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.












Wonderful information on this site. Just want to make sure that I understand something. If I have ticketed seats for the morning in Armstrong, I can stay on the grounds for the rest of the day and watch any other court (GA seats) (except Ashe). I am correct? Thanks.
Hi there, thank you! Yes that’s exactly correct: once you’re in the grounds with any kind of day ticket, you can stay as late into the evening as you want and access GA seating in every stadium/court except Ashe (which has no GA seating). P.J.
Thank you so much for all of the great info. Do you know if anyone is selling/re selling Aces and Champions passes? I’ve always gotten them before but can’t find anywhere this year. Thank you!
Hey Christian, you’re welcome! I haven’t looked myself or noticed – but if anyone is selling they’d be on one of the other reseller sites besides Ticketmaster (like Stubhub, etc). P.J.
Awesome site. Will be there 9/1-5. Have evening tix for Wed (2 tix) & Thur((4tix). Still looking for “tennis events” to supplement on Sat & Sun or even Wed/Thu. We are Miami Open regulars for 20 years. Know my way around that. But US Open newbies.
Q- how early can we realistically get in. Says 6pm but can you get in earlier? In Miami it’s 5pm
Q- Any special or VIP/other events areas that you know of? For 9/1-2
Hey Jojo, thanks a million. They’re usually pretty strict about not allowing folks with evening session tickets to enter the grounds before 6pm… but I’ve absolutely heard of instances where some individual ticket takers are a little lax and let folks in a bit earlier – just wouldn’t count on it. Not aware of any special VIP events I can recommend this year, sorry! P.J.
Buy really cheap Ashe am promenade tickets to use like a grounds pass. There are seats selling for $14! No need to go into Ashe if there are other matches you want to see on the other courts!
Hello Jojo, I’m a regular on Saturday/Sunday of Labor Day weekend, so here’s my recommendation for those two days (if you are still looking for options): I’m assuming your evening tickets are in Ashe, so I would highly recommend checking out grandstand on Saturday. You’ll be getting four matches there in the 3rd round which is usually pretty competitive. Ticketmaster has some face value tickets up (which is absolutely crazy for a week before the event, usually they are all gone) for $155 each. Also, I’m always on the hunt for first row tickets and tick pick has two in… Read more »
Hi,
In my last visit to the open in 2016, we could see players practice and kids would line up to get autographs. Is that still allowed? Are there any restrictions for kids trying to get players autographs?
Thanks,
Rajaneesh
Hi Rajaneesh, no autographs this year unfortunately due to COVID. PJ
Hi PJ, can I get Armstrong tickets at the gate? Can I just show up and perhaps purchase grounds tickets? My arrival time may change hence why I don’t want to buy ahead of time. Also, on 8/31, grandstand courtside is open but I don’t see matches scheduled. Are those just practice sessions at grandstand during the day on 8/31? Thanks PJ!
Hi Marco, yes you can. However, I would strongly recommend checking at least Ticketmaster before you get in line so you can have a birdseye view of what’s available — including resale options, which (and I can’t stress this enough) even with fees may be cheaper in many cases than standard tickets you could purchase at the on-site box office. Also, please be sure you look at my Top 10 Tip #3 above re: grounds tickets… especially given the weather forecast this week and also given how incredibly low many cheap Ashe seats are right now. There will absolutely be… Read more »
Thanks PJ!
Hey P.J.
I am very grateful that you shared so much information and I followed your tips and got myself a Loge seat in Ashe [section 135 row B] for Day 1 clash of Murray and Tsitsipas in just $120 including fee and hope to catch the Kyrgios game in Armstrong.
Hey Brady, I’m so glad to hear that! I’ll be in Ashe Monday too (taking my parents-in-law). We’ll be in the front row of section 60 so we’ll be right around the corner – I’ll look for you, if you see me please wave and say hi :). P.J.
You got it!
Hey again, FYI turns out we’ll be in front row of section 13 tomorrow in case we spot each other. Should be a great couple of matches! P.J.
Hi P.J., do you know how I can ask the USTA Team on the recent announcement of vaccination proof? I’d like to check whether there is a vaccine brand requirement or not considering I’ve been vaccinated using Sinovac.
Hi Ryan, I’m sure that will be acceptable. For proof, they include “An official immunization record from outside NYC or the U.S.” — and Sinovac is the only option in some countries. You could reach out to confirm here, but I don’t think that’s necessary – I am sure you’ll be fine! P.J.
Hey Ryan, also just found this (here): “Management will accept Moderna, Pfizer, Jannessen (Johnson & Johnson ) and other COVID-19 vaccines that have received Emergency Use Authorization by the U.S. FDA or that are listed in the WHO Emergency Use list https://www.who.int/teams/regulation-prequalification/eul/covid-19)) within a period of time to be determined by Management prior to entrance to the Facility. Any applicable safety and health protocols will be communicated prior to the Event. Management has the right to deny admission to or eject any person who Management determines, in its sole discretion, poses a risk to the health or safety of others… Read more »
Thanks for sharing above information! I’ll be sure to print and highlight those along with the Emergency Use List from WHO (https://extranet.who.int/pqweb/sites/default/files/documents/Status_COVID_VAX_19August2021.pdf, updated as of 19 August).
