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.












Thank you so much for this comprehensive, detailed, and insightful review. I plan to go the the Open for the first time this year – I’ve wanted to go for a long time. My 14-year old son, who just picked up tennis, would go with me. Any tips on how to keep teenagers entertained (other than the intense tennis matches of course!)?
Hi Miki, apologies for the delay in replying! Got COVID around the time you submitted this comment and fell really behind… Thanks for your kind words. At the Open itself there are some interactive areas where there will be some fun diversions for sure. Taking your son to the practice courts to see a big name practice would definitely be fun for a while. Overall, I’d recommend focusing on quality of seats versus quantity of tennis when you’ve got someone with you: e.g., maybe plan on 1 day at at Open then something fun in the evening in Manhattan like… Read more »
I’m not from the US, could you give me an idea of the weather in early Sept. I can see historical average temperatures (mid 20s in Celsius) but a colleague said that the city is boiling hot and to avoid day sessions for that reason. Is it likely to be uncomfortably hot during the day? First time visitors, so we thought a day session would give the best mix of the tournament, venue and the tennis but would consider a night session if we’re going to be a sitting in flop sweat! Great site by the way!
Hi Sam, unfortunately the weather here is notoriously variable that time of year. It can be incredibly hot during the day – but it also could be cold and rainy. If you’re planning to attend Mon-Friday during the first week and you’re only going to attend one day, I’d say a Day session is probably the option I’d recommend — you’ll be able to take breaks throughout the day and stick around and watch some matches on outer courts into the evenings. But if you go Day session, pay close attention to my shade maps! P.J.
Hi PJ
We are a family of 6 and want to get tickets for the 2 days of second round or two days for the third round buying tickets at day session at Arthur Ash about $150-$200 each. I would appreciate your advise of which round buy and WHEN is the best time to buy them considering We want to be all together.
Best Regards
Hi Sergio, I would recommend going for the best Loge seats you can during Round 2 (Wed-Thurs) for that time frame. Definitely wait until after tickets go on sale publicly on June 6. Tickets on Friday tend to be significantly higher. There’s a chance you will find tickets under $200 for Round 3, but would take exercising a lot of patience and checking daily throughout the summer and probably closer to the tournament. P.J.
Hi there, I will be coming from NC on labor day weekend. I have Sep 3 night and Sep 4 day available. I am planning to buy Ashe tickets for Sep 3 night and Armstrong for Sep 4 day. Does that sound good?
Also my budget is about $200-250 for each session. Will I be able to get good view tickets within that price?
Hi Paramijt, apologies for the delayed reply! Sep 3 night and Armstrong Day Sep 4 sounds fantastic. Yes you should be able to get decent Loge seats in Ashe for under $250 for that Sat night and courtside Armstrong for around $250 on Sunday round of 16 — but you may have to be patient over the summer to wait for those tickets to materialize either on the resale market or as US Open releases more individual tickets. P.J.
I’m an ‘upstate’ NYer, so I’ve been to the first or second day session 3 times in the past 6 or so years. This year, I have a work conference in Manhatten later that first week!! So I’m going to hit the day session first day, and the night session on Tuesday the second day. The heat kills me for the day, so I can’t do all in one day. Would you recommend an Ashe ticket for Tuesday night, or Armstrong? I generally get an Ashe ticket for the day and do a lot of the side courts for the… Read more »
Hi Amy! I’d recommend splurging for the best seat you can in Ashe for the evening session where you’ll see the top-seeded players. Armstrong is awesome at night for 3d and 4th round play, but would favor Ashe for rounds 1-2 in most cases. I’d say grab something decent in Ashe for Day session — because you’re planning on seeing some outer court play– so you can reserve most budget for great evening seats. P.J.
This is brilliant! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you so much, Roxanne! P.J.
Hey PJ!
Thanks for this incredibly helpful blog.
I’m coming to NYC for the entirety of the Open (28th-12th) and am aiming to go to as much tennis as humanly possible. It looks like from your post I should maybe consider going with a grounds pass for the first few days of the tournament before splurging as the field winds down. Does that sound like a good plan?
