A Serious Tennis Fan’s Complete Guide to the 2026 US Open: Tickets, Tips & More

▸ Returning Visitors: Click Here for Latest Updates!
- June 28: Published fully restructured new version of this post to facilitate navigation, including this PDF 2026 US Open Ticket Options and Average Prices: How to Spot a Good Deal — day-by-day ticket options and direct links to check prices and comparison shop on Ticketmaster and Stubhub.
- July 3: Added FAQ: “Which seats in Promenade have obstructed views?”
- August 3: Updated details on shade patterns in Armstrong Stadium in FAQ: “Which seats get the most shade?”
- August 27: The NYT reported that the Open would offer limited $25 evening grounds passes for purchase on-site only through Sep 6: “However, they can be purchased only on-site the evening of entry and on nights that Louis Armstrong is sold out (not including resale tickets).” When I asked the US Open box office to provide more details, they wrote: “No unfortunately we cannot confirm availability beforehand, these specific passes are on a day-to-day basis. Evenings grounds passes are only made available day of based on the capacity of the events and the stadiums.”
- August 29: My new chart outlining how scheduling should work beginning in Round 2: “Who Plays on Which Dates After R1?”
- September 1: Fellow fan Carrie reported on the late-night taxi situation: “I had a great experience with getting a yellow cab at the rideshare area by the NY Hall of Science at around 11:30pm the first two nights. NYPD organized the taxis and the taxi line and I waited only a few minutes in line before I was able to get a cab and a fast ride back to the hotel at a very reasonable cost. There were plenty of taxis waiting to pick up folks. This was probably way faster than waiting for an uber, and the police officer organizing the taxi line even made the sure my driver had his meter on when he saw I was a woman traveling solo late at night!”
- September 3: I share observation on the new post-renovation Courtside and Loge sections in my updated FAQ “What’s different about Ashe after the big 2026 renovation to Ashe Stadium?“
By P.J. Simmons
If you’re a fellow tennis fan planning a trip to the US Open — whether it’s your first visit or your fifteenth — I built this guide for you. As a serious tennis player and fan living in NYC, I feel so lucky that the US Open is in my backyard. I absolutely love the tournament, and find nothing more educational and inspiring for my own game than seeing world-class live tennis.
2026 will mark my 18th time at the US Open, and I’ve learned a ton over the years through trial and error about how to maximize the opportunity, find the best tickets and seats on the Official US Open ticket site on Ticketmaster, StubHub, and other reseller sites, and generally get the biggest bang for the buck. Likewise, I’ve learned so much thanks to fellow fans around the world who have shared their own insights since I wrote the first version of this post over a decade ago.
Below are my top 10 recommendations and practical resources to help you sort through the complexity, understand all the ticket options, and make the best decisions for your own priorities and budget so you have an incredible experience. I’ll continue to update throughout the summer and the tournament. Don’t hesitate to reach out with a question below if you can’t find what you need – I’ll reply as soon as I can.
For my returning friends: Please let me know what you think of this newly restructured and updated version (June 28), which hopefully will make navigation easier and faster for you. Please let me know what you think – I’d really appreciate your feedback!
What Every First-Timer Should Know Before Buying Tickets
Whether it’s your first Open or you just haven’t been in a few years, here are a few things worth understanding before you spend a dollar or make final decisions on when to attend.
Consider taking advantage of incredible FREE opportunities to see world-class tennis and superstars the week before the main tournament (August 23–29)
Before the main tournament begins, there’s a packed week of events at the US Open grounds (“Fan Week”) that offers many opportunities to experience the magic of the Open without spending a dollar on a ticket.
The week kicks off Sunday August 23 with Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day. If you have kids, this is a great day to go with lots of interactive games, music, activities.
Then, the Qualifying Tournament (Monday August 24 – Thursday August 27) is an amazing opportunity for serious fans to see major rising players and incredible tennis up close. 128 of the world’s best male and female players (whose ATP and WTA rankings were just shy of qualifying automatically for the US Open) will compete for the final 32 spots (16 each for men and women) in the singles draws. In 2021, #150-ranked qualifier Emma Raducanu went on to win the US Open women’s singles title – the first Grand Slam champion in history to come through qualifiers. Maja Chwalinska came close to doing the same at the 2026 French Open. Read why Fan Week/Qualies are so special in this excellent piece by Steven Kutz.
Throughout the entire week, there are opportunities to see some of the top-seeded players and biggest stars in unofficial practice sessions (details posted on the practice schedule the morning of).
Note: Fan week also features four special events that require paid tickets: including Mixed Doubles Rounds 1&2 (Aug 25 10am); Exhibition play with Roger Federer (Aug 25 7pm); Mixed Doubles Semis and Finals (Aug 26 7pm); and a “Stars of the Open” exhibition (Aug 27 7pm).
IMPORTANT: TO GAIN ADMISSION DURING FAN WEEK, YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER FOR A FREE FAN ACCESS PASS.
The US Open is much bigger than Ashe Stadium. Get the lay of the land before you make your plan.
Most people think of Arthur Ashe Stadium when they think about the US Open—and understandably so. It’s the largest tennis stadium in the world (almost 24,000 seats) and home to many of the tournament’s biggest matches. But the US Open is so much more than Ashe. Think of it as a massive tennis festival spread across an entire campus. On a typical day during the first week, world-class matches take place simultaneously on Ashe plus 16 other courts.
In fact, some of the most exciting tennis during the tournament happens on Louis Armstrong Stadium (almost as big as the main show courts at Wimbledon, the French Open, and the Australian Open with around 14,000 seats plus a retractable roof in case of rain), Grandstand (with 8,100 seats), Court #17 (2,800 seats) and the smaller field Courts #4-16.
Some important basic rules about how entry and seating works:
- Any of the almost 80 ticket options gets you access to the entire US Open grounds — you’ll find every option laid out in the ticket chart below (2026 US Open Ticket Options and Average Prices).
- Once you’ve entered the US Open grounds, you can access unreserved seats (on a first-come basis) in Armstrong, Grandstand, and on every other court except Ashe stadium. Ashe Stadium has no unreserved seats, so you need to buy an Ashe-specific ticket if you want to get in. Armstrong and Grandstand have both reserved ticket options and unreserved seating. Courts #4-17 are entirely first-come, unreserved seating.
- Grounds entry times vary depending on your ticket: A grounds pass or “Day” session reserved ticket for either Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand allows entry when gates first open (usually 9:30am). If you only purchase an “Evening” session ticket for a particular day, you’ll have to wait until 6pm to enter the grounds. Once you’re in the US Open grounds, you can stay as late as you want until closing.
Learn how player and match scheduling works to raise the odds of seeing your favorite players.
Most fans coming to the Open dream of seeing their favorite players in action. But what many first-timers don’t realize is that it’s impossible to predict which players will play on which days, on which courts, or at what time until the detailed “Daily Schedule of Play” is released shortly before the actual match day. So if you buy a ticket to the Open prior to that – which most people do – you’re buying access to matches in a particular round of play, not a guarantee that you’ll see any specific player.
The good news is that having a clear understanding of how scheduling works can dramatically improve your odds of seeing the players and matches that matter most to you. Taking a few minutes now to review these things will put you ahead of the game:
1. Start by getting the big picture of the tournament’s schedule – here’s an overview:
>> You can find a comprehensive, day-by-day breakdown of the schedule and every ticket option here: 2026 US Open Ticket Options
2. Get a sense of what day-by-day match scheduling looks like by reviewing last year’s “Daily Schedules of Play” to get a feel for what types of matches are played on which courts during the various rounds. Keep in mind this is just illustrative: for instance, just because a player was scheduled for certain days or played on certain Ashe Day or Night sessions does not mean you can expect the same for this year!
3. Go deeper: see the FAQ “How can I predict when and where my favorite player will play?” below — it explains how to make educated guesses about who plays when and where.
How to Choose the Right Tickets and Spot Good Deals
One of the most common questions I get every year is some version of: “What’s the best ticket to buy?” The honest answer is that there are many “best” tickets — it simply depends on your priorities and what kind of experience you’re hoping to have. Some fans want the energy of being with 24,000 others in an Arthur Ashe night session. Others are happy spending an entire day roaming the grounds in the early rounds, hopping from court to court. Some want to treat someone special to courtside seats in a final round. Others want the most tennis possible for the lowest price. So the goal is simply to find the ticket that’s best for you.
Below are my top recommendations—followed by a time-saving chart I built to help you compare all the options, benchmark average prices and comparison shop, and make decisions with confidence.
Don’t miss the chance to see world-class players and great matches up close on the other courts beyond Ashe Stadium.

It was awesome seeing Ben Shelton up close for the first time in 2022 on Court #10 in Round 1 (v. Borges)
For my first US Open, I spent about $250 per ticket for a seat in the upper portion of Ashe Stadium for a night match so I’d be guaranteed to see at least one Top 10 player live. While it was certainly thrilling to experience the electricity of an evening Ashe match, I still felt somewhat distant from the action (it’s a mammoth 24,000-capacity venue) and spent much of the time watching the match on the huge video screen. Moreover, because the tournament prioritizes putting the biggest stars on Ashe over the best match-ups, the matches I saw weren’t terribly exciting.
Since then, I’ve become addicted to the unparalleled thrill of seeing many world-class competitors from a few feet away in epic duels on several of the smaller non-Ashe courts (Louis Armstrong Stadium, Grandstand Stadium, the very cool Court #17, and other outer courts #4-#16). Once you have this experience you’ll likely get addicted too. While it’s rare that you’ll see the Top 5 players on those courts, you WILL see other awe-inspiring players in very competitive matches –including seeing rising stars before they become household names, and feel the excitement of “discovering” new talent to cheer for. Over the years I’ve seen countless “next-gen” players up very close for the first time on outer courts before they were super famous — including Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Madison Keys, Dominic Thiem, Sasha Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and many others.
While I recommend everyone experience Ashe Stadium at least once, I also can’t recommend more strongly that you make time to explore the opportunities to see thrilling tennis in more intimate settings on the other 16 courts.
On a tight budget but want to see a lot of tennis? Consider going during Rounds 1 and 2, and aim for an affordable Ashe Stadium (or Armstrong Stadium) DAY session ticket — often comparably priced to a Grounds Pass, but a much smarter buy.

Be sure to take in some Doubles action too. Here was Casper Ruud and his partner William Blumberg during Round 1 in 2024.
Rounds 1 and 2 (Sun–Thurs of the main tournament’s first week) are a great chance to get maximum bang for your buck. There’s so much action across the entire US Open grounds, with matches happening simultaneously on 17 courts all day — and some play stretching into the evening. Crowds are heavy but not as intense as Labor Day weekend. It’s one of my favorite times to be out there.
