A Serious Tennis Fan’s Top 10 Tips for the 2020 US Open

By P.J. Simmons Note: I originally posted these tips in 2012 but continue to update them based on new learnings and feedback from readers. At the advice of a fellow tennis fanatic/blog expert (who knows how much I spend on tennis!) I finally created affiliate links for the ticket sites I had been recommending for years. This way, if you end up getting a ticket through one of my links you won’t pay a penny more but the seller may give me a small commission versus giving it to Google Ads or another referring site — which, in turn, helps support my tennis obsession and my work with the nonprofit The Tennis Congress, a passion project I do on the side of my regular job. I appreciate the support!
Updated September 5, 2020
The 2020 US Open tennis tournament is taking place as scheduled at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (August 31- September 13, 2020), but without spectators due to COVID-19. (The Western & Southern Open also took place on the US Open grounds just prior, August 19-28). As a New Yorker, having lived through being in one of the global epicenters of the COVID-19 pandemic, I must say that I’m fully supportive of the decision to proceed without spectators– despite sharing great disappointment with so many of you.
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been really impressed by the way the US Open has handled everything and feel uplifted seeing all the athletes rise to the occasion under the circumstances. And after so many sporting events have been cancelled, including Wimbledon, seeing the US Open underway this week has brought some sense of normalcy back to my psyche during this unsettling time.
I’ve also found it really exciting to see such a large number of younger players and fresh faces gaining enthusiastic new fans and becoming stars in their own right: Felix Auger-Aliassime, Matteo Berrettini, Francis Tiafoe, Borna Ćorić, Alex De Minaur, Kharen Khachanov, Coco Gauff, Sofia Kenin, and many more.
So I hope you have been following the daily schedule of play and enjoying from home, downloaded the app, recorded your cheer, fixed yourself a Honey Deuce, and sharing the love with fellow fanatics.
If you have a second, let me know what matches you’ve found riveting, what points blew you away, which players are impressing you most, and how you’re doing – would love to hear from you!
And please keep staying safe. There’s a light at the end of the tunnel, so let’s all hang in there and keep watching out for each other until we get to the other side.
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ORIGINAL BACKGROUND & RECOMMENDATIONS (relevant for 2021 US Open)
Having attended every US Open for 13 consecutive years, I’ve learned a ton through trial and error about how to maximize the opportunity, find the best tickets and seats, 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 seven years ago. As a serious tennis player and fan myself, 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. Below are my top 10 recommendations for serious tennis fans like me.
In a rush and need quick answers?
This blog has expanded over the years to include a lot of detail that fellow fans have asked about. I recommend reading/skimming it in order if you can, but if you’re rushed you can click on the shortcuts below for answers the the questions I get asked most often (and also click here for an INDEX to a more complete set of topics/questions):
- Which ticket sites are best, trustworthy, and offer the best deals? Note: always check Ticketmaster first and click on the “map” view to get the best initial birdseye view of what’s available (standard and resale tix via the Exchange), then compare with other reseller sites like Stubhub.
- Should I buy tickets now or wait? Will ticket prices go up or down?
- How can I make sure I see Roger Federer (or Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Sasha Zverev, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, etc)?
- What time can I enter grounds with a Day or Night Session ticket?
- Which type of ticket should I buy, there are so many options – I’m confused!
- What kind of matches (and how many) can I expect to see on certain days (in Ashe, Armstrong, Grandstand, etc)?
- Which seats have the best view?
- Which seats get the most shade?
- How should I get there (subway, LIRR, car, parking?)
Tip #1: Do whatever you can to see world-class players and great matches up really close— which if you’re on a budget may mean bypassing Arthur Ashe stadium in favor of the sixteen other courts where matches are played.
For my first US Open, I spent about $250 per ticket for a decent seat during early rounds in the famous Arthur Ashe stadium (1/2 way up in the Loge section) 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 at Ashe stadium, I still felt somewhat distant from the action (it’s a mammoth 23,700-seat 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, the new Grandstand Stadium (behind courts 4-6), the very cool Court #17, and other courts #4-#16). Once you have this experience you’ll be 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. A collateral benefit: you’ll be ahead of the curve in seeing the rising stars the likes of Coco Gauff, and feel the excitement of “discovering” new talent to cheer for. I’ll never forget the first time I saw Milos Raonic blast a tournament record 145 MPH serve from the first row of the old Grandstand. Or, in more recent years, when I saw next-gen players like Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, Dominic Thiem, Sasha Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Karen Khachanov, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Borna Ćorić up close for the first time.
Tip for serious players: After watching a ton of pro matches, I started challenging myself to watch more deliberately from the perspective of a player who wants to improve. I wrote down ten ideas for watching a pro match that may resonate with fellow fanatics who not only want to enjoy the drama of the match but also learn from it.
(Adapted from photo in “US Open Transformation Update”)
BOX #1: UNDERSTANDING YOUR TICKET OPTIONS & HOW THE SCHEDULE WORKS
Ticket Basics: first-timers, please read carefully!
Reserved seats can be purchased for the following 3 stadiums (see grounds map above and detailed seating charts in Box #2 below):
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- Arthur Ashe: the biggest stadium (23,771 seats) where the iconic stars (Federer, Rafa, Novak, Serena) play. This is the only stadium that requires a reserved seat – there is no general seating. Ashe has a roof, so you never have to worry about getting rained out.
- Louis Armstrong: the second-biggest stadium (14,000 seats). Reserved seats are the only way to access the best courtside seats (general admission seating on a first-come basis is on the upper level only). Also has a roof in case of rain.
- Grandstand: the third-largest (about 8,000 seats). Courtside reserved seats are amazing, but general admission seating is also outstanding on this small stadium – but can be hard to get during popular matches.
Note: Courts #4-17 are entirely unreserved seating, open to everyone on a first-come basis See “2020 US Open Schedule at a Glance” below to get a sense of which matches are played on which courts
Here are the different types of tickets you can buy:
1. GROUNDS ADMISSION (which I generally don’t recommend, see Tip #3 below for why). Listed as “Billie Jean King National Tennis Center” on Ticketmaster and sold for the first 8 days. Allows entry at 9:30am and gives you access to unreserved seating on a first-come basis to all courts except Ashe Stadium.
2. DAY SESSION RESERVED for either Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand stadiums, which allow entry into US Open grounds at 9:30 a.m. (or 11:00 a.m. on finals weekend) and offers all the privileges as Ground Admission (above) PLUS a reserved seat in either Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand Stadium. Any Day session ticketholder can stay as late into the evening as you’d like (and have the option to exit and re-enter). You can also access unreserved seating in any stadium at any point in the day or evening (except Ashe, which requires an Ashe reserved ticket), including the Armstrong evening session.**
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- ASHE DAY TICKETHOLDERS: Matches start at Noon and feature two matches. Ticketholders must exit the stadium after the second match (around 6pm), but can remain on the grounds as late as they’d like. Note, for the final three days of the tournament (Friday Sep 11-Sunday Sep 13), there is no separate evening session on Ashe– so a Day session ticket gives you access to all matches scheduled for that day.
- ARMSTRONG DAY TICKETHOLDERS: Matches start at 11:00am and feature at least 3 matches (four beginning Sunday of Labor Day weekend). Armstrong Day session ticketholders must exit the stadium after the final match (around 6pm), but can remain on the grounds as late as they’d like. Armstrong reserved seats are only sold for the first 9 days of the tournament (through Tuesday Sep 8).
- GRANDSTAND DAY TICKETHOLDERS: Matches start at 11:00am and feature at least 4 matches (five on the first two days of the tournament). Grandstand reserved seats are only sold for first 8 days of tournament (through Monday Sep 7). There is no separate evening session on Grandstand, which means ticketholders get to see more matches.
**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 research (feel free to blame me) and that your understanding is that anyone on the grounds is entitled to access unreserved seating for ALL non-Ashe courts (including Armstrong) at any time. If they refuse entry, ask if they can confirm with a manager or ask to speak to a manager to clarify. Please let me know if this happens to you and/or if you find any written policies along these lines.
3. EVENING SESSION RESERVED for either Ashe or Armstrong Stadiums, which allow entry into US Open grounds at 6:00 p.m. and gives you access to unreserved seating on a first-come basis to all field courts PLUS a reserved seat in either Ashe or Armstrong.
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- Evening matches on both Ashe and Armstrong start at 7:00 p.m. and feature two matches.
- Ashe has evening sessions on first 11 nights of the tournament (through Thurs Sep 10) – after which only Day session tickets are sold
- Armstrong has evening sessions for the first 6 nights only (through Saturday Sep 5)
A few more points about entry and re-entry:
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- To enter the US Open grounds, you must pass through security then have your ticket scanned at either the EAST GATE or SOUTH GATE (see map above).
- If you have a reserved seat in a stadium, you’ll have your ticket re-checked upon entering that stadium.
- If you have tickets for Day and Evening sessions (Ashe or Armstrong) on the same day, you will NOT need to exit the US Open grounds and re-enter again. Your ticket will be checked as you enter the stadium.
- If you are in Armstrong for the Day session (either Courtside reserved or GA seating), you’ll need to leave your seat between Day and Evening sessions as they clean up. However, you may stay inside the concourse area of Armstrong (the inner-stadium areas with food stands). As such, if you were in the stadium for Day and want to line up for GA seating for Evening session, you have an advantage: you can stick around and wait in line upstairs until ushers start letting people back to seatsIf you leave the stadium during this “in between” period, you won’t be allowed to re-enter for a brief time (They don’t allow anyone new to come in for a period while they’re cleaning up).
** I took the photo above at the 2016 US Open from a corner courtside seat in Ashe watching the Nadal-Pouille round of 16 match on Labor Day.
2020 US OPEN SCHEDULE
Below is my annotated version of the overall tournament schedule (the official version is here but much less detailed). To get a sense of what kinds of matches are played on which courts for specific dates, I strongly recommend reviewing last year’s 2019 Daily Schedule of Play (and the2018 Daily Schedule of Play) and click on the day(s) you’re considering attending.
Qualifiers and Fan Week
- Aug 24-28: Qualifying Tournament play. Free! Check schedule here closer to the date.
- Aug 27: (Thursday): Draw takes place at 12pm ET
- Aug 28: (Friday): The US Open may release the Day 1 and Day 2 Schedule on this page (and the app). Note: in 2018 and 2019 they did so early evening, whereas in previous years they waited until Saturday.
- Aug 29 (Saturday): US Open Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day. Day 1 Schedule and Day 2 schedule should be posted on the Daily Schedule of Play page and on US Open app.
- August 30 (Sunday): Free access to grounds, “Practice Day”
Main Tournament
- Aug 31-Sep 1 (Mon/Tues): Men’s and Women’s (M&W) 1st Round Note: Mon Aug 31 Evening Ashe will be “Opening Night Ceremony” prior to regular matches.
- Sep 2-3 (Wed/Thurs): M&W 2d Round, Doubles 1st Round
- Sep 4-5 (Fri/Sat): M&W 3d Round, Doubles 1st-2d Round (+ Juniors)
- Sep 6-7 (Sun/Mon): M&W 4th Round (“Round of 16”), Doubles 3d Round (+ Juniors). Note: In 2018 and 2019, the Monday Men’s Round of 16 Singles matches were played exclusively on Ashe and Armstrong, not on Grandstand.
Important! All Singles matches beginning on Tuesday September 8 (Quarterfinals through Finals) will be played on Ashe. Armstrong and Grandstand will feature Doubles matches (don’t purchase Armstrong reserved tickets for September 8 unless you want to see Doubles).
- Sep 8 (Tues): M&W Singles Quarterfinals (on Ashe ONLY), Doubles Quarterfinals (Armstrong and probably New Grandstand) + Juniors
- Sep 9 (Wed) M&W Singles Quarterfinals (Ashe ONLY) + M&W Doubles Quarterfinals, Mixed Doubles Semifinals and Juniors (outer courts– no reserved seats, accessible with General Admission or Ashe ticket.
- Sep 10 (Thurs): Day session is usually free (!) – gates open at 11:00am– and includes M&W Doubles Semifinals, Juniors, and Wheelchair. Evening session features both Women’s Singles Semifinals in the same session (requires Ashe ticket, one ticket for both matches).
- Sep 11 (Friday): Men’s Doubles Final 12pm and Men’s Semifinals 4pm (Ashe Day session only, your ticket gives access to all matches). Juniors and Wheelchair on outer courts.
- Sep 12 (Saturday): Mixed Doubles Final 12pm / Women’s Final 4pm (Ashe Day session only, your ticket gives access to all matches). Juniors and Wheelchair on outer courts.
- Sep 13 (Sunday): Women’s Doubles Final 12pm / Men’s Final 4pm (Ashe Day session only, your ticket gives access to all matches). Juniors and Wheelchair Finals on outer courts.
