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.












P.J., you’re the best. Your advice and links made our US Open experience wonderful. It was the first time in a loooong time that I’d been & everything had changed, so I felt like a noob. Your shade maps, in particular, were very helpful, and your advice on ticket purchase/reseller options was spot-on. Thanks for making it an action-packed, yet relaxed, couple of days. M
Melissa, you made my day, thank you!! My post has gotten so long over the years and I continue to worry about how it’s structured. Comments like yours are very reassuring. If there’s anything you’d recommend I do to make more user-friendly (or add) based on your experience, please let me know. So glad you had a great time, and thanks again! P.J.
PJ,
Question of the day: when it rains, what do they do about all the outside court matches? I’m glad I am in Ashe today but some other players I wanted to see are scheduled on outer courts.
Have fun with The Joker tonight! I cant wait to see Roger later!
Thanks!!
. I saw you had linked to rain policy PDFs from past years. Just found the link to the current one. Looks a wee bit complicated…
https://www.usopen.org/pdf/Inclement_Weather_Policy_2018.pdf
Courtney, THANK YOU! I try like heck to keep the links all up to date, but totally spaced on updating that one. Will fix now. Huge thanks. P.J.
Hey again! Reading these backwards, so know you already saw the policy and were one step ahead. If it starts raining early in the day and looks really bad, they’ll add a match or two to Ashe Day session and may try to do as well on Armstrong. But looks like rain may not happen today until late aft/early evening, so hopefully they’ll be able to get through a good number of the matches. Enjoy today!! P.J.
Is the FREE ADMISSION THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5 FOR DOUBLES SEMIFINALS & MORE! — STILL HAPPENING THIS YEAR?
Hi Dynah, YES. They are not calling it community day this year and not really advertising it, no idea why… But yes, free grounds admission (including access to Armstrong doubles matches), gates open at 11am. See last year’s schedule for indication of what to expect. P.J.
Me again! Lol. So it looks like we may not see roger or Serena. Jw if I have figured that right? They started on Monday and our tickets are for Monday sept 2 in Ashe. They will probably play tue? Would you think evening or day? And what do you think about me selling and buying another day based on this info? Or should I just keep the Monday eve ash tickets?
Thanks again!!
Debi Smith
Hey Debi, that’s correct :(. See my special chart under FAQ #1 for list of top seeded players and which days they’ll play if they advance. For Tuesday quarterfinals, it’s almost certain they would schedule Serena at night if she advances; for Roger, no way at all to predict if both he and Novak advance for reasons I mention in FAQ #1. As for reselling and purchasing new tix, I’d counsel doing only what your budget can responsibly permit. I always advise people to purchase new tix only if they can afford them and risk losing some or all the… Read more »
Hi, P.J.,
Based on your incredibly detailed and helpful site, we decided to get courtside Armstrong tickets for Sunday, 9/1 day, taking your advice to go for the better seats in the smaller stadium vs Ashe. Even though we won’t see Roger or Serena on Armstrong, it will still be the best tennis we will have ever seen. Thank you thank you for your advice and amazing site!
Daina
Hi Daina, I hope you have a phenomenal time!! P.J.
So excited, especially our two teenage players who are going for the first time. Quick question about practice sessions: if the grounds open at 9:30 am on Sunday, will there be practice sessions scheduled that early? I checked today’s schedule and it shows the earliest practice session beginning at 11:30 am. Thanks for any guidance!
Great! Every day is a little different… Earliest practices I’ve seen are 10:30am, usually earlier in the tournament. 11:30 may be more likely start for practices this Sun. P.J.
Daina – practices today starting at 10:00am (schedule here)- so start times tomorrow may be similar!
Thanks to the tips on this web page, our first visit to the US Open was somewhat sane. However, it was almost noon by the time we made it from NJ to Flushing Meadows. Next time, we will have to leave much earlier if we want to make a 11 am match. Though the LIRR is faster; it is less frequent than the #7 subway. Next year we are going to try the #7. The Tsitsipas-Rublev match was 4 hours and the Halep-Gibbs match was 2 hours, so we were only able to still for only the first set of… Read more »
Hey Linda, very sorry it wasn’t the day you had hoped. FYI next time for LIRR check the special timetable for times in advance to make sure there will be a train that aligns with your schedule (I always try to update it every year under my Tip 9). As someone who tried to choose vegetarian often, I actually was really surprised and delighted by the options I saw when I was out there today. I jotted the ones I saw in the Food Court for you (didn’t realize today was your only day, sorry to not get this to… Read more »
Maybe next year!
🙂
I believe you can stay till the end of the matches even if you don’t have evening tickets. Gauff was still part of the day session so you should have been able to stay till the end? I believe that ended around 6:30-8pm which isn’t too late although I suppose going all the way back to Jersey that night might put it past bedtime.
I was there last night watching Nadal on Ashe which was pretty incredible courtside. He has so much strength in his shots! Going back again tomorrow (if not tonight!)
Hey Sara, that’s absolutely correct – I was reading Linda’s note and assumed she meant they had to leave to get back home because matches went longer than expected. I spoke to several people who were there for Gauff yesterday – they stayed until the end, but had friends outside with evening tickets who were not let into GA seating because they were trying to avoid a madhouse situation and further delay. Seeing Nadal in person is otherworldly. I saw him from courtside last year and, like you, was blown away by the power and spin – and sound of… Read more »
Oh that makes total sense – I read her comment wrong. I tried to stop in for the Kyrgios match after Nadal last night, but it was around 10pm and I knew the Kyrgios match wouldn’t start till much later since the Azarenka match went into a 3rd set. Had to head home myself for work today. I took off Thursday entirely so I can make a day of it !