Many fans assume a Grounds Pass is automatically the cheapest way into the Open — but often it isn’t. Before you buy one, always compare it against Ashe and Armstrong DAY-session tickets. During Rounds 1 and 2 those are often available for a similar price (sometimes less!), and they give you everything a Grounds Pass does — early entry when the gates open in the morning, the run of the whole grounds — plus a reserved seat and rain protection (both stadiums have roofs). You may end up roaming the outer courts more than sitting in that seat — but it’s there when you want it, and it guarantees you a spot inside if one of your favorites gets scheduled in that stadium. And keep in mind: a Grounds Pass won’t get you into Ashe at all (every Ashe seat is reserved). So if having Ashe be part of your experience matters to you, a cheap Ashe day ticket in the early rounds is often the most affordable way to do it.
And because a DAY ticket lets you stay on the grounds into the evening, you’ll get hours of extra tennis on the outer courts well past 6pm — all for the price of one ticket.
If your budget can swing it, I strongly recommend getting a courtside reserved seat in Louis Armstrong stadium (especially between Sep 4 – Sep 7) and/or in Grandstand (especially on Sep 4 or Sep 5).

Me spotted on Netflix “Break Point” series cheering on Taylor Fritz and Brandon Holt at the 2022 US Open – front row during awesome match on Grandstand
As a general rule, I encourage fellow fans to budget their time and money in ways that maximize the possibility of a few magical experiences versus a ton of forgettable ones. For instance, if you’re opting between multiple days of cheap nosebleed seats in Ashe’s Upper Promenade versus applying the same budget towards excellent seats on Armstrong or Grandstand for a couple sessions, I generally recommend the latter.
Louis Armstrong (14,053 seats) and Grandstand (8,125 seats) are the other two main show courts after Ashe Stadium – and they offer a much more intimate experience. A reserved courtside ticket for either can give you access to thrilling matches and players up close that you’ll never forget.
The first time I did this in 2010 I saw an unforgettable marathon slugfest between David Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco from the first row of the old Armstrong stadium… It gave me a memory I will treasure forever. Ever since, I’ve made it an annual tradition to go with friends to get excellent courtside seats in Armstrong during the 3rd Round or Round of 16. In 2019, I got to see Matteo Berrettini crushing balls in the Round of 16 on Armstrong from the second row (and my phone exploded with texts when my friends and I were spotted on ESPN frequently cheering for him). I’ve had similar transporting experiences in Grandstand over the years – including sitting first row behind-the-server for a match between Auger-Aliassime and fellow Canadian Denis Shapovalov.
Both stadiums also feature general admission seating on a first-come basis, but getting good GA seats can be tough and involve long lines for the higher-profile matches — so having a reserved courtside ticket gives you the dual benefit of skipping long lines plus incredible proximity to the players.
If you’ve never done it, consider splurging once on a courtside Ashe seat.

Me caught on ESPN cheering very loudly for Carlitos from front row Ashe (lower left) during 2024 Round 2 (v Botic van de Zandschulp)
After dreaming for years of the possibility, I finally bit the bullet to invest in Arthur Ashe Stadium Courtside seats in 2011 for the first time. It was bliss. Ever since, I’ve made an annual pilgrimage to experience Ashe Courtside with a few close friends at least once.
What most people don’t understand about the mammoth Ashe stadium until they’ve been in person is that even Loge seating is fairly high up because (a) the stadium is very vertically oriented (seating is on a sharp incline) and (b) there are two levels of suites above Courtside before the first row of Loge even begins. So when you’re down in Courtside, you feel like you’re in another world. The feeling of being that close to greatness in Ashe’s electric atmosphere is pretty amazing.
Here’s a video I shot of Federer from the front row in 2011, the very first time I sat courtside at Ashe. I found a great deal on a resale ticket on Labor Day during the Round of 16 and got to witness Federer perfection from a few feet away. Best money I’ve ever spent.
Before you compare options, get clear on what matters most to you for this particular visit — seeing a favorite player, incredible proximity, atmosphere, the most tennis for your money, shade, flexibility, or certainty. The more familiar you become with the market, the easier it becomes to recognize real value when you see it.
Here are 4 steps to making sure you make your decision with confidence:
- Know the benefits/restrictions of each type of ticket – read “What Each US Open Ticket Type Gets You” below.
- Review the day-by-day ticket options and average prices in the chart below. It will give you valuable context for smart decisionmaking, including up-to-date price ranges of what to expect for every single ticket option plus benchmark ranges from last year’s Open.
- Comparison shop — best done on a computer. For my full step-by-step process — which sites, how to read the maps, what to avoid — see “Which ticket site should I use?” under Before You Buy below.
- Scan the topics below under “Before You Buy — Common Questions” to dive deeper into many important questions that may impact your final decision about what’s best for you.

Before You Buy — Common Questions
▸ Should I buy now or wait? Will prices go up or down?
The frustrating reality is: it depends — and it’s impossible to predict with certainty. Buying US Open tickets can be a bit like investing in the stock market: knowledge and good judgment dramatically improve your odds, but there are always surprises because so many variables are involved.
One thing many first-time buyers don’t realize is that the inventory they see today may look very different tomorrow, next week, or later in the summer. Much of the market is driven by resale, because the USTA typically makes relatively few Standard tickets (“blue dots” on Ticketmaster) available, with most inventory pre-allocated to subscribers — and even Standard tickets are dynamically priced rather than sold at a fixed “face value.” As a result, prices can move in unexpected ways.
Historically, some sessions get cheaper as more resale tickets hit the market and sellers compete, while other high-demand sessions rise substantially. Who gets scheduled on which days, courts, and sessions matters too. Last year (2025), schedulers surprised everyone by putting the blockbuster Djokovic–Alcaraz semifinal in the day session rather than at night — so day prices spiked and night prices dropped.
Resale tickets are almost always available until the last minute, so patient buyers sometimes find great deals — but waiting trades certainty for risk. The best advice I can give: familiarize yourself with typical prices for the sessions you’re considering so you can recognize a good opportunity when you see one. The chart above is built for exactly that — every option, this year’s average ranges, and last year’s day-of benchmarks (for context, not prediction). One clue: if you enlarge the Ticketmaster map and see few tickets, scarcity often signals prices may keep rising; abundant inventory often means more downward pressure.
▸ Will the tournament release more Standard tickets and Grounds Passes?
Sometimes yes — but in a completely unpredictable way. The USTA has historically released additional Standard (“blue dot”) tickets throughout the summer for some sessions, sometimes for surprisingly good seats. There has never been a reliable pattern for which sessions or ticket types get more inventory, and Grounds Pass inventory can fluctuate too. My advice: check periodically, especially in the mornings, but don’t count on it for any specific session.
▸ Will I still get good tickets if everything looks expensive right now?
Usually, yes. One of the biggest misconceptions among first-time buyers is that the inventory available when tickets first go on sale is all there will be. In reality, more resale inventory appears throughout the summer, and the USTA often releases additional standard tickets too. The market keeps evolving right up until the tournament begins — and sometimes even on the day of the matches.
▸ Which sessions are the best deals?
This varies year to year, and some of the best last-minute deals turn up when the lineups aren’t what people expected (last year, for example, a marquee semifinal landed in the day session instead of the night). Still, here are a few sessions that tend to be overlooked and have historically offered relatively good value:
- Armstrong evening courtside, week 1 — exciting under the lights in a big stadium, but demand is lower because many fans choose day-session tickets instead (understandably, since a day ticket lets you in as soon as gates open, so you can catch as much tennis as possible). The trade-off: an evening-only ticket won’t get you onto the grounds until 6pm. But it can be an affordable way to see bigger names from a far better vantage point than the upper tier of Ashe.
- Quarterfinal day sessions — the biggest-name lineups almost always go to the night sessions during the quarterfinals. With many tourists gone and locals leaning toward evenings, day tickets here are often cheaper than the Round of 16.
- Labor Day Ashe evening — historically cheaper than other Round-of-16 sessions, since many tourists have headed home and demand dips. You still get great matches, and it’s a great time to experience Ashe at night.
▸ How do I see the exact location of seats I might buy?
Use the “Map View” on Ticketmaster for any particular session provides the best reference for the exact location of specific seat(s). After you click on the session/stadium that interests you, choose Map View, then mouse over or click any of the dots to see the exact section, row, and seat number. This is also helpful if you’re comparison shopping with Stubhub or other resale sites, whose maps may only feature sections and zones and not individual seats.
KEY SEATING CHARTS AND SHADE MAPS
ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM
- NEW 2026 Arthur Ashe Seating Chart
- My NEW 2026 annotated Ashe Stadium SHADE map
- Ashe “Interactive Seat Viewer” (updated for 2026) to give you a sense of what view is like from specific seats – which from my experience tends to make seats look like they’re closer than they actually feel when you’re there, but helpful nonetheless.
Update on the Renovated Loge Section
In previous years, I recommended prioritizing the lower half of Loge when Courtside wasn’t in the budget, because even the front rows of Loge were already relatively high up. With the new design, the front rows of Loge now sit meaningfully farther from the court (only 5 of the original 13 rows of Loge remain) – so sitting in Loge is only marginally better than lower Promenade, making it hard to justify paying much of a premium.
A warning about the first row of the new Loge section: The roof of the luxury suites just below juts out like a sore thumb from the front row, both creating a visual and emotional barrier to the court. Here’s a photo I took from the new Section 231 Row A.
LOUIS ARMSTRONG STADIUM
- Louis Armstrong Stadium Seating Chart (Official)
- Louis Armstrong Chart (with my annotations)
- Armstrong Interactive “View from Seat” Map
- My annotated Armstrong Stadium SHADE map
GRANDSTAND
▸ What’s different about Ashe after the big 2026 renovation to Ashe Stadium?
A lot. 2026 brings a huge change to Ashe: a major renovation added 2,000 new Courtside seats and removed around 2,800 Loge seats to make room for the expanded courtside area and newly designed luxury suites between the Courtside and Loge levels. Promenade remains exactly the same.
My initial observations after spending a few days watching play from various sections of Ashe in 2026:
The New Courtside
- Courtside seats (even higher rows) remain qualitatively much, much better than Loge and Promenade, which now feel even more remote. Overall, though, courtside feels far less intimate. And more numbers create intense crowds in the “Club Level” corridors (where you get drinks and food).
- Noise levels are worse than ever in the stadium due to the larger numbers of people in courtside and folks in suites, many of whom are drinking heavily and carry on conversations at full voice. All it takes is a few loud conversations to spark a chain reaction: background conversations become white noise, and everyone feels permission to talk loudly.
- Gone are the days when you would be embarrassed for standing in an aisle except during changeovers. The longer stairways — coupled with the highly questionable elimination of the continuous walkway at the top of Courtside — means people take too long to get to their seats.
