… Read more »
Hey Imedla, you’re welcome! The one ticket option available for that day does indeed entitle you to BOTH semifinal matches, regardless of what time you arrive – which helps explain why it’s the most expensive ticket of the tournament besides theMen’s Final. P.J.
Well, that’s incredible and definitely worth the price we paid. So I assume that will include both men’s singles semi’s as well as the men’s doubles final, or so the ticket states.
Hi Imelda, yes the Friday Sep 6 Ashe ticket includes all three! PJ
Hello PJ, it’s Simona again! 🙂 I’m reading your answers and I found more interesting things for me. I’ve a couple more things for you, remember it’s my 1st time. 1) When the tournament begings, do players practice also on Ashe, Armstrong, Grandastand before 11am? If so, is it possible to access those practice? What’s in general the situation at practice courts? Long queues? 2) As for entering the not-reserved sectors/courts, I have quite some experience at Roland Garros and it can be complicated, above all for top matches. I imagine the same in NY. I read your answer about… Read more »
Hey Simona! (1) Practices usually start at 10am – and gates usually open at 9:30 (except after Thurs before Finals weekend, when it’s 11am); crowd size depends entirely on who’s practicing… big ones for Federer and biggest names, which require arriving earlier to get a seat/view (2) Again, it depends entirely on the match and the day (Labor Day weekend crowds much heavier than first Mon-Thurs). Much fewer crowds for women’s matches (and doubles) across the board… so yes, if you arrive at 9:30 and see something on the schedule you really want to see, best to go to grab… Read more »
Thx PJ, precious as always! 🙂
You’re most welcome, Simona!
We’ve got 4 tickets for Day 1 in Grandstand (Sec 6 row j). The people we are most interested in are playing on Tuesday so we’re considering selling the Monday tickets and buying Tuesday tickets. My concern is we need a group of 4. I see some available , but only want to buy them if I know our original tickets will sell. Is this a huge risk? will a block of 4 tickets sell at a reasonable price on Ticketmaster resale?
Hi Nancy, it is a pretty big risk to try to sell 4 as a block which I wouldn’t advise. I’d recommend listing at least in pairs of 2 (if no as individual seats). Grandstand has fewer seats than Armstrong, which helps – but Monday’s lineup on GS is not as compelling (for most fans) as the lineup on Tuesday. You may want to list and see what happens before you invest in the Tuesday tickets. P.J.
Hi, PJ,
For men’s semis:
Promenade 315, row E (actual third row of section) = $340
Loge 118, row N = $890
Is the Loge worth the extra $500? Seems like a HUGE difference.
For other sessions, the price difference is not that drastic.
Absolutely not!
Hi PJ, I’m taking my wife to the day session on Friday 8/30 (its a surprise for her birthday). This will be our first experience at a professional match — and my wife has talked going someday to the US Open. I’m wanting this to be a ton of fun and to absorb the experience, and so I’m looking for some advice. Should I purchase reserved seats for the Arthur Ashe or Louie Armstrong stadium? And how important is it to purchase reserved seats in the shade? Any other things I should consider?
Hey Doug, that’s wonderful, she will be so grateful! For her first experience, I’d say Ashe is probably the way to go– you’re likely to see Djokovic or Federer on Friday and possibly Serena Williams in that day session assuming they advance. A large number of Ashe seats have shade thanks to the shadows cast by the edges of the retractable roof (east side seats get the least shade), and it certainly makes the experience more comfortable if not constantly in the sun. I think Ashe is always a safe choice for first-timers — you can always go to GA… Read more »
So impressed with your commitment to sustainability P.J., & to sharing your knowledge about the Open for all of us too! Attending tomorrow’s last Fan appreciation day as I find the grounds so beautiful! You mention practice sessions but none are posted on app? Suggestions where to have dinner with friends? Also, any knowledge about a special display this year? (Like the one about A.Ashe last year) thought I read somewhere focus on women in tennis?
Thx~Elaine
Hey Elaine, thank you! Check the practice schedule page late tonight or tomorrow morning and you’ll see scheduled practices for tomorrow (they often don’t post until morning of). Yes there will be a special photo exhibit dedicated to Billie Jean King details here (Chase Center ground level, after you come in the East Gate on the left). I don’t have any strong recs for dinner (I tend to just grab-and-go myself), but I list relevant ideas and links under “A Few More Recs” just below Tip #10. Have fun! PJ
Terrific, THX! 🙂
Hey PJ, we are heading to Flushing in hopes to attend our first US Open. Our boys are six and three so we are only interested in General admission this time. What time does Ticketmaster start selling the GA tickets on the Friday of finals weekend? Do they sell out in minutes? Our travel schedule will only allow us entry for that Sunday and we are wanting to be as prepared as possible to get grounds passes.
Thanks in advance!
Rachel
Hi Rachel, you might consider getting ahead of time on Ticketmaster (there are currently resale tix for 77 with fees will be 89, versus standard face-value price of 80) – there is always the chance they will sell out of grounds passes that day (a lot of pressure Friday-Mon Labor Day weekend) as they have already sold out online, and it’s hard to predict what the line situation will be. And resale prices will go up if they sell out. P.J.
Thank you PJ!! So Grounds (general admission) tickets for Sept. 8th will go on sale the morning of Sept. 6th, correct? Do you know what time Ticketmaster usually posts the GA tickets that Friday, Sept. 6th?
Hey Rachel, sure thing! I don’t know if they’ve ever announced exactly when they release those GA seats on TM… I feel like they usually release them earlier that week. Sorry not to know anything more precisely – but you don’t have to worry about them selling out, there are always plenty. P.J.