Hi Ryne, you’re most welcome! I actually advise against grounds passes in most cases (see my Tip #3 for why). And if you’re going to be here for the entire tournament and have flexibility, I strongly recommend you allocate at least some of your budget to a “flexible” fund that you use for last-minute purchases when you see particular match-ups announced you’re excited about for the next day. P.J.
I’ve been lurking on this site for many years; thanks so much for assembling all of these tips. I think this will be the year my wife and I pull the trigger to attend a U.S. Open. We’re not rabid tennis fans, but we think it would be awesome to go for two or three days to take in the whole experience. 2021 looked great on TV (aside from the whole hurricane remnants thing). As there are no players we absolutely must see do you have any thoughts on what a good time to go might be? Pre-or post-Labor Day… Read more »
Shawn, HUGE apologies for missing this note when you submitted it! Great to hear you’re finally going to make it to NY. I’d probably recommend coming during Round 2-3 on the Wed-Friday of the first week and/or Sunday/Monday during the Round of 16 if your budget supports. Wed-Friday Day sessions tend to be more affordable, and there’s so much exciting stuff happening on outer courts and crowds aren’t insane like they are on Sat/Sun labor day weekend. Monday Round of 16 evening Ashe tends to be relatively lower priced compared to rest of weekend, so a great deal to see… Read more »
Thanks for the reply. No worries on the delay; I (like everyone else here) greatly appreciate this resource.
My wife and I booked a hotel in Flushing a month or so ago to accommodate attending second round sessions on August 31 and September 1. Maybe a night session on Wednesday and a day session on Thursday.
Let’s say we wanted to spend $150-$200 per ticket each day. Any recommendations as to what venue and tier we should go for and when we should try to buy such tickets?
Cheers!
Hey Shawn, thanks so much for understanding 🙂 Ashe evening Wednesday followed by something else Thurs sounds like a great plan. For Thurs, I’d consider waiting until the day before (I know that sounds crazy, but I promise there will be tickets!) and make the call based on (1) which matches are scheduled where (any players you’re dying to see on Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand?) and (2) the weather! See the 2021 schedule of play for that day to get a sense of what was on that Thursday. P.J.
Thank you so so much for the details. This helps me so much. I can’t thank you enough. I was planning on doing so much research.
Hey Jimmie, you are so welcome – so glad to hear it was helpful! Feel free to loop back as we get closer with any questions that come up. P.J.
Hi PJ, I’m planning on going next year. My priority is to get to watch at least two of Rafa, Roger and Andy, who I reckon will play in AA. I saw your pricing chart, do you reckon I’ll be able to get cheaper tickets if I buy one of the ticket plans in advance? For example, I see an “opening sessions” plan, would that generally be a better deal than getting them when they go on sale later on?
Thank you in advance
Hi Andrés! Apologies for the delayed reply – busy time at work. I would strongly counsel against ticket plans for opening sessions – there is always a glut of cheap Promenade-level seats available throughout the summer for those opening days (both resale and non-resale). You will be able to take your time and apply your budget to better seats with more transparency about what’s available after individual tickets go on sale. P.J.
Hey PJ, first of all many, many thanks for sharing all this information; this is brilliant! I am a huge tennis fan und plan to see matches at the 2022 US Open. We already booked our flights (from Germany) and will be in town from Sep 1st to Sep 10th. Ideally we want to to see at least two day and night sessions with focus on great matches rather than a specific player. During that vacation we do not want to check the internet every hour for deals and latest returned tickets and rather secure tickets before we fly to… Read more »
Hi Christian, apologies for the delayed reply! Thanks for your kind words 🙂 I would strongly (!) recommend against any hospitality package – prices are wildly inflated for them, and you could apply the same amount for spectacular seats that are even better. Because you’re going to be here for such a long window of time and are aiming for only a handful of sessions, I recommend spending the time now (before individual tickets go on sale to the public) considering your priorities and options, then waiting until after individual tickets go on sale when you will have far greater… Read more »
Hi there Will you be updating this site with French Open related information. 2021 was my first US Open and this was very helpful, thank you!
Hi Liza, so happy to hear the US Open post was helpful to you! Unfortunately I haven’t been to the French since Edberg played Chang in the final (!) when I as a teenager, so I can’t offer any valuable insight on that tourney. P.J.