Here is the ESPN Broadcast schedule for the 2019 Tournament
Tip #2: If you’re on a tight budget, try to attend during the tournament’s first week (Monday August 26- Friday August 30) and purchase relatively inexpensive Ashe DAY session tickets.
An Ashe day session ticket will get you access to all the courts on the grounds in addition to Ashe during the day, then enable you to stay on the grounds to watch matches on all courts except Ashe in the evening (Ashe day/night sessions are sold separately). You’ll get hours and hours of tennis watching for your money, as many matches on the outer courts will go well into the evening. And if you can take a day off from work and go during these first 5 days, you won’t have to battle hordes of fans for access to the non-Ashe venues– whereas things get very crowded Labor Day weekend.
Tip #3: Do NOT heed the conventional wisdom to buy a “Grounds Admission” pass to save money until you’ve explored whether reserved day session seats in Ashe or Armstrong are also available for around the same price!
Grounds admission tickets (cheaper tickets sold on the tourney’s first 8 days that give access to all the courts except Ashe) can be a good deal, but there are often reserved Ashe Promenade-level tickets (and, occasionally, Armstrong courtside seats) available for nearly identical prices– making them far better deals. Ashe and Armstrong Day Session tickets gives you all the privileges of a “Grounds” pass with added bonuses. In particular, buying an Ashe or Armstrong reserved seat gives you rain insurance, because these stadiums both have roofs so matches cannot be rained out.
Tip #4: Go for quality over quantity.
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 appying the same budget towards excellent seats for a couple sessions, I generally recommend the latter. (Note: if you’re wondering whether it’s worth it to spend a bit more to sit in the Loge level of Ashe versus the Promenade level, my answer is always yes).
Tip #5: If your budget can swing it, I strongly recommend getting a courtside reserved seat in the new Louis Armstrong stadium for Aug 31- Sep 2, or in Grandstand on August 30 or August 31.
(Note: In 2018, Men’s Round of 16 Singles matches (Sun/Mon of Labor Day weekend) were played exclusively on Ashe and Armstrong, not on Grandstand – see last year’s 2018 Daily Schedule of Play)
During this window, you’re very likely to experience thrilling matches up close that you’ll never forget on these two courts. The first time I did this in 2010 I saw an unforgettable marathon slugfest between David Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco from the FIRST ROW BASELINE! I had arrived that morning at 11am and left around 11:30pm at night, leaving my seat only twice for a total of about 9 minutes for rapid-fire bathroom breaks and to grab snacks so I wouldn’t want to miss a second of the action.
Videos (of various players’ forehands) I shot from Armstrong and Grandstand at the 2012 US Open
BOX 2: WHERE/WHEN TO GET THE BEST DEAL ON US OPEN TICKETS?
Individual tickets usually go on sale to the public in early June (date TBA, in 2019 it was June 3). My first and most important piece of advice to everyone: do your research and don’t rush into a buying decision! Every year, tens of thousands of fans race to be among the first to buy seats when individual tickets go on sale to the public on Ticketmaster – and many encounter the frustrating reality is that it’s never easy to find great seats at face value, even if you jump online the instant tickets go on sale. This is because (1) most of the best seats are pre-allocated to corporate sponsors or series subscribers who have waited years to upgrade; (2) the tournament holds back on releasing all the tickets initially, and tends to trickle more out in the weeks/months that follow (however frustrating, I’ve learned this is fairly common practice for event ticketing). And without knowing better, too many folks rush to buy on that first day without realizing better options may show up later. The great news with regard to tickets for the US Open: if you’re willing to do a little work and exercise some patience, there are always good deals to be found throughout the summer. More and more people will end up posting their tickets for resale on Ticketmaster Exchange and other reseller sites (see below), and USTA will end up releasing more individual tickets too on Ticketmaster.
Below are the sites that will give you access to the BEST INVENTORY of available tickets (both face-value and resale). Before buying, be sure to compare options and prices. When searching, try sorting by price, section, row… Take your time, get a good sense of what the prevailing price for what you want, and when you spot a good deal, grab it!
Note: I strongly recommend waiting until after tickets go on sale to the public in June unless you already know exactly what your’e looking for and have experience with average prices from previous years.
(1) ALWAYS (always !) check both of the following two official US Open ticket sites first:
- 1. The official Ticketmaster US Open tennis tournament site
This site features both (1) any standard tickets (non-resale, face value) that may be available (shown as “blue dots” on the detailed seat map for each session – most often only in Promenade, but occasionally pop up in Loge and Courtside sections throughout the summer); and (2) resale tickets (shows as “red dots” on the detailed seat map for each session).Surprisingly, the standard (blue-dot) tickets are not always the best deal even after factoring in service fees, as some desperate sellers lower prices below face value to attract buyers so they can recoup at least some of their investment. Important Caution (!): Blue dots are sometimes used to indicate very expensive premium seating packages (labeled as “VVIP Package Courtside 1968 Room” or “VIP Package Loge Overlook”), which include access to unlimited food and drink and a private lounge, but are outrageously priced and not worth the premium for the vast majority of fans. Tickets remain on sale for 59 minutes after a session begins as long as tickets remain (e.g., if an Ashe Day session begins at Noon, tickets remain on sale until 12:59pm). For Men’s Semi’s in 2019, Ticketmaster kept sales open for standard seats only another 3 hours beyond that (which were in most cases about double the cost of what was available on the resale market).
- 2. US Open Ticket Exchange (the official USTA reseller via Ticketmaster) This is the official reseller and where I’ve gotten most of the best deals over the years. Do not buy from any other reseller sites before checking this one first! This always has the biggest inventory and, at the very least, will give you a good “benchmark” for prices so you can recognize a good deal when you see it. Note: The main Ticketmaster site only includes resale tickets available for immediate mobile delivery, whereas the Ticket Exchange includes those AND tickets that have been verified as legitimate but have a promised-by date sometime before the event.
- Note: One of the biggest benefits of purchasing through Ticketmaster or Ticketmaster Exchange is the incredible ease of putting your tickets back up for sale if your plans change or you decide you want to switch days or tickets later. However, you must have a US bank account to put your tickets up for resale on the Exchange; and you must purchase tickets online to resell them (tickets purchased by phone cannot be resold).
(2) In addition to the above, it’s always worth checking 1-2 reseller sites like Stubhub and others listed below to see if you can find an even better deal for comparable seats and inventory. If you check the official Ticket Exchange PLUS even one of the sites below to compare, you’ll get tremendous visibility into what’s available and the range of prices. As you compare, be sure to factor in any service fees, which may not appear until you get to the final order summary page. Most of these sites keep selling tickets after a session begins for several hours (versus Ticketmaster, which stops selling 59 minutes after the session begins).
- Stubhub – Always worth checking in addition to Ticketmaster given very large inventory of resale tickets (many sellers list here and not on Ticket Exchange)
- Ticket Liquidator – Large inventory of resale tickets, service fees not shown until checkout
- SeatGeek – Fees built into display price
- VIagogo – Large international reseller, cumbersome interface, high fees
(3) Avoid Craigslist or other non-certified resellers! I’ve heard tons of stories over the years of folks who got scammed or had to go through considerable hassle to obtain tickets. Not worth the risk. Also know that NYC law prohibits reselling “scalping” 1500 feet away from the venue (which is effectively everywhere off the subway at the US Open), and they have undercover police on site cracking down on both sellers and buyers.
(4) If you end up with tickets you don’t need, you can very easily post your tickets for resale through the US Open Ticket Exchange.
(5) If you’re going with a friend(s), consider buying a combination of cheap and amazing seats: this way, you can split the cost and trade off time in the great seat. E.g., you could trade time in seats in Promenade vs Courtside, or between stadiums (in Ashe vs a reserved seat in Armstrong or Grandstand). I do this every year with my best friends.
(6) If you want to explore package deals (combining tickets with optional hotel, transportation, VIP perks, etc), there are several trusted options including Championship Tennis Tours, Grand Slam Tennis Tours, and Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours.
IMPORTANT: Most online resale tickets (including through Ticketmaster) are being offered as MOBILE tickets (i.e., “Your Phone is Your Ticket”) – which requires having a smart phone with internet/wifi capability.
- If you do not have a smart phone (either iPhone or Android) and you purchase through Ticketmaster, they WILL help you – but you’ll have to contact their customer service directly and have them make an exception and transfer your tickets to “Will Call” pick up location on site. If you don’t own a smart phone and are purchasing resale tickets during the tournament, I’d recommend buying exclusively through Ticketmaster and not taking chances with other resellers.
- Questions? See 2018 detailed instructions (with screenshots) on how to access and manage your mobile tickets.
KEY SEATING CHARTS
Arthur Ashe Stadium
Arthur Ashe Seating Chart (view from above)
Official Ashe Stadium Seating Chart
My annotated Ashe Stadium SHADE map
“Interactive Seat Viewer” 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.
NEW Louis Armstrong Stadium
New Louis Armstrong Stadium Seating Chart (Official)
New Louis Armstrong Chart (with my annotations)
Armstrong Interactive “View from Seat” Map
My annotated Armstrong Stadium SHADE map
Grandstand
Grandstand Stadium Seating Chart
Grandstand Interactive Seat Map
Tip #6: If you’ve never done it, consider splurging once on a courtside Ashe seat — if possible after the 2nd round of play when matches start getting more competitive.
After dreaming for years of the possibility, I finally bit the bullet to invest in courtside seats in 2011 for the first time. It was bliss. Now it’s an annual tradition for me and a few close friends to experience courtside together 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. If going for a courtside seat, keep in mind that Row E is first row in sections 1-6, 31-40, 65-67; and Row F is first row in sections 7,9,11, 26, 29, 30, 60 63, 64, 41, 42. If courtside is out of your budget, aim for lower Loge rows A-C when possible.
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 (baseline section 58) for Labor Day during the Round of 16 and got to witness Federer perfection from a few feet away. Best money I’ve ever spent.
BOX 3: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the questions I get most often, along with important stuff I wish I had known myself before buying tickets the first time…
FAQ #1: How can I predict when Federer, Djokovic, Rafa, Serena, Osaka (or my other favorite player) will play?
Based on the 2019 Day 1 schedule, we now know which players will play on specific dates based on where they are in the Draw:
- Men’s TOP ½ Half and Women’s BOTTOM ½ Half of the Draw will play first on Day 1 (Mon) then again (if they advance) on Day 3 (Wed), Day 5 (Fri), Day 7 (Sun), and Day 9 (Tues).
- Men’s BOTTOM ½ Half and Women’s TOP Half of the Draw will play first on Day 2 (Tues) then again (if they advance) on Day 4 (Thurs), Day 6 (Sat), Day 8 (Mon), and Day 10 (Wed)
Icons and superstars—notably Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Serena Williams—will almost certainly be scheduled exclusively for ASHE Stadium.
Important: there is no way to predict with absolute certainty whether a player will be on a Day or Night session:
- Officials tend to alternate scheduling superstars between Day and Night sessions on Ashe—but it is very risky to count on them doing this or to make predictions, as there are exceptions and big scheduling surprises every year. In 2018, for instance, Federer was scheduled for two Ashe Day sessions in a row (Day 4 and 6), Serena Williams was schedule for three consecutive Ashe Night sessions (Days 1, 3, and 5) as was Maria Sharapova (Days 4, 6, and 8) to the great disappointment of those who bought expensive tickets based on the tendency to alternate between day and night scheduling. This year (2019), Djokovic has already been scheduled for 3 consecutive Ashe Night sessions and Federer 3 consecutive Ashe Day sessions (Days 3, 5, and 7).
- Contrary to popular belief, the US Open does not schedule the big names exclusively for night sessions! They really do “spread the wealth” and try to be fair to players by alternating between Day and Night sessions. The one exception to this is Quarterfinals, when they have historically scheduled the biggest starts for the night sessions (probably a function of ticket sales and crowds, as evening quarterfinal sessions are much better attended and average prices are much higher).
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 Ticketmaster or Ticketmaster Exchange (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.
One sure 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
To get a general sense of scheduling trends for specific days during the tournament, look at previous years’ schedules:
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- 2018 Daily Schedule of Play (the US Open recently removed the official 2018 schedule from its site, so this links to the Wikipedia page summarizing which matches were on Ashe, Armstrong, and Grandstand only each day)
- 2017 Daily Schedule of Play (this US Open page is worth viewing to see the kinds of matches scheduled on all the field courts 4-17)
FYI: A fun way to get your head around the draw/brackets — and potential match-ups — is to play this year’s 2019 Tennis Channel’s Racquet Bracket challenge. It’s also a great way to become more familiar with some players you may not have heard of yet but probably will soon.
FAQ #2: How do a see the exact location of seats that I might buy (in Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand)?