Oh yay!!! Perfect! ?
thanks for all the great tips. I have a ticket for arthur ashe day session for wednesday, August 28. I usually go for the day session and then stay and watch the tennis on the outer courts until the bitter end. this year i have to leave around 3:30 to coach tennis until 6. I understand that I can leave and re enter Arthur Ashe, but can I leave and re-enter the US open grounds?
Hey Maureen, unfortunately your day ticket will only get you re-entry into the grounds until 6pm… after that, they won’t let you back in without an evening session ticket. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news 🙁 P.J.
I figured as much. I guess just wishful thinking! thanks again
Hey PJ. First time Canadian attending the Open. Your page has been an outstanding resource. I’m attending first 4 days with Ashe day tickets. My biggest priority is obviously seeing Shapo v Felix. Last match of day on Grandstand day 2. Outside of buying a ticket, what’s my best chance of getting into that match?
Hey Trevor, so happy to hear it’s been helpful! I would head over to Grandstand at some point during the first set of the Wozniacki/Wang match to try to get a GA seat then – though a lot of people may be doing the same, because that Shapo/Felix match will likely be a top priority for a large number of folks, so I can’t predict exactly what the situation will be. There are some resale tix as low as $73 and one standard for $90 I just saw on Ticketmaster, so it may be worth investing in that for peace… Read more »
I used to buy nosebleed in Ashe and then go early before the gates opened and run immediately to be first in line at the upgrade booth and pay to upgrade to courtside Ashe or loge. The booth isn’t there anymore. Where is it? How can I do this now?
Hi Eloise, the upgrade window is now part of the new box office at the East Gate (part of the Chase building). P.J.
How much does it normally cost to upgrade? I have nosebleed for Sat night in Ashe and Sunday Day session in Ashe – our first trip, and my wife’s dream trip, so I am trying to make it special for her!!
Hi Jason, depends entirely on the session and availability. It’s the exact price differential between the value of your ticket and the standard face-value price of the ticket you’re trying to upgrade to, which varies wildly depending on the session and location. Unfortunately because USTA uses “dynamic pricing” there’s no one list of standard prices for seats for every date (there may be, for instance, 3 different price tiers for Loge seats for the same Day session – which might be entirely different from the prices for a night session). P.J.
Hi, Such a great guide!Thank you for all the tips! I’m coming from abroad and was wondering if I can find a good tickets(not crazy expensive) if I wait to buy one until the night before I want to attend or even the same day. Hoping to see federer..
Hey Sarah, you’re most welcome! My strong recommendation for last-minute tickets is to check the main Ticketmaster site — which will show inventory of both any standard tickets that may be available plus resale tickets on the Exchange and lead to instant delivery of tickets and mobile delivery (I’ve sometimes done this while on the train or at the actual site literally minutes before a session starts). For any session with Federer, though, I would read carefully my FAQ #1 about checking for schedule released the day before constantly then looking to see if there are any good deals ASAP… Read more »
…Unless it’s the night of Labour Day Monday. I experienced it last year when I took a big loss on court side tickets to Fed-Millman. Resale tickets were going for below face value. But that won’t happen this year since he’s playing Sunday.
Is he scheduled for Sunday day or night in Ashe?
Hey Jason, see my FAQ #1 – no way to know in advance for sure. P.J.
Hi PJ! Thanks for the guide! It’s been super helpful for me to scout for this year’s tickets! I do have a question: I have 3 Ashe Courtside tickets for Monday night that I won’t be able to use and I want to sell them. However, all the resale platform online charges insane service fee both from myself and from the buyer. Do you know if there’s any other channel I could sell my tickets at face value(online/in person)? Many thanks!
Hey Eddie, great to hear it’s been helpful! I’d try social media first and encourage all your friends to share (because there is so much embedded trust there even if someone is friend of your friends). The challenge with free posting sites or bulletin boards is that there are so many scammers and flaky people who use such sites, and trust when it comes to expensive transactions is key (I have heard a lot of horror stories over the yeras). Which is why those resale sites charge a premium (albeit too high) for managing the whole process: they deal with… Read more »
Flaky people on Craigslist all right.
Not for tickets, but for a brand new toddler toy I was selling.
After a few emails back and forth on *when* to meet, he tells me : (1) he doesn’t drive and (2) he works until 9 pm at a restaurant. So, he wanted me to deliver the toy to him!
insane!
So, in short, do not do Craigslist. Just not worth it.
If you bought your tickets from the official US Open site, you shouldn’t have any fees for you to resell (the buyer will have to pay I think 10% of price fee though). I’m someone who sells about half my series tickets since i can’t go to all matches and have never been charged to resell my tickets.
Hi Maura and Eddie, a few things to clarify about posting tickets for resale: (1) Regardless of where you purchased your tickets originally, there is no “fee” for posting tickets for resale (2) Every resale platform (including the official US OPen Ticketmaster Exchange) takes a commission as a percentage of the ultimate price of sale (that percentage is built into the price paid by the buyer) (3) What most sellers don’t realize if they haven’t sold before is the following: you have to factor the resale platform’s percentage (16.5% in the case of Ticketmaster Exchange) into the price you decide… Read more »
Hi again PJ! I already had daytime tix for Ashe Monday but went ahead splurged on the evening tix too when I realized Serena would be playing Sharapova! We’ll be in section 47, row D. Two questions: 1) I know from your FAQ that the umpire seat will be a slight obstruction from very low courtside seats.. I guess I’m wondering (worrying!), is the view really bad from row D? 2) Are our seats on the side of the stadium where players enter and exit? I was hoping for a chance at an autograph!
Hey Crystal, you have absolutely nothing to worry about with those seats – you will love them! And yes, that’s the primo section to get autographs (literally the best in the stadium). Players enter/exit just to your left. P.J.
Yay!! This is a relief! Now I can relax and get excited 🙂 Thanks so much for the quick and generous reply – as others have already said.. We are not worthy!