PJ – I actually have a question this time! But first off, WOW! You made that “When will my favorites play” box soooo fast and it is soooo beautiful and easy to read. THANK YOU! My question is: How hard is it to get into Grandstand GA? And is there any shade at all in the reserved seats? Here’s my situation: I have Ashe tix for Tuesday am but dont care for who is playing. Looking at the Tuesday schedule thus far, the players who play on Tuesday are not in Ashe or Armstrong so I want to hang out… Read more »
Hey Courtney, thank you!! Getting into Grandstand GA is always a function of the match — I’ve seen many “standing room only” situations (with standing at the top behind rows of people and you can’t really see) and others where there are tons of available seats. The men’s singles matches are almost always the biggest draws, but popular women can also draw big crowds (many may go to see Vika on Monday, and you can expect hordes for someone like Coco Gauff). There is basically no shade relief in courtside seats in Grandstand until end of day. On West side… Read more »
Omg this is more info than I could have asked for. I will be keeping this data well beyond this year’s open, just so helpful. Thank you PJ and the week info from the other poster Chris.
With the added vaccination requirements at the US Open resellers that were selling tickets less than face value can now request full refunds instead of selling for less.
Hey Thiago, I think that’s right – just not clear to me how easy it will be… Details under the FAQs at bottom of this page are sketchy, saying:
“If you purchased tickets from Ticketmaster.com, please sign into your Ticketmaster account at Ticketmaster.com to view additional options.”. This article reports that “The USTA says unvaccinated ticketholders can apply for a refund through their Ticketmaster account.”
If anyone has success doing this, please let me know so others can know what process entails and how easy it is. P.J.
Hi P.J, I requested two refunds. One has been approved, said, “our refund for this order was deposited into your AMEX account ending in XXXX. Please note, it should post to your account within 7 to 10 business days.” Another refund said, “Your refund for this order is being processed and if approved, will be sent to your AMEX account ending in XXXX. Your refund will be processed once funds are received from the Event Organizer, which is usually completed within 30 days.”
Terrific, thank you!
I just requested a refund as one member of my party cannot get vaccinated. Very simple. Sent a message to customer service through their automated online system and refund was processed in less than 30 min.
Amazing, thanks!
Hi Cynthia, did you do this through ticketmaster. I need to request one as well.
Yes, I did it online on Ticketmaster through my account where you will see a link to “request refund” and then you just fill out a form. For me, it said that my request needs to be reviewed but very soon after I got an email that the refund was being processed
Hi Cynthia,
Where do you find “Request Refund” button? I checked through a browser and online but can’t find it.
Thanks.
Hey Todd, I didn’t actually see that button myself when I checked. But if you go to your order, then press request assistance or something like that, it will come up with the pop-up menu and form. Choose request refund, and then you confirm the reason in the comment box and then submit.
Hi PJ,
Just want to let you know that I have requested refund via this method, and got denied. The response was that the event organizer is not allowing refunds at this point. For reference the tickets I have is 9/3 Ashe day session. I wonder if they have different criteria as to what tockets they are allowing refund for.
Thanks,
Pat
Hi Pat, did you purchase the tickets after the issued the policy on Friday? If you bought before, you should appeal- I don’t know of anyone who has been denied. Did you do through Ticketmaster? They have been great according to several folks who have told me they had success over last few days. PJ
Update: did appeal quoting the USTA statement from the news and got the refund.
Thanks as always for the quick response and maintaining this site, super helpful in keeping up with all the updates from the event and fellow fans.
Fantastic! So good to hear. And thanks for your kind words!
Thanks. I followed your instructions and requested a refund yesterday at ~ 5:30 PM but have not hear anything back yet. I guess that I should send another email.
Hi Todd, probably wouldn’t hurt. You should be fine as long. FYI – USTA emailed yesterday saying any vaccine-related refund requests must be received “no later than Wednesday, September 1, 2021, by 11:59 pm ET in order for a refund request to be considered.” P.J.
Looks like my original request did not go through. It came through shortly after my second request. Thanks.
Why does day 2 schedule if play only show 2 courts? Aren’t there other matches or have they just not scheduled yet?
Hi Lisa, they typically just release Ashe and Armstrong for Day 2 the Friday before the tournament begins. They’ll release all the details for Day 2 on Monday. P.J.
Hey PJ. Love your site. Amazing content, even for an Open regular. Quick question about day/evening player placement. Do they typically rotate players night/day or is it just as likely that a top player would play two night sessions in a row. Realize that there are no guarantees but interested in what you’ve seen in the past. Thanks!
Hey Jeff! I address this in detail in FAQ #1 above. In short, they TEND to rotate – but every year (and I can’t stress this enough) there are exceptions, so one can’t draw any firm conclusions. P.J.
BREAKING NEWS: Any US Open attendee with tickets to Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium, the Grandstand, or the grounds of the US Open, will be required to provide proof of at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to enter the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Talk about a monkey wrench at the last minute!
https://www.usopen.org/en_US/content/us_open_health_and_safety.html?promo=breaking
Hi PJ and everyone, I’ve just seen the formal announcement that proof of vaccine is required to attend the Open (not just for the indoor venues). I have a series package so received the alert, but I expect it will be on their website soon.
