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.












I did it. Bought and paid for September 4 11am grandstand …husband and daughter…high school player…dad a long life tennis player….will be thrilled. I’m in the cheap seats. Any thoughts on Ashe Sunday night September 4th too? That would be all day. Too much tennis? Should we do Ashe cheap? You are the BEST!!!
Hey Liz, they’re going to be very happy! However to clarify: did you mean you got Armstrong seats for Sun Sep 4th? Or Grandstand seats for another date? (There are no Grandstand reserved seats available for sale for the 4th). Assume you must have meant Armstrong? If so, for Sunday evening I do think it would be amazing for them to have that option to go that evening too (they would be thrilled, even if in Promenade). There is currently a glut of standard Promenade tickets for that session, so keep monitoring and take your time before pulling the trigger… Read more »
Yes Armstrong…my head is still spinning from the ticket options. Glad you think they will enjoy….perfect thank you. Enjoy it. You really are helping so many of us.
Aha, great! Have an awesome time and let me know how it goes!
Hey PJ,
Can you please guarantee that the weather will be sunny cool 70ish ?
Wow, remember last year, there was the biggest thunderstorm in NY and people drowned, streets flooded, all transportation stopped, lucky I was not there that night.
This is my 5th year at the US Open-love it
Hope to buy you ice cream!!!
Hey Chris, LOL sure thing… Yeah that freak storm last year was absolutely insane. Fingers crossed for great weather this year. Heading out there now to check out qualies and practices, can’t wait!!
Hi PJ, thanks for the awesome website! Going to a grand slam was a childhood dream and I finally saved up enough to go this year, so really excited. I was wondering if it would be a better decision to spend a budget of around 1.5k on watching both the semi-finals with mediocre Loge seats or instead visit a week earlier for courtside/baseline seats for R16 matches. I’m a semi-serious tennis player and value the action up close, but also want to experience the intensity of some really competitive tennis deep in the tournament. I’m not sure when I’ll move… Read more »
Hey there, you’re most welcome! That’s a tough one. I think either would be pretty special for you, given that it’s your first time. Reflecting on all my experiences to date, though, I can say that the ones that have been most memorable for me have been the Round of 16 matches I’ve seen courtside. (The only exception being seeing the historic Chang Edberg final at the French as a kid in 1989 from mediocre seats). Last year, for instance, I saw the Berrettini Otte R16 match on Armstrong from the second row – and it was so cool to… Read more »
PJ! I appreciate this so much dude. I am wondering if you’re familiar with any watering holes near the grounds? My friends are humoring me and going on 9/2 for my birthday, but I think they are most interested in drinking. Any good spots to have a pint or two?
Hey CJ, Happy early Birthday! Check out this site and also TimeOut (search bars in Queens) for some ideas – I haven’t been to any myself so can’t give any good recs.
Thanks PJ for the info
Would doing Armstrong 11AM session and Ashe night session round of 16 (monday Sep 5) work? or could the Armstrong matches possibly run past 7pm?
Hey Craig, my pleasure. The Armstrong matches definitely could (probably will) run past 7pm (because they schedule more matches for that session than on Ashe Day session, and there is no evening separate session on Armstrong during Round of 16) … So I’d hold off on making a decision about Ashe evening tickets until you see the schedule the day prior — that way you could make an informed decision based on who’s playing when on both stadiums. (It’s possible, for instance, that they may schedule the Men’s singles match on Ashe second, which might be the one you care… Read more »
Hey PJ, in your experience how late in the evening do qualifying matches go? The US Open website says qualifying matches end at 7:00 PM each evening. Do they sometimes or often continue past 7:00 PM?
Hey Simon, great question… I’m not positive, I’ve never stayed that late myself during qualies week. I’ll be there tomorrow and can ask some folks who might know from experience — or another reader who knows might weigh in. I think they usually wrap up by then, but rain delays would definitely affect that. P.J.