You are so welcome, Crystal, thank you!! 🙂
Jealous!
🙂
PJ, this guide is amazing! I’m just confused on one point: if I buy an evening Ashe ticket, does that allow grounds access to day sessions, or do I need a separate ticket for that?
Thanks
Thanks, Matt! An evening Ashe ticket only allows access to the grounds at 6:00 pm (at which time you have access to unreserved seating at all field courts, including Armstrong). If you want to arrive earlier than 6pm, you need some kind of Day session ticket (grounds admission or reserved ticket for Ashe/Armstrong/Grandstand). P.J.
Hello! Thank you so much for all of this super helpful info on the US Open! I bought tickets for Saturday night session Aug 31 originally for my hubby as a surprise and then we also got Sunday sept 1 day session tickets. Our main goal is to see Federer. We are coming from Canada and this is gonna be our first (and possibly only) kick at the can to see him play. Would you recommend selling our Sat night session tix on ticketmaster resale and buying Sun night session tix? Is there any way things would change and he… Read more »
Hey Heather! You’re most welcome. Given your top goal to see Fed, there’s certainly strong arguments in favor of that approach. But there’s no clear cut answer. I’ve been in this situation before, and here’s how I think about it: (1) Am I financially OK with potentially losing money (potentially all of it) if I can’t resell my tickets? (2) How do the chances of reselling look given the context of how the session is selling (and how good my seats are)? (3) Is the risk of financial loss worth the reward of seeing Federer? (4) Recognizing there’s also a… Read more »
P.J. thank you so so much for your reply – I am so impressed with the time you take to reply to everyones questions. I have re-read your tips so many times and will keep referring to them up until we leave here on Friday. We decided to purchase Sunday Sept 1 night session tickets and risk it. Our tickets for Saturday /Sunday are in the Loge (as per your recs) which I hope will help the chances of them reselling if we do that. We are still on the fence whether for sure to sell Saturday (due to chances… Read more »
My pleasure, Heather! Fingers crossed for you on all counts! P.J.
Hey! Great tips! I bought tickets for the middle weekend and am traveling from Ireland for my first taste of the US Open. I just have a quick question. I’m sorry if it’s been asked before. I chose “International Will Call” as my ticket delivery option but I have now seen on the A-Z Guide on the US Open website that the Will Call window at the East Gate does not accommodate requests to leave tickets by individual ticket purchasers. Am I reading that wrong or does this mean I will not be able to collect my tickets from there?… Read more »
Hey Stephen, thank you! Excited for you to have your first experience at the Open. I haven’t tested this scenario myself so can’t say for sure, but I’ve heard this has worked fine for others coming from abroad — and if you chose that option when you purchased then I’m 99% sure you’ll have no problem collecting your tickets at the East Gate Will Call window. I think the language on the A-Z guide is to simply to discourage eople from thinking they can drop tickets off for others… You might want to try downloading the Ticketmaster App and creating… Read more »
Thank you for your reply P.J. Thanks for the advice! Yes I’m reasonably confident that it should work fine. On the “Manage Tickets” section on the US Open app it advices me to pick up my tickets at the box office so it would a little crazy for them to tell me to go to a place where they won’t allow me to pick them up. I just got a little scare. As can happen! Thank you for your offer to help me in real time. I’m sure it won’t come to that but it gives me piece of mind.… Read more »
Hey, yeah that sounds like it’ll be all good – have a great time!! P.J.
Hi PJ, so I did it! Tickets booked for Sunday 01, R16 day and night Lodge seats… got section 132 Row C, and section 124 Row A for $350 & $280… hope I made the right choice and I get to see RF… still going to keep my eyes on the QF and look for a deal when the schedule is announced the day before… cant afford buying both sessions again 🙁
Thanks for the advice!
Awesome, Reyanne, those are great seats and we’ll all have our fingers crossed that Roger advances! Hope you have an incredible experience. P.J.
I’ve got tickets for both Friday sessions in hopes to see Serena Williams(cant believe she got Sharapova first round)… 120 A seat 5 for day session and 124 A seat 5 for night session on Friday. Will these be good seats?
Hey Brian, that’s awesome. And those are GREAT (!) loge seats! Enjoy!! P.J.
Hi PJ, thanks for your website!
I bought my ticket for Monday 2nd september but I just have seen Federer and Djokovic might play on Sunday if they go through.
I saw I can sell my ticket on ticketmaster, do you think it’s a good idea to do so ? (Seats for Sunday still have equivalent prices).
Thanks
Hey Ben, if your goal is to see Fed and Nole then yes, I’d consider putting that Monday ticket up for resale, pricing it competitively, and if you sell then getting tix for Sunday. The dilemma is always Day v Night; if you’d be happy seeing either, then go for Sun evening because you can get better seats for less (at least right now). Right now there are courtside front rows for $650 that Sun evening, which is a steal. P.J.
Hey PJ, thanks for your answer
I think I’m gonna go for Sun evening then.
Do you know if I would be able to sell it easily for monday evening, seat in sec117 on Ash? (ofc I’ll put it a bit cheaper).
Cheers
Hey Ben, sure thing. Sounds good. For Monday, 117 is a great section and if you price competitively you have a very good shot. If Rafa ends up getting scheduled evening, that would make it much easier (know that a lot of people buy the day before and even day of)… But if not, could be challenging, as Monday evening tends to have less demand than the rest of the weekend because a lot of tourists leave town and folks have work the next morning. Wish I could provide more clarity on the odds — it’s just always a big… Read more »
Hey PJ,
I slept on it and regarding what you just told me I’ll keep my seat for monday hoping I would get to see Rafa on Monday evening.
Thanks again for your help and great advices!