Was right with you on Kyrgios match… had friends with tix and wanted to stay after the very exciting Vika/Sabalenka match, but knew early morning for work was in store and valued sleep since I’ll be there tonight and wanted to be well rested. Enjoy THurs! PJ
PJ,
You are correct.
My mom did not want to get back home “too late”.
Door to door one-way, it is about 2h30 if everything goes smoothly.
In the morning it took us 3h.
drive to park+ride; bus to Port Authority; subway to Penn Station; LIRR to tennis
Next year we will have to figure something else out.
I have poor eyesight so driving at night is out of the question.
my husband caught Ferret’s wristband after that slugfest!!!! I’m upset that there are no longer any general admission courtside seats at the new grandstand!!
Omg!!! How cool. That was one for the ages. Agreed, and feel even more sad about the expansion of Armstrong courtside to the detriment of GA seating. P.J.
we saw Riske and Isner win today at the Grandstand, but we missed so much of the fun trying to improve our seats to get to courtside. BooHoo!
$$$$$ is the name of the game. And here is the sickening bit. I read last week that the USTA had under-reported millions in gross revenue and worse…They owe $300,000 in back-rent!!!
All my month’s rent goes to pay for these tickets – you think they could pay THEIR rent!
I guess it’s all relative. What they owe in back-rent is just 3 matches worth of violations for Nick Kyrgios.
Hi
Will a US Open Club or Aces pass allow me entry to the grounds, or do I need to buy a grounds pass?
Thanks
Hi Nikki, no you will need a separate grounds pass or stadium ticket. PJ
Thanks
Hey there, I have tickets for the Men’s Semis on Sept. 6 and I’m super excited for it! I notice that a lot of the promotional stuff (Chase, Amex) only occurs up until around the quarterfinal stages. I’m wondering if anything else special happens on the grounds for the semis/finals days when it’s not quite as crowded?
Hey Brandon, awesome! Such an incredible day to go. The grounds are much quieter those days, but all the shops are still open. Nothing special apart from that. P.J.
A couple days ago you posted a link to the Tennis Channel bracket challenge. I entered it but all I can see are my picks (nothing updated since the Open started). Did you do this and if so, does your show who’s in/out? Thanks.
Hey Maura, I was wondering the same thing! Yes I did it (as always many wrong initial picks) but it isn’t showing as it normally does what’s right and wrong with corrections. Maybe they are having tech difficulties – or maybe they are waiting until after 1st round all complete? I imagine they’ll send an email update soon- at least I hope. PJ
Looks like it’s updated and working! Click on the link they emailed you when you registered, and you’ll see your “score” to date and updated bracket. PJ
Maura, my standings today: a pathetic 2581 of 5573… Amazed how many other people anticipated so many of the top players falling so early! How are you faring?
Woo hoo! I’m beating you! I’m 1283 (top 23%) for the men. Not so good on the women’s side — I was in the top 86%. Haha.
Nice!! Next time someone asks me for any predictions I know who to call 🙂
OMG! I just checked and I’m #50 (yes…out of 5583) and in the top 1% (for women I remain in top 83%…calling Halep to win kinda busted that bracket…). I have no idea how I’m doing so well on the men’s side. Reminds me of my first post-college job with a bunch of sports freak males and I beat them three years in a row for March Madness by picking states or cities I liked or had friends at or I liked the team colors…while they rabidly were creating excel sheets to track miles flown between games and true BB… Read more »
OMG!!! I, in contrast, am down to 3573 out of 5573 in the ATP bracket! That is amazing. Clearly my Irish roots aren’t helping… Congrats! P.J.
Well, let’s just say that Djokovic having to retire didn’t do my bracket any favors. It was fun being a 1%er while it lasted!
On another note, I met Rod Laver yesterday and that was cool.
Maura
Amazing!! Legend! Was just at Ashe for Osaka and sitting in section next to him… Goosebunps.
I apparently missed out on grounds tickets for Saturday. Now there are just resale tickets starting at $167. Thoughts on if I should wait and keep checking? We are going to Armstrong for the Sunday afternoon session and Ashe Sunday night. I just wanted to experience the grounds Saturday and see multiple matches, including doubles.
Hey Jennifer, in these cases I personally would wait for something to open up (eg a last-minute Promenade seat in ashe that is cheaper). Never any guarantees, and always possibility average prices will go up- but sometimes very close sellers get nervous and lower their prices. Unfortunately Labor Day weekend esp Sat and Sun are always super in demand. Wish I could give more definitive advice! P.J.
Thanks, we are waiting to see if anything opens. And another question re: Armstrong on Sunday. There are 4 of us who have never been to the US Open…which seats would be best? I wanted to go ahead and buy those for the 11am session. I saw somewhere you mentioned avoiding certain areas due to generator noise? Any advice is appreciated.
Hey Jennifer, my recs would be in priority order: (1) avoid the top 1/2 of rows on the West side due to noise (lower half great and good for shade); (2) behind the server on the south side of the stadium is great— more towards the half towards the SouthWest corner for shade: (3) avoid the NW upper seats at all costs – super loud; (4) North behind the server great too but just a bit more sun for longer. Avoid east side lower half if you don’t want sun- otherwise they are a bit quieter and totally clear view… Read more »
Tomorrow’s schedule just out. Federer and Pliskova DAY, Novak and Serena EVENING.
Thanks PJ!!! Bought Armstrong’s evening session tickets. Section 5 Row F for $125. Thanks a lot for your help and can’t wait for our first experience.
Cheers,
Chanakya
Fantastic, Chankaya- enjoy! P.J.
Does this mean Federer is on Friday night?