Hey Simon, just a follow-up having been out there today and to confirm… First round of qualifiers definitely goes well past 7pm. Even though all matches including men’s are best of 3, they still have to get through so many matches that play goes well into the evening. I can’t recommend going out there during qualies more highly. It’s so cool. And also amazing to see so many big names practicing without having to battle for a seat to see them. Today I saw Mevedev, Halep, Berrettini, Murray among many others from a front row seat (including on Ashe). Awesome.… Read more »
P.J. Your blog is awesome. Thanks for the great info. We are planning to attend on Monday (09.05) daytime. My 3 questions are: 1) My son and I are the only two crazy tennis fans/players. My wife and daughter could care less. Is there enough for them to do for me to buy them tix for Arthur Ashe so they get access to everything along with match play watching? Or should I get them grounds passes only if they can stay busy with other ongoings. 2) Would it really be worth it to buy Arthur Ashe tix or is Louis… Read more »
Hi there, thank you! For you and your son, I’d say go for Armstrong on that Monday: you’ll get 2 round of 16 men’s singles matches (plus at least 1 women’s singles) and you can get phenomenal seats close to the players (versus Ashe getting 1 men’s singles match). The tradeoff is that you are guaranteed NOT to see Rafa (or Medvedev) on Armstrong… but so many other great match possibilities and the level of play will be amazing with great seats. For your wife and daughter, I’d probably recommend getting 2 Ashe tickets versus grounds passes – both because… Read more »
Great! Thanks so much for the detailed explanation.
Hi PJ! Your site is always my first stop when I’m booking tickets every year (your shade map for Ashe has been the best thing ever!). This will be my first year taking the LIRR, and I see you prefer the LIRR to the 7. Will the LIRR make a special stop at the Mets station? Because when I go to plan my trip now, it’s telling me to take the 7 to Mets. Thanks again for all your hard work every year!
Hey Kerri, thank you!! Yes, LIRR is awesome if Penn Station is convenient for you. Here’s the LIRR schedule through September 5th and another LIRR schedule from September 6 on. Mets-Willets is the stop you want. Be sure to download the new TrainTime app, which you can use to buy tickets without having to stop at any kiosks. P.J.
HI, how long can we expect for bag check? We will have two carry on suitcases coming straight from the airport
Hi Naomi, bag check is usually very quick – I’ve never had to wait for more than a few minutes myself. P.J.
What a nice article. I am thinking about going to see Rafa. I plan to be in New York arriving the sunday the 4th and leaving the Wednesday the 7th. What is the best strategy? I wanted to wait until they release the schedule. Is it better to buy the day and night session . Is it possible to upgrade the ticket on site for the session rafa is playing? Is it safe to wait until the time of the match is announced? Thanks in advance
Hi Manon, thank you! I just wrote a separate post to address this very question here. As for upgrades: you can only upgrade a ticket on site to a better seat for the same date/session, but not to an altogether different session on a different date. PJ
Hi PJ! Thanks so much for the info, our friend group goes every year on Labor Day and it’s one of my favorite traditions. As I was reading your tips to learn about anything we hadn’t previously done, I noticed the info about free admission on 9/8, and I had never heard of this! We’re now considering playing hooky from work that day, and I’m curious how the free admission works? Just go up to the gate and walk right in, reserve a free ticket ahead of time, etc? Any info you can give is much appreciated!
Hey Kristen, you’re most welcome! Yes, super easy – just show up and go through security screening, no pre-registration required. Gates should be open by 11:00am this year, matches will begin at Noon – check the schedule the night before. Definitely check out the practice schedule for that day too and you may catch some big names practicing. It’s a great day to go out there. P.J.
Amazing, thanks so much!