Go to Ticketmaster and click on any session for the stadium in question. Choose Map View, then mouse over or click on any of the dots to see the exact section, row and seat #. Note that for Courtside seats, each lettered “row” in Ashe (e.g. “A” or “H”) actually stands for two rows: e.g., “Row A Seat 5” might actually be in the second row, Row C Seat 6 is probably 6th row). Courtside Sections 48-49, 52-63 and 66-67 go actually have two rows of “AA” seats followed by rows A-H. Also note where the umpire sits (you’ll see a little chair icon on each map — and avoid courtside tickets very close up in sections right behind or next to the chair (please note: the umpire chair is never a big obstruction, but it might be a minor annoyance to some). To make matters more complicated… first row for Behind-the-Server seats Courtside begin with E or F: Row E is first row in sections 1-6, 31-40, 65-67; and Row F is first row in sections 7,9,11, 26, 29, 30, 60 63, 64, 41, 42. In short, check out the detailed Seat Map on Ticketmaster view before buying to see the exact location.
Here also are links to seating charts:
- Arthur Ashe Stadium Seating Chart (view from above)
- My annotated Ashe Stadium SHADE map
- Louis Armstrong Stadium Seating Chart
- Armstrong Interactive “View from Seat” Map
- Grandstand Stadium Seating Chart
FAQ #3: When should I buy? Will sessions sell out if I wait too long? Will prices go down or up over the summer? What are average prices?
The frustrating reality is: “it depends.” Buying tickets for the US Open can be like investing in the stock market: knowledge and judgment dramatically raises the odds of a good decision, but there are always surprises due to the number of variables involved. Standard (non-resale) Ashe tickets usually sell out fairly quickly (except for Ashe stadium’s “Promenade” section, where there are usually quite a few available throughout the summer). However, there are almost always resale tickets available until the very last moment because thousands of fans post their tickets for resale. You can almost always get tickets closer to the tournament – and you may end up finding a phenomenal deal if you are patient. However, waiting longer to purchase requires you to have a higher risk tolerance than those who’d prefer the certainty around making arrangements sooner. Resale ticket prices can vary significantly, especially closer to the tournament. Prices can plummet when lineups are predicted to be lackluster… or they can skyrocket if fans speculate that certain marquee players (like Federer) will be scheduled. In 2017, after it became clear that both Federer and Nadal would be scheduled on the same days throughout the tournament, prices spiked sharply for the days they’d be scheduled if they advanced and dropped significantly for the opposite days. Then, after Federer got knocked out in quarters, prices for semis and finals declined quite a bit. The best advice I can give is to familiarize yourself with average prices on Ticketmaster for the days/sessions you are considering over the course of several days so you can recognize a good deal when you see one and spot the trends. Here is a chart showing the price ranges for regularly priced tickets in 2018. If you find resale tickets around these prices or less, that’s one sign of a great deal.
FAQ #4: Which seats get the most shade?
For Ashe: The roof creates a massive amount of natural shading all day for a large number of seats. The sections that get the most shade are in the South and West sections of the stadium; Next-best for shade are in the North. Sections with the most sun (to avoid for Day sessions) are on the East side. Click on the photo/map below for details. For the new Armstrong: Situation is similar to Ashe, now that there’s a roof. In short, Sections 1-8 are best for shade. West-side sections (Chair Umpire side) get the most shade; and when not in shade, at least the sun is at your back. Rows K and above (approximately) are shaded soonest (by about 12:30pm), then the sun gradually moves down to cover all rows by about 2:00 pm. East-side sections get the least shade and are in direct sun most of the afternoon. However, Rows T and above (approximately) get shading all day. South sections (behind-the-server) get more shade than North sections: South sections start out almost entirely shaded until about 1pm, then the sun starts wrapping around clockwise, such that sections 17-18 end up losing shade mid-afternoon. See photo/map below. For Grandstand: There’s much less shade overall, however South and West sections are similarly better because sun is more at your back. General admission seats that are higher under the overhang, especially Southwest corner, get the most shade.
FAQ #5: What happens if it rains?
The good news: Now that both Arthur Ashe and the new Louis Armstrong stadiums have roofs, now up to 37,771 more fans each day will be able to see matches even if it rains. The bad news: if you invest in great seats for Grandstand or simply buy a Grounds Admission pass, there isn’t much consolation. Keep in mind that weather forecasts are notoriously unreliable and can change on the hour (I have literally been at Flushing Meadows when my iPhone said it was raining and it wasn’t). There’s always hope that showers will pass quickly. In the highly unlikely event of all-day rain out or under 60 minutes of play (which happened to me unforgettably in 2012 on the day I treated 6 friends to pricy Armstrong front row seats), the session may be rescheduled until the next day and your ticket may be honored then — or, you MAY be able to trade in tickets through the US Open for another session this year or next year if (and only if) you purchased directly from Ticketmaster (see the somewhat complicated US Open Inclement Weather Policy). In the worst case scenario, I recommend looking for the silver lining: you’ll be surrounded by a ton of other fans with whom you can grab a US Open specialty cocktail, huddle under a shelter, and watch an Ashe match together on a big screen.
FAQ #6: Should I buy a subscription ticket plan?
For most serious fans, I don’t recommend it. First-time subscribers can only buy “Promenade” seats in Ashe — so high up in that huge stadium you’ll end up watching a lot of the match on the Jumbotron or through binoculars. It could take years to get the chance to upgrade your seats to Loge (only available if you purchase the very expensive full-series plan). For the full series ticket plan price ($2,228 per ticket in 2016) you could buy several amazing seats for multiple sessions over the tournament (or 2 excellent seats for the Men’s final). Finally, there is always a glut of Promenade seats on the resale market, so if you buy an entire series of Promenade seats you may have a challenge reselling any you don’t need.
FAQ #7: Which are the best sections/seats with the best views?
The vast majority of people would consider “behind the server” seats (i.e., those on North or South ends of the courts) to be preferable — and prices generally reflect this. For first-timers, this area would be my top recommendation.
- This is the vantage point they use for filming for broadcast, because it enables you to follow point construction and see the court from the perspective of the player on your side of the net.
- From these seats, you’ll never have to move your head side-to-side to follow the ball.
- FYI: seats in these sections start several feet higher in these seats than sections on the side (this is why these rows begin with higher letters E instead of AA or A).
- Here’s a photo of the perspective from higher up seats in the new 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 58 in 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. I took the video of Federer I included in my post from this perspective (from section 58). Here’s a photo from Ashe courtside from that perspective.
When considering Loge or Promenade seats in Ashe, I generally recommend prioritizing seats that are in lower rows regardless of location— simply because Loge (and especially Promenade) are already quite high up to begin with. For Day sessions, I strongly urge folks to factor in potential shade benefits (seats on West side, SouthWest, and Northwest tend to get the most shade relief). See FAQ #4 above. With regard to the umpire chair, it really is never an obstruction but may feel a bit of an annoyance to some if you’re sitting in very low rows on that side — simply because you may not always have a complete view of the player on the other side of the net. See this photo for example. I personally don’t mind this for reasons I mention above, and this is ONLY an issue when courtside in very low rows.
FAQ #8: What are the top touristy things to do in Manhattan? Which Broadway shows do you recommend?
Check out this site for tons of ideas for NYC tours and attractions — including how to get the best views of the Manhattan skyline, tours on anything you can imagine (river cruises, helicopter tours, even a “Sex in the City” tour), “skip-the-line” trips to iconic attractions like the Empire State Building and Statue of Liberty, and VIP museum experiences (like the “EmptyMet” tour where you visit The Metropolitan Museum of Art in quiet before the public can enter).
Remember that when it comes to arts and entertainment, NYC offers way more than just Broadway. There’s something for literally everyone – inspiring dance performances of all kinds at the The Joyce, cabaret evenings featuring legendary singers at venues like 54 Below, jazz clubs that transport you to another era like Birdland (the recurring Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra Sun nights is amaaaazing), rock concerts (see e.g. the great offerings at Bowery Presents and those listed on AXS, comedy shows, world-class opera and orchestras at Lincoln Center… You name it.
Check out all the current listings on Ticketmaster Arts & Theater, StubHub NYC page, and Showtickets.
As for Broadway, my top recommendations would be: Hamilton (Yes, it’s really that good); Dear Evan Hansen. Heavy subject matter, but deeply moving; Moulin Rouge (see the review); Hadestown (2019 Tony winner for best musical); Mean GIrls (if you liked the movie, you’ll love the show); and Wicked (It’s been around for years but I’ve seen it multiples times with different casts, and it’s always fresh and still in great shape).
Tip #7: The night before you go
Check the app or click this link for the detailed daily Schedule of Play for the following day’s schedule and make your game plan so you can beeline directly to the court where the match you care about will happen (including, potentially, the practice courts– see Tip #8 below). You should also download the official US Open Everywhere App (search on app stores for “2019 US Open Tennis”) to track the latest schedule, scores and live updates. If someone you really want to see will play on Grandstand or Armstrong, get to the grounds as early as you can so you can be among the first in line when the gates open at 9:30am then speed-walk to those stadiums and grab the best seat you can. Here’s a great NYT article from last year on “Players to Watch.” And the day-to-day coverage at SI.com’s tennis page is always terrific.
Tip #8: Check out the practice courts for close sightings of the superstars
Superstars can include: Roger Federer, Rafael Nada, Novak Djokovic, and Serena Williams. Check the practice schedule the night before (and morning of) to see when/where players are practicing (you can also see it on the official US Open App).
Note: the best time to see top players practice without fighting crowds is during the free Qualifier Tournament and week before the main tournament (see my Tip #10 below).
Tip #9: Do not drive unless you really have to.
Instead, take the subway #7 train (see 7 train schedule here, runs 24 hours, PM times in bold, see stops here, which include Grand Central)– or, better yet, take the LONG ISLAND RAILROAD (LIRR) from Penn Station to the “Mets-Willets Point” station (the signage will say either “GREAT NECK” or “PORT WASHINGTON” – double check the train number before boarding!) for the fastest trip (about 15 min from Penn Station!). For the LIRR, best to use Penn Station’s 7th Avenue entrance at West 32nd or 34th street OR the entrance at 8th Avenue and West 31st (across the street from Penn Station on corner of the Postal Service building). Look for the “Port Washington” train on the monitors to find the right track.
- To purchase LIRR tickets: Download the very easy-to-use MTA eTix app. Within the app, just create an account (takes literally seconds), click “Buy Tickets” select Penn Station first then “Mets-Willets Point”, purchase either one-way or R/T or several (peak or off-peak), and ticket(s) will then be in your “wallet” in the app for you to use whenever you like; you just have to press “activate” right before you board your train of coice.
- You can also buy a ticket at Penn Station using an ATM-like ticket machine (or at the window).
- For return trips from the Open, you’ll need to show your ticket at the US Open’s LIRR entrance (top of the ramp near the East Gate) — the individuals checking tickets can also sell you a one-way return ticket if you need and you can use a credit card (tip: you do NOT need to line up at the ticket window!!).
- LIRR special schedule for 2019 US Open through September 2
- LIRR special schedule for 2019 US Open September 2-8
- If you fly into Laguardia (LGA) you can take the NYC “Q48” public bus from Laguardia to the US Open – only about 5 minutes away (the stop is listed on the MTA website as “ROOSEVELT AV/WILLETS PT BL STATION.”
If you must go by car…
- See the US Open’s driving directions and details on parking lots. (Public parking costs around $25).
- GPS address to the general area is “122-02 Roosevelt Ave, Flushing, NY 11368.” GPS to Citi Field is 123-01 Roosevelt Ave, Queens, NY 11368.
- US Open recommends using “Grand Central Parkway exit 9E or Whitestone Expressway (678) Exit 13D.”
- You’ll see signs and be directed to available public parking ($25 for cars).
- Citi Field will be the primary lot (“Yellow Zone” parking) except when the Mets are playing at Home, which this year are Tuesday-Thursday 8/27-8/29, and Friday-Sunday 9/6-9/8 – see the Mets home schedule): on those dates, according to the US Open you’ll be “directed to guest parking lots 1-6” (which the map confusingly labels as A-H– sorry I can’t provide any more clarification on this!).
- The entrance to Citi Field parking is located at 126th Street and Shea Road, Corona, NY. GPS address to that intersection is “126 Roosevelt Ave, Flushing, NY 11368.
- Consider buying a parking pass on a resale site to lots A, B, or C (which are closest). Here’s the detailed transportation map showing parking lots.
- Fellow fan Harry pointed out: “If you are willing to walk a bit, street parking underneath or south of Highway 495 is a viable option.”
- Uber/Lyft/Taxi TO the Open:
- I’d recommend putting in “Mets-Willets Point” as the destination (not Billie Jean King National Tennis Center) – this will take you directly to the spot on Roosevelt Avenue where the 7 train lets people off, then you can just walk up the stars and across the foot bridge to the East Gate.