Hi Kirsten, quite possibly – and a good guess – but no way to know for sure for the reasons I mention in FAQ #1.
Do you think they’ll schedule Serena for evening three times in a row??
Hi Carissa, well, they did last year… but you truly never know. As i mention in FAQ #1 it can be very risky and costly to speculate! PJ
What do you think are some of the most intriguing matchups for tomorrow in men’s singles?
I think Garin-de Minaur on Court 5, although de Minaur seems to always disappoint in big matches.
Carreno Busta-Berankis on Court 10 should be a good one and Evans-Pouille on Court 13 match up well.
Will you be there for Coric-Dimitrov?
I haven’t paid too close attn to day matches because I will be stuck working tomorrow and can’t be there or watch! But I’ll be there for Nole and Serena tomorrow night in Ashe. Very bummed to miss Coric Dimitrov- hopefully can catch a bit after Ashe…
This is a bucket list event for anyone who plays, though it’s been several years since my last visit. We went for the better part of a decade when my son was younger. We used to arrive as the gates opened so we could get seats at the top of Armstrong on the side adjacent to Grandstand (prior to all the new court construction). Every changeover / between matches on LA, we would stand up \ turn around to watch the action on GS. This is incredible info should we decide to return at some point in the future. Much… Read more »
Hey Stuart, thank you so much for that! I used to do the same thing in the old stadium… Hope you enjoy watching on TV this year and get back to NY soon! P.J.
Moving our son into Rutgers tomorrow for his first year…we’re watching the LA match — 4th set
AMAZING MATCH!!!!! Congrats and best wishes to your son!
??
PJ. Today’s question is do you think practice schedule is indicative of the session the player will plaY the following day? I see Djokovic practicing today I see Medvedev practicing today I see Serena practicing today. That makes me think they are preparing for an a.m. match tomorrow I don’t see Roger on the practice schedule yet. Maybe he practices somewhere else or they will add him later in the day. late last night I took the plunge and bought a courtside seat for tomorrow day. A standard Ticketmaster price not a reseller. Still a lot but not getting ripped… Read more »
Hey! Never thought to analyze that for any patterns… Let’s watch this week and see if we can discern any. My gut is no, though, as I don’t believe players’ camps would have such an early heads-up before schedule is announced publicly to have it affect the set-up of their practices. That’s fantastic you went for those courtsides. And LOL, yes hoping it works out for both of us 🙂
Also OMG this Tsitsipas Rublev match!
I know! this match has been going on since 11? I could have been there but this is actually excruciatingly hard to watch, with Tsitipas with likely cramping. I’m kind of glad I am not there. Good competition is awesome. When one player is in pain, I can’t get that much pleasure from watching.
So if he wins this set, think he can survive a 5th without collapsing from cramps? He is limping!
We got our wish for tomorrow! Schedule just out.
I’m dying inside for Tsitsipas. I find the no-treatment-for-cramping rule absurd. It’s not a function of conditioning. Aaargh.
I saw part of the Tsitsipas – Rublev match.
We sat in front of an idiot who kept saying that Tsitsipas was being a “dramatic” and feigning injury.
We’ll be in NYC next weekend. Is it worth buying women’s semi tickets now? We’re hoping to catch Serena but obviously there’s no guarantee she’ll make it that far. Also, do prices go up for those later matches as the tourney goes on?
Hey Brad, prices may go up for that session if Serena stays in the tournament, and they’ll likely decline if she exits… So it’s always a tough call. When I see seats I love that are comparatively good deals and within my budget, I usually go for them – but it’s a bit like playing the stock market and such a personal decision that I have a hard time recommending strongly to others when exactly to purchase. P.J.
Thanks for all the helpful tips!
I see online tickets for 12pm at Ashe… will that give me access to all courts on that day?
(Basically why does it say 12pm and not 11 am)??
Hey Zack, yes it does (except Ashe night session). Ashe matches start at Noon, whereas matches on other courts start at 11. But you can enter grounds at 930am with Ashe day ticket just like every other day ticket. PJ
Your tips are fantastic! Thanks to you, i purchased a Grandstand reserved ticket for the same price as a grounds ticket! Used South Gate and spent a heavenly 10 hours there yesterday. I’m hooked on the early days! Oh, and parking was a breeze at CitiField, but I won’t attempt to drive when Mets are at home. A big THANK YOU!!!
Joni, this is AWESOME to hear, all music to my ears!!! Thank you so much for letting me know!! P.J.
Hi P.J. ,
thank you so much for the detailed description. I have a 4 year old and a 11 months old. Are kids allowed? Do we need to buy seperate tickets for them ? I am planning to buy tickets for aug 30 or 31st?
Hi Subha, you’re most welcome. Yes, children 24 months and older require regular tickets. P.J.
Thanks so much for this information. I’m a 70 year old player, coach and CTA President and this is my first trip to the open. Sitting in Ashe Saturday and Sunday Labor Day Weekend, both day and evening sessions. Sections 122, 124, 125. Your blog is very helpful.
Steven, it’s so gratifying to hear that it’s been helpful, thank you! Sounds like you will have an incredible weekend. Wishing you a great first Open! P.J.
AMAZING information! I wish i had seen it earlier. I am taking my 81 year old mother tomorrow for our first US OPEN experience! She doesn’t know yet! I’ve been nervous about the whole thing but reading through your information makes be feel better equipped to have a great experience. THANKS!
Yvonne, THANK YOU! And that is wonderful you’re taking your mom – she will be over the moon. Hope you both have an awesome time!! P.J.
Do Serena tickets resell well? Curious for Friday night / day prices.