Hi PJ, amazing article you’ve made, it has given me a lot of valuable information since I will go for the first time this year. I’ve purchased Day session Arthur Ashe seats for 2nd and 3rd round, and I have a little question. Once the day session ends, can i still access the outer courts (Grandstand, Armstrong and field courts) on first come first serve basis from 6pm onwards? I would really like watching night sessions on the outer courts as I like watching great matchups of medium ranked players. That’s the question I have. Still, I have to Thank… Read more »
Great to hear it, Sebastian! Yes that’s correct… What is sometimes confusing to first-time attendees is that a reserved Day session ticket in ASHE or ARMSTRONG means you only have access to those reserved seats during the Day session matches (then you have to exit that stadium) — but you can stay on the grounds as late as you want and access general unreserved seating on every court (except Ashe, which has no unreserved seating). P.J.
What a treasure trove of insights, PJ! I’ve attended the Open yearly since 2015, and I want to highlight another purchasing option: Going to the BJK Tennis Center box office before the tourney starts, right after the draw comes out. I.e, I’ll go on Sat. 8/27 — draw is out on 8/26 and tourney starts 8/29. I avoid those nasty Ticketmaster or resale fees and you get to speak directly with a knowledgeable, patient agent! And there is virtually no line. (I’ve never waited more than 15 mins.) Obviously, this is only feasible if you don’t live far away, but… Read more »
Hey Erika, yes that’s a good option for sessions when standard seats are still available (which you can always check in advance online before heading out). However, if there are no standard seats (and resale tickets via Ticketmaster are the only option at the box office, you’ll still pay the resale fees even at the physical box office. The other caveat I’d give is that anyone trying to get tickets for sessions on Day 1 and 2 in which Serena or Rafa will be scheduled will want to get those online immediately after the Day 1 and 2 schedule comes… Read more »
Hi PJ… First timer. Coming for 3 days (8/30-9/1). Looking to maximize the “experience,” realizing that trying to guess “who will be playing where” is almost impossible and don’t want to waste time being tied to computer surfing for the “best option.” Question 1 – If you buy any of the day or night reserved seat stadium tickets, you do have unlimited grounds courts access? Question 2 – Is it worth buying reserved Grandstand tickets at all? Question 3 – can you suggest a ticket scenario for those 3 days?
Hi Julie, Question 1: Any DAY session stadium reserved ticket for Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand allows you to enter the US Open grounds as early as 9:30am and stay on the grounds as late into the evening as you want. (NIGHT session tickets only allow access to the grounds beginning at 6:00pm). What is often confusing to first-time attendees is that a reserved Day session ticket in Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand means you are only entitled to your reserved seats during the Day session matches (then you have to exit that stadium) — but you can stay on the grounds… Read more »
Hi PJ, what a great site you have here! Thank you for your time and efforts on this!
We are coming from RI for our first US Open, attending with grounds passes on September 4th. Should we drive in or park somewhere outside of Flushing and take the 7 train in? If so, can you recommend where from? We are subway and NYC amateurs!
Also, we ere planning for a 10:00 or so arrival. Should e get there earlier than that to optimize seeing as many players as e can on practice courts and the other grounds courts?
Hi Michele, thank you for the kind words – this Providence-born guy is glad to hear you’re coming! The Mets across the street do have a home game on the 4th, which means parking is going to be a bit more of a pain than usual… But I still think your best bet is to park at the Open – there are plenty of lots and it’s totally safe. If you can, I’d recommend arriving (to park) as close to 9am as you can: gates open for Day session ticket holders at 9:30 so people will be arriving much earlier… Read more »
Hello P.J. Thank you so much for this incredible site with a lot of valuable insight. As a first time visitor to 2022 US Open with a family of 4 (two kids under 10), I would appreciate your advice. Due to our schedule, we purchased Sep 4 day tickets at Ashe (promenade). We will see who eventually play there. Given it’s round of 16, how do you suggest we spend whole day (we only have one day)? We wanted to watch games closer to courts. We also wanted to hop around different courts. What games will likely be scheduled at… Read more »
Hey there, really appreciate your kind feedback – you are most welcome! For all courts besides Armstrong and Grandstand, there will be a rich set of Doubles matches (and juniors, which are exciting to watch too). This year is a bit of a question mark in terms of scheduling on Grandstand and Armstrong for that particular Sunday: it’s the first year in recent times where they aren’t selling Grandstand reserved seats for that day, so they could go either of two directions: (1) they could depart from recent tradition of having 1 men’s singles match on Grandstand and feature TWO… Read more »
Hello, PJ,
I doubt I will be able to afford a night session ticket for Ashe to see Serena play.