Thank you! No prob, I think I found information on the Roland Garros app. I also sent them a question. I was wondering if they have general admission in Lenglen and or Matthieu like Armstrong and Grandstand. Take care!
Hi Liza, many apologies for the delay – super busy time at work. Hopefully you already found your answers, but to confirm: both of those show courts at Roland Garros feature reserved seating only. Only open seating is on the “outer courts.” P.J.
Hey PJ,
Loved US Open 2021 and have no problem with sitting nosebleed to save a few bucks. I have put in for two weeks in NY and was told by the open that the first week package is $500~. Probably not a bad deal, but will the finals week re-sells be affordable enough to possibly seat 4 people who don’t mind being up high? What’s the average finals week re-sale ticket price these past years?
Thanks for your information and enthusiasm!
Hi Patrick, great to hear you had such a good experience at the 2021 Open! Your question potentially covers a wide ground – not sure if you mean the entire second week, or final weekend… Which particular days/session(s) are you thinking about? Here is a chart that shows the range for standard (non-resale) prices for 2021 — the resale prices can vary wildly for all the sessions, but promenade seats for the 2021 men’s final were averaging around $525 each (with $360 being the cheapest, and in like the last row). P.J.
Hey P.J.
Thanks for the reply. Let me apologize and clarify my question. If I was looking to get tickets for the quarters through the finals for four people, do you think there’s an ok chance that re-sale prices would be noticeably lower than the standard ticket prices? The finals week packages are already sold out. My hope is that re-sale tickets could be lower. What is your experience?
Thanks again!
Hey Patrick, it is rarely possible to get resale tickets for less than the standard price during that period (between quarters and finals) EXCEPT during the day sessions of the quarterfinals, when sometimes amazing last-minute deals pop up because there is less demand for those two sessions. The same can happen if it turns out there are lackluster lineups and no “big names” are featured. But almost never for QF evening sessions, semifinals or finals when resale prices are usually higher. P.J.
Unfortunate news, but good to know. Probably best to get a finals week package for people like me who don’t care too much about being super close. I’m grateful for your insights into this. Enjoy the rest of your holiday season!
Wishing you the same, Patrick!
Really had a great time at the 2021 Open, not so crowded and super cheap tickets- all thanks to this great blog…saves me lots of money
Thanks PJ and I owe you an ice cream!!
AO -here I come.
*** hope my post will on top for a long time until the US Open 2022 comes along….he he..
Thanks, Chris! So rewarding to hear that. Have a blast at the AO! P.J.
Thanks for all of the information!! We are planning on attending the US Open in 2022 and I appreciate all of the amazing tips.
Hey Kelly, you’re most welcome, so glad it’s helpful! I’ll update the post in the run-up to next year – feel free to reach out as we get closer if you have questions. P.J.
This is one of the most in-depth, helpful and informative sites I’ve read. Thank you for taking the time to create and post. Remarkable!
Gerard, THANK YOU so much for your very kind word – deeply appreciate them! P.J.
Curious to know your thoughts on why the U.S. Open finals are not held at night under lights?
Hey Ricky, the finals begin while there is still ample sun and light in the stadium — they do turn in lights if the match runs long and lights would make it better for the players. P.J.
Good information but if you don’t keep it up to date you are doing readers a disservice. In addition to the AMEX Centurion lounge, there was an AMEX cardmembers lounge at Armstrong. No reservations were required at the AMEX cardmembers lounge, and platinum cardholders were provided complimentary cocktails and lounge access. It was nice but I missed it the first day because after reading your tips I was not looking for it.
Hi Donald, thanks very much for pointing this out. Will definitely update the post to include. P.J.
Today, I began going through PJ’s spectacular always up-to-date blog and I came across your comment. While it is true for all things in life to learn about helpful information too late, I felt I had to share with you my experience with PJ, the blog, and the incredible work he does to keep the info up-to-date, practically in real time! Keep in mind that as he answers dozens of comments every day and more DURING the Open – all the while juggling demands of a job, a family, and getting to the Open himself for some fun. He deserves… Read more »
Courtney, thank you so much for your incredibly kind and thoughtful note. You’ve contributed so much to this blog and I’m so grateful! P.J.