Hey Sara, there tends to be much greater demand for any session with Roger or Serena. All Ashe sessions Fri-Sun Labor Day weekend also have pretty strong demand, so definitely easier to resell for them than others. P.J.
Went to my first US Open yesterday. Had a blast. Your tips were incredibly helpful. Just wanted to say thank you!
THANK YOU so much for letting me know, deeply appreciate it!! P.J.
Hi PJ, That was a great day to begin. I landed in Jfk close to noon and after a long waiting to clear the immigration, was able to make it to the stadium around 6. Tried my luck and around 5th time or so got a ticket at boxoffice around 7.05. Was close but just in time to see serena walk out to the court. I do find it difficult about the way fans are allowed to enter and leave during the play of game. I can understand at promenade but even at loge, it is really disturbing. However enjoyed… Read more »
Hey Praveen, great you got to see that exciting evening! I was asked the same question yesterday about switching from Ashe to Armstrong tickets, and am just not sure… You could try calling the Box Office before going to ask (718-760-6363) – if you or others find out today, please let us know! P.J.
HI PJ,
Just curious why would any one want to swap between Ashe & Armstrong ? I am a first timer and planning to buy & watch Wednesday 7:00 PM armstrong matches. Should i pull the trigger and get the tickets now Or wait until tomm morning ? Will be watching with my 8 year old daughter and trying to get as close as possible.
Thanks,
C
Hi Chanakya, people might want to switch for 2 reasons: (1) they find scheduled players/match-ups more interesting on Armstrong; (2) Armstrong is much more intimate than Ashe, and offers the chance to sit Courtside and see players up very close for prices that may be around the same as sitting much higher up in the mammoth Ashe stadium. There’s no rush to pull the trigger on Armstrong tomorrow evening yet — but there may be when the tomorrow’s schedule comes out today (keep checking starting later this morning, they often release Ashe and Armstrong schedules before listing other courts). If,… Read more »
Thanks a lot for that tip..I will keep checking schedule of play.
Hi PJ , Hope you are doing fine . I ended up watching the matches at Armstrong yesterday . The person in the booth was not sure about swap/upgrade and additionally I was lucky to find seat in the reserved section of GA and the view was amazing behind base line . Hard luck for the Greek man , but other matches were lively . Halep and coco , it’s a definitely a treat for fans when starting rounds go for deciders . I couldn’t watch Nick as it was getting late . Also the Views from Armstrong ,event GA… Read more »
Hey Praveen, thanks for this great summary of your experience! Yeah super tough break for Tsitsipas, was hard to watch. Very happy for Coco. And so many other upsets yesterday – wow. For Armstrong, I must say that in this second year (having sat through a few hours of matches there last night) I’m becoming more critical of the overall approach for the new stadium. The old stadium had a much smaller courtside level – they were truly “boxes” that merited the price — and the GA seats were all amazing; there was only one session per day, so money… Read more »
Hi PJ, wonderful site this – best of its kind I’ve seen for any tournament. I’m heading over from UK to watch the tennis on Friday (day and evening on Ashe). I’ll finally complete the spectator grand slam so very excited! When I originally booked my tickets, I messed up my order (I meant to buy 1 day, 2 evening but bought the other way around). I bought some new ones and the good news is the value of them went up in the meantime (both old and new)! The bad news is the refunds have to go on a… Read more »
Hey Ben, thank you so much for the amazingly nice comment! Yes, I’ve heard from several others in your boat and find the situation so frustrating – hoping at some point Ticketmaster adjusts its policy. Have you tried posting on Stubhub or any of the other resale sites I list in Box 2? Pretty sure at least Stubhub offers the possibility of getting funds via PayPal or some other means. P.J.
Thanks P.J. I was all set to go with what you suggested, when I suddenly got an email to say the payment had gone through on my American relative’s card! Not sure if they technically encourage this, and it may be better for some to use the secondary market, but it was a relief for me that it worked! I was very fortunate that the last match I saw live was Federer vs. Nadal at Wimbledon, so I’m not too worried about what matches I see on Friday. Just hoping to have time to see a variety of courts and… Read more »
Glad that worked out! Wishing you an awesome experience. P.J.
Hey P.J., outstanding work on this primer, and thank you for your dedication. What are your thoughts on the utility of the grounds pass on Day 5 (Friday) if I’m just interested in men’s singles? I am worried that since there are only 8 men’s singles matches that day, and the majority will be in AA/LA/Grandstand, there just won’t be much action on the outer courts, and I’ll miss out on the experience of getting to see top players close-up. Do you think it would it would be smarter to go Day 3 (Wednesday) to see lots of good tennis… Read more »
Hi Henry, THANK YOU! On Friday there will be 6 matches on Armstrong (1 day, 1 eve)/Grandstand (2 total)/Court 17 (2 total) – you’ll be able to get GA seats for sure for any one match you prioritize if you plan it right (i.e. arrive early enough), but overall it’s more a question of time management and convenience battling crowds for seats on popular matches. Yes, Wed, definitely more options on more courts hence less pressure on seats. One thing to consider: going for a Grandstand Courtside resale ticket on Wed if you can afford it (I think there are… Read more »
Hey PJ,
Any tips in regards to getting the best deal on last minute tickets? Looking to get something for tomorrow night’s sessions. Cheers for all your great work!
Hi Jono! I’d recommend the sequencing outlined in Box 2 above: always start with the main Ticketmaster site and click map view to get best birdseye view of what’s available standard and resale via Exchange and exactly where seats are… then if you can check 1-2 other resale sites like Stubhub to see if by chance there’s something better than what you have your eyes on. The vast majority of folks reselling post on Ticketmaster, so it’s also usually the best place to start looking for last-minute deals. P.J.
i have tickets for 8/29and 8/30night sessions. I know the gate opens at 6:00pm. IWhat time should I arrive to get in line thanks so much. Wanda
Hi Wanda, lines can vary a lot each day – I personally usually get there around 5:30pm for a 6pm evening session ticket. Welcome thoughts from any other readers! P.J.