- If considering a taxi or Uber/Lyft home after a night session, be prepared for a long wait, hassles, and a very (very) expensive ride with surge pricing. Getting an Uber/Lyft after an evening session when literally thousands of others are trying to do the same can be a nightmare. I tried it in 2016 as an experiment and here’s what happened: (1) Had to go to designated “zone 3” pickup area for cabs and users– a long walk from the South Gate near the globe (trying to meet them by the 7 train at Roosevelt is really tough given heavy traffic); (2) three Uber drivers cancelled on me after accepting before I finally get one; (3) Surge pricing was in effect, with a ride that should have cost $45 being quoted over $120. If you need to hire a car back home after a night session, consider the following instead:
- (1) Take the LIRR or 7 Train into NYC (see above)
- (2) Arrange a car service pickup in advance. I’ve used Riverside and they’re always reliable (and they have an app as well) – but you can find many other car services in NY if you Google.
- (2) Trying to hail a cab on the street just under the 7 train (Roosevelt Ave); or download the “Curb” app for NYC taxis and hail one that way from that location.
- (3) Taking the 7 train to another local stop THEN calling Uber or a cab.
- If you’re lucky enough to be driving a Mercedes to the Open, you’ll get complimentary parking (Mercedes-Benz is a major sponsor)
Alternatively, consider staying in Queens and biking! Fellow fan Mark shared his experience in 2019: “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!”
Box 4: What to Bring and What NOT to bring (Backpacks not allowed!)
Be sure to review this 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 food in limited quantities or for medical reasons (but don’t try to bring in a feast or be prepared for an argument)
- You CAN bring a clear plastic water bottle to refill on site (but NOT anything glass or metal)
- 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
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.
There is storage outside both East and South Gate entrances if you need it: $5 for small items, $10 for large items (even suitcases OK). Note: storage is FREE for American Express cardholders.
Before Leaving, Don’t Forget…
- Download your mobile tickets from to your mobile wallet (e.g. Apple Wallet or something like WalletPasses on Android)
- Sunglasses and sunscreen (lotion not spray)!
- A backup phone charger (e.g. a Mophie) if you have one
- If taking subway (7 train), fill up your subway Metrocard in advance for your return trip in advance if taking 7 train so you don’t have to wait in long lines; If taking LIRR (my favorite) you need to get your ticket before boarding
- 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.
Tip #10: Take advantage of three amazing FREE opportunities to see incredible players up close:
- AUG 19-25 FREE “Fan Week“: If you’re a real die-hard fan, consider going to the FREE qualifying tournament Monday August 19- Friday August 23, the week before the main tournament begins. 128 male and female players will compete for the final 32 spots (16 each for men and women) in the singles draws. This is also a great time to see seeded players on practice courts. Read why Fan Week/Qualies are so special in this great piece by Steven Kutz.
- Gates open at/around 9:30am, matches start at 9:30am. Last year many more people showed up than in any previous year, and there’s usually quite a line formed already by 9:00am. However you can arrive anytime during the day and still get in, no problem. Matches are held on outer courts only (not Ashe). Many matches stretch into evenings. During this tournament, you will see several top players practicing on Armstrong and on the practice bank courts.
- To understand how players qualify to play in the US Open and why qualifiers matter, see this explanation by Laurence Shanet
- Watch top seeds (including Federer) practicing during this entire “Fan Week. Check the practice schedule here (also available on the app) the day before/ morning of to see when your favorites are scheduled to practice.
- Click here to register for a “Fan Pass,” which gives you certain perks (including access to special preferred seating for some practice sessions). Note: the Fan Pass check-in is located by the East Gate on the left.
- Keep an eye out for other special fan activities in Manhattan (not at the US Open grounds), usually Wed/Thurs (August 21-22 this year) as part of the “US Open Experience“ at Brookfield Place – Waterfront Plaza, 230 Vesey St, New York, NY 10281.
- SAT AUG 24: Bring your kids (or treat someone else’s!) to the free Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day. There’s a stadium show at 1pm and premium seats are available on Ticketmaster.
- SUN AUG 25: Go see top players practicing up close by taking advantage of free access to the US Open grounds the day before the main tournament begins to watch practice sessions – it’s one of the best-kept secrets that the grounds are open to the public all day.
Box 5: FREE ADMISSION THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 5 FOR DOUBLES SEMIFINALS & MORE!
Men’s & Women’s Doubles Semifinals Plus the World’s Top Wheelchair, Junior, and Collegiate Players – Gates open at 11am
One of the best-kept secrets is that you can enter the US Open grounds for free on the second Thursday (gates open at noon, must arrive before 5pm) and see the Doubles Semifinals plus all-star wheelchair players, the world’s top juniors, and incredible collegiate players. If you are a serious tennis fan, particularly if you’re a doubles player, this is a day not to be missed. For examples of the kinds of matches being played that day on various courts, see Day 11 from 2018 Daily Schedule.
For the past couple years, officials have scheduled top wheelchair players on Arthur Ashe stadium. I went and it was a thrill to sit courtside at Ashe and to cheer on the incredible wheelchair athletes. Among the world-class wheelchair players to watch for:
- 2017 Wimbledon Wheelchair Doubles Champions Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid, pictured below after their Wimbledon win.
Men’s s player Shingo Kunieda, who had a three-year, 106-match consecutive win streak (2007-2010), then another big winning streak of 77 matches in 2014-2015. Women’s singles player Yui Kamiji, who has only lost 2 matches since Jan 18, 2017 and American women’s wildcard player Dana Mathewson.
- The world’s #1 in the “Quad” (quadriplegic) division (ranked #1 in singles and doubles), American David Wagner. Born in 1974, David became paralyzed from the mid-chest down at age 21 when he was playing frisbee on the beach and a wave tossed him head-first into the sand. With only thirty percent function in his hands, David plays by taping the tennis racket to his hand. And by all accounts he’s a super cool guy besides being an extraordinary athlete .
A FEW MORE RECS
- Scan this outstanding list of “59 Insider Tips for Attending the U.S. Open“ by the brilliant Sports Illustrated writer Jon Wertheim. Note: if you haven’t yet seen Wertheim’s 2018 Strokes of Genius documentary on the Federer/Nadal rivalry, RENT IT! It’s one of the best documentaries on anything I’ve ever seen, beautifully capturing so many of the unique aspects of tennis that make us so passionate about our sport.
- Bring a backup phone charger if you have one. There are some re-charging stations, but after all the photos and video you take with your phone and use of Wi-Fi you’ll run out of juice quickly.
- Foodies: Check out this awesome Grub Street post, “17 Outstanding Things to Eat and Drink When You Go to This Year’s US Open.” Soft-Shell Crab Bocadillos? Yes please.
- Need an affordable hotel room? Fellow tennis fanatic Melissa maintains a great list of hotels appealing to all budgets, starting at $25 per night. These accommodations are open to public, but some aren’t listed on generic hotel travel websites or they may be listed as ‘specialty lodging.’ While you may have to compromise to stay in one of these hotels, like a shared bathroom, or no television, you cannot beat the prices for these locations.
- Got an Amex card? Bring it. As reader Jason wrote in Q&As: “Cool experiences and a large chill area/tent. Along with an earpiece radio to follow other matches.” If you spend more than $100 on merchandise they will credit you back $20. See Amex Benefits at US Open here. In addition, American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders can access (uniquely) individual tickets to access corporate suites (special thanks to reader Niya for that tip!). Information here. Suites accommodate about 20 people each and are on two levels, situated above Courtside and below Loge. Prices will vary substantially depending on the session, but were about $1,000 each in 2018 during Labor Day weekend.
- Chase customer? Make a reservation in advance for the Chase Lounge. This year they’re offering what look to be very cool video+mobile chargers (see “Chase Charge and Watch here).
- Sign up for the “Fan Pass” on the app to be entered into a sweepstakes and track your activity on site. Scan your personal barcode at various stations around the event to collect “badges,” which can redeem for prizes. 15 badges gets a $100 US Open Gift Card; 20 badges gets 2 tickets to 2018 Men’s Semis.
- Do your shopping for US Open gear early in the tournament – stores run out of the popular sizes fast.
- $25 General Admission tickets will be available for purchase on Friday for Friday-Sunday of finals weekend on Ticketmaster so fans can walk the grounds, see juniors and wheelchair finals, and watch Ashe matches on the big screens.
FINAL THOUGHT: “PAY IT FORWARD” WHEN YOU CAN!
If you have an opportunity, consider performing a random act of kindness for fellow fans during the tournament. Our tennis community is big, but relatively speaking, it’s small… Our passion for our sport is infectious; do something kind for someone today, they’re likely to pay it forward. Last year, a reader emailed me saying he had an emergency and couldn’t go to the tournament but had amazing New Grandstand seats – he asked if I knew anyone that would really value them for free so they didn’t go to waste. I was able to share with a fanatic who’s in town on a budget, who as you can imagine was elated. In past years, I’ve gifted a lot of tickets myself – and it always feels wonderful. It takes seconds to “transfer” tickets from Ticketmaster/Ticketmaster Exchange to others simply by putting in an email address.
On-site, you can also make someone’s day (or year!) by surprising a stranger with your amazing reserved seats in Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand if you have to leave early. Especially if you have Ashe Courtside seats and need to leave early — there will always be die-hard fans waiting just outside the exit from the Courtside level hoping someone might pass along their ticket when done! Just pass them the printed receipt you get after getting your mobile ticket scanned (or, if you were already on site with Day tickets and you have a night session tickets that haven’t been scanned, you can simply ask someone at the East Gate or at Ashe entrance to scan and give you a printed receipt).
BOX 6 (INDEX): OUTLINE OF COMMON QUESTIONS AND IMPORTANT LINKS
This post has gotten long over the years to include many more details, so I’ve created the outline below with shortcuts to help you find what you need more quickly. Below are shortcut links to key topics and FAQs I get most often:
WHERE TO BUY TICKETS: How to Get the Best Deal? Which sites can I trust?
- Where to get the best deals on tickets? See Box #2
- Read my full advice for getting best deals on tickets (Box 2)
- What are reliable ticket sites?
- Ticketmaster – Official site – always check first then compare options on reseller sites. It also includes most resale tickets from the official Ticketmaster Exchange (resale tickets are shown as red dots on seat maps, standard non-resale tickets are blue dots)
- Official US Open Ticket Exchange (Official reseller site – also check this site for comparison purposes as it includes ALL verified resale tickets on the exchange. Confusingly, there are some verified resale tickets here that don’t show up on the main Ticketmaster site because they may not be available for immediate delivery– which is why it’s worth checking in addition to the main Ticketmaster site.
- Stubhub
- Ticket Liquidator
- TickPick
- SeatGeek
WHEN SHOULD I BUY? WILL PRICES GO UP OR DOWN?? What are average prices?
- When should I buy my tickets– now or closer?
- Will sessions sell out if I wait too long?
- Will prices go down or up?
- Should I buy a subscription ticket plan?
- How can I recognize a good deal?
- What are average prices?
I WANT TO SEE FEDERER! Which tickets should I buy?
- How can I be sure to see Federer (or Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Sasha Zverev, Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Sloane Stephens, etc)? See FAQ #1
- Can I predict when Roger Federer [or my favorite player] will play on a specific day or night? See FAQ #1
- How does the draw influence when players are scheduled? Do rankings affect the draw?
WHAT TIME CAN I ENTER WITH A DAY OR NIGHT SESSION TICKET (and how long can I stay)?
- Once you enter the Grounds of the US Open (through the East or South Gate), you can stay as long as you want and access non-reserved seating in any stadium (except Ashe, the only stadium where every seat is reserved and requires a ticket).
- If you enter with a Day session ticket, you can stay on grounds all night and access unreserved seating in any all stadiums (except Ashe), including Armstrong general admission seating for night matches on first-come basis.
- If you have a day and evening ticket the same day, you will NOT need to exit the US Open grounds and re-enter again
- If you have both Day and Evening session for Ashe on the same day, you will need to exit and reenter Ashe Stadium (they clear the entire stadium between Day and Evening sessions)
- If you were in Armstrong for the Day session (either Courtside reserved or GA seating), you will need to leave your seat between Day and Evening sessions (as they clean up). However, you may stay inside the concourse area of Armstrong (the inner-stadium areas with food stands). As such, if you were in the stadium for Day and want to line up for GA seating for Evening session, you have an advantage: you can stick around and wait in line upstairs until ushers start letting people back to seatsIf you leave the stadium during this “in between” period, you won’t be allowed to re-enter for a brief time (They don’t allow anyone new to come in for a period while they’re cleaning up).
- See Box #1 (Ticket Options Explained)
WHICH SEATS ARE BEST? BEST VIEW? SHADE?
- Which sections have the best view?
- “How do a see the exact location of seats that I might buy?
- Related: See my annotated Seating charts (including some shade maps) for all stadiums (including New Armstrong)
- “Which seats get the most shade?“
- Related: Annotated Ashe Stadium SHADE map
- Related: Annotated Armstrong Stadium SHADE map
CAN I BRING AN SLR CAMERA, BACKPACK, FOOD, WATER BOTTLE, ETC?