Ah PJ…It’s late. I know. But this is my very last question until USO 2022 (it all went by too fast). Do Grounds Passes sell out? I’m still torn about going to the grounds for the final and see if any Ashe tickets get reallllly cheap. How do they even accommodate everyone to watch the big screen? I’m old enough to remember when several parks put out a Jumbotron for the Open. Watched the 2010 men’s final in Madison Square Park and it was a blast. And free! I know this year there was a jumbotron mid-week in Metrotech Brooklyn,… Read more »
Hey Courtney, thank you as always for the kind words!! I’ve never seen them sell out during Finals weekend – and I can’t imagine this year they would (if Federer were playing Nadal, maybe…). P.J.
Does the storage locker have hours restrictions by when I need to get my bags out?
Hi Arjun, it probably depends on the day — if for Finals (i.e. today or tomorrow), then it would be an earlier closing time than the rest of the tournament when matches end later. Not sure exact times, sorry. P.J.
Thank you for your reply. Yes I had asked for the finals. I fly in to NYC tomorrow morning and am trying to figure out where can I keep my bag until the match ends. Any suggestions?
I was thinking about the storage facility but if that place closes before I am able to get my bag out, I wouldn’t want that.
I fly out of NYC early morning after the finals.
Hi Arjun, you definitely can check your bag at the US Open grounds (very easy) for the entire duration of the match and a couple hours after it ends– you would just need to pick it up tonight as you leave the grounds (you couldn’t store it overnight). P.J.
Thanks so much for this page. It motivated me to schedule a trip w my 12yr son who plays USTA tournaments! We are here. Saw last nights match and it was amazing! We have finals tickets as well and are pumped!
Question: For today/Saturday I was just going to wonder the grounds w a grounds pass and explore, maybe catch the Women’s match on the big screen….but now I want seats! Such a historic match it will be. Should I buy online tickets are get a better deal at the window buying day-of?
Hey Isaac! I am so happy to hear all this. For today, I would recommend studying what’s available online as you go out to the Open, identify the best deals you can so you know what the going rates are, THEN go to the box office And see what the best deals are they can offer. They will almost certainly do exactly what you see on the blue dots on Ticketmaster, so if you know there are resale tickets online that are cheaper including fees, then you may want to go for those. Also, know that Ticketmaster tends to keep… Read more »
Thk again! We did as you suggested. Worked out. Purchased 133 and avoided Ticketmaster fees! What-a-match!! So glad we did that! Can’t wait to come back next year.
Great to hear, Isaac- and so glad you’ll be back next year! Safe travels. PJ
Anyone who attended today’s semis — were they actually scanning your tickets as you went into Ashe or were they just eyeballing them to make sure you were there for the correct session?
Last week about an hour into the match I bought a cheap ticket for Ashe, only to have the guy not even look abd just wave me in. Other times (entering before a match starts) I have been scanned.
There is no way to know. Also if/once you get into Ashe without a ticket you may be asked at another point to show your ticket such as at the gate into the seats.
Just don’t count on it!
Update: just had a friend tell me that they used their day semi ticket to go back in for night session. No one checked. UNREAL.
Maybe I’ll come out to the grounds and see what can be done!
Hi PJ,
Do you think it’s worth getting the $25 grounds pass to watch the game on big screen at the venue than watching Men’s Finals at home? Tix are too pricey for the Men’s finals. I already attended US open 2021 entire day during Day1 this year.
Thank you for your excellent blog.
Hi Ayush! Depending on the weather (which looks quite warm but at least sunny and clear) it can be a pretty exciting and fun place to be around fellow fans… Also if you’re there and check tickets just as the match is starting, who knows there may be some amazing resale deal by a desperate seller that you can grab – and then you’d be right there in case you want to take advantage of it. In addition, there are some inspiring wheelchair and juniors matches beginning at Noon that day (gates open at 11am). P.J.
BTW, not sure if it is still there but the 4 years I went to the US Open (2016-2019) I loved the seafood place. Somewhere near Court 7 if I am not mistaken. It is there that for the first time in my life I ate a lobster roll. Heavenly! The place also has oysters and ceviche if I am not mistaken.