- The addition of two cordoned-off Courtside rows (“100A-100E”) with walkway behind the umpire chair feels, to be perfectly frank, obnoxious. One the one hand, I applaud the move to put Players’ Boxes into the first row on this side (section 100A) and directly opposite (105AA). And I understand the need to reserve parts of these rows (especially 100G) for VIPs like Billie Jean King and provide special security for them. But selling the rest of these seats to ultra-rich subscribers — many of whom skip matches in favor of hanging in suites or resell the seats at out-of-reach, exorbitant prices — is infuriating to someone like me who has spent hard-earned savings on those seats in the past and literally been moved to tears of joy and appreciation to be in them watching favorite players.
The New Loge
In previous years, I recommended prioritizing the lower half of Loge when Courtside wasn’t in the budget, because even the front rows of Loge were already relatively high up. With the new design, the front rows of Loge now sit meaningfully farther from the court (only 5 of the original 13 rows of Loge remain) – so sitting in Loge is only marginally better than lower Promenade, making it hard to justify paying much of a premium.
A warning about the first row of the new Loge section: The roof of the luxury suites just below juts out like a sore thumb from the front row, both creating a visual and emotional barrier to the court. Here’s a photo I took from the new Section 231 Row A.
I’ll update the FAQ on views from seats as soon as I can with a few more photos, but wanted to share this update in real time (Sep 3, 2026).
▸ Which seats get the most shade?
ASHE STADIUM
The roof creates a huge amount of natural shade all day for many seats. The most shade is in the South and West sections. Next-best is the North. The most sun (to avoid for Day sessions) is on the East side. See my Ashe shade map. I will update this with more details after I’ve experienced Ashe post-renovation in person during Fan Week this year.
GRANDSTAND
Much less shade overall, but South and West are again better because the sun is more at your back. GA seats higher under the overhang — especially the Southwest corner — get the most.
ARMSTRONG STADIUM
Sections 1–8 (South and West) are best overall for shade, with Section 2 the best (in shade all day). Sections 11-16 (East) are the worst and sit in direct afternoon sun (however the top couple of rows are shaded all day due to the overhang from the upper deck). See this basic overview of the Armstrong shade pattern – then see these additional photos showing how various sections are impacted throughout the day. Additional details:
- Section 1 is fully shaded until around 12:30pm, then some rows and some seats in the first 8-10 rows start getting some sun). See this photo.
- Sections 17-18: Fully shaded until around 12:30pm, then lower rows start getting sun. By about 2:15, many of the first 8-10 rows (rows E-O) are getting sun – see this photo and this photo. By 3pm a few more rows in 17 and 18 get sun – see this photo. By around 4pm (not sure exact time) all of 17 and 18 are shaded completely again
- Sections 3-8 (West side/Chair umpire side) is in full sun at 11am, but the shade gradually moves down to blanket more and more rows such that by 12:30pm the top 10 rows (appx) are in shade and by around 1pm all seats are fully shaded.
- The last 2 rows in the lower bowl around the entire stadium stay shaded (under the overhang from the upper bowl).
- Sections 8-11: Rows U and above are always shaded, most other seats always in direct sun.
▸ Which sections and seats have the best views?
Most people consider “behind the server” seats (the North or South ends of the court) the best — and prices reflect it. For first-timers, that’s my top recommendation. It’s the angle used for broadcast: you can follow point construction and see the court from the perspective of the player on your side of the net, without moving your head side to side. Here’s a photo of the same perspective (from higher up seats) in Armstrong. Here’s another photo from Ashe courtside front row.
Corner sections are also widely considered to be highly desirable — and for good reason. They carry many of the same advantages of the above, with the added benefit you can see the player on your side of the net from the front as their hitting the ball not just the back. Here’s a photo from the new Armstrong from that perspective.
As a serious player myself, I personally love sitting courtside as close as possible in lower rows of sections where seats are practically on the court, perpendicular and near to the actual baseline (e.g., section 120 in renovated Ashe) because it gets me physically even closer to the players and more on the same level. Sitting in the lower rows, I feel even more like I’m on the court with them. I feel the speed of the game. In these seats, I personally enjoy watching one player at a time sometimes to see their footwork, how they prepare for the next ball, etc. Here’s a photo from Ashe courtside from that perspective.
For Loge or Promenade in Ashe, I generally recommend the lowest rows you can get regardless of location, since Loge — and especially Promenade — are already quite high up.
For Day sessions, factor in shade (West, Southwest, and Northwest get the most relief; see the shade question above). The umpire chair is never a real obstruction, but in very low rows on that side it can be a minor annoyance.
▸ Which seats in Promenade have obstructed views?
There are a handful of specific seats worth avoiding in Promenade based on reader reports in the comments over the years and posts on “View from my Seat.” Two recommendations based on every obstruction complaint I’ve ever heard about the Promenade:
1. Avoid aisle seats in Promenade rows A-E (due to large glass safety panels at the bottom of aisle stairways).
At the bottom of every aisle staircase, there’s a clear safety panel (with a metal support bar) to keep people from stumbling over the ledge. These sit at the ends of the rows, all the way around the stadium. If you’re in one of the first several rows (roughly A through E) AND in the seat or two directly beside an aisle, that glass and bar can cut right across your view of the court. Fans report this year after year, always in the same spots: the aisle-adjacent seats in the low rows. A few rows up, or a few seats over, and the problem disappears. The added bonus of skipping these seats: you’ll avoid fans walking up and down the aisles (which they’re only allowed to do in Promenade).
2. Unless you are fairly tall, avoid Row A in Promenade due to the metal safety rail. The front row of the Promenade has a horizontal rail along it. For many adults it’s a non-issue — you see right over it. But if you’re on the shorter side, or bringing kids, the rail can sit annoyingly close to your sightline to the near baseline. My advice for most folks is to avoid the first row altogether. Rows B and C give you virtually the same view with zero rail, and Row A’s extra legroom probably isn’t worth the tradeoff.
Check out photos from other fans of particular seats in Promenade at “View from my Seat.”
Note: I am not able yet to address questions about structural obstructions in the newly renovated Courtside and Loge sections – I’ll update after I’m there this year.
▸ Day session or evening — which is the better value?
For most fans, day sessions offer better overall value. You’ll typically get more tennis, more scheduling flexibility, and grounds access from morning until late evening. Evening sessions often feature big names and a special atmosphere under the lights, but you’re usually paying for fewer matches. Which is “better” comes down to whether you care more about the quantity of tennis or the energy of a showcase night session.
▸ Is a Grounds Pass worth it?
Sometimes — but usually not. Many fans assume a Grounds Pass is automatically the best value; often it isn’t. Before buying one, always compare prices for Ashe and Armstrong day-session tickets. If they’re available for a similar price, you get all the same grounds-access privileges plus a reserved seat and valuable rain protection from the stadium roofs.
▸ Should I buy a subscription or multi-session plan?
For most serious fans, I don’t recommend it. Most multi-session and first-time subscription plans are only for Promenade seats — so high up in that huge stadium that you’ll watch much of the match on the Jumbotron or through binoculars. It can take years to upgrade to Loge (only available with the very expensive full-series plan). For the price of a full-series plan (well over $2,000 each) you could buy several amazing seats across the tournament — or two excellent seats for the Men’s Final. And there’s always a glut of Promenade Ashe seats on the resale market, so an entire series of Promenade seats can be hard to resell.
▸ Which ticket site should I use? How to comparison shop?
Start with Ticketmaster, then compare resale. My process:
- Consult 2026 US Open Ticket Options and Average Prices: How to Spot a Good Deal to learn the average price ranges for the sessions you care about.
- Always check the official Ticketmaster US Open site first — on a computer for the fastest navigation. Use “map view” (click any section), try different sortings, and use multiple tabs to compare sessions. Ticketmaster shows both Standard tickets (“blue dots” — face value, most often Promenade, occasionally Loge/Courtside) and resale tickets (“red dots”). Surprisingly, resale red dots are often the best value, because resellers undercut each other. Tickets stay on sale up to 59 minutes after a session starts if inventory remains, and both Ticketmaster and StubHub make it easy to relist if your plans change (you need a US bank account to re-list on Ticketmaster).
- Compare availability and prices with StubHub and any other preferred resellers to see if you can find an even better deal for comparable seats. Other sites I’ve never had any problems with include Viagogo, VividSeats, SeatGeek, or Ticket Liquidator. I personally no longer recommend TickPick after two very poor experiences. My “2026 US Open Ticket Options” chart linked above links directly to every specific Ticketmaster and StubHub session ticket option.
- Only buy resale tickets that specify the exact Section, Row, and Seat (or seat range) matching the stadium seat maps in this post. Double-check what you receive matches what was advertised; reputable resellers refund a misrepresented ticket (but then it’s on you to find another).
- Never buy off Craigslist or classified sites — too many scams, and NYC law bans “scalping” within 1,500 feet of the venue (effectively everywhere off the subway), with undercover police on site.
- Going with friends? Consider buying a mix of cheap and amazing seats and trading off time in the great one (Promenade vs. Courtside, or across stadiums) — I do this every year. All tickets are mobile-only; if you don’t have a smartphone, Ticketmaster customer service can move yours to Will Call.
- For package deals (tickets + hotel/transport/VIP), trusted options include Championship Tennis Tours, Grand Slam Tennis Tours, and Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours.
▸ Are resale ticket sites safe?
Generally, yes — provided you use reputable marketplaces. In some cases resale tickets are actually better values than standard tickets, because sellers compete on price. Before buying, always verify the section, row, and seat numbers, and make sure the ticket is clearly marked for mobile transfer.
▸ How can I predict when — and where — my favorite player will play?
While you can never be absolutely sure whether your favorite player will be scheduled for a Day or Night session (or on which court) until the Schedule of Play is released the day prior to matches, you CAN predict which DATE your favorite players will play if they advance after the Round 1 schedule is announced. Here’s a chart showing which players would play on which days after Round 1 if they advance (based on the pattern from the first two days of Round 1).
To be absolutely sure you see your favorite player, consider waiting until the schedule is published the day prior (start checking frequently early afternoon, usually out by 5:00pm), then immediately go to the official Ticketmaster US Open site or other resale sites like Stubhub to grab a resale ticket. This strategy requires, however, that you monitor the ticket situation closely in the days prior and are prepared to act immediately when the schedule is announced. Also, if you see tickets becoming scarce and prices going up in the days prior, you may conclude it’s worth taking a chance and purchasing based on an educated guess.
Another way to see your favorite player up close is to watch them when they’re scheduled for practice on the practice courts. See Tip #9
- Only the biggest superstars (like Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff) are sure to be scheduled on Ashe – others might be scheduled on Armstrong, Grandstand, or field courts. Schedulers have been known to put even the #1-ranked player in the world on Armstrong or Grandstand, as they did in 2021 with then #1 Simona Halep during Round 1 (on Grandstand) and then #2 Aryna Sabalenka (Armstrong).
- There’s never any sure way to predict whether players will be scheduled for DAY or NIGHT sessions. Officials try to spread the wealth and be fair to players by alternating players between Day and Night sessions. Contrary to popular belief, they do not always schedule the biggest stars at night. The one exception to this is Quarterfinals, when biggest stars are almost always scheduled for the night sessions.