Hey Maura, yes indeed. Updated my post above. Major news. PJ
All readers: Please be advised that to be in compliance with recent changes in NYC, all fans must have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine to attend the Open. This is a big change on the eve of the Open. Please be advised that this may add more time that it will take fans to enter the grounds, as proof of the vaccine will have to be demonstrated at entry. Please see below: Please note that all fans aged 12 and older will now be required to show proof of at least 1 dose of a COVID-19… Read more »
Hey Tom, just saw the email and posted the update at the top of the post. Thanks so much. P.J.
Will Tsitispas and Nole and other unvaccinated players be allowed in? LOL
Where are the right emoticons right now for that one… Suffice to say I feel tremendous empathy for the USTA folks who are needing to make these calls right now in what has become an insanely political environment. P.J.
Indian Wells aka BNP Paribas Open isn’t requiring vaccinations for the players but everyone else has to be vaccinated.
Proof of vaccination required now.
Hey Jaime, yes just got the alert and adjusted my updates above. Huge news. P.J.
PJ – thanks for this guide it very helpful to a first time attendee. Is it still fun / exciting vibes / loud cheering to be in the nosebleed sections for an Ashe session especially if Joker or another big name is playing? If you picked a day Ashe session could you please advise what courts / stadiums might be open after 6pm for general admission seating? I have a small budget so was hoping to attend a day session to see one of Joker/Matteo/Nick K play from an Ashe nosebleed seat during the day then would try to secure… Read more »
Hey Matteo, you’re welcome! Yes totally (!!!) still fun to be up when there are any great matches underway! Mon-Thurs next week (rounds 1 and 2) are great times to see tons of matches on outer courts well into the evening – and not just on Armstrong and Grandstand, but also on Courts 4-17. For Armstrong and Grandstand, really any GA seat is fine; for Armstrong, aim for corners or the lowest row you can. In terms of which day to choose, my advice would be either: (1) Wait until the night before to make your decision based on the… Read more »
Thanks so much! Is there a map of Armstrong or Grandstand showing general admission areas? what is the capacity of an outside court?
Dumb question – do the US Open app you mentioned update live for when matches end or start for instance on an outside court there might be a marathon 5 set battle so someone scheduled for 3pm might not start until 8pm that night or would they move this match to another court? Basically does the app update live and are court schedules changed based on the durations of matches?
Hey Matteo, you’re welcome! This map for Armstrong and this one for Grandstand are the best I have to give a sense of proportion; unfortunately I don’t have exact numbers for GA versus reserved seats. For the outer courts, Court 17 is the biggest for GA seating, others have bleachers, some very little… see my annotated map here to get a sense. Not a dumb question at all! The US Open app DOES update live, which is crucial when you’re trying to track the kinds of changes that you mention. Most matches, however, stay on the courts originally assigned the… Read more »
Incredible! Thanks for all your help. Enjoy the matches you attend and let’s hope it’s a great Open!
Hey Matteo, I happen to have court capacities for you! This is collected from old copies of the US Open media guide floating around online, as well as from studying the Ticketmaster seating charts. I’ve listed these in the order that they typically appear on the daily order of play – courts at the top of the list tend to host the highest profile matches. My impression is that Grandstand and Court 5 are the most likely to completely fill their general admission seats for big matches, followed by Court 17. Most other outside courts should rarely if ever be… Read more »
Chris you are a rock star. Thank you!!
Thank you for helping me plan our first trip to the US Open! I feel so much more prepared after reading and rereading your site!
Hey Krista, you’re most welcome and really appreciate you taking the time to let me know! Have a wonderful time! P.J.
Hi, Do you know if handheld fans are allowed?
Hi Mosal, I’ve seen people use them in the past and don’t see anything about that on the official list of prohibited items so I think you should be fine. P.J.
Hi PJ, hope this is not a redundant question but have they announced whether top/bottom half of men’s singles is playing on Day !?
Thank you,
Hi there, they have not yet. We won’t know until the daily schedule for Day 1 is released — Day 1 and 2 Ashe schedule should be released by the end of today (Friday Aug 27) on this page (keep refreshing until you see the Day “1” in the same black font as Q1-Q4). Note: ignore any Google results you see in the meantime – their algorithm always lists all the R1 matches for “Monday”, which confuses people every year. P.J.
Thanks so much! Was just hoping that schedule would coincide with seeing more of our favorite players on the alternate days.
Hello again, PJ, and more thanks for keeping up with this blog. My question is about comfort: Do they sell (or give out) paper hand fans at the Open? It’s going to be quite hot on 8/30 and I don’t seem to able to buy fewer than 24 at a time on Amazon.
Hi Beth, my pleasure. I don’t recall specifically, but I imagine there will be something along those lines at one of the kiosks – try the Octagon shop between Armstrong and Ashe, and also check out the Emirates booth, which may possibly (?) have something for free. P.J.
In 2019 I don’t recall anyone with paper hand fans purchased or otherwise.
I was in Armstrong from about 12 noon to 6 pm.