I am thinking about going to see her practice.
Is this a good idea?
How accurate are the practice schedules and when are they provided?
Thank you.
Hey Linda, I hear you – any session she’s scheduled this year, Day or Night, is likely going to end up being very pricey. Practice schedules are usually very reliable unless the players themselves have anything unexpected come up. I can say that every time I’ve been at the Open when Serena was scheduled to practice she’s been there. Also, note that sometimes the schedule is adjusted in the morning day-of, so worth checking both day prior and the morning of any day you’re thinking of heading out. P.J.
Thank you.
When does the practice page of the US Open website become active?
Will Serena start practicing next week Qualifiying week?
Sure thing. The will probably post the first practice schedule (along with schedule for qualifiers Day 1) at some point on Monday Aug 22d (for Tues Aug 23d). Not sure what her plans will be – every year is different, sometimes players make private plans… In 2019 I remember she practiced on Wednesday but don’t have notes about any days beyond that… P.J.
Thank you again.
You’re welcome, Linda!
Practice schedule up for Tuesday Aug 23 – Serena scheduled for Ashe 9-11am — however, I haven’t gotten confirmation that fans will have access to Ashe before 11am, which is what is on the Open website (says Ashe is open beginning at 11 to those who sign up in advance for the free “Fan Access Pass” — and I don’t see any indication they will open gates to fans before 930am. We will have to see tomorrow…
Thank you for the heads up!
Maybe she will have another practice session later in the week.
Lucky those who can make it there!
Hey Linda, I’m at the Open now – just confirming: gates open at 10 AM and not earlier during Fan Week. So if a player like Serena is scheduled to practice prior to 10 AM, fans would NOT have access to that practice. Also, you definitely need to register for a fan pass to access practices in Ashe (which you can do via the app). PJ
Awesome information.
Thank you PJ!
I do have the fan pass.
My mom and signed up for it a few days ago.
I will also download the US Open app.
Hey PJ, great advice!! I am planning to go on the Armstrong stadium on Sept 5th for the evening session. do you know if I will have a chance to see other games at other courts as well after 6pm? Or is the Sept 5th a date when the most of the games are limited to only Ashe and Armstrong stadiums?
Thanks, Vlad! There actually isn’t an evening session on Monday Sep 5 in Armstrong, only one Day session (only evening sessions on Armstrong through 3d Round) – did you by chance mean another date? On Monday of 4th Round, all men’s singles matches are on Ashe or Armstrong. On Grandstand, there will be Doubles matches plus probably one women’s singles 4th round match. Field courts will feature Doubles and Juniors. P.J.
thank you! so if the September 5th is my only option I have three other options Ashe Day, Ashe Night, Armstrong Day – what do you think offers best value?
That day (Monday Labor Day weekend) is always my favorite day to go to Armstrong personally. As long as they don’t depart from tradition, there are always two round of 16 men’s singles matches that day on Armstrong (versus only one per session on Ashe). If seeing great tennis up close is more important than seeing Nadal or Medvedev or Serena (who would be scheduled on Ashe if they play that day), I’d recommend Armstrong courtside seats. P.J.
thank you!! your insights are amazing. so it means if I go for Armstrong for a Day Session on the Sept 5th, to stay in shade and to be behind players what is my best option Section 1 or 9?