- For Men’s Semifinals, we learned last year (2025) never to assume that the biggest starpower matches would be put on the Night session: they shocked everyone and put the Alcaraz v Djokovic match on during the Day session, and Sinner v Auger-Aliassime at night.
How to Get the Most of Your Visit
The night before you go, check the Schedule of Play
1. Download the official US Open Everywhere App (search “2026 US Open Tennis”) for the latest schedule, scores, and live updates. I also recommend SI.com’s tennis page for terrific day-to-day coverage and analysis.
2. Be sure to check the Schedule of Play here (or on the App) to identify the matches that most interest you and build your plan around that.
3. If you are targeting the first match of the day on either Grandstand or Armstrong and if you don’t have a reserved seat, aim to get in line early at either the East Gate (for Armstrong) or South Gate (for Grandstand) so you can be among the first to enter when gates open at 9:30am. Then speed-walk over and grab the best seat you can.
4. If you’re a player, you might be interested in reading my ten ideas for watching a pro match to help improve your own game— some of the ways I challenge myself to watch live tennis more deliberately from the perspective of a player who wants to improve.
Check out the practice courts for close sightings of the superstars
Check the practice schedule here (or on the US Open App) the night before and the morning of your day at the Open. Note: the best time to see top players practice without fighting as many crowds is during the Fan Week (see Tip 1).
Don’t drive unless you really have to — here’s how to get there
My top recommendation is to take the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) to “Mets-Willets Point.”
It’s super fast (under 20 minutes from midtown Manhattan) and drops you literally steps from the US Open’s East Gate. You can take it from either Moynihan Train Hall (8th Avenue between West 31st-33rd) or Grand Central. Look for “Port Washington” train on the monitors (signage may say “GREAT NECK” or “PORT WASHINGTON” — double-check the train number.) See 2026 LIRR schedule here. Download the MTA TrainTime app to purchase tickets. Important: the Mets-Willets LIRR stop is NOT accessible for fans with disabilities — exit instead at Woodside/61st St and transfer to the 7 train (or just take the 7 to Mets-Willets Point).
The subway #7 train is also a convenient (and the least expensive) option.
Takes a bit longer, but runs 24 hours. Stops include Grand Central. Download the MTA App for train time and routes. If you must drive: See the US Open’s driving directions and parking details. Plan extra time when the Mets are home (Aug 24-30 and Sep 4-6); I recommend arriving no later than 8:30am on Mets’ dates to be on the safe side. A good alternate parking option is the Shops at Skyview – about a 10-minute walk to the East Gate (and you can reserve a spot in advance for a discounted rate here). Consider buying a resale parking pass on StubHub for a specific lots. Fellow fan Harry notes street parking under or south of Highway 495 is viable if you don’t mind a walk.
Thinking of using UBER/ LYFT/ TAXI? They’re great getting out to the Open – but can be a nightmare coming back after a night session.
To the Open, set the destination to “Billie Jean King National Tennis Center” (drops near the South Gate) or “Mets-Willets Point” (near the 7 train, then walk the footbridge to the East Gate). After a night session, be ready for long waits and heavy surge pricing — thousands of people will be trying to do the same. Alternatives: reserve a car service in advance (I’ve used Riverside), take the LIRR or 7 into Manhattan and hail a cab there, or hail under the 7 train on Roosevelt Ave (or use the Curb app).
Consider staying nearby in Queens and walking or biking.
Fellow fan Mark stayed at an Airbnb on Queens Boulevard about 2 miles away: flat terrain, good bike lanes, and bike racks across from the South Gate — “a fun and hassle-free way to make the commute.”
Coming directly from Laguardia?
It’s only a 9-minute cab ride — or take the Q48 public bus to the “Roosevelt Av/Willets Pt” stop (around 30 minutes). You can check your bag at the US Open before you enter the grounds.
More Common Questions - Good to Know Before You Go
▸ What can I bring — and what’s not allowed? (No backpacks!)
Be sure to review this official complete list of prohibited items before going! To help clarify some common confusions:
- You CAN bring a drawstring bag (click here for example) but NOT a backpack with two straps
- You CAN bring a digital camera with video capabilities (however they do NOT allow “Video cameras or recording devices”, which includes GoPros)
- You CAN bring a plastic or metal water bottle 24 oz or less to refill on site (but NOT anything glass!)
- You CAN bring a fanny pack: but if you do you’ll still need to go through the “with bag” security line
- You CAN bring sunscreen in lotion form only, NOT aerosol cans
- According to the US Open bot on the website: “Outside food or beverages (excluding alcohol) CAN be brought into the US Open grounds, but must fit into one sized bag. There are no exceptions.”
- There is storage outside both East and South Gate entrances if you need it: (in 2025 it was $10 per locker, $20 for large items including suitcases). Bag check for American Express cardholders is discounted (1 bag per card).
Be prepared to wait in a potentially long security line if you have any bag at all (i.e. an enclosed object that doesn’t fit in your clothes), whereas you can breeze through a separate express line for those without bags.
Before Leaving, Don’t Forget…
- Download your mobile tickets to your mobile wallet (e.g. Apple Wallet or something like WalletPasses on Android)
- Sunglasses and sunscreen (lotion not spray)! If you forget, La Roche offers free samples just inside the EAST gate entrance.
- A backup phone charger (e.g. a Mophie) if you have one – although there are Chase-sponsored free chargers on site.
- A lightweight white towel (and/or lightweight neck gaiter) to protect exposed skin from sun or to sit on when in unreserved seats, which can get hot and uncomfortable.
- Reusable plastic water bottle (to refill using any of the many water fountains).
- A small umbrella if rain may be in the forecast
- Dress in layers as it can get hot during the day and occasionally chilly at night
- Contacts wearers: A very small bottle of contact lens solution in case you get something in your eye
- FYI: There are two entrances to the grounds: (1) the main entrance, the “East Gate,” located near the Subway/LIRR; and (2) the “South Gate” entrance near the iconic World’s Fair “Unisphere” (globe) – see map above. While lines tend to be shorter by the South Gate, the wait may end up being about the same because there are fewer attendants and metal detectors.
▸ Can I exit and re-enter the US Open grounds?
DAY SESSION ENTRY TO US OPEN GROUNDS (Gates open usually 9:30 most days, 11:00am Finals weekend)
- With either a Grounds Pass (Day) or a DAY-session reserved ticket in Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand), you can enter the US Open grounds as soon as gates open (usually 9:30am, 11am on Finals weekend)
- Enter the US Open Grounds through security with your ticket scanned at the East Gate or South Gate; if you have a reserved stadium seat, your ticket is re-checked entering that stadium. Once you enter the US Open grounds with any ticket, you can stay as late as you want until closing.
- Note: DAY-session reserved tickets for Ashe or Armstrong only entitles you to that seat for the Day-session matches — after which you will have to leave your seat but can remain on the US Open grounds and access general unreserved seating on every court except Ashe (which has no unreserved seating).
- You can exit the grounds and re-enter as much as you’d like before 6:00pm (you can’t re-enter the Grounds after 6:00pm).
EVENING SESSION ENTRY (6:00pm)
- If you only have an Evening session ticket, you have to wait until 6:00pm to enter the grounds.
- If you are already in the grounds and also hold an Evening reserved tickets (for Ashe or Armstrong) for the same day, you do NOT need to exit and re-enter the grounds.
- If you’re in Armstrong for the Day session (courtside or GA), you’ll leave your seat between sessions while they clean, but you can stay in the Armstrong concourse.
▸ What if it rains?
The good news: since both Arthur Ashe and the new Louis Armstrong have roofs, far more fans can keep watching even
if it rains.
The bad news: if you’ve invested in Grandstand seats or just a Grounds Pass, there’s less consolation. Keep in mind weather forecasts are notoriously unreliable and change by the hour — there’s always hope showers pass quickly.
In the rare event of an all-day rainout (or under 60 minutes of play), the session may be rescheduled to the next day and your ticket honored then — or, if you bought directly from Ticketmaster, you may be able to trade tickets for another session this year or next (see the US Open’s somewhat complicated 2026 Inclement Weather Policy).
Worst case, look for the silver lining: you’ll be among thousands of fans you can grab a specialty cocktail with, huddle under shelter, and watch an Ashe match together on the big screen.
▸ Is grounds admission free on the second Thursday (Sep 10)?
One of the best-kept secrets: for years the US Open has quietly offered free grounds admission on the second Thursday of the main tournament (gates usually open 11am or noon; you must arrive before 5pm) — a chance to see the Men’s Doubles Semifinals plus all-star wheelchair players, the world’s top juniors, and standout collegiate players.
If you’re a serious fan — especially a doubles player — this is a day not to be missed.
▸ Food
FOOD: There are a bunch of options on site, but they aren’t cheap! See my chart outlining examples of the food stands by area on the grounds.
- This PDF includes several menus from past Food Village stands. Every year there are some new additions and substitutions, but many of these will still be around in 2026.
- Korilla BBQ is one of my favorites, but lines are usually among the longest.
- Poke Yachty is absolutely delicious and lines move quickly because they’ve nailed their system.
- Oyster Bar behind Grandstand has killer ceviches and lobster rolls.
- Hill Country BBQ, Curry Kitchen, Fish Shack and Fly Fish are also delicious.
- Restaurants in Queens not on the grounds
▸ What are perks for cardholders?
- AMERICAN EXPRESS CARDHOLDERS: Bring your Amex card if you have one! See full Amex Benefits at US Open here. Perks from 2025 likely to be repeated in 2026:
- (1) Amex Card Member Lounge on the 2d Level of the Amex “Fan Experience” (where anyone can also play a “Glow Tennis” mixed reality interactive game and get a complimentary manicure with tennis themed nail art).
- (2) Centurion Suite in Armstrong (Exclusive to Platinum and Centurion Members). Book in advance on Resy
- (3) Book complimentary court time in NYC area at over 500 tennis and pickleball courts and unlock special access to peak reservation times when using your Amex.
- (4) Check your bag for a reduced fee at East or South Gate
- (5) Get a one-time $20 statement credit when you spend $100 with your enrolled card at participating US Open merchants
- (6) Get a free earpiece/radio to hear ESPN match commentary
- (7) Skip lines and grab concession items quickly (checkout-free shopping) at the Amex Shop in South Plaza .
- CHASE CUSTOMERS? Check this Chase site for updates on perks for 2026.
- Click here to make a reservation to access the “Chase Lounge”
- Other past perks have included offering cool video+mobile “Chase Charge & Watch” chargers
▸ Recommended places to stay?
This is not an area of expertise for me, but I trust fellow tennis fanatic Melissa, who maintains a great list of hotels appealing to all budgets here.