Looking at a screen capture that I made from the ESPN broadcast which showed me in the stands of the Gauff – Potopova match there was not a fan in sight.
May be it will be different this year
Thanks for the great website & all this helpful info! We’re considering going to the night session on Mon 9/6 (sound like you’ll be there then too!) Just wondering how many other matches will be going on besides the big one at Ashe (looks like no matches on Armstrong that night) – my husband & 2 daughters aren’t big tennis fans, so I was hoping there would a variety of matches in case we want to move around & check out different matches
Hey Kim, you’re welcome! There will be a couple matches on Ashe that evening starting at 7pm (one women’s 4th round, one men’s 4th round, we won’t know which is first until schedule released the day before). Your evening tickets allow entry at 6pm, and at that time there will almost certainly be many matches underway on outer courts– mainly doubles and juniors, but on Armstrong and Grandstand there may possibly be a 4th round singles match still underway. By 7 or 8pm, there will be some scattered doubles and juniors matches still underway on other courts. P.J.
Thanks for this phenomenal site PJ. I’ve attended the US Open a few times, but it’s been a few years.
Quick question: do they have fountains available to fill water bottles? Is so, where? And can one bring in a hard sided bottle – one that keeps the contents cold?
Hey Allen, they do indeed – many throughout the grounds, although I don’t remember you exact locations. Yes you can bring a hard-sided water bottle. This year they will allow “reusable water bottles-24 oz. or less, metal and plastic.” P.J.
FYI – right now (Thursday at 8 pm), the Chase Lounge system has finally opened up for reservations. Filing up fast. They have waitlist options as well. You get up to 4 reservations (1 person, 1 session)
Well, I took the plunge with the draw announced today. And got Ashe Loge seats for Day 1 and Day/Night 2 (have Armstrong first night). Made some educated guesses about Ashe Round 1. I could totally be wrong. But I would bet $ on it that Ashe will have for sure the sensational match-up of Tsitsipas and Murray. The top 4 men are also the most dynamic to see in my opinion. And given the decent matches, I have to think that they will take place on Ashe. But..we shall see tomorrow! Djokovic (v some poor qualifyer), Medvedev (v Gasquet),… Read more »
Awesome Courtney, thanks!
Courtney, thank you for posting this info. It serves as a really good reference. This is what I paid during presale after fees:
Monday a.m. Ashe Loge 122 row m $130
Tuesday p.m. Ashe Loge 132 row h $155
I wish I would have listened to PJ and waited! Oh well, still good seats at decent prices. There are seats available for the Monday Ashe day session in Section 122 row k for under $100.
As for that potential free ticket for Armstrong evening session……I would be interested 🙂
Hey Tyler, it’s just so hard to say to one’s self “wait” for fear of prices doubling suddenly. In this case the value of my Tuesday tickets have dropped. It’s not even worth to try to sell my Tuesday Ashe pm ticket I will make back so little.
To discuss the Armstrong free ticket for Monday night, let’s see if we can get PJ to connect up via email. I’ll know tomorrow (Sunday evening) if I can offer it.i just want to make sure my upgraded Armstrong ticket arrives before giving away my original Armstrong ticket. Is that ok?
I totally agree. Not a problem! I will be there all day tomorrow….probably getting there at 8:30 a.m. so I may not even stay for the night session but definitely keep me in mind if you do not end up using the ticket and PJ is able to connect us. If not, no worries whatsoever
Hi PJ, This article is awesome! I’ve read through it so many times as I plan to take my father to the US open this year. I took your advice and I bought great courtside seats at Armstrong Day Session (second row). With possible rain in the forecast is it possible that Armstrong will get more matches assigned to it other than the regularly allocated 3 matches? How does the rain work?
Hey Timothy, thank you!! Yes, that is indeed possible. They’d probably try to squeeze in one extra match during the Day session on both Armstrong and Ashe and one extra in the evening session – but probably more likely they’d add a third to the evening session than to add a 4th to the Day. P.J.
Got it! Thanks again! Also, with many big names out of the Open this year, do you expect ticket prices to drop the closer it gets to match day? Do you think even Ashe might have some better bargains later on (courtside or loge possibly)?
You’re welcome! I always hesitate to make predictions on pricing – depends on which day you’re considering… But generally speaking, yes I usually counsel anyone with flexibility to wait until the last minute (even night before or day of) to look for last-minute bargains, especially this year with so many resellers not going due to COVID who will be incentivized to lower prices substantially to get something back for tickets they can’t use. In cases like this, my advice is to make informed bets after the schedule comes out for the days you’re considering (which if those include Day 1… Read more »
Awesome thanks so much again!