Is there any way to get in earlier than 6 with a night session ticket? If you would arrive at 5 and people are leaving, is there a way to get in with their ticket?
Hey James, sometimes you get more lenient staff than others, so you can always try. Depends on the night and size of crowds… In the case of folks coming out, usually they stamp your hand so that if you reenter you have to show both the ticket printout they give you plus the stamp to prevent tickets from being re-used. P.J.
Ok PJ I’m freaking out right now. I decided to sell my ticket for tonight because I thought “how could this kid Nagal beat Federer so I still have chances to see Roger” well Nagal is doing pretty darn well. If he wins I will shoot myself for not going.
If Roger is fine and goes through, ?? when do they announce the Wednesday schedule? Cause the minute I know, I am getting a ticket!
All my favorite players made it through today, so I’m happy to go to both sessions Wednesday, just not both Ashe tickets!
Thanks as always!
Hey Courtney, Fed will be fine! But that first set, wow… They often will release the Ashe and Armstrong schedules first before doing the other courts. There is no set time, but I usually start checking myself around 10am (I can’t recall it ever being out that early, but better safe than sorry). P.J.
10 am tomorrow? As in Tuesday? Thats cool, I’ll be refreshing a lot. Already spotting some single courtside in the $340 range standard TM prices. A small fortune for me, but hey you only live once.
Any courtside sections to downright avoid? Like with barricades or obstructed views. I see corner sections are slightly less expensive,
Last thing. Can you bring an iPad in? I’m pretty sure no, but I don’t see it onlist of prohibited items, unless I am missing it.
I’ll be doing vegan and vegetarian reconnaissance tomorrow. 🙂
Have fun !
Hey Courtney, yup – they publish the day before on the daily schedule page and the app, but it’s just totally variable as to when. I just always start checking early to be on the safe side. Yes those standard courtsides are a great deal and it’s so cool being down there. No obstructed views courtside except a bit in the lower rows immediately behind and right around the umpire chair. Always recommend going for seats in South or West during day sessions for max shade. YES you can bring an iPad (I have). And great on the vegan/veg scouting!… Read more »
Thanks you’re the GOAT, well.. after the big 3. Then there’s PJ!
LOL, thank you!!
Some observations from Day 1 that I thought I could share: 1) It was very crowded throughout the grounds. I can’t imagine how it’ll be during Labour Day weekend! I was at Court 17 watching Opelka taking on Fognini. They did a good job getting people in and out, but it was mostly a standing room crowd. They were certainly letting people in, because apparently enough people were coming in during the change overs. But it was close to a capacity crowd. Good to see. Then I went to Court 9 to see Pouille and Kohlschreiber. Small seating capacity there… Read more »
Tom, outstanding summary and great advice, thank you!! P.J.
I REALLY appreciate these reports, thank you so much. I’m impressed you got into the chase lounge. All reservations were books as of yesterday. NO ICE COFFEE?!?! Are they insane!?!
I’ll hit up Amex lounge for some R and R. Bringing my own food, I’ll be there all day and night! That is, if I can get into Denis/Felix and then Kyrigios/Johnson (?). I imagine that will be a line a mile long.
Thanks for the info, really.so helpful.
Hi. Thanks for all the great info. First time to the Open. Going to the womens final. Thinking about taking the LIRR back to Penn Station after the match. Safe way to travel back?
Hey Kevin, absolutely. Strongly recommend. PJ
Thank you. Your info has been great. Thanks for taking the time to help us all.
My pleasure, Kevin, thanks for your thanks! P.J.
What is the best way to access the West Gate from the Met conflict day parking lots? It’s such a long walk, wondering if there is a bus or any alternative (in the past the busses have gone only to East and South gates). Thanks for the awesome site!!
Hey Adam, You’re so welcome! Very sorry to report I don’t know because I haven’t faced that situation yet– I’ve only gotten dropped off by Uber around that area before they divert cars… Sorry! P.J.
Hello – I am attending tomorrow. Am curious whether the Citi Field lot will be available in the morning for the day session? As the game is a night game. How do they handle that?
Hey Sean, so sorry I have always avoided parking on game days so not 100%, but I’m pretty sure they direct people to the many alternate lots. P.J.
The Mets should just be out of town for the 2 weeks of the US Open. Big inconvenience. I doubt they will let people park at the Citi field lots, despite a 7pm start, because not everyone will leave by then. I need ADA access for Tuesday, so curious to see what that’ll be like, and actually dreading it.
Hi, PJ,
One more question. What does saving the tickets to my mobile wallet mean?
I have downloaded the Ticketmaster app on my smartphone. I see the tickets there.
My smartphone is not fancy with various features, so I don’t have Apple Pay or Samsung Pay etc.
Hey Linda, I’m unfortunately not sure how it works on Android or other devices that aren’t iPhones, so sorry! Iphones have a mobile “Wallet” that enables access to airplane boarding passes, tickets, etc without WiFi access (like saving to a hard drive). If you keep in the Ticketmaster app, you’ll need WiFi to access them – which sometimes can be an issue on grounds with tens of thousands of people trying to access WiFi all at once. Perhaps you can check to see if your phone as anything similar? P.J.