Fellow fan Mark recommends staying in Queens and biking, based on his experience: “We packed our bikes and stayed at a nice AirB&B on Queens Boulevard, a little over 2 miles from the stadium. Queens has a great network of dedicated bike lanes and a friendly attitude toward bikers, and best of all – the terrain is flat! Once at the grounds, there are bike racks across from the South Gate entrance and in front of the security tent that handles baggage claim. It is a fun and hassle-free way to make the commute for anyone that so inclined!”
▸ Grounds access on Finals Weekend?
Grounds Admission tickets usually get issued at some point over the summer for Finals Weekend (Fri-Sun Sep 11-13) on Ticketmaster.
You can’t access Ashe with these tickets, but you can walk the grounds, see juniors and wheelchair finals, and watch Ashe matches on the big screens.
Final Tip: Pay It Forward When You Can
If you have the opportunity, consider a random act of kindness for fellow fans during the tournament. Our tennis community is big, but in a way it’s small — and our passion is infectious; do something kind for someone today, and they’re likely to pay it forward.
For instance, if you’re leaving your great Ashe (or Armstrong or Grandstand) seat for the day/night while matches are still going, as you exit consider consider gifting it to a fan who’s waiting outside the entrance hoping someone like you might offer. Giving someone on grounds your seat when you’re done isn’t as easy as it used to be, given tightened Ticketmaster restrictions preventing transferring after the ticket is scanned and preventing screenshots from within the Ticketmaster app… But with a little creativity and effort you can pretty easily make it happen, and the gesture might create a lifelong memory for someone else. Here’s how:
- Take a screenshot of your ticket in your phone’s WALLET (Ticketmaster will block screenshots from within the app).
- For Armstrong or Grandstand, simply text someone else the screenshot and it should hopefully suffice.
- For Ashe:
- If gifting to someone already IN the stadium, a screenshot from your wallet should suffice — including if you’re leaving the Courtside/Club level area entrance and you want someone already in Ashe to benefit from your seat (from Loge or Promenade.
- If gifting to someone already in the Open grounds but not in Ashe already: You’d need to walk with them to the Ashe entrance, re-scan your ticket (telling the ticket scanner that you’re letting your friend go to your seat) AND give them a screenshot (which they’ll need to show to ushers or for entry to Club level); OR you’d need to walk with the friend(s) as if you were going to re-enter with them, hand the friend your phone to get scanned, then have the friend discreetly pass the phone back after they are “in” (then just turn around as though you changed your mind about entering themselves at this time).
I’ve gifted a lot of tickets over the years, and it always feels wonderful.












Thanks for sharing all this great info! We were consider promenade tickets in Ashe (first timers) for the holiday weekend for 7 total day/night sessions. Will that also give us first come, first serve access to the other courts as well? Appreciate your help!
Hi Mon, my pleasure! The multi-session ticket plans, like the holiday weekend one, are for Promenade seats (usually upper 1/2) — which is why I generally don’t recommend them for most, unless you’re really OK with being in upper Promenade for all those sessions. Like any Ashe tickets, you can use them to access general (non-reserved) seats in all the other stadiums – however, you’ll still have to wait in lines like any other ticketholder to access them on a first-come basis. PJ
Hello! Do you know if grounds passes will be available for the 2021 championships weekend? If so, when do they typically go on sale online? Thanks in advance, very informative site!
Hi Anna, you’re most welcome! In the past they’ve issued $25 GA passes for championships weekend so folks can come in and feel the vibes and watch matches on the big screens – but they generally don’t announce this until very close to that weekend or publicize it widely, and in past have been released on Ticketmaster only very close to the actual weekend. PJ
We are a group of five planning to get Grandstand courtside tickets for Monday, Aug 30. Am I reading the site correctly that only FOUR Grandstand tickets can be purchased per Ticketmaster account? If that’s correct, what are your suggestions for us to try to sit together (or at least in the same section), if one person buys 3 tickets and the other buys 2?
Hi Beth, I’m not sure that restriction (which you’re seeing on the page for multi-session plan tickets) will be in effect for individual tickets… We may not know for sure until July 15th, but I have personally purchased more than 4 for individual Grandstand sessions in the past so hopefully that will be the case this year too. If not, your plan to have two people purchase (3+2) makes sense. You’ll be able to see the actual seat maps and “dots” for each seat once individual tickets go on sale – so you and your friend can get online at… Read more »
Thank you. That’s what we were thinking we’d do.
Grandstand will have an 8 ticket limit for each individual session. I think the hard part, Beth, will be locating 5 consecutive seats. In my experience, they’ll initially release blocks of tickets at a time. 4 seats here. 2 seats there. 4 here. But don’t get impatient. Closer to the tournament, I’ve seen rows released, so you should be able to snag 5 together. Below are the ticket limits. I don’t recall if they are consistent with prior years: For individual sessions, customers may order up to the following at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Box Office… Read more »
Thanks, Tom!
Just an FYI and to my disappointment, it appears that the qualifying week and practice days are not open to the public for the 2021 US Open. They have that in the FAQs for tickets this year. 🙁
Yon, oh man, I hadn’t seen that yet – thank you VERY much for taking time to let me know. I’ll update the post right now 🙁 P.J.
This is awesome! Thank you P.J. Traveling to the US for the first time. Excited to use these tips to some good games!
Hey Sand, THANK YOU! So great to hear it’s been helpful and likewise excited for you to enjoy the Open! PJ
Good afternoon, P.J. – I came across your site a few months ago and I appreciate all of your information and suggestions. My son and I are going to the Open for the first time (a wonderful gift from my son!). Previously, I thought I would purchase tickets then figure out the arrangements (hotel, flights, etc). I’m now wondering if I should make arrangements then find tickets during that time and hopefully within budget. I am hoping to be courtside or at least the first row of Loge. Being the first time I’m not familiar with availability and cost, or… Read more »
Hi Kathy, a wonderful gift indeed. I absolutely think you’re on the right track to decide on dates/travel plans first and wait until July 15th or later to purchase tickets. If you give me a sense of what you’re considering in terms of dates (e.g., which round(s) during the tournament) I can give you a sense of what may be realistic in terms of budget for first row Loge or Courtside based on past trends. P.J.
Hi P.J., thank you! An idea of budget would be very helpful. I am hoping to attend two sessions (quality over quantity as you recommend). The rounds I am looking at are Round 3 (Friday), round of 16 (Monday) and quarter finals. The prices seem to increase quite a bit on Labor Day weekend. Anything later in the tournament (semis and finals) would need to be in Loge due to the expense and may still be higher than I am comfortable with my son spending. Previously I didn’t mention Armstrong but it’s a very good option also if you might… Read more »
Hi Kathy, my pleasure! A couple bits of background: (1) One starting point to get an idea is this chart, which I put together in 2018 and shows the range for standard (non-resale) tickets for each session (prices were almost identical in 2019 and expect them to be around the same for this year, with the exception of Men’s Semis, which hopefully will be a bit less because that will be split into 2 sessions this year. (2) Prices on the resale market can vary wildly from year to year, but a good rule of thumb: if you see resale… Read more »
Hi P.J. – In thinking about it since my last post earlier today if you have time could you also give me an idea of the prices for the semis and finals also along with the quarters and round of 16, etc from my earlier post? I’m thinking maybe instead of two or three sessions it might be better and still in budget to attend one session at the end of the tournament (semis or finals). It may be my one and only trip to the Open and want to make the most of it. Thoughts? Thanks again for your… Read more »
Hi again! I think that sounds like a great plan, so modifying my previous recommendation… I’d encourage you to go for super cheap seats Friday (like Ashe Promenade) and plan to spend most of your time on outer courts to see players up very close (you can pop into Ashe if someone awesome is playing); prioritize Courtside Ashe Mon night when you’ll get a relatively good deal for R16 play (nothing like Ashe Courtside at night!); and instead of Armstrong Day Monday, perhaps invest in either Quarters (day session more affordable), Semis (women’s semis evening usually much more affordable and… Read more »
P.J. – Thank you so much! I appreciate your great advice for making the most of our time at the Open. -Kathy
https://www.espn.com/tennis/story?id=31650011&_slug_=us-open-allow-100-fan-capacity-2021
Hey Tamara, thanks so much – just saw this myself, great news! PJ
Hi P.J.- I love your blog. We are going to the US open for the first time so I am watching closely for ticket sales on ticket master. We are going Friday, September 10th. I saw that you said we have to purchase separate tickets for afternoon and evening sessions. I confirmed with someone via live chat on us open.org that you can buy an afternoon session and attend the evening, so only needing to purchase 1. Can you confirm this? Thanks!
Hi Lisa, thank you! Unfortunately the person you chatted with is misinformed. In previous years, they would have been correct– but this year, the Open is (for the first time) splitting the Men’s Semifinals into two separate ticketed sessions on Sep 10 (Day session #22 and Night session #23). P.J.
Thank you! If you had to choose 1 to go to, which one would you choose?
You’re most welcome. I’d probably put my bets on the evening match: While there’s no certainty, they are more likely to schedule the Semi match with the biggest name(s) for the evening session on that particular day. (Also, night sessions on Ashe are really electric). P.J.
Now with Mens Doubles Finals/Men’s Semifinals in session 22 and just Men’s Semifinals in session 23. What would you pick 🙂
Hmm, tough question — really a matter of priorities and preferences for each person. First, FYI the US Open tournament schedule page still says “Men’s Doubles Final or Mixed Doubles Final” for that session, so at the moment there’s no guarantee it will be the Men’s Doubles Finals… I personally love Doubles and love watching both Men’s and Mixed matches (and I’m a big fan of Cabal/Farah and would be excited to be there to cheer for them if they make it). They’ll probably schedule the Men’s Doubles match at Noon (usually no more than 90 min), then wheelchair matches… Read more »
ok, that makes sense. Unfortunately we will only go to one. Flying in Friday morning and leaving Sunday.
Hey Lisa, well I wouldn’t rush to make your decision… Either session will be a great experience. If it were me, I’d probably focus on getting the best seats I could with my budget. P.J.
You have been SO helpful. Thanks so much!
Lisa, you’re so welcome – don’t hesitate to reach out as you weigh options ahead in the months ahead! P.J.
Hey PJ, I bet you never got this question before: Where are the bathrooms in the lower level at Louis? Last thing I want to be is waiting in a big line in between sets haha
Hey Corey, LOL – yup, that’s a first 🙂 There are bathrooms on either side (East and West) of the lower level with the various concession stands – I’ve never experienced a really long line for them myself… The good news is you can still see the courts from that area, so it’s not like the old Armstrong where you were stuck watching on a monitor until you could get back in. P.J.
Hello-
I love this article with so much great information for the first time goer-Aces. I researched seats on TicketCity – thinking to go with Loge section Row A. That was at 9am and now at 5pm those seats are gone. I remember seeing you recommend Bob and a phone number for tickets but after scouring this article cannot seem to find that information again. Would you recommend him? Thanks very much!