Some more random questions: Who are you most looking forward to (hopefully) seeing in person? Either on a pure excitement play or to pick something up for your game. I have a one-hander so always loved watching Fed, Thiem, Wawrinka…didn’t work out for me this time lol. Who are your favorites to make it to the semis? Other than roof and extra shade, is there any benefit to Armstrong over grandstand?? I think you dealt with this elsewhere but I can’t find it…when is best time during day to get some shade relief at Armstrong in south section behind server??… Read more »
Hey! I have a 2H BH so may have some different faves… I’m honestly just so in awe of players at that level so generally can get pumped about pretty much any of them, but this year I’d be most psyched personally to see Berretini or Auger-Aliassime again on the men’s side and Osaka on the women’s. Making no predictions on Semis, I have a terrible track record (whenever I do the Tennis Channel I always do horribly 🙂 :). On Armstrong, the extra shade factor is huge in day sessions (easy to retreat to higher shaded seats when you’re… Read more »
Hi PJ, Awesome blog. Thank you so much! I’m planning a trip for our family of for for Friday, 9/3. One son is a competitive tennis player and big time fan. Another son isn’t much of a fan and my wife is somewhere in between. Please let me know what you think about this strategy: 1) Buy 2 Ashe seats as close to courtside as possible within our budget. It looks there are seats at Section 58 Row A for $620 each. I believe this will have shade. 2) Buy 2 Ashe seats in the Loge section. Section 135 Row… Read more »
Hey JC, thanks and you’re welcome! Sounds like an awesome plan to me. 58A = brilliant choice for day session and that’s a very good price for those seats. And likewise, 135D at $219 is great — and well situated near the common staircase you’ll use to meet up to “trade.” Note: in advance, I’d maybe transfer individual Loge tickets to your wife and one son (electronically) so they have their tickets on their phone, and you and your other son have the tickets for Courtside on yours… Then when you arrive and get the paper printout version of your… Read more »
Oh bummer. The 58A tickets got snagged. We have a choice of 58B for $670 or 48A for $700. 48A makes the trading less convenient, but the priority for these two tickets is the quality of the seat. What do you recommend? Thanks so much!
58A just reappeared – go for it!
Gott’em! That was weird. Thank you again for your help! I’m actually in NYC for a business trip today. Can’t wait to surprise the kids when I get home.
Phew so glad it worked out! Sometimes it happens someone else clicks on them who’s considering purchasing but doesn’t, which temporarily removes them from listings. Your kids are going to be beyond stoked. BTW, I’m sitting in exactly those seats on Labor Day evening to take a couple friends who haven’t ever experienced courtside. You will love them! P.J.
Hi PJ,
Do you expect ticket prices to get lower now with the vaccination requirement? We’re excited for the tickets we have for the 9/3 session. Now, I’m thinking if we might be able to snag a deal for Saturday, 9/4.
Thanks!
JC
Hey JC, I always hesitate to make predictions about prices… however I think that’s a reasonable assumption. We’ve already seen a sharp decline in prices for many sessions since the vaccination announcement, and there are still so many seats available for sale — so I bet prices will continue to stay low (relative to past years) and there will be many more incredible deals for those who are vigilant! P.J.
HUGE UPDATE: THEY ARE NOT GIVING OUT PAPER RECEIPTS THIS YEAR AFTER SCANNING TICKETS. I am so sorry – didn’t see this one coming. They told me they’re (understandably) trying to avoid any passing of touched items back and forth in the midst of COVID> So will definitely make sense for each of you to have a ticket on your own devices (or you have 2 and your wife has 2). I’m sure your plan will still work well, may just be a little less convenient. P.J.
How do we know who’s going to be playing on Ashe and Armstrong for the 1st couple days? Would like to know before purchasing reserved…
Hi Kevin, we may know as soon as tomorrow afternoon – keep checking the US Open Daily Schedule of Play page here. In past years, the day 1 and 2 schedule (for Ashe at least) has been published by around 6pm on the Friday before the 1st week (i.e. tomorrow). Also, FYI the draw takes place today at Noon ET. For more info on how the draw will impact the schedule, see my explanation here. P.J.
Thanks for being so thorough in your time and responses to us all!
One more question for ya!
I’m wondering, similar to how tix to Ashe day ticket allows outer court access during the day and after the 6pm cutoff. Is the inverse also true for night tix? So in other words, if I buy a night ticket for Ashe, does that include access to the outside courts during the day?
Your insight and help is deeply appreciated, man! Thank you!!!
Hey Kevin, thanks for your kind thanks! Unfortunately not — a Night session ticket only enables access to the ground at 6:00pm. P.J.
Hi,
Thank you PJ for your super informative blog.
I’m thinking of going to Day 1, August 30, Ashe Day session. My plan is to watch Ashe Day session, go outside for lunch and re-enter and then watch some games in the outside courts and hopefully in Louis Armstrong at night. Is there any issue if I leave the premise to get some food outside and re-enter late afternoon with my ticket?
Also, is there a big crowd to see big names practice in the practice courts during afternoon? How does the entry to the practice area work?
Hey Don, you’re most welcome! No issues if you leave and come back– however please double check with the staff and ask what is the latest time you can re-enter… in past years, I think they capped it at 6:00pm (I can’t find anything in writing but that sticks in my mind, but it could be 5:00pm). With Rafa and Fed and Serena out, crowds at practices will likely be less crazy than in past years… seating is on a first-come basis in the viewing area and there’s also a way to see from the fences. Check the schedule day… Read more »
Thanks P.J. for the great tips! Do you know if the practice sessions on Sunday, Aug. 29 will be open to the public?
Hi Tracy, unfortunately not – no access to qualies or practices this year prior to start of the main draw tournament on Monday August 30. P.J.
Now no Serena.