Hey Ben, that’s great. I’ll be there myself that evening. Could be Nadal-Cilic that night, which would be fantastic. I would also be so stoked to see Khachanov v Zverev that night, or Thiem v Auger-Aliassime if either of those match-ups work out. No matter what, it will be a great evening. Hope you have an awesome time!
Pulled the trigger and bought two (2) tickets to see Gauff.
Was torn about whether to see Venus on Monday instead.
The 3pm start time will give us more than time to make it in from NJ.
Never know with traffic though we plan on getting there early.
I did not see the discount code Ticketmasater for Tuesday.
🙁
Does the discount code apply to buying re-sale tickets?
Thanks again for PJ.
.
Hey Linda, that’s great – will be a great session. Bummer about the code, though: you need to type it into the “Offer Code” box in Ticketmaster for the specific session, then it unlocks the discounted tickets (only for standard tix, not resale). P.J.
The tickets I bought are re-sale, so I am somewhat relieved.
I cannot believe the outrageous Ticketmaster fees!
I bought the tickets through the Ticketmaster links on your website.
I clicked on the link which opened another tab, and I kept the tabs open until I bought the tickets.
Hope that works!
Will you be there on Tuesday?
Hey Linda, oh good – well you probably got better seats that way, in any case! Yes, the fees are pretty steep, but I’ve come to appreciate the significant service role ticket brokers play (along with the buyer protections they offer) – though definitely wish they were less! Thank you so much on all counts. I won’t be out there until Wed this week, then not again until Labor Day. Cannot wait!
I go to a lot of Broadway shows, and I buy tickets at the box office the day of the show.
Would doing something like that work for Round 1 or Round 2 of the US Open especially for the day sessions in Ashe or Armstrong.
Hey Linda, just like with B’way, depends on the “show” :). Definitely easy for Armstrong for R1 and R2. For Ashe Day sessions, also depends on who’s scheduled. R1 Day Ashe should be no problem (the best indicator is to look on Ticketmaster to see availability). Highly unlikely any standard tix for Monday night Ashe would be available for Monday Night given the lineup (except at the Ticket Exchange booth, where same fees apply as online). For Wed Day, could be tough if Federer wins Mon and is scheduled. P.J.
PJ,
How many sessions do you attend each year?
Hey Tom, depends on the year… Every other year I organize the U.S. Tennis Congress, which is a huge challenge to manage on top of my main work (with the Corporate Eco Forum, focused on sustainability – my career and life mission). Thankfully we don’t have kids 🙂 We have a big US Tennis Congress coming up this October, so I’m pretty much chained to my computer and need to be careful about too much time away. So this year just one evening session plus all day and evening Labor Day (taking many friends and family). As I mention in… Read more »
PJ, You have so much on your plate! I don’t know how you manage to find time to continually update this website and answer everyone’s questions. Always appreciative of your time. Kudos for being passionate about sustainability and for playing such an important role to do something so important. As for me, I’ll be going for the first week, Monday to Monday. Last year I went on 4 days and it’s just not enough for a tennis addict like me. I wait for the USO all year and just can’t wait for it to start. I’ll be at the Grandstand… Read more »
Tom, we’re birds of a feather! Sounds like you will have an absolutely incredible time. I hope you’ll go see Shapo v Auger-Aliassime on Tuesday and I can live vicariously through you – it’s killing me to miss that one. P.J.
Well that one failed to live up to its billing. I thought Felix would put up more of a fight. You didn’t miss much!
There were plenty of seats throughout, surprisingly. (I think people were on Court 5 watching Sandgren-Tsonga or in Armstrong watching Coco).
Yeah, Felix just couldn’t find the ball and Shapo saw it like a basketball and couldn’t miss. 🙁 Crazy me: I decided to go at the last minute, couldn’t resist! Still glad I did. So great to be out there tonight. Watched Sabalenka/Vika then a bit of Kyrgios/Johnson but had to head back to get some sleep before a big work day tomorrow and Ashe tomorrow night!
I thought if you buy a ticket in Ashe or Armstrong stadium that if gives you a “grounds pass” as well. But I see the response to the night session question, and it only gives you admission into the night session?
Hi Elizabeth, the terminology can be confusing. A ticket for Ashe or Armstrong gives you the same privileges of a grounds pass once you are into the grounds– but you can’t get into the grounds with an evening ticket until 6pm.
schedule is out!
Yes indeed! Sent an email out to all subscribers with results and updated FAQ #1 above with a chart. Excited I will almost certainly get to see Nole this Wed night! P.J.
Just got Loge for Sunday night, row B, at face. Figure I’ll see either Fed or Nole.
Fantastic! Can’t go wrong with that.
WOW! I did not expect an email with an alert- You are a godsend! I’m covered for Roger and the bonus of the drama of Serena and Maria. Glad you are excited to see Novak! Why do you think Novak is Wed NIGHT, though he is Monday Day? Cause if Novak is Wednesday Night, then Roger is Wednesday Day. I am tempted to buy now for Wednesday to see Roger, but argh..hard to take that leap of faith. Thanks again- you’re the best. I wish I could post a GIF from Wayne’s World of them saying “We’re not worthy..we’re not… Read more »
Courtney, how great you’re going to be there for that incredible opening night session!! I’m jealous. I’m hoping Novak is Wed night because he’s Mon Day (but as I mention in my FAQ #1 we absolutely can’t count on them alternating Day/Night after the crazy exceptions to that loose rule last year). And huge LOL on Wayne’s World – so grateful for the sentiment!!! P.J.
Great site and thanks for the wealth of information! If i am locked into a specific evening session is it better to purchase before or after the draw is announced (this is for Thursday night) would it go lower if say Federer is scheduled for day 1 (and by extension Wednesday)? Or if hes on Day 2 (I presume the times won’t be released yet for Tuesday), would it go higher just because he is scheduled for sometime on Thursday?