Hey Liz, thanks so much 🙂 I strongly recommend waiting to purchase any resale tickets anywhere until after tickets go on sale to the public (date TBD) unless you already have deep familiarity with pricing trends for specific sessions over several years. One of the biggest mistakes I’ve seen people make over the years is to buy tickets on the resale market prematurely (when only a fraction of the tickets are on sale), only to realize they could have found far better deals over the summer when competition among sellers is greater and you have more visibility. Don’t worry about… Read more »
Hi PJ-
Thanks for the quick reply. And the good advice! I will wait until the tickets go on sale to public as you suggested and go from there. I must have come across the ticket guy Bob in another article. I’ve been doing a lot of research. Thanks again for a great resource. Enjoy the Open (assuming you are planning to attend!)
Sure thing, Liz! And yes I’ll definitely be there – cannot wait. Feel free to reach out with any other questions as they come up. P.J.
Hi PJ, I just watched the French Open men’s finals on TV today, and now I’m motivated to attend my first U.S. Open in person. I see tickets aren’t available yet on the U.S. Open website site nor on Ticketmaster, but they seem to be selling on Stub Hub already. Can you explain why this is?
Hey there, spectacular match, no?! Between the Nole/Rafa match and that final with Tsitipas, there was so much brilliant tennis. The tickets you see up for resale on Stubhub and other sites are from subscribers who know what their seats are); note: these tickets are not available for immediate transfer and are just promised for delivery closer to the event. I strongly recommend not purchasing any resale tickets until the regular tickets go on sale to the public on Ticketmaster (date TBA) for reasons I outline in Box 2. Ticketmaster Exchange (the tournament’s official resale platform) will not post tickets… Read more »
This webpage is amazing. Thanks for all the work that went into it. I just moved to NY and am excited to attend my first U.S. Open this year!
Hey James, thank you! I’m increasingly beating myself up about how long the post has become and trying to figure out ways to make it easier to navigate… so really appreciate the kind words! You will love the Open. It is such an incredible event and the energy will be off the charts this year 🙂 P.J.
Hi PJ, do you know if the 2021 US Open will only be available to New Yorkers that are vaccinated? I would love to go but I live in Virginia
Hi there, they still haven’t announced a specific policy (expect they will fairly soon as New York guidelines for large events become looser) — but I would say with almost 100% certainty they will not restrict the event to New Yorkers. They may, however insist on proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test as a requirement for entry at the gate; this is the approach that Radio City Music Hall and many other sports venues are taking. Everything of course depends on NY state and local regulations the time of the event, so I imagine they will have some… Read more »
Hi PJ, need some advice. I purchased Laver cup tickets last year and got the option for the refund in June that I declined as I really thought by now, we’d be out of this Pandemic. I see the US is opening up and Laver cup just announced that the Laver cup will continue with 100% capacity. The borders in my country are still closed however and it doesnt seem likely that we will reopen soon as our cases are on the rise. Any advice on how i can get my tickets sold or refunded?
Hi Reyanne, September 24 is a very long ways away… At the risk of being overly optimistic, my strong hope is that the pace of vaccinations will pick up in your country and cases will start falling, leading to a relaxation of restrictions by that time. If you decide to resell your tickets, probably the best site would be StubHub, as Ticketmaster still requires sellers have a US bank account for reselling tickets for US events. See this page on Stubhub. I’m hopeful it will work out for you to make the trip! P.J.
USO announced its latest move to hose its fans. It will be ticketing the two men’s semis matches separately starting in 2021. They won’t begin to hose subscribers until 2022 but everyone else attending 2021 semis no such gift. There are other massive changes to Ashe coming down the pike which will entail new luxury sections at breathtaking prices. On a positive note, NYS is projected to vaccinate every resident who wants a shot before August and NYS has a low vaccine hesitancy rate.
Hi there, saw this news yesterday and currently working on a big update to my post for this year to include this and other changes. I think one can view the decision through a couple different lenses, because it brings both pros and cons for fans. On the positive side, splitting the semis into two sessions theoretically will enable more fans to experience the thrill of being at a semi: only a subset of fans would purchase tickets for both sessions, opening up more ticket availability; and people who can’t take a full day off from work could purchase tickets… Read more »
Hi PJ, With the Australian Open just finished, I am tempted to buy tickets to the 2021 US Open as soon as they are available. As you no doubt know, right now they are only offering deposits on packages for Armstrong. We attended a couple of times at Armstrong a couple of years back at your (excellent) recommendation. What are your thoughts about what’s on offer right now — worth considering? FYI, longtime huge Nole fan here, and am finding some of the up-and-comers very exciting to watch — Denis Shapovalov, Alex De Minaur, and Jennifer Brady all come to… Read more »
Hi Lance, great to hear from you. I’m really bullish about the prospect of this year’s 2021 US Open going off safely with lots of fans, even if not at full capacity – very hopeful the vaccine rollout will continue to accelerate and the timing of the event bodes well in that regard. That said, even in normal times my own view is that ticket packages are generally not a good fit and too risky an investment for most fans unless you have clear plans to attend the vast majority of day and night sessions in those very seats in… Read more »
I couldn’t find any information about ticket deposits for the 2021 USO. Is there any benefit to a ticket deposit? My wife wants to go for her 40th birthday and I think a ticket deposit would make a great way to present the gift!
Hey Ted, yes right now the details are a bit sketchy about pricing and availability – just the opportunity to put a deposit down. For most folks, I don’t recommend the ticket plans. Unless next year is any different, first-time subscribers can only buy “Promenade” seats in Ashe — the highest rung of that huge stadium. It can 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 (was over $2,300 per ticket last year) you could buy several amazing seats… Read more »
Why did the women’s semi match (and others) not start at the published time?
Hi Kathy, published start time for the first match of a session indicates the absolute earliest that players will walk into court and begin their warmup (and sometimes take part in pre-match interviews). There may be minor delays but generally things do get underway on time, and I believe tonight was no exception. The published start time was 7pm ET and I think play got underway by around 720 (not sure exact time). PJ
Hi PJ,
I hope you are healthy and safe. As I am sitting here watching repeats and highlights of my favorite matches, I thought about what I would be doing this week. It would be stalking this blog and other tennis related sites and watching rankings and trying to ploy my strategy to getaway to New York.
Any thoughts on the caliber of the tournament this year especially with the many withdrawals? I personally wish they would have canceled the tournament this year, even though I really miss watching tennis.
Hi Gina, wonderful to hear from you and know that you’re doing OK. Yes, thankfully have been able to stay safe and feeling incredibly grateful yet deeply sad for all that’s transpiring. With regard to the Open this year, I’m thinking hoping that for those able to compete it’s a valuable and uplifting experience, despite the empty stands. For so many of them (outside the top 50 esp), it’s a perpetual struggle even to make enough money each year to cover costs – and with so many events cancelled this year, I’m sure the opportunity is really important for a… Read more »
I’m also a New Yorker and if you go by USO attendance then a “serious fan” as well because I’ve gone many more years than you. However, unlike you I’m opposed to holding the no fans 2020 US Open. The fact that they can’t safely hold the tournament without fans is obviously indicative that we are very far from in the clear in NY. I don’t have to tell you that NY went through a horrible several months and you likely know people that got sick from the virus and possibly that died. I never would have dreamed a hospital would… Read more »
Hey there, apologies for the delayed reply! You raise excellent points. And as a fellow New Yorker, I share your deep concerns about the spread of COVID and the risks of any large events right now. I also feel great empathy towards the players, coaches, and members of the teams whose lives revolve around the ability to compete for prize money – so I’ve continued to hope that the careful plans and procedures they’ve put in place will significantly mitigate risks. And I continue to hope that some good things come out of this terrible time, which has caused so… Read more »
[…] Novak, Roger and Rafa were likely playing that weekend. Thanks to this hardcore tennis website https://www.roadto45tennis.com/a-serious-tennis-fans-tips-for-the-us-open-tickets-more/ we made some sensible decisions. The first debate was about the stadium. While we definitely knew […]
Hi PJ. What can you tell me about handicap seats? I’m bringing my mother who doesn’t need a wheelchair but needs assistance and can’t walk long distances very easily without help. I read on the website that there’s first come first serve seating section for handicap but do you know if there is the option of handicap seats to buy?
Hi Christine, yes there absolutely are many options of reserved seats in Ashe, Louis Armstrong, and Grandstand. However, for some inexplicable reason, I’ve I’ve noticed over the years that the box office seems to hold back releasing many of these accessible seats (at least for Ashe) until later in the summer: as with with other standard tickets (which appear as blue dots on seat maps), accessible seats magically appear at random times throughout the summer. To complicate matters further, these seats may start out as accessible, then as the event gets closer, the accessibility designation may be removed (i.e., such… Read more »
I’d pass on Armstrong and probably go for GS. I feel they hosed handicapped people with New Armstrong. The handicapped sections in Old Armstrong were very well located and right down by the action (the NE corner located handicapped section was a very good location). The new Armstrong also has handicapped at the top of the so-called “courtside” seats. The problem is that makes them 28-30 rows off the court when they used to be very close to the court and a good angle too. The new seats are a significantly worse seat than old Armstrong. It’s unfair. I’m not… Read more »
Great input, thank you so much. P.J.
Hi, PJ, Any tips on getting Laver Cup tix? I read that the Geneva tix sold out in 2 hours. This leads me to want to buy the multi session tix during the pre-sale. Is it better to wait to get single session or am I running the risk of them being sold out? The terms of purchase say that resale is prohibited, so I don’t expect to see any last minute tix on third party resale websites as we get closer to the event. Any tips you could offer would be great based on your Chicago experience and also… Read more »
Hey Tom, I didn’t purchase for Geneva but did pay close attention when the Cup was in Chicago in 2018, when there ended up being many single seats available well after tickets went on sale (right up until the tournament). This year there are new variables, including as you note, the tournament’s prohibition on posting tickets for resale– along with uncertainty about coronavirus, which may impact many fans’ willingness to plan so far ahead. The latter could result in less initial demand for tickets as compared to Geneva 2019. A long way of saying I’m just not sure enough to… Read more »
Hi, PJ, Thanks for your insight and perspective. I was anticipating high demand because this is a special event in a city that does not have a tennis tournament. But being that Chicago 2018 had tickets available, I think it’s reasonable for single session tickets to be available closer to the tournament. They can’t just count on the multi-session tickets being sold so far in advance. As you say with the US Open, and as I’ve learned through experience, tickets do appear for sale closer to the tournament, even the same day. Maybe it pays to wait and be patient… Read more »
I’m looking to purchase the multi session. I did the same in Chicago and it was unbelievable. My worry is that I invest more money now having already booked flights and hotel… And there is so much uncertainty and panic with the Coronavirus. The tickets cannot be resold! I’m really in a bind… not sure what to do and the presale starts tomorrow. Any advice PJ?