You don’t need to save to your wallet. Only iPhones have that option. As I am sure you know you don’t need WiFi to access the Ticketmaster app. So if you can’t get WiFi, you can just use regular data. In case you can’t get either (which won’t happen, cell reception is fine there), take a screenshot of your Ticketmaster ticket with the QR code. They don’t allow pictures for entry but at a minimum you can use it as proof, and also print up your receipt- all as a precaution. I think you should be fine accessing the app… Read more »
Thanks Courtney.
It is confusing the way they talked about the needing to save to the wallet.
If I purchase tickets for Friday 9/6, I will be able to watch the men’s doubles final match and both men’s semifinals matches right?
Hi Jessica, correct!
What kind of TV coverage is available for the special demonstration of the Special Needs athletes on Sunday morning, August 31?
Hi Jimmy, I’m out of the loop on that particular demonstration. Sounds great – could you tell me where you read/heard about it and I can try to find out? The US Open App (through ESPN) actually has coverage of every court (complimentary for 10 min, requiring cable login after that) so hope it will be featured on that and also via ESPN.com. P.J.
DreamCourt Tennis for special needs “athletes” has been invited to come on Sunday. 18 of them will put on a demonstration early in the morning. There is a delegation of about 60 adults, teenage “coaches” and chaperones. They will be on Arthur Ashe Court.
That’s awesome. Let me check with USTA friends who would probably know and get back ASAP.
The delegation is led by Jessica Weyreuter, founder and director of Dream Court.
I know Jessica, she’s amazing! Let me reach out to her.
Dream Court is in Montgomery Alabama. An entire tennis court facility was built for these special needs and physically challenged athletes.
Just found out from USTA folks that demos will unlikely to be broadcast on TV/ESPN, though will probably be featured on screens on the grounds. And hopefully Tennis Channel and ESPN may show some highlights. P.J.
Hi P.J., Im headed to the open on Wed/Thurs this week and have gone yearly for 30+ years. This is the first time I am considering bringing a seat cushion b/c my bones are getting older and I’m starting to find those seats more and more uncomfortable. Do you recall if they allow those portable seat cushions to be brought in? I do not see them on the list of prohibited items. Btw, nice work on the info page!
Hi Susan, thanks for the nice words 🙂 You should have no problem bringing that in! Enjoy. P.J.
I saw Emirates Airlines was giving out seat cushions branded with their logo. Not sure what you have to do (sign up, contest, etc.) to get one…
Hi PJ, I have a question about upgrading your seats on the day of. I currently have Arthur Ashe day session tickets for Thursday, August 29th. I am attending with my little brother because he is a Rafa Nadal super fan. We got lucky enough that Rafa will be playing on Thursday, but I am nervous about the day/night scheduling. I know he is scheduled for the the evening session in R1, but because it is Thiem (and not Novak or Roger) on Rafa’s side of the draw I worry they may lean towards scheduling him for the evening sessions… Read more »
Carissa, that is a great question and I’m embarrassed I don’t know as I’ve never tried “upgrading” (technically trading) from Ashe to Armstrong or vice versa — only tried for better seats within a stadium. I can’t imagine they wouldn’t especially given the glut of available Armstrong tickets (which I think they’ve really overpriced). I’d try calling the box office and asking directly: 718-760-6363. (Other readers who see this may know too). If you find out one way or the other, I’d be most grateful if you let me know! P.J.
Hi PJ, thank you so much for all of the information. I’ve been scrolling through comments trying to piece together information. I think I have a pretty good idea of what we should do based on your recommendations. We are bringing our son to the US Open for his 18th bday. We’re driving to NY Friday night. We’re thinking to buy nosebleed Arthur Ashe tickets for the day pass, which will allow my son and husband to get into the rest of the courts general admission at night, correct? Then, on Sunday we’re thinking to buy a night Arthur Ashe… Read more »
Hi Rochelle, you’re most welcome – and great to hear about your son’s b’day present, he’ll be so thrilled! As for the Day/Night question, it’s really impossible to predict (see my detailed explanation in FAQ #1 about trends and numerous exceptions). Will keep fingers crossed for you! P.J.
Mahalo for all your insight! This is very helpful. I have a day ticket reserved seating for the Armstrong day session on Thursday. Will this ticket allow me to watch a night session in The General Admission section of Armstrong during the night session? Just wondering. Mahalo for sharing your experience and thoughts with us. Aloha!
Aloha! If you had asked me a few weeks ago, I would have said, “yes absolutely.” However, I recently updated my post to include the following: **Special note regarding access to general admission (GA) seating for Armstrong Night sessions: One reader recently reported that in 2018 an usher demanded they show an evening session ticket to enter GA seating for the Armstrong evening session. This usher was almost certainly in the wrong: to my knowledge, the US Open has not published anything stating that policy. If this happens to you this year, explain to the usher that you did extensive… Read more »
I am sitting in the Louis Armstrong evening session with only a grounds pass.
I asked a member of staff to direct me to the general admission and she said we needed a reserved ticket. I told her reserved was only for the lower levels and there was general admission above. She said she wasn’t sure and didn’t want to give false information.
Once inside other members of staff directed us to general admission and we are here!
It is pretty empty up here as of 19:20. Around 20% full.
Great info Thanks! Remember that most of the staff are volunteers and so I don’t count on them for accurate information. They are VERY friendly though so that’s good.
Maybe you could take a pic of the view and note where you are sitting? That would be great. I often post my pics on a site called View from my seat where people share their pics helping the rest of us know what to expect.
Have fun!
Here is the view, hopefully the link works: https://ibb.co/XSZCPP8
Not sure of the section but it’s the 2nd row of the general admission. From the corner.
Link Totally worked and very very helpful! Cheers! 🙂
I find that the volunteers on day 1 haven’t been as primed for the full range of questions they might get asked (the last two years I was misdirected a few times or had to keep asking people to get correct answers/go to right place)…by day 3, they seem to be complete experts! 🙂
Glad I am going on day 3 then! But really, we are all experts by now from PJ’s blog! WE will be answering people’s questions or telling the volunteers what they don’t already know!