US Open has excellent catering. I say that as a European “gourmand” :-).
So glad to hear that! Yes, “Fly Fish” (two locations, one in Ashe Courtside, the other “Fly Fish @ Oyster Bar 7” in Grandstand Village) — I also LOVE their lobster rolls – a tradition for me, albeit a very expensive splurge! They seemed a little smaller this year than in the past, but still amazing. There’s also a very good lobster roll at “Fish Shack” in Grandstand Village. P.J.
Hi PJ,
Thanks for all the good information! Is there any information posted about when general parking lots will open on Saturday? We will unfortunately need to drive and would like to get there as early as allowed. I couldn’t find this info posted anywhere!
Thanks!
Hi Emma, you’re welcome! Not 100% sure unfortunately, but pretty confident they’ll be open by 9am (possibly earlier). Gates open at 11:00am. (If anyone else knows from prior years’ experience, please weigh in!) P.J.
Thanks for this amazing site! My tickets for Friday state section ASHGA1. Where is that located?
Hi Jane, you’re welcome — although I’m so sorry not to have been able to reply sooner (big deadline at work today)! Hope you solved the mystery… I’m afraid I wouldn’t have been helpful apart from urging you to check to ensure there was an actual section/seat number on your mobile ticket. Hopefully there was? P.J.
PJ. First off, You’ve made some great changes to the blog in the past day to get in all that last minute info at the top of the blog- sooo helpful (though I have yet to find a no-bag express line. I haven’t brought a bag any day and there is no special line. Each time I ask, the staff say no, and I make a silent grrr sound.) My question is for Friday and Sunday. What goes on on Friday? I don’t trust the official tournament schedule. It says Friday : men’s doubles finals at 12 noon, 1st men’s… Read more »
Hey Courtney, THANK YOU and apologies for the delayed reply! Yeah, I was hopeful they’d resolve the bag line issue… such a bummer they didn’t. For Friday: yes, that was the right info! For Sunday:
Noon: (I’m almost certain on outer courts, not Ashe- probably Grandstand and 17): Men’s Wheelchair Singles Final; Women’s Wheelchair Singles Final; and Quad Wheelchair Singles Final + some Juniors finals
1:00 Ashe: Women’s Doubles Finals
4:00 Ashe: Men’s Final
P.J.
PJ,
We returned from a great Labor Day weekend viewing as much tennis as possible largely fulfilling the combination of day/night stadium scenarios you recommended. Thank you for creating this page and sharing your accumulated experience so generously. We are so glad to have attended in this very unusual time and regardless of whether a certain player fulfills the CYGS, it was an unforgettable experience!! Thank you!
By chance did anyone notice Gwyneth Paltrow in the audience during the Brooksby Djokovic match?
I’m so glad to hear it worked out, thanks so much for letting me know!! I was at that match and was near Lin Manuel Miranda but didn’t see Gwyneth! Safe travels and thanks again.
Hi PJ, your guide every year is must read, thanks for all the advice and the time / effort you put into it. We’re very lucky to be going to the men’s 7pm semi-final Friday night. Its our first semi-final and we are very excited. Do you know what time we will be allowed into the US Open grounds generally? It wasn’t mentioned on the ticket. I believe from your notes above that it usually is 6pm for the evening session but wasn’t sure if it was different for the semi-finals (or if it was different if the first semi-final… Read more »
Hey Chris, THANK YOU so much!! That’s awesome you’re going to Semis tomorrow. Yes, it’s officially still 6pm to enter on an evening ticket, even during Semis. They may be a bit looser about it tomorrow, but that’s only a guess. Have a blast!! P.J.
After 5 days at the US Open, I must say all of your information on this site is spot on. I was more prepared, thank you. I took your advice and bought court side tickets to last nights’s Djokovic and Berrettini. It was exhilarating. Possibly the best live sporting event I’ve been to. My wife had the time of her life and even got her picture taken with Djokovic after the match. Thanks again.
Tim, you made my day – I’m so happy to hear the post was helpful and especially that you had such an incredible time!! You’re so welcome! P.J.