Hey Reyanne, I personally am holding out on purchasing multi-session tickets, mainly because (1) I’m sure I won’t be attending every single session and (2) their rules against resale. The Coronavirus adds an additional element of uncertainty and risk for sure – it’s still so early to know how it will all play out. The Washington Post had a good piece yesterday with three scenarios based on historical precedents. One fact: large events are being cancelled left and right (see this report on cancellations so far in Europe), and several conferences in the U.S. over the next couple months have… Read more »
Hi PJ!
We are considering taking our son to the US Open this year for his 16th birthday on September 7th. He plays high school tennis and I know he would be thrilled to see some of the pros!
We would be traveling from PA and I’m wondering if we should stay in the city or a hotel near the stadiums.
Also, any idea what kind of a budget we are looking at for a family of 4 in terms of ticket pricing?
Thank you in advance for your input.
Michele
Hey Michele! That’s awesome, he will be totally thrilled. For lodging, it depends on how far your drive would be… But I think you’d certainly find it more relaxing if you stayed nearby. If you aren’t planning on doing anything else in NYC, I’d look at hotels around Laguardia airport – right around the corner and should be some good deals. Otherwise, within the city consider staying near Penn Station so you can be near the Long Island Rail Road. For budget, it could be all over the map depending on whether you choose a Day plus Night session tickets,… Read more »
Hi PJ: I love how detailed your tips are. I read your site 2 years ago before going and check it every time for updates before we go. The most helpful tip was to splurge for courtside seats at Armstrong. We did that the first year and we were hooked. This year, which will be our 3rd, I think I might splurge even more (within reason) and do day courtside Sept 5 at Armstrong and night courtside at Ashe sept 6. Our 2 teens can nap during the day so they can stay up for the night session and we’d… Read more »
Hi Jacklyn, thank you! A couple things: (1) You can’t enter the grounds with a night session ticket before 6pm, and asking outside the grounds won’t help because you can’t have a ticket re-scanned (ticketholders who leave and want to reenter need to get a stamp on their hand). So you’d basically need to have a Day session or grounds ticket of some kind to be able to ask folks as they are leaving Armstrong. (2) Even if you were within the grounds, NY scalping law is very strict and prohibits any kind of transaction within 1,500 of the venue… Read more »
Thank you PJ. I did forget about the hand stamping and so now it makes sense to buy a basic day session and a good night session tickets! 🙂
You’re welcome! P.J.
Hi, PJ,
Happy New Year!
So, last year was the first time ever for me at the US Open even though I have lived in NJ for almost 20 years.
Following the excellent advice here, my mom and I were able to get very seats at very good price to see Coco Gauff – Anastasia Potapova’s match in Armstrong.
I was joking with my mom that it was a good thing we splurged.
I think this year it may require paying even more for a good seat in Ashe if we want to see Coco Gauff play.
Hey Linda, great to hear from you again! I’m so happy it worked out for you last year. I just saw Coco play at the Australian Open last week – always thrilling. She is such a star. P.J.
WOW.
You were in Melbourne?!?!
If so, did you sense a bit of jealousy from the other players that she is “such a star”? LOL
Yes, incredible trip! No jealousy detected 🙂
Well, I am incredibly jealous of you. 🙂
Though I am not envious of that 18+ hour flight.
[…] 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. […]
Do you have any information/tips/help about The Laver Cup 2020 in Boston?
Hey Debra, I went to the Laver Cup in Chicago and it was AWESOME. They haven’t started selling individual tickets yet, but will later this spring. I’d recommend signing up on the main website (lavercup.com) for notices and they’ll email you when the time comes. No matter which session(s) you attend, I can tell you it’s a pretty thrilling experience. My only regret last time was not staying for the finals – I know people who were there and loved every minute. P.J.
This site is awesome!! We are trying to check off a bucket list item and come for the 2020 tournament. I know you say not to buy right away when Ticketmaster starts selling approx. in June. But can’t you buy them now directly from the official U.S. Open website? ( now meaning November 2019). It seems that would be better than waiting to see what Ticketmaster has, but then again I have not clue how it all works. My thinking was to get them now because better seats would be available than when Ticketmaster opens up. And we also are… Read more »
Hi Lisa, thank you! I strongly (strongly) recommend waiting until individual tickets go on sale to the public. Right now, the only tickets available via the US Open website are subscription package tickets that are limited to (1) Ashe Promenade-level seats (the highest level); and (2) full series subscription for Armstrong. Unless you know exactly what you’re doing and are 100% sure of which sessions you want to attend now and want to sit in those seats, I’d advise taking the time between now and next June to review my entire post, become more familiar with the details and options,… Read more »
Hi PJ, I live in France and I would really love to attend the US Open in 2020… You wrote in your blog that it is not the best way to try to buy tickets the first day of opening sale… but if I ll do it (at early june 2020 approximately…) to buy the tickets in the lower section (the most expensive tickets), do you think I ll have a chance to get them ? in a few words, I cannot plan my trip to NYC if I am not sure to get tickets (I don t mind about… Read more »
Salut Alain! The most significant mistake I see made year after year is for people to rush to buy tickets before understanding all the options — including on opening day. You can absolutely plan your travel first, then buy your tickets in June or even throughout the summer. You will get the best deals if you wait and are patient. Feel free to connect next June once tickets are on sale and I’ll be happy to help you evaluate options! P.J.
I just put down a deposit on the US Open website for the Championship mini plan. The Open is a bucket list item for my mom. Her 75th birthday is this year so I’m surprising her with the trip. After reading your blog, I’m worried that I messed up. With this plan, I won’t be able to get court side or even loge seating will I? Do you have any advice for how to get the best seats with this plan? Should I scrap it and wait until June to purchase? We live in Texas so I’d like to have… Read more »
Hey Erin, apologies for the delayed reply! With the plan, you’ll only be able to get Promenade-level seats. I generally recommend not purchasing a plan unless that’s exactly what you’d like and you plan to use most of or all of the tickets because they are hard to resell in that section. If your goal is good seats, I do recommend waiting until individual tickets go on sale (assuming you won’t lose too much on the deposit)… P.J.
PJ Thank you so much for this blog. This was my first US Open experience and I’ve been following your blog ever since I found it in May up until I went to the Open to experience seeing the third round match in person. I had no clue where to start but you guided me through from beginning to end. I had a BLAST and hope to be able to go again next year. Hopefully, you will continue this very important site for next year’s Open for those of us who will need it. I’m hoping to experience having courtside… Read more »
Kel, you made my day – thank you SO much for letting me know! I will indeed keep updating the blog for next year and appreciate you helping fuel my passion to do so. Thank you again!! P.J.
P.J. Just wanted to say ‘thanks’ for your site and all the helpful info. We are home from NYC and had a fabulous time. We ended up going on Monday (Labor Day) and watching matches on Armstrong day and Ashe evening – glad we had those tickets b/c of the rain. We stayed until the very end. The Andreescu v. Townsend match was super fun to be a part of! We found that row Q in section 5 of Armstrong wasn’t too bothersome as far as noise and distraction (just fyi). And we LOVED the free day on Thursday!! Honestly… Read more »
Gigi, it’s really wonderful to hear you had such a great time. Thanks both for the thoughtful note and for sharing such great detail on your experience! Hope we get you back to NYC soon 🙂 P.J.
Thanks for your excellent guidance which massively added to my enjoyment on my first visit to the US Open. As a visitor from Ireland the “will call” ticket collection worked smoothly and seamlessly as there was a separate bag check for such ticket collections.
Thank you, Seanie! Thrilled to hear it – thank you for writing to let me know! P.J.
Thank you so much for this blog. This was my first time at the US Open I traveld from mexico and had a great time, all your tips from the blog hleped me to be ready, btw it was really nice to meet you
Thank you.
Ruben, you are so welcome – and THANK YOU for spotting me on Labor Day and saying hi! Fantastic to meet you as well. And we got to see the two 2019 US Open singles champions that night – how great is that?! Hasta la proxima! PJ
We were very lucky 🙂
Hey PJ what an amazing US open this year. Never too early to start thinking about next year! What would you think about buying a lower level reserved armstrong vs upper level ashe? I noticed the lower level concession stands were only for reserved seating, so that could come in handy to avoid long lines at the food village.
Hey Corey, it was indeed – so glad you enjoyed!! For those who’ve already experienced Ashe from upper Promenade — e.g. seeing Federer and the like from a distance — I generally suggest the experience of Armstrong lower-level courtside, which is an entirely different world. Depends a lot on level of importance folks place on seeing “star power”… My own preference is to see world-class competitors outside the top 3-4 up close on Armstrong versus seeing the superstars on Ashe. The exception is the “big stakes” matches, e.g. Semis/Finals, when sitting up in Promenade can be a thrill because of… Read more »
I am so grateful this blog exists! This was my first year at the US Open and I felt so prepared having read your blog no less than 3 times! I traveled in from SF and attended the first 4 days of the Open to maximize my budget and chances of seeing top players. I took a gamble on predicting player schedules—I bought tickets for Wednesday Day Session for chance of seeing Federer thinking no way they were going to have the #1 seed Djokovic play day sessions 2 rounds in a row—and it worked! Tickets nearly doubled after Federer… Read more »
Hey Lynn! This is such music to my ears, thank you so much for letting me know it helped! I went to Wimbledon a few years ago and have been hoping to compile my notes at some point and combine with some insider info I have through friends who live their and have gone for years… Hoping to pull all that together at some point around the holidays when I have a little more time. Will make sure to let you know when I’ve drafted it! Thanks again, P.J.
Yes please PJ, Wimbledon is the worst for getting tickets
Hey Lynn! I know P.J. will put something together for you re: Wimbledon and will have more insight than I could ever provide, but we did Wimbledon in 2016 and it was the trip of a lifetime. Would highly recommend. Despite what you might hear about the queue, we went 3 days to Wimbledon and did the queue each day and had fabulous results. We went the Tuesday of 1st week, the Friday of the 1st week, and “manic Monday” which is the Monday of the 2nd week, which some regard as the very best day of tennis (and I… Read more »
Thanks so much, Gigi! Super helpful. Will be happy to connect you both – thanks so much for offering. P.J.
Gigi, so kind of you to offer these tips! I am very early on my Wimbledon research- on such a high from the Open that I’m adding it to my must-do’s for 2020. I have your contact info (thanks PJ!) and will reach out when I get a better sense what to ask.
Bit of a warning for those who want to buy last minute tickets. I bought a last minute ticket to the finals just before 4pm from StubHub. It was an instant transfer mobile ticket, so I expected an email confirmation and a transfer soon after. However, I didn’t receive an email confirmation (and the sale or any information about it didn’t show up in my Stub Hub app) until 4:40pm. Needless to say, I was confused on whether I had actually bought the ticket, and called them. They said that it can take up to an hour for a manual… Read more »
Leigh, an excellent heads-up – thank you very very much. I’ve never cut it so close myself with any site other than Ticketmaster, so this is super helpful. Will be sure to factor this into advice going forward! P.J.
Definitely! It just didn’t occur to me that it could take that long but since it’s third party I should have realized. Next time it’s only Ticketmaster if it’s that close!