Is there wifi at the US Open or are you using your data? 😀
I have charged up both my smartphones and my mom is bringing along a charger.
Also being almost-vegan, we are going to press them for more vegan options.
Hi Linda, there is WiFi at the Open – but with so many people accessing it, signal strength can be hit or miss at times depending on your location (or at least was last year). P.J.
Using my data and it’s pretty good connection.
Not tried WiFi I’ve I’m honest
They seem to be active on their Twitter feed.
Perhaps ask them there.
https://twitter.com/usopen
Great idea, Linda. And the more folks who post asking for more vegan options, the more likely they will keep expanding!
Indeed – they have answered questions for me on Twitter. I’m going to ask about the Armstong issue as well.
Hey Courtney, would be great – see also Steve’s comment re access to GA in Armstrong (live report from Armstrong tonight).
What is the best way to get to the stadium from JFK?
Hey Mary Allen, cab or Uber will get you there in about 25 min, otherwise you need to take the JFK Air Train to the E train at Sutphin, take E to Roosevelt Av-Jackson Heights, switch to 7 to Mets-Willets. P.J.
Hey PJ, Here are some observations about ticket sales, resales and price fluctuations – especially for solo travelers since I am always looking at single ticket trends. First. CHASE LOUNGE reservations all filled up. Reservations were required! So much for that perk. You can sign up for a waitlist for up to 4 sessions. So as I told you I bought good loge seats for Sessions 1- 4 to guarantee that I saw Roger. Once the schedule came out, I listed my other sessions for resale on TM, so I was monitoring prices of both TM and Stubhub prices to… Read more »
Hey Courtney, thanks so much for sharing all this experience! I’m so excited to get out there myself. P.J.
It seems like first week Mon-Thur Ashe tix are hard to resell unless Fed is playing.
Thanks for the info about Grandstand shade. I’m sure it’ll shift throughout the day, but my tix this year are all in Sec. 21, so that’s nice to hear.
Hi P.J.
I’m going to the US Open first round night session for the first time and I have a question about my camera. I have a Canon Rebel t5 with a medium size lens attached. It’s not a “white” professional lens. I’m wondering what their rules on DSLR cameras are? I see they don’t allow “recording devices” but do allow SLR cameras. I would love to bring my camera but I’m nervous they won’t allow it in. I saw lots of people with larger cameras during the Fan Week but I want to be sure before bringing mine. Thanks!
Hey Kane, SLR cameras are fine and sounds like yours will be. The restrictions are about the size of the lens (and the bag, which must be under 12x12x16″). Here’s what I’ve heard from a number of serious photographers:
— Any lens 200mm or under is OK. Anything over 300mm probably not, over 400 absolutely not.
— Any lens greater than 4″ diameter will likely be disallowed
Worst case scenario, they ask you to check it at the bag check area. But again, doesn’t sound like what you have will be an issue.
P.J.
I took a D750 with a 70-200mm f2.8 and a 14-28mm f2.8 with no problems on 3 days this year. Wrapped them in a neoprene laptop sleeve for protection and put in a suitable bag. You may get away with 300mm f2.8 but might be touch and go. I would imagine that a fixed 300mm that isn’t f2.8, i.e. it’s smaller, should be fine.
Hi P.J.
I read all your tips – Thanks for the same. It helps people like us, first timers at the US Open. We have tickets for the Men’s singles semis/doubles finals on September 6th, three seats in section 105 row D – hope those are good seats?! Eagerly waiting to watch the best tennis players in the world!
I would like to ask if plenty of vegetarian food choices are available within the tennis centre/food courts?
Waiting to hear from you…
Thank you.
Hi Uma, so great to hear, thank you! Yes those will be fantastic for Men’s Semis – what a phenomenal day to go, you will have an incredible time regardless of who ends up in semis. I actually haven’t been out to the grounds yet this year so haven’t seen all the options yet (heading out Wed this week for the first time). Last year it felt like there were many more veg options than the year prior, so hopefully there will be even more this year. P.J.
Thanks! Yes we are super excited! We are huge Federer-Nadal fans so keeping our fingers crossed and hoping to see these legendary players in action….?
Hoping we get some tasty veggie food choices to top off our exciting day…
🙂 🙂
Uma I am a vegetarian as well. So I had to do advance research as I went out there on Thursday and though not all the food stands were open, I can tell you what I saw. Here is a link to the stands that are there. https://www.usopen.org/en_US/visit/us_open_food_village.html Prices are OUTRAGEOUS! esp. for what you get. I usually bring my own food when I go. I had the veggie dumplings at a Korean place and they were good. BUT it was $9 for 5 dumplings! A Peach Snapple Iced Tea was $6.50. Some nice salad options…at $19 a salad. Seriously.… Read more »
Thanks Courtney! Appreciate your input on this. Yes, I did see other reviewers talk about the outrageous prices ?. I guess we will take our chances with the food choices there ( fingers crossed) along with bringing in some quick healthy snacks with us. I am definitely having the famous Honey deuce cocktail, the signature US open drink!! ?
Overall we are looking to totally absorb the atmosphere and enjoy the whole experience, being our first time at the US Open. I am soooo excited! ??
You will definitely find plenty of vegetarian items. The Indian place has rave reviews! I think the drink is strong so watch out. There are always a bunch of high heeled women stumbling around from one too many honey deuces 🙂 It is a really great experience. Last year was my first time and it was thrilling! It’s addictive though so watch out! Oh, if you have a Chase bank or Credit card be sure to get the free phone chargers at their kiosk. You simply return it when you leave so you do not get charged. And plenty of… Read more »
Thanks Courtney for all the great tips! ??