2021 is the first year since 1997 (24 years ago) without at least Roger or Rafa or Serena in the US Open. All three will not be competing this year.
SIGH.
The ticket prices will drop even more.
Sigh indeed — but a big consolation in my mind is that there is SO much incredible talent (and likeable players) to get excited about that most fans have yet to discover. Perhaps this is the year when more fans start finding new young blood to get passionate about! P.J.
There is certainly a lot of talent.
But “stars” not so much yet and that is what sells tickets and builds excitement.
It will be interesting who they put in Ashe for night sessions which is the premiere slot.
Djokovic and Barty and Osaka for certain.
But who else?
Hey Linda, over the past 10 years night sessions have not always featured the marquee players during 1st-4th rounds (although they have during Quarters for sure) — just pointing out for other readers because scheduling decisions often buck conventional wisdom up through Round of 16. For Ashe, I suspect guys they’ll consider for the best spots include Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Zverev, Berrettini, Rublev, Shapovalov, Auger-Aliassime, and probably Isner and Opelka (simply because they’re American); for ladies my bets for best spots (besides Barty and Osaka) would go all the other top 10 — especially Kenin– plus Brady, Pavlyuchenkova, Kvitova, Halep, Azarenka,… Read more »
Thanks a ton, PJ!!!! Followed your tips. I will also be there for R16 evening session on Monday, Arthur Ashe, 7PM. Got a decent deal for courtside I think, 390$ per ticket in section 23, E.
If others are looking, there are some nice resale options in sections 15, 12, 48, & 49.
Wonderful to hear it, Sandeep! I will be there that evening too in section 58 – here’s hoping for some great matchups that night! P.J.
are their rickshaws to take you from the subway across the boardwalk to the east gate (near louis)?
Hi Rebecca, there are not – but it’s a pretty short walk. P.J.
This is a great guide. What recommendations would you make for getting a handicapped person (limited walking) into Louis armstrong from a parking lot?
Thanks so much, Tom. Here’s the US Open page outlining accessibility services – you can also contact US Open Command Center at 718-760-6264 for additional details. P.J.
Hey PJ first time attender of any tennis event. Became a huge fan during the pandemic again after being one as a child. I am attending September 1st through September 6th and I had just a couple of questions. In other sports I got a taste of courtside/extremely close tickets and so for better or worse that’s what I want when I go. I noticed Louis Armstrong is by far the cheapest being in the range of $300-500 most days to sit front row for one session. I was wondering why it tends to be cheaper than Grandstand. I understand… Read more »
Hey Nick, I totally get it and have the same mindset! Grandstand is generally more expensive because of supply and demand — it’s a smaller stadium with far fewer courtside seats. For your Ashe seats (smart move and happy early birthday!), I would do: (1) One session sitting behind the server: if at night, either South sections 4-5 or 66-67 or North sections 34-37); if Day, only South sections 4-5 or 66-67 NOT North due to sun (2) The other session sitting as close to the front row as you can around the baseline: if at night, in either East… Read more »
Hey Nick, prices are dropping at Grandstand. If you are looking for a front row baseline tickets, there is a pair in Section 22 on Saturday (9/4) for $239 each on tick pick.
Hi,
i plan on going 9-3 to 9-5. was wondering what tickets you recommend buying. im willing to spend money but wasnt sure if armstrong or ashe on what days
Hi Rahul, if it were me I had a substantial budget, I’d consider the following itinerary pretty ideal:
Friday 9/3: Grandstand Day/night (check out front row in section 10 resale tix on TM)
Sat 9/4: Ashe Day session (then watch some outer court action late afternoon/early evening)
Sun 9/5: Armstrong Day session + Ashe Evening (best seats you can afford, courtside if possible, to end your experience)
P.J.
Hello, how are you? Thank you very much for all the
information. I want to buy tickets for day 1 and 2. You recommend me to buy on
resale like Stubhub, Seatgeek, Viagogo. Which portal is the best to buy tickets.
Hi Alonso, you’re most welcome. All those resale platforms have strong buyer/seller protections. As I mention in my post, I would always check Ticketmaster first because it shows both standard and resale tickets on the same map – and you can enlarge the map (click on any section on the map and it will zoom in in a way that shows each seat as a blue or red dot) to compare prices of individual seats; after that, you can check any of those other resale sites to see if you can find anything better, always comparing the final prices with… Read more »
Incredible guide, thank you! I noticed that day session Armstrong prices dipped for Sep 1. Any reason for this happening so early? I get it happening when draws are released or big names get eliminated, but this seems fishy.
Also, do you usually do a day and night session for Armstrong or just pick one and move around for the other session?
Hey Matt, I think largely because so many fans who planned to come aren’t anymore due to Delta concerns. Ashe prices have declined as well for that reason plus Federer and Rafa pulling out. Personally, I usually do Armstrong on Sun and/or Mon of Labor Day weekend when there is no Armstrong evening session. If I were going on other days during first 2 rounds, I would do just Day and check out the outer courts in the evening (or combine with an Ashe evening session). Just depends on people I’m doing with… and I often don’t make the call… Read more »
Hello,
If I was to go this year, I would be driving and parking versus taking public transportation.
Are the parking passes all-digital?