- Can I bring…
- An SLR camera with video capability? YES
- A plastic water bottle? YES, just not metal or glass
- A backpack? NO, but you can bring a drawstring bag
- Food? YES, in “limited quantities” (they don’t define limited). “No sealed packages of any kind”
- See Red Box #4 above (“What to Bring and Not to Bring”) and review official list of prohibited items here
DAILY SCHEDULE OF PLAY/ PRACTICE SCHEDULE
- 2019 Tournament Schedule – See my “Schedule at a Glance” bottom of Box #1 (note: official tournament schedule is here but more vague)
- 2019 Daily Schedule of Play – Note: The schedule for Day 1 (and possibly Day 2 too) is released on the Friday or Saturday before the main tournament begins. Last year they released both Day 1 and Day 2 schedules on Friday evening–so this year, start checking Friday August 23.
- 2019 Practice schedule
- To get a sense of which players and types of matches are scheduled on which courts, see:
- 2018 Daily Schedule of Play (most representative, as this was the first year with the new Armstrong stadium)
- 2017 Daily Schedule of Play
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BRACKETS
- See 2018 full Men’s Draw (bracket) here [or I prefer the more easy-to-read ESPN version of Men’s Bracket] and Women’s Draw (bracket) here [or ESPN version here].
WHAT IF IT RAINS?
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS? SUBWAY OR CAR OR LIRR?
- See Tip #9 above
- 7 train subway schedule
- 2019 LIRR special schedule for 2019 US Open through September 2
- 2019 special schedule for 2019 US Open September 2-8
- Detailed transportation map showing parking lots
- Q488 bus from Laguardia Airport (5 min away)
HOTELS?
US OPEN POLICIES, RULES, AND OFFICIAL GUIDE
2019 REAL-TIME UPDATES
Huge thanks to all the readers who have shared their experiences, which help shed light on so many details about the Open that no one person alone could track! Below are some new insights, clarifications, recommendations based on contributions of fellow fanatics and my own experiences at the Open this year.
- Armstrong GA seating. “I believe this is new this year. Only Armstrong Courtside Reserved ticket holders are allowed on the lower Armstrong concourse (concessions and bathrooms). It is creating one hell of a bottleneck at the top of the Armstrong escalators/stairs to the lower Armstrong concourse.” (Thanks, Jimmy!)
- Armstrong noise – courtside seats to avoid: Because of some “white noise” caused by a buzzing generator near the West side of the stadium–combined with the concourse-level chatter around the food stands– I find the noise in upper 1/3 of courtside seats on the West side really distracting (it seems the worst around the NW corner upper seats). I’d generally recommend choosing courtside seats that are in the lower half of the stadium due to noise. If you are going for cheaper higher-level seats, I’d recommend choosing (in priority order) South, North, then East.
- Camera Lenses allowed: Based on multiple experiences, sounds like zoom lenses OK up to 200, anything 200-300 questionable depending on security folks, 400/500 “absolutely not.” A reader called and asked and they said must be “under 4” diameter.”
- ADA parking: Was a nightmare for a couple folks – staff didn’t know where to direct them.
- YES, you can “upgrade” tickets from one stadium to another. E.g., if you have terrible Ashe Promenade seats and want to upgrade to Armstrong courtside, you can go to box office on site and request to change and, if available, you can switch and pay the difference in value.
- Vegan/ Vegetarian options in Food Court/ stands:
- Korilla BBQ: Organic Tofu dish
- Poke Yachty: Vegan Tofu Bowl
- Fieldtrip:
– Quinoa Wrap (Veg)
– Veggie Bowl
– Lenox Garden Salad with chickpeas
– Baby Spinach Grain salad
– Yucca Puffs - Butterfly: Hongos Taco (mushroom)
- Curry Kitchen:
– Vegetarian Curried Combo
– Vegetarian Kati Roll Wrap
– Veg sides: Samosas and Bombay Bhel
– Courtney says “best budget snack: Naan bread $3.50 + mango lassi $8.50. Very good and filling.” - Dumplings (a stand at “The Backyard at 17”): veggie dumplings and a green salad with soybeans and tofu
- Kosher kitchen stand: potato knish
- ‘Wichcraft:
– Chopped Chickpea and Roasted Red Pepper Sandwich
– Sweet Corn and Tomato Salad
- Kids 24 months or older need separate ticket
- 7 Train/ LIRR: The closer to the front of the train, the closer you are to the staircase to get to the Open
- Ashe Courtside ticket holders special entrances: There’s a discreet side entrance to Ashe just past Mojitos restaurant on the right, usually with a staffer directing people towards the front entrance. Tell them you have courtside tix and they will let you through. This comes in very handy especially prior to certain evening sessions when there are hordes of people massed before the main entrance. Note: one reader with a courtside Ashe seat reported accidentally discovering he could go through the line furthest to the right at East Gate by showing the courtside ticket – not sure if that was a fluke, but I’ll try on Monday Labor Day myself and let you know…
- Day parking in Citi Stadium lot is NOT allowed on days when there is a Mets game – you’ll be directed to other lots on those days.
- Sofia Kenin prefers “Sofia” (not Sonia) when cheering for her :). Come on Soh-FEE-ya!
- Bringing in water bottles: They need to be in plastic bottles and supposed to be clear (but some have reported opaque being fine). Fine if they are pre-filled with water.
- Amex experience – From Courtney: “Open to everyone (you don’t need Amex card). Fun stuff for kids in here. A/C comfy couches and a big screen of matches on Ashe. Also an exhibit where you sit inside a “mini” subway car and screens show historic US open moments. 2d level with extra seating. Super cool! And free ice cream sandwiches for Amex cardholders, yummy!”
- DOUBLES! With the victory today (August 30) of teen-doubles sensations Coco Gauff and Caty McNally and the prominent victory of doubles-team Nick Kyrgios and Marius Copil (unexpectedly scheduled on Ashe because Serena and Roger’s matches were so short), one hopes doubles will get some more well deserved attention this year. Please do yourself a favor and make a point to see at least one set of one doubles match if you can this year. The extraordinary Bryan Bros are still in it… as are Wimbledon champions Robert Farah & Juan Sebastián Cabal. World-class doubles is so amazing. Go and marvel at the reaction time and speed. Go and help support these players. Go and help reverse the media-fed narrative that the only drama is on the singles courts…!
- Bring a little cash. While the vast majority of food stands and shops take credit cards (and Apple Pay), some kiosks (including the stand selling the daily Draw Sheet and programs) are cash-only.
- A reminder to everyone considering last-minute ticket sales: Ticketmaster continues selling tickets for 59 minutes after a session begins as long as tickets, including resale tickets, remain available — I.e. until 11:59am for an Armstrong session beginning at 11:00am, and until 12:59pm for an Ashe session beginning at Noon.
- Etiquette: A couple key points I want to add to my post for next year:
- (1) A reminder to folks, especially in Armstrong, that you need to wait until after the conclusion of the third game in each set (then the conclusion of every 5th, 7th, 9th, etc game) to leave or return to your seats – and you should do so quickly.
- (2) If someone snuck into your seat, please be kind to them and assume they’re hardcore fans like you just trying to get closer– and politely say something like “Hey, sorry there are our seats.” They should move pronto.. but if they dilly dally, bad on them — be a champ for the players, grab an available seat near you until the next changeover, then reclaim your seats after that.
- (3) If there are people near you (I know none of you readers would ever fall into this category!) who start screaming at inopportune times to cheer on their player — I.e., at the moment a player is about to begin their service motion, or worse, when the opponent is about to start theirs– please do fellow fans a favor by politely saying “love your passion” but ask if they could please respect etiquette and avoid yelling during times that will interrupt players’ concentration. Last night I was at the R16 Taylor Townsend match against Bianca Andreescu sitting courtside and cheering Taylor on fervently (but appropriately!)– and some drunken people in a suite started screaming “TAYLOR” repeatedly as Bianca Andreescu was serving. NOT COOL. Thankfully I wasn’t the only one inclined to turn around and encourage them to stop– but it clearly was tough on Bianca and terribly unfair, embarrassing for tennis fans, and I’m sure didn’t make Taylor feel good. Always best in these situations to be polite to offenders and assume they don’t know any better. But if they persist and cause a problem, don’t feel the slightest hesitance to ask an usher to help intervene – those around you will appreciate it.
- CONFIRMING FREE GROUNDS ADMISSION THIS THURSDAY SEP 5. For some inexplicable reason, USTA has not promoted this year… But I have triple confirmed from three USTA senior officials plus the Box Office (even their new staffers didn’t initially know) that grounds admission is free this Thursday. Incredible opportunity to see the top doubles players in the world on Armstrong plus exciting wheelchair and juniors matches on field courts. See 2018 schedule Day 11 for an idea of what to expect to see.
- Grounds passes for Friday-Sunday are finally now on sale on Ticketmaster for $25. These do not allow entry to Ashe, but to all matches on outer courts. See 2018 schedule for an idea of what to expect.
Several people have asked about best places to get autographs… I’ll update my post for next year on this with more detail, but for remainder of tournament: (1) By P1 practice courts near the President’s Gate entrance to Ashe; (2) Ashe courtside section 47 gives the best chance within Ashe as players exit. You’ll see a mass of kids rushing down there as the match nears completion… This was me last week after Novak’s round 2 match (yes these were actually my seats — moved over to let a throng of kids and a handful of adult fans angle their way in!)
- Viewing US Open on Big Screens: A few options:
- Get a Grounds Pass for $25 on Ticketmaster for Friday-Sunday of Finals Weekend and watch on the big screen outside Ashe. Not like Henman Hill at Wimbledon by any stretch, but still can be fun.
- Take the 7 train to its last stop in Hudson Yards, “where matches will be broadcast on large screens in a beer garden at the Crowne Plaza HY36 (320 W 36th Street).” (Source)
- “At the Kimpton Hotel Eventi (851 Sixth Avenue, between 29th and 30th Streets), there is a plaza with a 30-foot screen on the side of a building. Known as the Big Screen Plaza, it too will be showing the matches. (Source) Details here: http://bigscreenplaza.com/us-open/
- Thanks to a kind reader (!): “The courtyard space at Metrotech Center in downtown Brooklyn has had a big screen going for the past few years for some of the days. I personally haven’t seen it in person so not sure just how big the screen actually is, but for those fans in Brooklyn who don’t have ESPN coverage themselves at home, you can check it out here. PS – also lots of quick food options in the courtyard & neighborhood (Pret, Chipotle, Korilla, Shake Shack, Potbelly, sushi, etc)”
I got tickets to Tuesday AM in ash and with Djokovic injuries and Federer playing at evening session I missed the chances to see one of them =(
I would like to know if you guys know if Federer would be in practice tomorrow during the day ? That would be my only chance to see him, any info is a hope
Hey Jose, yes almost certainly you will be able to catch Fed practicing probably sometime around 3-4pm. Check schedule tomorrow am… Fingers crossed for you! PJ
Thank you P.J.
PJ, Tell me, how does it feel to be a walking oracle, a veritable font of US Open knowledge? We used two more of your tips this year: One: LIRR. True, it is much faster than the snail rail that is the 7 train. During rush hour, when the Mets are in town, it is a mob scene, but I imagine the 7 train was the same, if not worse, and at least it was faster. The ride back was great. Two: Quality over quantity. Three sessions with better seats, getting 2 in Ashe and 2 in Armstrong or Armstrong/Grandstand.… Read more »
Huge thanks, Michelle!! So happy to hear it worked out and really appreciate you sharing your experience! Now back to the Berrettini match I’m watching on Armstrong… 🙂
You’re so great for taking the time to always keep this site updated with your comments and insight. But enjoy the tennis!
Amazing effort – thank you so much for this incredible gift. Heading to NYC for a 1.5 day biz trip this week, found your website and decided to go on the way from the airport – only possible because of your “how to be in the know” website. One suggestion for an update – I was going to pack light to do 1 cinch sack & purse so I didn’t have to do the locker thing but just discovered the us open website states “No laptops” and only “1” bag. Oh well… Going to take your advice and seek out… Read more »
Thrilled to hear it, Maureen, thank you! And great suggestion will do! PJ
Hey everyone, it’s Monday Sep 2 and I’m headed out to the Open all Day/Night with friends and family. So as not to be “that guy” on his phone all the time, I will not be checking or responding to messages until late tonight/ tomorrow morning. Thank you so much for understanding!!! P.J.
Hope you enjoyed the day and got to see great matches. Hope you took a night off from fastidiously updating this site!
Tom, you’re so kind. Thank you! I had an incredible day yesterday and stayed off my phone so I could really be present. Had the best time. P.J.
PJ I just wanted to share that I tried using TickPick.com for Courtside at tickets on Saturday Friday. The prices went up twice while the tickets were in my cart trying to check out a total of an increase of $400. I do not consider TickPick a reliable site for resale tickets.