I have never used Stubhub.
By “manual review”, are they saying that a human has to manually verify you the purchaser?
Because, shouldn’t the tickets have been verified prior to them being on their website for sale?
Seems dubious Stubhub practice.
I suspect that it’s a question of triple-checking so close to the event that the seller didn’t post elsewhere (most sellers post tickets in multiple places to maximize chances of selling, including the official Ticketmaster Exchange), sell the tickets around the same time (theoretically could happen at same time). It’s all about buyer protection. The clear lesson here: if you’re buying super last minute to try to get the best deal possible, know that if you do outside Ticketmaster you risk delays. If you purchase a resale ticket last-minute on TM, you can be sure that the ticket is still… Read more »
Good to know!
Hi P.J. !
Back from that great tournament again. We enjoyed every minute there, what a marvelous facility and organization.
Hope we can come back many more years. Thank you again for your tips. NY is such a blast ! Can’t wait for next year……
Sergio, thrilled to hear you had a great time at the Open AND in NYC! Look forward to welcoming you back next year. Hasta entonces! P.J.
P.J. – Thanks for adding a full day at the U.S. Open for me! My original plan was to arrive for the Monday 9/2 day session and stay through the Thursday 9/5 day session. However, when I checked the Tickets section on the usopen.org, I was unhappy to learn there were no tickets listed for Thursday day. So, I bought a train ticket back to Philly for 10:00 AM Thursday morning. Later, after perusing your site, I realized that matches WERE being played on Thursday, but they were free! How was the average person supposed to guess that? So I… Read more »
Roy, that is AWESOME to hear! I hope they decide to keep and promote the free day again next year – have no idea why it got lost in the shuffle this year. So glad you stayed to enjoy it, one of my favorite days out there. Thanks for letting me know! P.J.
P.J. – Thanks for all of these tips! As a first-time attendee, they were very helpful. One suggested addition to Tip #9 Don’t Drive Unless You Have To is a blurb on biking. 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… Read more »
Mark, thank you! What a GREAT suggestion!! As an environmental guy, I’m kicking myself for never thinking to mention it before. Will absolutely include in an updated #9. Thanks again!! P.J.
PJ, a belated big thank you from me and my wife (Deepa) for all the help this blog has been in planning our successful first trip to the US Open earlier this week. A million thanks for answering the three sets of questions I had about the US Open, in detail and so promptly too. We were so captivated by the energy and buzz of the event. Seeing Djokovic, Cilic, Coco, McNally, Barty, Azarenka, Nadal et al. on the court was such a big thrill, even as not being able to see Nadal and Serena on the practice courts due… Read more »
Hello Madhu! Thank you so much for these very kind words. I’m so grateful, and so glad to know you all had a great time. Safe travels and look forward to being in touch next year! P.J.
I concur with Madhu!
Definitely going back next year.
Want to see Coco again and Naomi and Serena.
Thank you, Linda!
Just a warning for anyone who ever drives to the stadium on a day when there’s a Met Game (I know, terrible idea, but..): There are parking in lots about a 20 minute walk from the South Gate and a shuttle bus that will take you to the game. The problem is that the operators don’t tell you when the shuttles end (we asked and they couldn’t answer) and it’s not clear how to walk back to the parking lot. After an evening match, a group of about 20 of us were stranded as the last shuttle drove right by… Read more »
Super helpful, thank you!!
I ended up parking at the BJ’s/Skyview mall, which was very reasonable ($12 for about 7 hours), and a 10 minute walk on Roosevelt Ave. It too was crowded during the Mets but I managed to find spot.
Hey Sara, great suggestion, thank you! P.J.
PJ- your US Open guide was priceless as we experienced our first Major. I looked at it months in advance and then again before and during the event. All your info was spot on and incredibly helpful! Two things that you briefly addressed, that can be useful to others: 1. The merchandise shops are definitely out of popular clothing sizes in week 2. 2. On day 10, when Armstrong tickets are no longer being sold, there is still a full day of doubles matches going on. The entire stadium is GA/Open seating. If someone is on a budget, they can… Read more »
Chris, THANK YOU! It’s incredibly gratifying to hear that. And thanks a million for reinforcing those two things – the way you describe the second one inspires me to rewrite some stuff for next year’s revised post. I may even quote you, if that’s ok? I feel so passionately that world-class doubles play doesn’t get the media coverage it deserves, so fans just don’t realize what they are missing… It is so spectacular to see it up close, and that day is such a great opportunity to do so on the cheap, as you say. Thanks again to you! P.J.
PJ-
Absolutely. Thanks again. Please feel free to quote me. All good. Will be looking out for next year’s updates!
Thanks, Chris!
Do you think the attendance may have been different if Coco+Caty had advanced further in their doubles matches?
Right now, it seems that they have the star power to generate the interest.
Not even sure if Bianca will even after her major win if she plays doubles.
Hey Linda, yes, I think “McCoco” will be able to attract some serious crowds in the future. Fingers crossed! P.J.
Do you know if they put any of the merchandise on sale after the tournament? On site not the online shop.
Hi Sue, only on the online shop to the best of my knowledge. P.J.
P.J. Are you going to the matches today?
It’s my first time ever and I’m in Promenade 🙁 but super excited but feel a bit lost
Hey Susan! Unfortunately not, I have blown my budget completely beyond what I had planned (went yesterday to Men’s Semis on spur of moment after prices dropped once Federer lost) but I will be watching the Serena/Bianca match on TV for sure. Don’t worry, once you arrive you will feel right at home and be surrounded by fellow fans eager to help if you have questions (and a lot of really nice event volunteers and staffers). Let me know if you have any questions or confusions about getting there if you haven’t already arrived, and have fun!! P.J.
I have tickets for today’s (mixed doubles and women’s final). My mobile ticket says 12pm and I will do my best to make it to the 12pm mixed doubles but if I can’t, it is still possible to only attend the women’s final? 2) will the same “12pm” ticket work for the 4 pm women’s finals? 3) And what time should I arrive for the womens final? 4) If I arrive before the doubles match is over can I just go in? Will we have to exit the stadium? 5) my fam is coming along to check it all out… Read more »
Hey Christina, YES absolutely! Same ticket, no need to arrive earlier. You can go into Ashe anytime and they do not clear the stadium between sessions – it is all “one session” starting at Noon. Your family would need a grounds pass to get into the grounds at all – available on Ticketmaster for $25. Yes, they could wait for you nearby but there won’t be anything for them to do… Best either to get them grounds tickets so they can walk around the grounds and watch matches on big screen (will be really nice weather) or to explore Queens… Read more »
Great! Thanks. Will the Serena -finals match begin as soon as the doubles match finishes? Or will that one begin at 4 o’clock?
Also, I think my family would prefer to go sightsee instead. Are there interesting things to do in Queens? And should I have them meet me back or should I take off and meet them since I presume there will be a lot of people once it finishes .
Hi Christina, Serena’s match will begin at 4:00 (with introductions, warm-up starting at 4, actual match start time more like 4:15). I’d encourage your family to go sightsee or wander and meet you somewhere else after – it’s always a bit of a mob scene post-match. Where are you headed back to after the match? That would help me with recs… PJ
Christina, some thoughts for your parents while you’re at the match:
(1) For food the Queens International Night Market opens at 5pm tonight. There is a price cap so nothing is more than $5 or $6. Location here: https://goo.gl/maps/UmxTFcTdKMPsxUy76
(2) Adjacent to the US Open site are the Queens Museum (closes 5pm), Queens Zoo (closes 530pm), Queens Botanical Garden (closes 6pm), and New York Hall of Science (closes 6pm)– all near the Unisphere, which is close to the US Open South Gate.
If they do any of the above, you could all just meet after the match.
Sorry but is it true a ticketholder cannot enter the grounds on finals weekend until 11am? Or…..when can you enter? I’m taking LIRR in from Penn station. Thanks for all the great info. Kevin
Hey Kevin, so sorry for the delayed reply! Yes, 11am official “gates open” time today and tomorrow. Have a great time! P.J.
Hi, sorry for the newbie question, but other than the official “free” days, e.g. qualifying week, Arthur Ashe Day, final Thursday, etc., is it possible to get onto the grounds for free without access to any of the courts, even the smaller ones, especially on finals weekend? The idea being to be there for the ambiance and watch matches for free on the grounds TV screens (and maybe buy some food and merchandise to help “pay” for the “free” admission)? Or do you have to buy grounds admission tickets even if you don’t intend to enter any courts on such… Read more »
Hi Kovie, no apologies needed! No other “free” days left in the tournament… $25 grounds admission this entire weekend today through Sunday (available on Ticketmaster). P.J.
Thanks, that’s what I thought, just making sure as the “official” sites aren’t clear on this. Also, I assume you meant $25 each day, not for the entire weekend, right? Btw, GREAT site, extremely useful! To a large extent it’s why and how we’ve been able to attend on free days the past 4 years. Keep up the great work!
Sure thing! Yes, $25 per day. So glad to hear site has been helpful to you!! P.J.
P.J., Your site is still the best site ever for anyone who needs any information about the Open (I sent it to a few of my friends who were attending for the first time this year and they said the same thing). Hope you manage to score tickets for today’s matches (I kicked myself for not going on Wednesday to watch the unbelievable Berrettini Monfils match). I went twice last week and had the privilege of meeting Kim Clijsters in person who paid a visit to our suite during the afternoon matches. She was one of the nicest and most… Read more »
Hey Nina, THANK YOU SO MUCH for making my day with those kind words!! Seriously, means so much. I WILL be there later today (but unfortunately had to be in Chicago for work, getting on plane soon, so missing doubles (so so sad about that, huge fan of Farah/Cabal). Kim Clijsters has always seemed like one of the nicest people on earth – great to get that confirmation from you! Also super helpful about tix remaining on sale on the other sites – I keep forgetting to check that and it’s a huge bit of information I should update in… Read more »
PJ,
I got a official email today from the Open saying that they would continue to allow tickets to be sold for the extra four hours as Nina mentioned.
Maura
Thanks, Maura! Ticketmaster did indeed– however they ended up selling only standard seats for another 3 hours (until 4pm) after closing sale of resale tickets at 1pm. Standard seats yesterday were on average around 2x more expensive than the least expensive comparable resale tickets– even with Rafa playing (e.g. $280 for a standard Promenade seat versus $99 on the resale market, $3800 courtside versus $1500 on the resale market). P.J.
Yesterday they still had resale available after the match began. Sometimes when I searched it only showed standard tickets, but if I refreshed, it showed all types. I was checking just to see if a unicorn showed up in the last hours or minutes courtside! I stopped looking at 4:30 but definitely they were still showing resale (I even searched resale only to see just those).
Hey Maura, yes, I noticed the same thing – it was the only day they did it, so the kind of thing one definitely can’t count on in the future… Would be so helpful if they were transparent about it and had clear messaging for each particular session. P.J.