Hey Brian, thanks so much! Schedule JUST came out. See my just-updated FAQ #1 above with chart. Prices may well decline a bit for Thursday once word gets out that Fed would play M/W/F… P.J.
Thank you P.J! You are saint and your efforts sincerely appreciated!
You are most welcome, Brian – I likewise so appreciate your thanks!! P.J.
P.J. First off your points have turned out to be spot on! (not that I expected differently)
Follow up question if I may, that Thursday night session is lining up to be completely devoid of “big names.” Assuming a weather delay free R2 day, how much action on the outer courts can I realistically still get in to from 6pm onward? Additionally, will ashe still be “electric” for a night session even if its say Tsitsipas or perhaps Kyrgios?
Hey Brian, great to hear it, thanks for letting me know! So they certainly might end up scheduling Nadal again on a night session, you never know… But apart from that, there’s so much great talent in that half of the draw –including a lot of rising stars. Zverev v Tiafoe is a possibility, Tsitsipas v Simon… Sometimes it’s the matches involving the less-famous that end up being among the most exciting. But regardless, there should indeed be several matches going past 6pm on outer courts. P.J.
Are you saying Ivo Karlović is too old to keep up with the young Tiafoe? I actually have him winning 1st round on my bracket, although I love Tiafoe. Hope I’m wrong!
LOL, no! But I’m rooting for Francis 🙂 :). I chose him in my Racquet Bracket as wishful thinking!
What a great website! We live in jersey and i was always lazy to do research about tickets and watching US open live. Thanks to you, i am almost an expert now within 1 day of bumping into your website. I am taking my 8 year old daughter and we are planning to get tickets for 08/29 Armstrong evening session. Hopefully next year i get to take her to Ashe to watch round of 16! Quick question…Is it right time now to pull the trigger to buy the tickets Or should i wait until the schedule is out!
Hey there, thank you! Schedule JUST came out. See my just-updated FAQ #1 above with chart. For Thurs evening Armstrong, there’s no big rush – some sellers may get desperate and lower prices even more as the date approaches, as that session hasn’t been selling well. P.J.
If I buy the night session tickets for Arthur Ashe, can I still go on the grounds in the day?
Hi Jeremy, No – night session tickets for either Ashe or Armstrong Stadiums allows entry into US Open grounds at 6:00 p.m. P.J.
Sorry, P.J., another question…I’ve been searching for more info about the Th 9/5 free entry community day but can’t seem to find anything. Is it happening this year?
No worries! It is, but they haven’t announced it yet… I’m sure they will soon. Gates will open at 11am and will be free admission. Check the day before for the schedule of play. P.J.
Am I reading this right, times won’t be released for games until the day before!?
Hi Mary, the start times for sessions are set (eg 11am on Armstrong and most outer courts, Noon at Ashe; evening sessions 7pm ok Ashe and Armstrong) but the actual matches for each session are not announced until the day before – because they depend on who wins that day. The exception: Day 1 and 2 schedules, which will be released later today (or tomorrow at the latest). P.J.
So, with the current schedule just out – if you buy an Aug 26 night ticket, you will get to see Serena 7pm and Federer 8:15pm?
Hi Mary, yes you’d see both matches with an Ashe evening ticket Aug 26 – but FYI Federer’s match will likely not start until at least 9:15pm (probably later) because there is an opening ceremony prior to the women’s match. P.J.
Hi PJ- I am going to be in NYC this coming Labor Day weekend. I could go on Saturday (8/31) or Sunday (9/1). I will read all of the above, but just a quick couple of questions: first tennis match and would love to see Djokavic, Nadal, or Federer… I don’t know how the draw works to catch one.. would you say Saturday or Sunday and then at Ashe Stadium? If not one of them, what’s the most bang for my buck ticket for a busy weekend? Buy an Ashe ticket for the noon session and go early and stay… Read more »
Hey Austin, check out my FAQ#1 above for how the draw works – and why we won’t know who will play on which day yet (even despite knowing the draw results) until the Day 1 schedule comes out later today (or tomorrow latest). I will update my FAQ#1 as soon as it does with detailed information about which days Fed, Nole, Rafa etc will be playing. However, we won’t be able to predict whether Day or Night sessions in advance. To see any of those guys, Ashe is definitely the right choice (we can count on them always scheduling those… Read more »
I guess just one more question for now: are there any other ways you’d recommend trying to find a ticket? Craigslist, scalping, etc.? I’m ok with spending the money but just curious if you know of any tickets that become available last minute that could be a better deal and save some money..
Thanks again!
Hey Austin, see my Box #2 above for all advice in that department. Definitely avoid Craigslist and scalpers for reasons I mention in that box. See also FAQ #3 for questions about timing for purchases. P.J.
Hi (again) PJ- I’ve decided that I will be going on Saturday. Ashe is out of my budget, and I don’t want to be watching the screen the whole time. So when you say… “Tip #5: If your budget can swing it, I strongly recommend getting a courtside reserved seat in the new Louis Armstrong stadium for Aug 31- Sep 2, or in Grandstand on August 30 or August 31. ” At this point, and with the draw (Saturday being bottom half), which court would you guess on if you had to for good matches and bang for my buck?… Read more »
Hey Austin, for Saturday I’d personally favor Grandstand. You’ll get 4 matches (2 men’s singles, 2 women’s singles) because there’s only one session (vs separate Day and Night for Armstrong), so more bang for your buck. Armstrong may feature a couple bigger names, but Grandstand will definitely have some good ones and it’s a great atmosphere (albeit factor in less shade because there really isn’t any for courtside seats). Check out last year’s schedule for that day for a rough idea of what to expect. P.J.
PJ,
When is the Althea Gibson statue going to be unveiled?