Just want to thank you for this wonderful website. We go once a year and were there yesterday, 9/1. Got fantasic tickets for Armstrong after following you advice on where to sit. Section 1, Row S. Had your website up as I was booking it on another computer so I could really check my seat choices. Actually drove from Northern CT and parked with no trouble in Lot A. At least I think it was A – same lot as Citifield. Easy walk to the stadium. Best eight hours of tennis ever and worth the splurge for great seats!
Hey Joan, thank you so much for this wonderful note – made my day! Fantastic to hear you had such a good time. And thanks for sharing the experience on the walk from the Citifield stadium parking. FYI just to clarify in case other readers may be wondering too: Lot A is actually different — it’s a smaller, special lot that requires a special permit, which several people sell on resale sites like Stubhub – map here Thank you again so much, Joan! P.J.
My mistake. Definitely parked at CitiField. Got there early- around 10am as we were so worried about traffic. Lot was not full that early. Hard to get to The Open from the Hartford area so decided to drive. Beautiful walk to the stadium and a most memorable day. I am SO glad I had your website to really check the seats out. Huge help. Got the tickets from Ticketmaster and actually got a great price $300 (plus fees)!!!
Hi PJ, I’m going tomorrow night on Ash but I was wondering, can I come earlier in the afternoon to see games on Louis Armstrong ? (rublev/berrettini for exemple)
Thanks
Hey Ben, your evening ticket only gets you access into the grounds at 6pm — so unfortunately not unless you have some other kind of day ticket. P.J.
P.J. thank you so much for your work on this site! It has been tremendously helpful (and I’m getting anxiety just thinking about where I’d be without it)! I was wondering if you had any insight on the parking situation at Lot A by Ashe. For folks who park there with a permit, do they have to walk all the around to South Gate (or even further to East Gate) by way of outside the grounds or is there a way they can enter the grounds directly from/closer to Lot A? Thank you so much for your help!
Hey Michelle, thank you for your super nice thanks! Honestly it’s been a few years since I got a pass for lot A, so I don’t remember… I definitely just walked and don’t remember it being terribly long. Sorry can’t be of much help on this one. Perhaps someone else reading who has parked in A?? P.J.
Ok, and no worries! If I may bug you once more – from your experience, do you think they’ll close the Ashe roof from start to finish on Monday (9/2/19) given the on and off storm forecast? Or even if it rains a bit at the start of the match, do you think they’ll leave it open until it really starts to pour? Thank you, again!
Hey Michelle! I do think it’s pretty likely they will keep closed on both Ashe and Armstrong all day to prevent having to delay play by drying courts… I’ll be there too, so very interested to see how they approach it. Counting blessings for roofs on both courts today! Have fun!! P.J.
P.J. I’m just writing this as a huge thank you for your advice to make my father’s 70th birthday present and my first visit to the U.S. Open a wonderful success, and time spent wisely. Sorry for the wall of text. At first I was a little weary that I chose Louis Armstrong Round of 16 Day Passes for the competitive matches, but overlooked all superstars will strictly be competing at Ashe because I came across your website half an hour before the Amex Presale went live and I was skimming and kind of rushing. When I bought. My father… Read more »
Roberto, I am absolutely overjoyed to hear that it was such a success for you guys! I was watching those Armstrong matches on TV today, and was wishing so much that I was there too! Thank you very very much for taking the time to write about your experience and let me know. Means a lot, and I’m so glad to hear it. Safe travels and thanks again!
PJ,
Wanted to thank you for your exceptional blog. I took your prescient advice back in July and booked court side, third row baseline seats, on Armstrong for the third round night session. As you know, it was the five-set thriller between Monfils and Shapovalov. It took about a set to fully acclimate to seeing and following the ball from that close up, but the overall experience exceeded the hype. My dad and father-in-law cannot stop talking about the match.
Chris
Chris, I am so psyched that you had a great time and were able to see such an exciting match!! Thank you SO much for taking time to write such a nice note to let me know – seriously appreciate it! P.J.
Hi. I bought tickets for the Wednesday evening session. The ticket says Mens/ Women’s quarterfinals. Does this mean I can choose whether I attended the men’s or women’s quarter finals or can I attend both?
Hey Alicia, you get BOTH a men’s QF match AND a Women’s QF match in the same session – enjoy! P.J.
Hey PJ, thanks for the tips! If I didn’t get a ticket, where would be the best place to wait for a fan who needs to leave early? I’m hoping to get in even if it means I can only watch it on the screen outside Ashe. Thanks
Hey Chris, One good place is the area just outside the special entrance to the Courtside level (take escalator up one level or the stairs to the right as you enter Ashe). This way if a Courtside ticketholder is leaving early you might be able to get in there. P.J.
Thank you for this extensive information. I made all of our travel plans based on your advice. Stayed near Penn station and took the LIRR. No hassle or stress. unfortunately had to come home a day early and miss the matches on Labor Day due to the hurricane. Thank you for providing all of this information!
Susan, thank you so much for letting me know! But I am so sorry the hurricane messed up you plans. Hope you’re safe and sound and not impacted by it. Stay safe! PJ
Hi PJ!
Thanks for a great and informative website! Heading over to NY this week and can’t wait to take part in the actions.
I pulled the trigger for the Women’s Semifinals on Thursday (Prayinf Serena comes through!!!!) earlier this week after monitoring for a few days (it seems like most prices have gone up by $100 since then). But it was actually paper tickets that’s being mailed to me (bought it via TickPick). Now I’m getting a little paranoid. Who still uses paper tickets nowadays? I’d think most are e-tickets no?
Hey Teresa! That will be a super exciting night regardless of who gets though! If you had purchased those from an individual on something like Craigslist I would have raised a red flag — but I have had that experience myself and as long as through a reputable broker like TickPick you are protected and I’m sure will be fine. Bring their # just in case – but I wouldn’t worry. Have a blast! P.J.
Hi, I have tickets for Arthur Ashe but I want to see Rublev vs Berrettini on Louis Armstrong: how does the GA works on Louis Armstrong stadium? Is it hard to get into? Do I leave my seat if I go out for a bathroom/snack quick break? Many thanks!
Hey Niccolo, the situation can differ wildly every day and every match with GA seating at Armstrong… Today at one point there was a long long (long) line during the Coco Gauff doubles match, but otherwise heard people had a relatively easy time getting in. Once you have a seat, you just need to work it out with the person next to you to hold it for you while you go to the bathroom or grab a snack (which is available within the stadium). P.J.
Awesome info and thank you for it. So… I have tickets to tomorrow night at Ashe. I have a 4 hour drive and wanted to get the center early and hang out, eat etc. is it true I can’t enter until 6pm?
Hey Jack, you’re so welcome. Yes, unfortunately evening session ticketholders can’t get in grounds until 6pm. P.J.
Not unfortunately. I can’t think of a good reason from a spectator point of view why an additional potentially 20,000+ people should be on the grounds making it even more crowded for the day people.
Fourteen days down and seven to go. 🙂
Thanks for all the great info. We have Ashe tickets for the night session tomorrow (Monday Night). Gates open at 6pm. In your experience, can you get in earlier, or what is the right strategy for the shortest entry? and is there a way to grab super cheap grounds passes for before so we can enter late afternoon, and avoid night session entrance lines?
Hey Brandon, sometimes if there aren’t big crowds you can get away with a little earlier like 530… but usually not esp on Labor Day weekend. Best strategy is not to bring a bag or check it to get in “express” line. Best strategy for cheapest Day ticket is to check Ticketmaster at 11:45am tomorrow (before sales close for grounds/armstong/Grandstand) to see if any resellers have lowered prices a ton — or to check at about 1245pm for same in Ashe… Sales close at 12 for the former and 1 for the latter. Good luck! PJ
This is a.m.a.z.i.n.g. THANK YOU!!!
THANK YOU!!!
A reminder to everyone considering last-minute ticket sales: Ticketmaster continues selling tickets for 59 minutes after a session begins as long as tickets, including resale tickets, remain available — I.e. until 11:59am for an Armstrong session beginning at 11:00am, and until 12:59pm for an Ashe session beginning at Noon.
have you ever seen TM release additional standard tickets in the days leading up to a match? Right now everything (in my budget- $350ish MAX) for Tuesday night is a verified resale and all promenade of course. I know TM standard tickets would be expensive as well (like $280 + fees for standard tickets) but better than $350+ fees!
Thanks – enjoy the match assuming you are watching!
Hey Courtney, yes I have – especially for sessions where demand ends up being less than expected due to players not advancing. However, they tend to do that more with Courtside or last-row Loge — less frequently with Promenade (they tend not to hold many back on reserve in Promenade). It’s kind of like “house seats” on Broadway: houses hold good seats just in case VIPs call at last minute and need them. P.J.
took the plunge and bought a loge for Tues PM. found a reasonable price (relative to the real world!). If they schedule Roger for a FOURTH day session (or if Goffin wins by some act of God), I am jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge!
Have a great time tomorrow!
LOL you will have a lot of company on that bridge if that happens! And thank you!
thanks! I can’t imagine what a great decision I made by purchasing both the day and Night tickets on Tuesday – at the moment they release the day1 schedule! Whole day US Open – Federer djokovic and Serena for 110 USD – the most worthy money that i have ever spent!
Awesome!! Have an incredible time!! P.J.
No Nole shockingly! But it will be a super Tuesday regardless. Medvedev v Wawrinka! Roger v Grigor!
I think I heard the ESPN commentator say that Stan would be back “Tuesday night” … Maybe they know something we don’tmabout the schedule.. hmmm…
Heartbroken about Nole, but agree on Tues – will be two fantastic matches. See response to other comment re: commentator…
oh heartbroken no Nole! federer is at the night session!
I was stalking Ashe resale prices for today (day and night) and the prices didn’t come down. I was surprised to see that, especially for the night match, and especially even after the event started.
And yes, Courtney, I’ve seen it happen, even today. TM released 2 standard loge seats at about 12:45pm for the Noon Ashe start time for Sunday.
That is very very interesting. Good to know! Thanks. I use one of those page monitor apps that alerts me if a website page changes. I dont rely solely on that, i check and refresh a lot.
But page change monitoring has been really helpful for me in the past when waiting for a particular band (Radiohead) to start selling fan presale tickets since they don’t always give the exact UK time.
To all the people who are hoping Roger will be Tuesday night, some things Ive learned this past week… That I should have listened to PJs advice and waited for the schedule before buying. Twice I took a gamble on Federer being scheduled for AM and twice I was wrong. I was able to resell my ticket but I did take a loss. Looking back, gambling, buying, then being wrong and reselling (which doesn’t always happen) and the anxiety of it not selling was really stressful !! I was very fortunate I could resell my two tickets for the two… Read more »
Hey Courtney, thanks so much for sharing this! To you and fellow readers: my only reminder here is that there are still no guarantees that Fed (if he wins today) will be scheduled for Tues Evening vs Day QF session. The odds are exceptionally high it will be Evening for reasons I’ve outlined to others in comments below, but they are not 100%. P.J.
I know what you mean about 1 ticket vs 2 tickets.
Just for fun, I entered 1 ticket for today’s Ashe.
The second I changed from 2 (the default) to 1 ticket, the choices decreased significantly at least for courtside.
Hi. This Guide is amazing! Thank you very much. Short question: If I have Arthur Ashe Night Session (want to purchase) can I access the ground and LA during the day already?
Thanks, Severino! Unfortunately not. Your evening ticket only allows grounds admission at 6:00pm. You’d need a Grounds Admission ticket or an Ashe/Armstrong/Grandstand Day session reserved ticket to enter prior. P.J.
Hi
Looks like the USTA learned their lesson from the big crowd at Court 5 wanting to see Coco Gauff and Caty McNally play doubles on Friday. They are scheduled for Armstrong for today’s doubles.
Absolutely!!
And if they win, they might be on Armstrong again tomorrow, because Rnd 3 doubles are generally completed by end of Monday. Just happened to see that Kyrgios & Copil withdrew from doubles, so that’s unfortunate for fans.
Schedule just out – they kept approach from last year! Both men’s singles on LA
Even better than last year — Monday has four singles matches on Armstrong! Great value for one ticket. I got my seats in sec. 1; would love to say hello if you’re around. Thanks again for this amazing resource.
Hey Kevin, so excited myself! My friends and I will be in section 7 rows B-C (but I’ll be at Ashe for the Osaka match). Wearing a grey collared polo. Would be great to say hello! P.J.