You’re welcome, Vlad! Definitely Section 1. That section starts out almost entirely shaded and remains so for quite some time. Section 9 gets shade I think around 2pm. P.J.
Hey PJ, so so helpful!! Just had a few questions 😬 So, even though the draw will be out on the 26th (the preceding Friday), we won’t know if, say Rafa, is playing the day session or the night session till the day prior, right? Also, how much do you think prices will increase for a loge ticket for a 1st round Rafa match as we get closer to the date? I guess that the average price for a session (out of Monday morning, Monday evening, Tuesday morning, Tuesday evening) is around 300USD right now. How much would that be… Read more »
Hi Sid, great to hear it, thanks! All great questions (and I need to add some of this to my post!). 1. The Draw will come out Thursday, but we won’t know which halves of the Draws play on which days until the Day 1 and 2 Ashe Schedules are posted on Friday the 26th (usually late afternoon). At that time (Friday), we WILL know whether Rafa and Serena are playing a Day or Night session for their 1st Round match and on which day (but not details for many other players who aren’t scheduled on Ashe). 2. I’m hesitant… Read more »
Ah okay okay thank you so much! I think my real intent here is to really just see Rafa up close. Having been a crazy fan of his since 2006 I’m really looking forward to seeing him in person for the first time! Given this, I think it makes sense I really take time out during the fan week and visit the practice sessions etc. and make sure I see him up close. The early rounds won’t be very exciting tennis anyways so perhaps once the draw narrows out a bit and if I’m able to snag a good deal… Read more »
Hey Sid, sounds like a good plan. (BTW, while it is frequently the case that early rounds for some of the top players are blow outs, I’ve been surprised by how many times the top players have been challenged unexpectedly in early rounds and matches have been exciting. You never know!). For Fan Week, my main advice would be to stay as flexible as you can possibly be and check the practice schedule the day before and morning of every day (including Sunday August 28): Nadal won’t be there every day, and there’s no way to predict in advance which… Read more »
Got it, thank you! Yup will let you know how it goes!
This is money..I’ve read it like 4 times so far!! Question, why is the LIRR your fav over #7 train? I’m coming from NC so never been on either..
Hey Patrick, thank you!! I’ve been trying to streamline because it’s gotten so long over the years – so really appreciate hearing that. I recommend the LIRR (if you’re in the vicinity of where it departs from) because it’s SO fast: like 16 minutes from Penn/Moynihan Station versus more like 40-45 on the 7 train (which is usually pretty packed during the Open too). P.J.
Great article PJ! My wife and I go every year during the first week. It’s like Christmas Day when that schedule of Play comes out and we plan who we will see.
Question for you: We want to head there Sunday the 28th. Probably get there around 3pm. How long do the practice sessions usually run that day? Still worth going at that time? Thanks!
Hey Jay, thank you!! Yes, absolutely worth going around 3pm that Sunday. A lot of practices still underway even as late as 7:30pm. P.J.
Awesome! Thanks
PJ, this is incredibly helpful. Thank you! We are thinking of going Saturday 9/3 and getting Ashe tickets. Leaning toward night, but would there be not much going on outside of the stadiums? Seems like there would be more to see on the other courts during the daytime. Another factor is we have kids and they may lose steam if the night matches go very late.