Great question, Tom. Haven’t seen any announcements yet. Anyone else heard anything?
Just found out it will be unveiled tomorrow (Mon)! https://www.usopen.org/social/en_US/news/articles/2019-08-25/2019-08-25_althea_gibson_celebrating_a_pioneer.html
Thanks, I just saw that too. I can’t believe they released the information so late.
Hey there PJ!
Thanks for these tips! It’ll be my first time at a professional tennis match, so it would’ve been much more daunting without them. I am curious to know how you know the Armstrong is Doubles only on September 3rd? The math checks out but I can’t seem to get any official word anywhere (phone calls, website, etc.)
Thanks!
Hey Jesse! They always put ALL QF M&W singles matches (8 total) on Ashe, with 1 M and 1 W per session (day and night) on Tues and Wed. If you look at the 2018 schedule and click Day 9, you’ll see how it plays out. P.J. It’s one of my great frustrations that the various ticket site listings put “Quarterfinal Men’s/Women’s” as the description by the Tuesday Armstrong session, which is patently wrong. P.J.
I may be missing it, but how do you sign up for the email updates? Thanks !
My fault! I redesigned this page and my entire blog over the summer, and didn’t include the “Stay in Touch” box within the US Open post because it’s already packed with so much stuff. If you go to my blog’s Home page, you’ll see a “Stay in Touch” box – you can sign up there. Sorry for confusion 🙂
Hi P.J.
Thanks so much for your amazing FAQ.
I am planning on going for the third round on Friday 8/30 and I am stuck between a grounds pass and a Louis ticket which is ~$100 more.
In your experience, how hard is it to get into the GA areas of Louis/Grandstand with a grounds pass on that Friday? Do they fill up? If they do, how quickly?
We are a group of four and don’t really care so much where we sit as long as we can get into the stadiums without a ton of waiting.
Thanks!
Hey Matt, I’m hoping some other readers who were there last year on Friday may be able to chime in (I wasn’t there that day). It is usually one of the busiest (Fri-Mon all are really crowded, but Friday a bit less so). I’d personally go for the reserved seat that day — it’s just so great having a place to go back to and helps you manage time, but also you should be able to move up easily into empty seats within the same courtside section you purchase (easy to move up rows within a section, not between sections).… Read more »
Just adding my two cents on the format change for qualies this year. I think it makes sense. Going from 4 days to 5 gives half of the 2nd round winners an extra day of rest. Also, in past years when it rained, there were huge scheduling backups, with some matches being played late into the night. Great for tennis fans but crappy for players. Plus, the USTA gets additional money from more people attending. The US Open deserves a FULL week before the uber fun begins on August 26th.
I tend to agree, Stanley. Often times the players’ perspective gets overshadowed, and most of the folks playing Qualies are barely scraping by with meager earnings and working their tails off… It feels right to give it more breathing room (assuming the majority of players agree). P.J.
P.J. – Thank you for this outstanding collection of facts and advice. Truly amazing! I will be attending day and night sessions 9/2-9/4, staying at an Airbnb .8 miles away. I plan on walking there each morning. Is it safe enough to walk home through Corona Park after the evening sessions? My Airbnb is right on the other side of the park across 678. As you noted, trying to get a ride-share afterwards can be a nightmare. Thanks!
Hey Roy, thanks for the super kind words! I’m pretty sure it is, especially during the tournament when there will be so much activity and police presence – but I haven’t done it myself and don’t know whether there are any less lit areas that are prone to crime, so I’d ask your Airbnb renters what they think just to be on the safe side (or someone else reading this may also have better knowledge). P.J.
I wouldn’t recommend it. Not too many people will be heading off in that direction. Most people will be leaving the tennis center and heading to their cars (either at Citi Field or other alternate lots) or taking the subway and LIRR. The area east of the center, towards 678 will be desolate at night because there’s nothing there for the crowds. If I were you, I wouldn’t do it.
I live close to the Center in Flushing.. Daytime is perfectly fine for walking thru Flushing Meadiw Park. While the park’s not particularly dangerous at night there are some spots which are off the beaten path. I suggest taking the walking route via marked city streets like 108th St. or College Point Blvd. You could take the 7 train one stop and walk from there also.
I wouldn’t recommend it either. I would take the bus if there is a stop near your Airbnb or an Uber. I have driven through these areas at night and they are a little sketchy.
I live in the area and would recommend walking on the streets instead of thru the park after dark. Perhaps taking the 7 train one stop west and walking along 108th street might be a safer choice.
Roy, you mentioned that you are going east across the Van Wyck (678). If you are north of the Queens Botanical Garden, I would walk back from the tennis center across the boardwalk to the Mets-Willets Pt Station and take the 7 train east. The first station is Main Street Station, at the corner of Main and Roosevelt. If you are south of the Queens Botanical Garden, someone else would have to chime in with advice.
Thanks everyone for your comments and suggestions. I will take safety over convenience every time!
Hi, sep 6th it’s men’s doubles finals. Not mixed doubles finals.
Luisa, thank you so much for catching that typo – corrected! Much appreciated. P.J.
PJ, Many thanks for your unbelievably informative and helpful blog. We are a group of 8, four adults and four kids, two of whom are aspiring competitive juniors, going to the US Open for the first time on Sunday, Sept. 1. I have a few questions, starting with which tickets to buy. We are looking at Day session tickets as we have an early morning flight home on Monday, but should we consider the Night Session? We can sleep on the plane after all. On venue, there is an opinion split: one half wants Arthur Ashe (US Open=Arthur Ashe! Tennis… Read more »
Hey Daina, you are so welcome – it brings me a ton of joy to hear that diehards like you all find it helpful! So it’s a really tough call for exactly the tradeoff you cite (stars! v intimate experience). One other factor to consider: Armstrong that day only has one session, so you get two men’s R16 matches plus one women’s and a men’s doubles versus in Armstrong, versus 1 men’s and 1 women’s R16 match in the Ashe Day session – so technically the dollar goes further (but that doesn’t factor in the value of seeing marquee names).… Read more »
Super helpful, P.J., thank you! Great suggestion to look at the 2018 schedule and to save the night session at Ashe for next time. Will be consulting your shade maps, for sure! After the schedule posts tomorrow/Saturday, will you be updating with your insights on who might play on which day?