Got my answer from Ben and Jerry’s next door: crêperie closed 🙁
🙁
I found the crêperie hiding by court 17. I was going to try the recommended banana chocolate crepe. It’s a little after 11 and it hasn’t opened. Do we know if it will today (Wednesday)?
Hey PJ – Just wanted to say a big thanks for all your time and energy here. Went to the Open for the first time last week and had just a magical experience — in large part due to following pretty much all your advice and recs! Your work here transformed what at first seemed like an overwhelming and bewildering set of options into a stress-free, wonderful experience in which all our energy and attention could be directed at the thing we were actually there to enjoy: world-class tennis. Can’t thank you enough!!
Sam! Honestly, it’s comments like yours that fuel my energy and passion… They mean the world and I’m so grateful you took the time to write and let me know it was helpful. SO glad you had such a great experience!! Thank you again. P.J.
Hi PJ! Thank you for all that you do to help the tennis community! Question for you you: Do we have any way of knowing (or speculating about) how officials will schedule the men’s semis on Friday? We are interested in the Medvedev/FAA match and have no interest in the other semifinal. Is our best bet to wait until the night before to purchase or do we already know which match will be scheduled during the day and night?
Hey Crystal, you’re so welcome! We don’t have any way to know for sure – there are big scheduling surprises every year. That said, I would be seriously shocked if they didn’t put Novak on the Night session. My strong bet would be they do Medvedev/FAA for Day. I would counsel waiting until the schedule comes out tomorrow afternoon (should be relatively early, start checking this page around noon tomorrow): if I’m right and Novak is night, demand for those tickets will likely go up a bit (whereas demand for Day will likely stay the same or go down, meaning… Read more »
Thank you PJ! This is incredibly helpful, as always!
Hey PJ, thanks for sharing all this very useful info! Thoughts on corner sections 7, 30, 41, and 64 for match viewing quality? Really trying to find a way down to lower bowl for potential Novak semi instead of row A loge. Never sat that close in Ashe so trying to justify it’ll be worth it.
Hey Joby, those sections are all very good. You might also look at the resale tix in section 58 Row B, which with fees end up being around the same as the available standards and are amazing seats. Honestly, anywhere down courtside level is a thrill. P.J.
Really helpful hints. I’ve not yet been to the Open but am looking forward to doing so. Made it to Wimbledon a few years ago – just a grounds pass – and was amazed by what an enjoyable experience it was. And saw some seriously good tennis. The Open looks equally fun.
PJ et al, today I had a hard time entering with a drink in plastic cup (as I’ve been doing for years…and every day of this Open…) and told no outside food/drink so II argued and had supervisor come over and had them look on website and guidance saying yes/no specifically. Eventually I was allowed in but just flagging since they tried to act like it’s a new policy for this week. Sigh… and while I was arguing I asked again about the Thursday community day (and was told it was on) and Finals grounds pass (supposedly for sale day… Read more »
Oy vey… Yes, thankfully the tennis is off the charts and a lot of other things finally running smoothly. And with huge thanks to you we all now have confirmation about Thursday, which even senior USTA officials were confused about. Thanks for the update on the cup issue and for all your persistence and help on the community day issue! P.J.
So community day is on!!! I will be there, gates are open for those matches at noon, right? Can’t wait to catch all the doubles/juniors and wheelchair action! Then hopefully see Leylah continue her run in the semis at night on Ashe!
Yes Noon! Awesome you can make it – have a blast!
No food?!? Did you try to bring some in? Or they said that while they were hassling you over the cup?
I always bring food.
They were saying no outside food or drink and I was arguing. I also had a bagel and some nuts. I couldn’t find on their website the ‘limited food is allowed’ but the head supervisor let me in when he saw that food wasn’t on the list of prohibited items. But it took me about 20 minutes of standing my ground saying I’ve been doing this for over a decade..and demanding to see where it said I couldn’t. I was going to look on the computer’s website (not the app) to screenshot for my next visit.