And LA was packed to full capacity for that match. Great crowd. I arrived just as they were warming up, and there was shockingly no line to get into LA, and it wasn’t bad finding a pair of seats. Once the match started, couple games in, then the crowd started to gather. I imagine there must have been a line to get in at that time, although I don’t know for sure since I was already inside at that point. Once the Coco McNally doubles match was over, it emptied out before the men’s match. I was dreading waiting on… Read more »
PLEASE HELP,, I’d really LOVE to see Federer in the quarterfinals. Could you please advise on which day, time and court he might be there. I realize that your answer is not 100% certain but I really appreciate your opinion. I will be in NYC Monday pm, Tuesday and Wednesday only.
Also, I’ve purchased seats in section 24, Ashe 12:00 on Tuesday. Is this section generally good and who is likely to be playing? Your site is Awesome and a gift!!! Thanks much.
Hey Debbie! If he wins today, there is an extremely strong likelihood they will schedule Federer for Tuesday night (Sep 3) for his QF match (they do stick with the pattern I outline in my chart under FAQ #1 for the dates played based on Day 1 and 2 through Quarters). It was already low odds they would schedule Federer for a 3d consecutive Day session as they did today – but it would probably be unprecedented to do 4 in a row. Moreover, for QF it’s been a clear pattern in recent years that they put the biggest names… Read more »
I believe I heard the ESPN commentator say, just after the stan-nole match, that Stan would be back Tuesday NIGHT to play medvedev… So you might get to see Roger daytime after all!!
Hey Courtney, FYI – I’ve heard commentators make that mistake numerous times over the years. Highly highly doubtful they know (or would divulge). There are few scheduling things that surprise me anymore, but not putting Federer on Tues night would be a huge shocker. P.J.
Hey with my luck you can count on Roger in the day session!! I can’t imagine it not being Serena and Roger in PM. Still, I covered my bases and going cheap day and good seat night. I cannot wait for Daniil and Stan! And it was very sad for Nole to retire. I can’t stand him and even I felt bad! , you could see in his face in the press conference that he is REALLY worried about the future. He may not have said that but it looked like he was very very troubled. That’s a shame. Have… Read more »
Hi PJ. Hopefully one final question before we go and enjoy (thanks to your amazing advice). What time do they let Ashe ticket holders in to the stadium for day sessions? I see Federer is practicing on Ashe today at 930. Any chance to watch? Thanks.
Hi Liz, sorry for the late reply! Yes, Ashe Day session ticketholders should be able to go into Ashe anytime after you enter the grounds, which open at 9:30am. Enjoy!! PJ
I am willing to pay whatever it costs to get my wife the best seat possible to see Federer play DeMinaur. If I predict the future correctly, I’m hoping they both win tomorrow and clash in the quarters during the evening session on Ashe on Tues. Where are the best seats to secure the highest odds at getting a Fed autograph on his way off the court?
Hey Mayo, with the caveat that I’ve noted to others that Day v Night session scheduling predictions are risky due to inherent unpredictability… I agree with your assessment that there is an extremely strong likelihood (I’d guess 90%) that they will schedule Federer for Tuesday night. It was already low odds they would schedule Federer for a 3d consecutive Day session as they did today – but it would probably be unprecedented to do 4 in a row. Moreover, for QF it’s been a clear pattern in recent years that they put the biggest names available in the evening session… Read more »
Unprecedented, unless you’re the almighty #22 seed Maria Sharapova! 🙂 Last year she played all 4 rounds at night (though the first was on Armstrong) until she lost.
Great memory, Kevin! I wasn’t counting that one because first was on Armstrong… 4 consecutive nights on Ashe I THINK would be unprecedented at least in the last decade, but there well be other examples. P.J.
Hey PJ thanks for this incredible page. If you were to go to the Sunday day session for Ashe promenade (way up there). What would be your strategy and what matches would you see?
Hi Mariano, you’re most welcome. Today’s Ashe Day session is one of the hottest tickets in town because it features Federer v Goffin and Serena Williams v Martic. Prices are stratospheric. I would go to Ticketmaster and, after clicking on today’s session, look at the lowest price seats in the column at right and also click on any section of the actual stadium map to see individual seats (represented by red dots showing all the resale tickets available) and find one in your budget (if that’s possible! so expensive today) and get the lowest row you can afford. P.J.
Thanks! Sorry I wasn’t clear with my question as I do have tickets! Actually on my way to the stadium now :).
I was wondering if you had Ashe tickets, how would you spend the day session there? I’ll definitely see Federer (way from the distance as I have promenade tickets) but would you recommend leaving Ashe to see other matches today?
Oh sorry!! Good question. I’m a Serena fan, so I would be staying for that match. But if it doesn’t appeal as much you might consider heading over to Armstrong (the Coco doubles match will be electric, followed by highly anticipated Medvedev match). I personally would DEFINITELY head over to Court 17 to cheer on Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jamie Murray in their mixed match, would you should be able to do even after the Serena match. Going to be an exciting day, have fun!
Great advise! Getting ready to get in Ashe. Thank you!!!!
ENJOY!
Do you have to show your general admission tickets to access Armstrong and Grandstand?
Hi Mel, no – once you’re in the grounds you don’t need to show anything to access any GA seats. PJ
Hey PJ, First thanks again for all the constantly updated info! So helpful. Your responses to other peoples comments are also helpful to me! What a great forum the comments thread is. Second, that was nice of you to mention my name with my Amex tips, etc. So…I have given up on trying to predict Roger’s schedule (esp after having predicted incorrectly twice! BTW, I was able to sell my Sunday night ticket and recoup my cost, so I’m happy about that). However, I am thinking about going on Tuesday AM – so I am double-checking with you that singles… Read more »
Hey! THank you for all the contributions!! So happy to hear you could resell Sun evening ticket. To confirm: Singles ONLY on Ashe. Ignore Ticketmaster title for that session for Armstrong – misleading. Yes, same rotation (ie Federer and Serena’s halves of draw for TUes) As for the drama… Sitting here stupefied by the drama on Ashe and Armstrong (from home). Family all screaming every couple of minutes with all the amazing shots. And yes, I was crying with everyone else during the incredibly moving moment between Naomi and Coco. They both deserve all the fan love in the world.… Read more »
Thank you for confirmation! And Rublev is on FIRE! There IS Russian collusion in America right now- It’s called Rublev and Medvedev!
Ha! Indeed. Rublev played out of his mind. And Monfils is crushing it. Great to see Shapo playing so well too. But looks like this match is Gael’s.
not so fast… Shapo is holding on! This is the year of the last names ending with Vs and Cs
Amazing match. I’m so excited for Shapo’s future. And Auger-Aliassime. Love them both so much.
I made it over to the fifth set after watching the two fun ones in Ashe! More great tenni!
Last minute jitters! I am unable to download the two sets of tickets (Monday AM and PM) to my iPhone. I get the error message that asks me to try again. I have had that message appear three times several hours apart. I just took screenshots of the four tickets. Please confirm if that would suffice. 2. My iPhone has been acting up and there is a non-zero chance it may hang right as we step up to the ticket-scanning person. What would you recommend as a paper back-up? Would having the Order #s help? 3. I now find out… Read more »
Hey Madhu! 1. Screenshots are supposedly not supposed to suffice, but in practice they do. When you say you’re trying to “download,” do you mean you are trying to view them in the Ticketmaster app? Or in the US Open app by linking to Ticketmaster? if the latter, forget about it – it’s totally glitchy. If you haven’t tried yet downloading the Ticketmaster app and logging in that way, try that just for peace of mind. But as long as you have screenshots, you’ll be fine (just don’t tell them they are). 2. No paper backup possible. I’d text your… Read more »
Thanks! About downloading tickets, I did download the TM app just now and I am fine now with the four tickets for Monday. I just bought two Ashe PM tickets for tomorrow for $466 or so in Section 324 or 325, Row 5. Didn’t you say the corner views are a bit better than perpendicular ones? Of these two tickets just purchased, only one is showing up in the TM app at the right per ticket price of $233. Do I have to wait a bit or log in again? On Mon AM session, can one tell which two women… Read more »
Great on all counts! Most important for Promenade is being in lowest row you can get (and 5th is great). Not sure about the ticket – I’d contact TM customer support if it doesn’t show up soon.
For Monday, yes correct – will be winners from today. P.J.
I also had a problem with my tickets appearing for Labour Day night at Ashe. I purchased the ticket and the barcode wasn’t loading. I called and they said it’ll take a couple of hours due to the amount of tickets that are being sold and transferred. Sometimes there are glitches and the barcodes get locked. If that happens, just call TM.
I was at the Nadal-Cilic R16 match on Labour Day night. A guy in front of me was stopped and pulled out of the line because he had screenshots. The person checking tickets explicitly told him “no screenshots” and asked to see his ticket, saying, “I don’t care if it’s from TicketMaster, Stubhub. You cannot use a screenshot.”
When you get into the grounds, they print out the seat locator for you. That would obviously suffice.
Hi P.J. — Not a question but a note of gratitude! Thanks to this page and to a very helpful response you wrote to a question I submitted about getting tickets for 1, I’m having the time of my life at the Open — and without sunburn! I held my fire (and gambled a little)… and managed to score courtside seats for Federer’s/Serena’s second round matches (section 51, row D) at face value. And I was just able to snag row A loge end at a reasonable price for Gauff-Osaka tonight by waiting it out — just as you suggested.… Read more »
YES!!! I’m so so glad to hear it! And very grateful for your super kind note, thanks so much for taking the time to let me know. Enjoy!! P.J.
Hi P.J,
I have tickets to ashe on Monday night for 4th round. I thought it would be one mens and one womens last 16 match but I see now that the women’s matches are all on Sunday. Does that mean I just get one match on Monday night in ashe?
Thanks
Dave
Hey Dave, don’t worry – you will get one men’s and one women’s (and a GREAT women’s one at that). Mon features top half of women’s draw (ie players competing today who win their matches today). Pj
Thanks P.J!
Hi PJ – We will be at both day/night sessions in Ashe tomorrow (132 row F for Federer and 105 Row B for Djokovic – woo!). and will want to catch the Medvedev match in Armstrong GA seats. Schedule says will not start before 5. Will they empty out the stadium at some point and allow then reentry for that match? How should I play that to get decent seats? Thank you again for all you do!
Hey Liz, you scored by getting both Ashe sessions tomorrow!! For Armstrong only one session beginning tomorrow (no night) so they will not clear stadium prior… Lines will be nuts for LA tomorrow – so unless you’re willing to skip Serena match and head over immediately after Fed I’d suggest buying a Courtside ticket for LA too… PJ
Thanks. Will likely take our chances with GA for LA – tix are too expensive for a ‘run over’. Want more flexibility. We also have tix to both sessions on Monday in lodge – hoping that Nadal will play the night match. Odds of that happening in your opinion? I know it’s 50/50 but what does your gut tell you 🙂
Sounds good! Odds higher for Nadal on night than Day, but after today’s 3-Days-in-a-row for Fed I stick with my no predictions rule 🙂 Have a great time!! PJ
LA emptied out today after Townsend’s match. It was full again for Monfils. I think most people going Sunday will be there to see Coco. Hopefully it empties out for the men’s match a bit.
PJ, this is an unbelievable resource. To a new tennis fan it feels like you need a PhD to understand even the basics of the US Open and you have several doctorates! I’ve seized on your excellent tip that attending a practice is a sure way to see your player of choice if decent seats are out of reach. Do you need tickets for practice? Would you expect a big crowd for Federer practice tomorrow, or a decent shot at a good view? Thanks again for holding open office hours for us this weekend ??
Hey Jessie, LOL THANK YOU!! Federer practice tomorrow will almost certainly be on Ashe bc first match … So only Ashe Day ticketholders will have access – and may wrap up before people take seats. (Note: ticket of some kind ways requires to enter grounds and see practices on practice courts). PJ
SUN SCHEDULE JUST OUT — FED DAY. Once again underscoring the point that you can never count on any Day/Night prediction with certainty.
Not just that, but also they put 2 womens and 1 mens on Armstrong, unlike last year. (Possibly because Dimitrov-deMinaur, on Grandstand, is the only match with 2 non-seeds.)
YIKES. That is mildly infuriating. I hope they don’t repeat that for Monday as well. A lot of folks (including myself) who paid top dollar for Sunday and/or Monday Armstrong seats did so with the expectation of 2 men’s matches. P.J.
Still a lot of standard tickets available (plus resales), though maybe not as good seats as you have. Plenty behind the server & corners, but scarce at the net — I guess many people have that “50-yard line” mentality from other sports!
Lol – they really need to understand the end zone is where it’s at!!
I can’t believe they did that. I wonder if they’ll do the same for Monday. I gave away my tix to Grandstand for Sunday & Monday with the expectation that Grandstand would only have doubles and one women’s R16 match.
Now that Kyrgios is out, I think it’s possible that Monday’s Grandstand match will be Rublev-Berrettini, if only because the likeliest WTA option is Mertens-Ahn, and Ahn is American.
I think that’s a very good call – would put money on that myself. Still really surprised about their decision to switch gears from last year’s strategy to put 2 Men’s R16 Armstrong Sun and Mon v Grandstand, but it is definitely a good call overall for fans (and Grandstand subscribers). Assume they’ll do the same tomorrow. P.J.