Hey Daina, so glad it helped! I’ll be checking regularly today/this evening (or tomorrow if not out tonight) and will send an email to everyone who signed up to receive updates from my blog as soon as I can after it’s out (which will include that) and will also update this post under FAQ #1. P.J.
Four days down for me and only 17 to go !
I’m not really digging the reformatted qualies week. Neither are most of the diehards I’ve polled.
That’s amazing, you’re going every day??! It will be interesting to see if they bring back the 4-day format next year. How is it affecting the experience for you?
Yes, every day.
You have no idea how serious some of us fans are. You’d be considered very much a lightweight. ?
5 down and 16 to go ! I hope to see you out there sometime. ?
LOL, that’s fantastic. I’m so jealous. My work demands this time of year are insane, so I’m pretty much chained to my computer when not out there. Hope you have an incredible time. P.J.
Thank you.
You enjoy as well. I hope you can make it out soon.
You know who was a serious fan ? Alan King. He would come out all the time.
R.I.P. comedian/actor/serious tennis fan Alan King.
Wow, just googled and read about his background and legacy. I’ll raise a Honey Deuce to that!
Hi PJ,
Thank you so so much for this detailed US Open guide! Cannot be more helpful! May I have a question for you? Since the draws have been released and Novak, Rodger and Naomi have been placed in the first half, does that mean they are very likely to start first and therefore be scheduled on day 9 rather than day 10? But why the ticket price on Tuesday day 9 night is much much cheaper than day 10 Wednesday…. looking at the tickets and in a big struggle now! Thanks!
Kevin
Hi Kevin, you’re so welcome! Unfortunately we have to wait until tomorrow and keep refreshing the schedule page until they release the Day 1 schedule (and possibly Day 2) to know which half of the draw will play on which days. See my explanation under FAQ#1 above as to why and how it all works. As for the difference between Tues and Wed night QF, this has often been the case over the years and there is really no rhyme or reason- simply a function of more people buying tickets for Wed evening, and I have no idea what drives… Read more »
HI PJ!
I was wondering what you think about the possible order of play now that the schedule is out. Do you think Novak and Roger will be playing from day 1? I mean should I expect Roger and novak to play 2nd round on wednesday and 3rd round on friday and so on?
Hi Leo, unfortunately we have to wait until tomorrow and keep refreshing the schedule page until they release the Day 1 schedule (and possibly Day 2) to know which half of the draw will play on which days. See my explanation under FAQ#1 above as to why and how it all works. P.J.
OK – so the draws have been posted. How do I find out who I might see play on the day I have tickets? I have tickets for Monday, 9/2 (Labor Day). Day tickets for Armstrong and Evening tickets for Ashe. What might the possibilities be? Do I look at the bottom half of the draw (R1)?
Hi Gigi, unfortunately we have to wait until tomorrow and keep refreshing the schedule page until they release the Day 1 schedule (and possibly Day 2) to know which half of the draw will play on which days. See my explanation under FAQ#1 in my blog as to why and how it all works. P.J.
Thanks P.J.! Transportation question. We’ve never been to NYC, so I was reading your transportation tips. If we’re coming from 5th Av and 59th St, what would be the easiest way to get to Flushing Meadows? We do plan to purchase a 7-day unlimited metrocard, just trying to use their trip planner and it’s a bit confusing. Looks like there is a purple line that would take us there but not sure if that’s correct and how to catch it and if we could use the metrocard to ride. Thanks! This is an example of what it tells me: Take… Read more »
Hey Gigi, yes, subway works as will your unlimited metrocard. The “purple” line is the 7 subway train– . You just need to get there from 5/59, so you can take the N or W subway train (very close to you) two stops to Queensboro Plaza, then switch to the 7 line to Mets-Willets. P.J.
I see, I see! Does the 7 express go towards queens in the am? It seemed to indicate express goes towards manhattan am and queens pm. Just trying to figure out whether I take the 7 local or express going and coming. Also I get off at Mets-Willets not Flushing-Main? Thank you P.J.!!
Hey Gigi, don’t worry about whether the 7 is running express or not– you won’t have to choose between one or the other, it just will either be running express or it won’t be at particular times… but it will always be running in both directions. Yes, get off at Mets-Willets. Here’s a screenshot with directions. P.J.
Thank you P.J.!! This is getting exciting!!!
Hi P.J. – your site has been invaluable to me, so much appreciation for sharing your passion and knowledge of tennis and the US Open. Quick question – last year on the middle Sunday I had to show a night session pass at Armstrong for GA seating for a night session match. I showed a day session at first and then the usher said I had to have a night session ticket for that night. Luckily I did but this year I’m planning on only getting a day session ticket for that day. Do you think that was a fluke… Read more »
Hey Chris, thank you very much for the kind words. Yikes about your experience last year — that didn’t happen to me on the one day I tried to do the same (earlier in the first week) and this is the first I’m hearing of the issue. I’m honestly not sure whether that is an official rule– if it is, it isn’t published clearly anywhere that I have seen (and if so I will have steered a lot of people astray with the wrong info and will feel terribly). Thank you so much for letting me know you had that… Read more »
But Sunday is a single-admission entry…
Of course, running too fast today (trying to multitask with “real” work!). No worries on Sunday… but Mon-Sat, need to figure this out… PJ
Thanks for looking into this! No hurry but when/if you are able to confirm official policy on this can you explain the above comment about Sunday being single-admission entry? I was not aware of a difference on Sunday vs. Mon-Sat…not sure what that means (maybe I should know and am missing something).