Hey Maura, As far back as I remember too, it always was the policy (and I also saw it in writing) that you could bring outside food in limited quantities. But I just went back to the new “security procedures” page and that language is no longer there… So I asked the bot on that page and it returned: “I think you are asking if you can bring outside food and beverage items onto the grounds. Unfortunately, no outside food or beverages can be brought into the US Open grounds.” If they don’t adjust the language next year, then the… Read more »
This is pathetic. How much more money do they need to make? I always see working class families bring their kids, ya know, those people who save up to buy the very last row in Ashe promenade? And they want them to now buy $8 hot dogs!? Meanwhile instead of being jerks enforcing a new and not widely known prohibition on food, how about they enforce the mask rule inside Ashe when roof is closed?! Or be kind enough to cover up the banner that says “check in no bags” so that we know there is no more express lane?… Read more »
I agree. Heck I don’t want to pay their ridiculous prices when I’m going there every day. If I went just once, sure I’d suck it up. But every day, it adds up.
I also asked in a chat yesterday and got a response saying limited food was ok. Sigh. I wish they’d sort themselves out and have some
clear defined policies.
I looked at the page out of curiosity and it’s ironic that they still list :
“For guests without bags, Speed Lines will be available at the East Gate and the South Gate entrances.”
Well that’s not accurate.
And then it does NOT say no food allowed.
(Not everyone is as smart as you PJ to as the bot!)
They definitely need to work in their info page! Argh!
COVID-19 vaccine
Is a picture of the COVID-19 vaccine card on a phone good enough for the entrance to Ashe Stadium or do we physically need to carry the card with us to the Stadium?
I am attending the night session today (09/07/21) and travelling from Philadelphia.
Regards,
Kiran
Hi Kiran, yes absolutely – they’ll check at the very first gate (east or south) when you first arrive. P.J.
Dude, I love this explanation! You are the best and honestly, cannot thank you enough! I am going loge in a semifinal, this is almost a dream come true!
Hey Victor, thank you and I’m so psyched for you! Have an amazing time!! P.J.
Still no update on Thursday entry I presume? I keep looking and looking.
Hey Sam, I was just about to post… One of our readers an official reply from Client Services that it’s “on” and admission is free. I haven’t seen anything else in writing anywhere (they certainly aren’t advertising it and some staffers seem to think it’s off), but I think we can pretty safely assume they won’t turn anyone away who shows up! P.J.
I was told (verbally) today it was on for community day.
Hi PJ! I just wanted to say thank you for this blog! I contacted you several months ago when I was purchasing my tickets, and I went to my first US Open match on Saturday and my seats were great!! thanks for everything and I can’t wait to go next year!
Candice, you are so welcome, thank you for your thoughtful note and I am SO glad you had a great time!! P.J.
Thought it would be fun to sit down close to the doubles today on the Grandstand and was surprised to see there is zero resale on Ticketmaster or Stubhub for these reserved seats. Am I missing something? Are they not reserved starting today?
Hey Ben, there are tickets available for Armstrong today (great doubles action on it); you can get into Grandstand with that ticket (all seating will be first-come, including the “reserved” seats in the lower bowl today). See my Box #1 above for detailed outline of all the ticket options for each day – it’s confusing, I know! P.J.
Hi, thanks for all your wisdom! I’m questioning whether my kids should bring their oversized tennis balls for autographs today. US Open website says autographs are discouraged. Any insight?
Hey Matt, I originally thought they’d enforce this and would have said don’t bother a month ago… But having been I see players signing them left and right. Bring em! P.J.
Hi P.J! I’m going this year for quarterfinals onward. I noticed that men’s semifinal I night is much more booked / expensive than the men’s semifinal day session. Would it be safe to say Novak would be at night?? Thanks in advance
Hey Drew, that’s awesome! Normally I hesitate to predict on scheduling… But for QFs and Semis (only), it’s a pretty safe bet that they will put the biggest/most popular stars at night and.or the biggest “stories” (e.g. tonight they put Felix v Carlos, which I expected). I’d be shocked if they didn’t put Nole on at night tomorrow – as much as Zverev Harris will be awesome (!) I cannot imagine them putting it on night tomorrow. P.J.
how do you envision organizers pick who’s on when for Men’s semifinal sessions? I noticed they are two different sessions this year. I just want to see what would hopefully be the Zverev Djokovic match
Hey Drea, I expect them to follow the pattern they have for years with QF matches: they put the biggest/most popular stars at night and.or the biggest “stories” (e.g. tonight they put Felix v Carlos, which I expected). I’d be shocked if they didn’t put Nole on at night tomorrow – as much as Zverev Harris will be awesome (!) I cannot imagine them putting it on night tomorrow. P.J.