They seemed to have reversed from the schedule last year. Last year on Sunday, they put a woman’s R16 match on Grandstand plus doubles. This year it’s the men’s R16 on Grandstand. Also thought they’d do the same for Monday but they surprised us and did what they did in 2018
Exactly. It was a huge surprise to me yesterday. And as I have tix for Armstrong tomorrow, I was personally grateful to see they stuck with the 2018 approach for tomorrow!
PJ,
Why do you think Grandstand got a men’s R16 match on Sunday? Why did they not continue that for Labour Day Monday?
Do you think that next year, it’ll be the same as 2018, on both days. Where Grandstand gets one women’s R16 match and both men’s are on Armstrong for both Sunday and Labour Day?
Hey Tom, I suspect it’s because of one of two factors (either or both): (1) they had a number of Grandstand series subscribers complain last year about not getting any men’s R16 singles matches; (2) probably more likely, they were hoping to spread out crowds on the grounds given the high volume of attendees on Sunday and avoid serious bottlenecks at L.A. Hesitant to predict on how they handle next year – I was very surprised myself. I plan just to update post to let people know how they’ve handed and note that it’s a gamble if the purchase Grandstand… Read more »
I’m at Times Square. How long will it take me to us open tomorrow’ at 9am (taking the subway)?
Hey Javier, about 35 minutes ride on the 7 train. PJ
Thanks another quick question. It is very posible that Federer plays tomorrow at prime night right???
Hey Javier, it is very possible indeed (and more likely than not), given that he was scheduled for two consecutive Day sessions. But as I note under FAQ #1, there are always surprises and precedents of players getting 3 consecutive Day or Night sessions in a row… So we won’t know 100% until schedule comes out (imminently this afternoon). PJ
SCHEDULE JUST OUT — FED DAY. Once again underscoring the point that you can never count on any Day/Night prediction with certainty.
Any experience with the bag check this event? Is it a complete cluster or reasonable?
Debating on if we go back to hotel and dump shopping packages or do bag check. For PM session
(Have Am Ex so no fee but is it hectic)
LOL, so far this week I’ve heard nothing but good things – no long waits, easy. But everything is different on Labor Day weekend, and this year attendance is setting new records, so hard to predict for PM today or tomorrow. (Amex card won’t speed up). I imagine heaviest times are mornings this weekend – and between 530-6pm before gates open for evening session. If you can, please let me an others here know how it goes! P.J.
I have tickets for Wednesday’s night session. I know they open the gates at 6 so what time would you recommend getting there?
Hi Kiera, if you’d like to arrive with lots of extra time to walk around grounds, maybe grab food/drinks, get to seats early, etc., I’d recommend arriving around 5:30pm to get in line so you’re able to enter fairly quickly after gates open at 6pm. There will be a line at that point, but it will move quickly once they start letting people in. P.J.
Where exactly is the entrance for GA seats for Armstrong? What time do they start allowing people to sit?
Gate B entrance – you’ll see signage… But this weekend you’ll also likely see very long lines going into it. They start allowing people to sit when gates open at 9:30am. P.J.
So, bought tickets for Monday September 2, expecting some singles matches. Now it looks like only doubles. Is that correct? Oh and tickets are for Armstrong court.
Hi Laura, not sure what you’re seeing causing that impression, but for Monday Armstrong you can can expect 2 Men’s Singles R16, 1 Women’s Singles R16, and 1 Men’s Doubles 3d round. It’s on Tuesday Sep 3 that Armstrong will only feature doubles. P.J.
Thank you!!! I was looking at online brackets that showed only doubles on that day. Glad it is wrong! Thanks for all the info on this page, very helpful as this is our first time at us open! Looking forward to trying the melon drink as well ?.
You’re so welcome! I’ll be in Armstrong on Monday too – it’s one of the best investments for tickets in that stadium now that they have separate day/night sessions on first 6 days… with only one session on Sun and Mon of Labor Day weekend, we get more matches and further along in the tournament. Enjoy!! Along with those honey deuces LOL… P.J.
I am at LA tomorrow too – section 18
Hey Van, that’s awesome. I’m actually going on Monday – will you be there then too? PJ
PJ, Sorry to keep bothering you again. Late Thursday night, we pulled the trigger and got two Armstrong Day (13-Row L) and Ashe Night (109-Row K) for this Monday ($473 and $500 total). Could we have done better, I don’t know. I was looking for rows A-D in Armstrong, but they were just too expensive. I have been looking at Ashe Sunday night (tomorrow); lot of Upper Promenade tickets for around $200 each are available; others are far too expensive. Is there anything to be gained with those $200 tickets, other than being able to say we saw Federer, Serena… Read more »
Hi Madhu, not a bother! 1. Some people in Upper Promenade definitely bring binoculars, so not gauche! – but there are also huge screens in the stadium, which most prefer to look at when wanting to see close-ups. There is an undeniable thrill of being present during great match-ups, and Promenade can by fun when fellow fans are really into it. But once you’ve been up there, you will appreciate lower seats even more. 🙂 2. Not many, but yes sometimes esp when players have night matches – see today’s practice schedule as an example. 3. Questionable. Apparently 4″ diameter… Read more »
Again, many many thanks for your sagely – and almost instant – advice/response.
PJ – on Sunday, with grounds ticket, can I watch on Armstrong and Grandstand?
Hi Daniel, absolutely. Just expect big crowds at both trying to get to the GA seats. P.J.
Hello P.J., I am so honored to comment that you are an absolutely phenomenal person to not only provide ALL the extremely useful, valuable and generous information but your time and effort to continuously respond/update to ongoing questions is simply amazing and you do it with so much warmth and class! If there is anyway I may personally provide a small donation for the upkeep of your blog, please email and let me know, you so thoroughly deserve it! Now, I won’t wax too much on this post (too late right, lol) but to say a big THANK YOU PJ… Read more »
Dear M.B., I am so touched by your kind, thoughtful words and so gratified to know my post was helpful for your first experience. I LOVE the Open so much, and nothing makes me happier than sharing the excitement and experience with fellow players and fans, so it truly makes my day to hear that you had such a great time – and I love that you’re going back for Quarters! Every year I end up going to at least one more session than planned because I can’t help myself. Thanks too on the nudge to aim for 5.0… 🙂… Read more »
Hello again P.J., you’re so very welcome for everything. I got the US Open fever, lol. Thank you again for sharing your inestimable time & lovely enthusiasm, I appreciate you!
Really want to see Gauff tomorrow night on Ashe but we have tix for Armstrong. I’m trying to sell my tix but no dice so far. Is there a way to upgrade from Armstrong to Ashe at the stadium tomorrow night?
Hey Geraldine, upgrades/changes along those lines are only possible when there are standard seats available — which there unfortunately are not tomorrow night. Only option is resale maker for tomorrow. PJ
Hi PJ, it’s Felipe here again. Given Nadal will play at day session tomorrow (Sat), what do you think is the chance that he will still play at day session again on Monday?
I think for Labor day it’s a bit different than any work days and day session is actually more popular. It then creats the motivation to put Nadal on day session. Does this logic make sense?
Hey Felipe, truly there is no way to predict. I have seen Federer play several Labor Day evenings in recent years and he is the most popular player. It is dangerous to speculate as many readers this year have already learned the hard way! PJ
Can watch matches from the club restaurant
If I purchase tickets to Friday Sept 6th, for the men’s semis finals…do I get the option of seeing both matches? I assume they are on different courts? Ashe and Armstrong stadiums…but the schedule says men’s doubles a noon then semi-finals at 4….is the other semi final after the first start at 4, on the same stadium, or are they played simultaneously on two different courts. And if they are, does my purchase of that day enable me to attend either? Or do you buy seats for each stadium for the semi finals?
Hi Randy, only one ticket for Sep 6 that includes BOTH Men’s Semis matches plus the Men’s Doubles Final. Doubles starts at Noon, then a break, followed by both Men’s singles matches starting at 4pm, one after another– all on Ashe. P.J.
Hi PJ,
We have a fabulous day at the Open today. Enjoyed just having grounds passes, but tomorrow we go back for the evening session at Arthur Ashe. Question for you…When we left today, there was a HUGE line to get in at 6pm at the East gate main entrance. I mean this line looked like it would take an hour to get through. How can we avoid that for tomorrow evening (8/31)? Different gate? I would pay for a special pass to skip that line:) Ideas?
Hey Laura, great to hear you had a great time! A couple options: (1) try the South gate (see map under Tip #1)… it might be packed too, but the vast majority of people don’t know about it so sometimes it can be a bit lighter; (2) check any bags at bag check and do the “no bag” line which moves faster. Fri, Sat and Sun night of Labor Day weekend are always super busy… Anyone reading have other suggestions?
sometimes if you have a dinner reservation in one of the fancy restaurants, they will let you go through the hospitality line which is faster (maybe make the reservation, get the pass and cancel the res? haven’t tried that). The lines do move somewhat fast despite their appearance — by weekend the staff have a few days’ experience so they are more efficient — they also know the weekend will be crowded. Stand behind people who look like they’re alert and in a hurry — they’ll move quickly with their pockets and phones… if you have a ticket plan, they… Read more »
Thank you!!!!
Thank you for the quick tips. We went to the South Gate at about 5:30. We waited in a long line, but it moved quickly so we got in right at 6. The employees are all so nice, I have to say. And, there was no separate line for those without bags. Worked out just fine. Just wished Kyrgios was playing like he cared. Apparently, he was having vision problems. Didn’t make for a very interesting match. Osaka and Coco were fun to see regardless of the score. Thanks again!
My pleasure, Laura, and thank you for sharing that info! Agreed on the employees – I’ve likewise only met super friendly folks. Super surprised they got rid of the no bag line last night – eager to hear from those there today if that’s the case today as well. I was watching the Kyrgios match last night from home, which was really exciting until that point where he seemed to give up. And that Osaka Coco post-match moment was one for the history books. So powerful and moving. P.J.
Why are tickets so expensive at Federer matches this year? Tickets are starting at $300 as soon as schedule of play is announced. Early rounds never used to be this expensive and I come here every year!!
Prices are crazy for those sessions. But he is the GOAT. And everyone wonders how many more years he can keep it up. So there’s incredible demand for seeing him in person while he’s still performing so well… P.J.
I also noticed that the Labor Day weekend prices were increased a lot compared to 2018 (I have a series and see the individual prices for each session for the same seat) so they are starting higher to begin with if you are looking (for example $125 in 2018 now $160) They didn’t raise the first few days just LDW.
But I also find the Fed fans are the most fanatic and willing to pay whatever to see him.
Got burned on a purchase. Thought Fed would play tonight and lowered my ticket price for sale way down once Djokovic was announced and no one bought my ticket.
Courtside Ashe seat that is now too late to sell for tonight ! Arghhh
So sorry to hear it, Leigh!
It happens ! 50-50 luck
This happened to me before as well!
I feel your pain! I invested in courtside seats for Rafa’s R2 match once the schedule came out. He is my little brother’s favorite player so I wanted to surprise him with fantastic seats. Sure enough, we found out about the walkover 5 minutes after we got to our seats. Now we are seeing Rafa today from the upper level. You win some, you lose some.
Random question and tennis newbie here! When is the best time to get up to go to the restroom without missing the most tennis. Is the longest breaks between every 3rd game, between each set, etc? I found myself enjoying those delicious melon drinks last year and had to get up more often to go to the restrooms only to be held up at the tunnel entrance for a little while until I could get back to my seat. Thanks PJ!
Hey Chris! It’s a tough call. Best time not to miss too much is usually between sets (breaks are longer than between every 3d game) – but that’s often when most people get up and lines are longest. To avoid long lines, maybe try after the 3d game of the 2d set – that way you get back in time for exciting action of 2d set, but avoid rush between 1st and 2d set. 🙂 P.J.
No changeover after game one means you wait THREE FREAKIN’ games like I just did.
Keep in mind that even with the new only two matches on Ashe there is more tennis than most can last for. People are all pumped coming in at 10am and then most fade by 7pm or so after 9+ hrs in the sun.
Even I had to pass on freebie courtside Armstrong this evening because after 12 days I’ve temporarily hit a wall. ? Also don’t like New Armstrong.
Finally had an amazing 1st us open experience thanks to you. I am beyond grateful. I waited patiently and got a good deal, Hotel shuttle pick up, Uber drop off, Courtyard seats at ASHE, curb cab back to my hotel. The only thing you left out is some kiosk only accept cash. It was an amazing experience… thank you so much!!!!
Hey Elizabeth, I’m thrilled to hear it! Thank you for taking the time to let me know! And thanks too for the heads-up on some kiosks… just realized that’s the case for the draw sheets/programs. Any others you remember? I’ll add to my running list above. P.J.