Hey Chris, yes sorry should have explained: there are no separate evening sessions in Armstrong beginning Sunday Sep 1, so the issue is moot for Sunday… But I still need to figure out what the deal is officially for the rest of the week! P.J.
If I wish to buy 2 grounds tickets for August 29, can I go the the box office and get them there and avoid any additional charges from these ticket sellers such as Ticketmaster?
Hi Saul, you should have no issue – but they do sometimes sell out of grounds passes, so I can’t guarantee 100%. Each day they set aside a number to release on the actual day, so if you get there early you should be fine. P.J.
Hi, PJ,
The draw has been released. What are best and most exciting first round match-ups that you see?
TOP HALF (1) Fabio Fognini v American Reilly Opelka… Reilly Opelka has been doing great… He defeated Isner in 1st round of 2019 Australian, won the NY Open in Feb (beating Isner again), made it to 3d round Wimbledon. Fognini has been a provocative bad boy to say the least… By all accounts Reilly is an awesome guy. Hoping he does well at the Open this year! (2) Taylor Fritz v Feliciano Lopez (3) Guido Pella v Pablo Carreno-Busta (4) Bonra Coric v a qualifier, because Coric is one of my favorites BOTTOM HALF (1) Stefanos Tsitsipas v Andrey Rublev… Read more »
What your thoughts on the womens?
Given that it is Serena vs Maria Sharapova, I am betting that they are going to be playing at night in Ashe.
Sigh.
Hey Linda, here are the matches I’d prioritize – but eager to hear your thoughts as well! And you’re probably right about the Serena v Sharapova match-up being put on evening… I’d bet money on that one as well, it’s the most significant by far and tailor-made drama for prime time viewing that it will be hard for officials to resist.
TOP HALF
Muguruza v Riske
Azarenka v Sabalenka
Gauff v Potapova
BOTTOM HALF
Serena Williams v Sharapova
Zheng v Venus Williams
Kenin v Vendeweghe
Bouchard v Sevastova
Hi, PJ,
Just a casual fan.
Was reading http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2019/08/us-open-womens-preview-wta-madison-keys-halep-naomi-osaka-ash-barty-serena/84545/ which appeared in my MSN Sports app.
They had some of the matches you listed but a couple you did.
Johanna Konta vs. Daria Kasatkina
Angelique Kerber vs. Kiki Mladenovic
Camila Giorgi vs. Maria Sakkari
Should be interesting to see the schedule tomorrow!
Outstanding, thanks for sharing! P.J.
I like the following matchups: Top Half Fognini v. Opelka (Wonder if Fognini will want to bomb the US Open too…) Fucsovics v. Basilashvili (Fucsovics is having a terrible year, but he has potential) Kohlschreiber v. Pouille (down year for Kohlschreiber but he took out Zverev last year in the third round) Pella v. Carreno-Busta (Exciting matchup. Carreno-Busta is better than his ranking reflects) Seppi v. Dimitrov (Good matchup. Seppi took Pella to 5 sets in Wimbledon, Dimitrov beat Cilic at the French) Bottom Half Tsitsipas v. Rublev Shapovalov v. Auger-Aliassime (I can’t believe this is a first round matchup.… Read more »
NICE! Great picks!
You should definitely do the Racquet Bracket if you haven’t already…
Tom, Thanks for the background info on some of the match-ups, about who beat who, when, where. I don’t know a whole lot unless I look up stats. You definitely picked most of the matches I think are interesting. There seem to be many seemingly even match-ups and then others than make me so sad for some players. Esp the qualifiers who go up against Roger, Stan, Kei, and Borna. Though I guess anything can happen (but probably won’t). Also, I don’t know much about the player who is up against Medvedev- I think that might be a quick match.… Read more »
Awesome insights, Courtney, thanks!
Hi P.J. Thank you for this excellent compilation of information. Also and more importantly to me….THANK YOU specifically for highlighting wheelchair tennis. As someone who was part of the inaugural efforts back in 2000, it has been a privilege to experience the magnitude of support of wheelchair tennis at all the grand slams and the USTA’s continued commitment to the wheelchair tennis players in the United States. Have a great Open this year…..and ones to watch is our very own Dana Matthewson who received the wild card to play in the wheelchair tennis division! Go USA!
Karin, your note made my day – thank you! I’m thrilled to hear of your involvement and enthusiastic support of wheelchair tennis, and really appreciate you taking the time to write. Ditto on Dana! Wishing you a fantastic time this year! P.J.
Good morning!!
Thanks again for all your advice!! How is tue eve looking? I have tickets for tue. Jw if you had any clue how it was looking for the big players in ash tue eve? If I buy a day ticket do you have advice as to which day ticket session would be best to see the big players?
Thanks again!!
Debi
Hi Debi, you’re most welcome! It’s impossible to make predictions now for the reasons I mention in my FAQ #1 above, which includes why even knowing the results of the Draw today at 12pm will not help. We will know more when the Day 1 (and possibly Day 2) schedule(s) are be released either tomorrow late afternoon/early evening (or Saturday latest). P.J.
For those of you who want to get an autograph…. You will see the giant tennis balls sold at the stadium and kids are always coming down the aisles at the end a match in hopes of getting a signature… It’s not easy and you have to be lucky to be in the right place at the right time… However there is one other place you can stand and wait but the time invested is quite long. The practice courts are listed as P1, P2, P3, P4 P5, To the right of the practice courts is an area where you… Read more »
GREAT advice, Marilyn, thank you so much! P.J.