Thanks P.J. – Through your write-up, we are able to get tips from others too..?
From what I remember, inside Ashe there’s not as many veg options as outside the stadium in the food court and restaurants. (French fries, chips, plain pizza and popcorn if same as previous years. You can bring some food in with you so if I am going for day matches, I bring fruit and things like celery/carrots to snack on until I wander the grounds for actual meal. There used to be a vegan stand over by court 17 but I didn’t see it last year. You don’t need a chase card to get their phone chargers. You do need… Read more »
Which subway stop truly is most convenient: 11th street or Mets-Willets Point? Im coming from Long Island City on the #7 subway? I will be lugging a suitcase. I also have to catch bus Q48 bus to LGA later that day. Bus Stop is near 111th.
Hi Anne, Mets-Willets. P.J.
Thanks for the experienced answer. You can read things, research on websites but nothing is better than a personal testament. LOVE your website/blog. Most helpful. Your quick turn around time is very impressive! Gracias!
Anne, really appreciate that, thank you!! P.J.
Hi PJ, returned to your site after having not attended the Open for a few years. As always, you provide an outstanding resource and tool for those visiting, thank you for keeping the site relevant and informative. I will be returning this year with my 17 yo daughter, both big tennis players and fans, but will be in attendance only on 8/29 & 8/30. Plan to do day session on Thurs, night and possible day session on Friday. Have tickets in Ashe 103, row A for 8/29. Would welcome any recommendations for 8/30, day or night sessions. Can you also… Read more »
Hey Christopher, you’re so welcome, great to hear it – thanks! Those 103 A seats will be fantastic. For Friday, tickets are pricy across the board both bc of Labor Day weekend but also because that’s the day that the various halves of the draws including Federer and Novak and Serena would play assuming they advance. There are scattered standard tickets available for both Day and Night… One thing to consider would be treating yourselves to courtside seats for one session only on Friday rather than purchasing 4 tix for 2 sessions. There are some standard courtside seats for 600… Read more »
PJ, Approximately how much is it to upgrade the day of from ground passes to Ashe? Going sat 8/31 third round. Thanks!
Hey Corey, take a look at the map view in Ticketmaster for that session – you’ll see blue dots for standard seats at diff prices (e.g. $310-350 for standard loge, 215-225 for Promenade, 930-1000 for Courtside). Subtract the value of your Grounds Pass from whatever type of seat you’d be aiming for, and that’s what the upgrade cost would be. P.J.
Hi PJ! I’m trying to buy tickets for Ashe on Friday night. I know it’ll be high up but which sections of the 300 level do you recommend? Thanks!! Amanda
Hey Amanda, I’d recommend lowest row you can afford (334 row C standard looks great). PJ
Hi PJ,
Thanks a million! This is great! Can’t express how helpful your site has been.
I’m taking my 14 year old daughter (who’s a big tennis fan) the US Open for the first time.
We’ve got night session tickets for Sat the 31st in Arthur Ashe – IMG Suite Number: 217, 3rd floor (mezzanine level). Wondering if you can tell me what the suites are like and what to expect?
Any insight you can give me would be great!
Regards,
Jermane
Hey Jermane, makes me so happy to hear it’s been helpful!! Any suite in Ashe is an enormous treat – you two will have an incredible experience! What to expect: a private room with monitors, furniture, and unlimited food and drink (which accommodates about 20 people) that opens onto a balcony with individual seats. You’ll be between the Courtside section and the Loge section in the NE corner section of the stadium (just under Loge 113-114). Enjoy!! P.J.
Many thanks PJ!
We’re really excited about tomorrow… coming up from DC and can’t wait!
If you plan to be there, it would be great to meet you in person.
Cheers,
Jermane
Hey Jermane, excited for you! I’m upstate this weekend with family, not back at the Open until Monday unfortunately… Very sorry to miss you, but wishing you and your daughter a spectacular evening Sat!! P.J.
Hi PJ – I can’t seem to find a closing time for baggage check at the east gate? Flying into LGA and heading straight to Open. We will barely make it before 6pm grounds cut off. Hate to get there @530 and baggage claim close @8. Thoughts or advice? Thanks in advance!
Hey Jeanie, I haven’t seen anything written either, but they will definitely be open for accepting bags whenever you arrive and they stay open LATE for people to retrieve (they’ve always been open when I’ve left after the latest match got out…) P.J.
Some tips on baggage storage – First, if you have an Amex card you can get “Complimentary bag check at East and South Gate upon entry” Here is Amex perks link https://www.usopen.org/en_US/visit/american_express_on_site_benefits.html
Also, I work writing for a travel blog in NYC. Here are places where you have to pay to store your bags, but it pretty darn cheap. I am sure they have locations in Queens.
https://freetoursbyfoot.com/luggage-storage-in-nyc/
Is that a different gate than the main entrance and can you only check bags if you have Amex? Slightly confused because in the post it says bag check is available for all
Hi Sara, it’s just a perk offered at the bag check locations (at East and South gates) – not a separate location. P.J.
Thank you for the awesome, detailed information! I’ve been about 4 times and going for 5th time this year.
A note: looks like there are only 4 matches on the Grandstand on Day 1 this year. Bummer…
Hey Julie, you are most welcome! Hope you have a great time. For Grandstand, I believe it’s been pretty standard last few years to have just 4 matches (see e.g. 2017 schedule). PJ
Last year Grandstand had 4 matches, with the exception of the first day, when they had 5 scheduled.
My mistake, you’re totally right Tom!