Hi, thanks for this informative blog. A couple of questions:
Thanks in advance!
Hi Rey, fortunately your choice is made easier in that Armstrong tickets are not an option 🙂 (only sold through today). All singles matches from today on are exclusively on Ashe. See my Ashe shade map – if you’re going Day session, strongly discourage you from seats on the East or even North side! As for views, just go with the lowest seat you can in a shaded section, all views from Promenade are so high it doesn’t matter much – shade and proximity are most impt. P.J.
Thanks for the response, with my Arthur Ashe day tickets for tomorrow how many matches/practice sessions can I see in which all stadiums?
This is my first time to US Open, hence asking the above.
Sure thing. Tomorrow’s schedule should be posted on this Daily Schedule of Play page this afternoon (probably around 3:30pm) and check the Practice Schedule here later today AND tomorrow morning for updates. You can go to watch any match or practice in any stadium/court once you are in the grounds (gates will open at 9:30am). P.J.
Thanks, I see Novak practicing at 5.30 pm on court 1. With my day pass tickets, will I be able to see this practice and if yes at what time should I make it to court 1?
Hey Rey, absolutely. If this is a bigger priority to you than seeing Zverev/Harris, I’d get there by 4:30 just so you can stake out a comfortable spot – that court is at the far end of the practice courts. But there shouldn’t be hordes of people today (no grounds admission, and Zverev/Harris will be going on) so you will probably be fine getting there later. PS — Just to be sure you know where to go, it’s court “P1”, see my map above.
Tough luck, looks like Novak cancelled the training in P1. Had occupied good seats to watch his practice, but I guess have to wait for next time!
Oh Rey, bummer – so sorry about that!!
Hey PJ. What’s your guess on Raducanu? Looking to try and see her Wednesday. I’m assuming she will get the Wednesday night match but I’ve been wrong before. Thanks!
Hey Tim, with the caveat that I’ve guessed wrong many times too – my very strong bet would be Raducanu/Bencic night session. P.J.
Lol – so much for my crystal ball! Schedule is out, Raducanu on Day.
I saw Juan Martin del Porto is coming to NY and the US Open to hit with John McEnroe on Tuesday (or after). He posted on Instagram. Do you know what this might be (or more importantly where or when???!!!)? These are my two all-time favorites. I will peak thru EVERYTHING in the grounds tomorrow looking… 😍
Probably Armstrong?? … I’ll ask around. If anyone else hears please weigh in!
I’ve seen in Spanish Twitter accounts court 1 at 4:30? Do you think that could be Ashe after end of day session? P1 is booked. Is there a court 1 somewhere else on the grounds?
Hey Maura, may be one of the courts outside the east gate (ie off the official grounds)?? Definitely not Ashe.
If nothing else I did see him on the Jumbotron in his box during Medvedev-Botik. 😍
Can I bring a stroller?
Hi Ann-Marie, here’s the policy: “Strollers are permitted inside the US Open, but you are responsible for their safe keeping. You can also check our storage facility located outside the East Gate and South Gate entrances.” P.J.
Just thought I would put in a report on entry today (Sunday.) Arrived at CitiField parking at 9:30, got to the East Gate at about 9:40. First a vaccine check then the bag check. No line at all for either! (There was not a separate bag line at the time.) Quickest I ever entered the grounds in 40 years. I was pleasantly surprised. Can’t guarantee this for Labor Day though. Had good tickets to Armstrong but wanted to start off in the Grandstand to see some Women’s Doubles. Unfortunately, match was rain-delayed after 1 game, so we spent most of… Read more »
Ted, this is awesome to hear! The decision on Armstrong was probably a temporary measure given huge crowds for Sinner/Monfils – the stadium was packed. Normally they don’t limit based on type of ticket, but over Labor Day weekend the demand on both Grandstand and Armstrong is usually intense. P.J.