I see some passes for lot H. Is that a good lot?
Which are the most reliable sites to purchase parking passes?
Thank you.
Hi Linda, parking passes are NOT digital — they are paper, and if you purchase via resale you’d need to purchase in enough time that someone could mail or FedEx them to you by the delivery date promised. You can see a map of the lots here. I think Stubhub usually has the most parking tickets posted for resale. P.J.
Thank you.
Sounds like I should just do the $25 general parking.
I think you’ll be fine with that! P.J.
Hey P.J.! Thanks for the great writeup! Supper helpful. I’m going to be spending the weekend in New York from the 10th-12th, and really want to go watch the U.S. Open. However I can only go to the Men’s day semifinal on Friday or the Women’s final on Saturday. I can also only reasonably afford Loge level tickets. Which match would you recommend and do you think the experience from the Loge section is worth it?
Hey Louis! Either would be exciting, and looks like prices are in the same ballpark for both sessions. Yes, definitely think it’s worth the experience from Loge. I’d personally go for the Men’s between those two simply because men plan best of 5 sets — so since both sessions will feature only one singles match, you’re guaranteed to have at least a longer match with the men’s semifinal. P.J.
Hello.
Considering going to see Serena Williams if she is scheduled for a day session.
Due to Covid, I will be driving instead of taking public transportation.
Would you please elaborate on re-sale websites where I can buy parking passes?
How reliable?
Do I print the parking pass?
Thank you.
Hi Linda, I’d check Stubhub for parking passes – I think they have the most up for resale. I’ve purchased several over many years from resellers on that site. The seller will mail them to you – they’re physical, paper passes that you display inside your windshield — using a delivery service to get to you in time by the date promised on the site. P.J.
Thanks for all the great info. You’ve helped me put together many great (solo or with one friend) experiences. This year, I’m bringing my wife and three boys (aged 10,9 and 6) – all avid tennis fans but perhaps not to the same degree as their dad. 🙂 I’ve always benefitted from waiting until the last minute in the past, but I have a larger group this year. We are planning to attend the Labor Day Sunday day session and my original plan was to split up the group and cycle between close seats on Armstrong (x2 or x3) and… Read more »
Hey James, you’re most welcome and I’m so glad to hear that! That’s awesome that you’re bringing the family this year. (1) I think that sounds like a sensible plan but depends so much on the individuals and dynamics between the kids… Realistically, it won’t be that easy to bop back and forth too often, so you just kind of have to play out the scenarios and consider how it would work with all the personalities in the family 🙂 Might be easier to split good/bad seats in one stadium (I.e. Ashe) rather than having to go back and forth… Read more »
Thanks very much. Seatgeek showing an Ashe Section 7, Row D for excellent prices, which probably means it is sketchy.
Yikes, yeah might want to report that to the SeatGeek folks… PJ
I have asked this question before, but am concerned about your answer about how things were done in previous years. Are you certain that I can have all five tickets on my phone when we arrive at the gate? If I transfer a ticket to each person in our party, will we be able to “share” them and move around? (We have three on Grandstand and two on Ashe.) Thanks as always.
Hey Beth, if you are all together when you arrive at either the East or South Gate entrance to the US Open Grounds, you can absolutely have all the tickets on one phone to enter: they will scan each one, then provide printed versions that you can each have with you the rest of the day (which you can “share”, trade, etc if you want to move around). If you transfer your tickets to your friends in advance, you will each still get a printed receipt when initially scanned – so you could still “share” those if you wish. They… Read more »
Thank you for this reassurance. Hard to believe they’re still handing out papers in this digital age, but it works for me.
Beth,
The printed paper receipt is the size of a business card.
Don’t lose it.
You show it should you leave and want to re-enter Ashe and Grandstand.
Thank you, Linda.
HUGE UPDATE: THEY ARE NOT GIVING OUT PAPER RECEIPTS THIS YEAR AFTER SCANNING TICKETS. I am so sorry – didn’t see this one coming. They told me they’re (understandably) trying to avoid any passing of touched items back and forth in the midst of COVID. P.J.
HUGE UPDATE: THEY ARE NOT GIVING OUT PAPER RECEIPTS THIS YEAR AFTER SCANNING TICKETS. I am so sorry – didn’t see this one coming. They told me they’re (understandably) trying to avoid any passing of touched items back and forth in the midst of COVID> So will definitely make sense for everyone in your group to each have a ticket on your own devices so you don’t have to constantly be together once you enter. (You can all enter with the tickets on one person’s phone, but it will just make your lives easier if you transfer via Ticketmaster in… Read more »
Assuming most seats dont get purchased for reserved Armstrong, do you think the ushers will let you move down if you have one of the last row reserved tickets?
Hey Corey, the level of usher vigilance can vary significantly depending on the individual… But especially in Armstrong, given the large number of courtside seats and very long rows of stairs, it’s impossible for them to check regularly – so most take a laissez-faire approach. My advice on trying to move up to seats that appear open: if you try, do it in the section in which you have tickets, and be prepared to move in a heartbeat if the ticket holders arrive! P.J.
Such Great info, thank you!
I got Ashe day session tix on Fri Sep 3. If I want to get first-come seating at a good match at Armstrong or Grandstand, how early do people start snagging those? Any strategy for when in the day to start scouting for seats at those stadiums?
Hey Jon, thank you!! Depends entirely on which matches are scheduled and when. In general, the men’s matches command bigger crowds – especially for more popular players… but if they end up putting a doubles match with someone like Coco Gauff, that may drive even bigger demand. Check the schedule the night before you go, and if you see a match you really want to attend with fairly big names starting at 11am then I’d recommend arriving at the tournament entrance early (like around 930am) — either at the East Gate for Armstrong, or at the South Gate for Grandstand–… Read more »
Hey PJ- can you tell us where you will be at the US open so we can buy you beer for all your hard work you put in on this excellent blog-the best tennis blog!!
We can have the PJ party!!!
Thanks
HA! That’s awesome, thank you Chris! I won’t let anyone buy me a drink but love meeting folks on site so let me know if you’re there either on Aug 30 or Sep 6 so I can say hello 🙂 🙂 P.J.
Hey PJ, quick note on water bottles. Per the current version of prohibited items on the US Open website (https://www.usopen.org/en_US/visit/prohibited_items.html?promo=subnav) reusable metal water bottles are now permitted along with plastic. Might be useful to update Box 4 and Box 6 of your post!
Hope this helps and have a great day!
Lucas, THANK YOU! I hadn’t seen that update, super helpful. I’ll update my post right away. Thanks again!! P.J.
Hi P.J. Thank you for this info – it’s very helpful especially for a newbie. I know you wrote that Ashe stadium has a roof but do they keep it open for non-rainy games? It’s my bday on the 7th and I want to see my first US Open game but the person I want to bring is concerned with delta and a closed stadium. Also, the 7th is a Quarterfinal day so since there will be two matches does that mean I’ll be able to see a Woman’s match and a Men’s match? I’m still debating on the 12pm… Read more »
Hi Lauren, you’re most welcome (and happy birthday in advance!). Yes, Ashe keeps the roof open unless it rains. And yes, during QFs each session (Day and Night sessions on both Tues and Wed) will feature 1 men’s and 1 women’s quarterfinal match. There are exceptional deals for the day session… however FYI, they tend to put the marquee players on at night during quarterfinals. P.J.
Thank you for the early birthday wishes! And good tip about the night hours having possible marquee players. Since it seems like the day sessions are from 12pm – 6pm, how long does the 7pm session go until? And how far ahead should you show up since I’m assuming the matches actually start at 12pm or 7pm? I’m usually hesitant to buy a verified reseller ticket but I’ll probably go that route. Do you know when it’s announced who the players will be for which QF session? I’m basically wondering if I can delay between deciding which session to do.… Read more »
You’re welcome, Lauren! The evening sessions can go super late if matches are really competitive (imagine scenario like the featured women’s match goes 3 full sets with long games and the men’s match goes 5 sets with multiple tiebreakers). More often, they’re done by 11:45pm or midnight. In terms of knowing who might be scheduled to play when… Once the Day 1 schedule is published (on late Friday August 27 or early Aug 28), you can then predict which DAY certain players will be scheduled through quarterfinals (e.g., if Medvedev is scheduled on Day 1, he’ll play again on Day… Read more »
You are incredibly smart and thorough with this info! Just one more question if I may – what time do you recommend showing up? If the matches start at 12pm and 7pm, do you think an hour ahead of those times is enough to figure out where I am and how to find my way around? I’ll make sure to bring binoculars since I’ll probably get the cheap seats and I assume I can walk around and get food or whatever between the two sets. Thanks again P.J.!
Hey Lauren, thank you and you’re welcome!! For day sessions, first matches on Ashe start at Noon but there are matches on other courts starting at 11am… so if this is your first time, I’d recommend getting in line by the East or South Gate entrance by around 10:15/10:30 (there will already be people lining up then) so you can be further up in line to go through security and check tickets – then you can spend that first hour getting an orientation and sense of what happens outside of Ashe (and you can always leave Ashe at any point… Read more »
Hi P.J. I wanted to let you know that I went to the 12pm session on Tuesday, the 7th, and had a fun time. Since it was my first US Open experience, there was definitely some interesting things to see. Next time I go, I’ll probably try to go at night (for the different experience) and maybe buy tickets at the Box Office instead of dealing with online fees. But thank you so much again for all your help. It’s so cool that you put all this info together and chat with people to give them the best experience possible.
Hey Lauren, great to hear it, thank you! P.J.
Hi do you know if resale tickets are worth it. Will I get the ticket right away like any regular ticket on ticketmaster. I’m not sure how it works
Hi Hartick, all the resale tickets posted on Ticketmaster and other sites I mention in this post have very strong guarantees for both buyers and sellers. And all tickets are electronic (ticketing for the US Open is 100% mobile tickets) so they are transferred electronically. I have purchased predominantly resale tickets over the past 12 years and never had any issues. P.J.
P.J.
I plan to land and LGA and go straight to the venue with my carry on suitcase. Is there a place to store my suitcase before I enter the complex?
thank you, Peter
Hi Peter, yes indeed! There are big storage areas as you enter either the East Gate or South Gate area. You’ll see signs, really easy. P.J.