Hey Jim, so glad to hear it, thanks! Factoring in the kids, you may want to opt for a Day ticket. How old are they? Do they care about men’s and women’s tennis, or just one or the other? The only downside: Saturday day ticket on Ashe are really pricey and it won’t be easy for you to find unreserved GA seats together on the other courts that day due to crowds. You may want to consider 3d round Armstrong Evening tickets… you could get MUCH better seats for the same prices as you’d pay on Ashe – and the… Read more »
Thanks for the incredible resource. I am looking for courtside Ashe or Armstrong tickets for Sep 2-3. Been monitoring the ticket situation for a few weeks now. Would you recommend pulling the trigger now or waiting until closer to the event? I have some risk tolerance but dont want to be shut out either! Thanks
Hey Sam, you’re most welcome! It’s super hard to say… Looking at last year, average resale prices for Ashe Courtside all went down as we got closer to the tournament for all 4 sessions on those two days. This year, Saturday Day courtside prices are through the roof – I can’t imagine them going much higher (unless Serena or Nadal are scheduled, in which case they probably will). Friday (Day or Evening) would probably be your best bet for Ashe regardless of when you pull the trigger. The risk of waiting is not that you’ll be “shut out” – there… Read more »
Hi PJ – this is the most excellent resource, thank you so much for all the time and energy you put into this site. I’ve been to the Open every year for the past 6-7 years, and this year am charged with planning a labor day weekend day session for a bunch of friends. I’m especially eager this year to find the best deal for everyone. Last year I bought grounds passes for the first Saturday and everyone had a blast bopping around (I feel 3rd round is significantly better for this vs. first day of the 4th round aka… Read more »
Hey Ian, thank you for your nice words and you’re most welcome! It’s so hard to advise on timing… Last week the price of a standard face-value Grounds Pass was a whopping $208 (!!) – the most I’ve ever seen; today, it’s down to $130 (dynamic pricing at work), which is more in the vicinity of what it historically has been for that day. The price of the cheapest Promenade seats in Ashe are $185 for that session (scattered individual), with prices more around $225+, which tracks with averages for last year. Historically, Saturday Ashe Day has been one of… Read more »
Thanks PJ for the considerate response – was feeling confident in your suggestion to roll the dice and buy closer to the tournament, but ticket prices have SURGED in the last week, as I’m sure you’ve seen.
Obviously we’re only a week out from the start, and my personal guess is that ticket prices will drop again mid next week (after Serena likely goes out) to at or below face value.
I know it’s all a guessing game, but in your opinion am I just letting hope affect my logic or do you agree that this is a likely outcome?
Hey Ian, yeah it’s been up and down with a lot of variation across sessions and stadiums. It is, unfortunately, a total guessing game – one that I’ve probably managed to get right myself only around 75% of the time and terribly wrong the rest of the time. I feel confident predicting that whichever two sessions of the 4 sessions on Day 1 and 2 don’t feature Serena or Rafa will see many declines in prices and resellers looking to unload tickets. Ditto for Women’s Semifinals and Finals if Serena doesn’t make it that far (and Men’s Semis evenings and… Read more »
(A) When a lot of Standard Tickets are released later at “random” times, is the price for each lot of basically the same across time or is the issue price for an equivalent seat based on an algorithm of market conditions thus causing variation in the standard ticket price (i.e., is this a stable “face value”)? (B) Likewise, is the General Admission price (currently $210 for Sat 9/3) the minimum floor one might expect to pay or realistically do lower cost alternatives typically arise (like a fall in the Standard Price or some spooked verified resellers (with no real interest… Read more »
Hi there, great questions. (A) It’s “dynamic pricing” based on algorithms. And they can fluctuate pretty wildly. It’s a little maddening that there is no stable “face value” for particular sessions. I have been trying to track as best I can this year and did a full sweep last weekend: it took me 8 hours to determine the ranges because every single session and stadium is different. I will try to update this chart as soon as I can. (B) No, the GA price is sometimes higher than the cheapest resale ticket for a given day – especially as we… Read more »
PJ, any idea why the 8/29 7PM Ashe session is double the 8/30 Ashe session for loge tickets? I got loge seats on TM today for 8/29 day, 8/30 day, and 8/30 evening for around $200 average per seat. 8/29 evening is averaging over $400 seat cheapest. Do the scalpers know some inside info that we don’t? Is it likely Serena will play on the evening of 8/29 in Ashe? I read a report about skyrocketing Serena demand last night that indicated the bracket will be released on the Thursday before the event starts: “The demand is sky-high, yet Williams… Read more »
Hey James, thank you for the kind words! A few thoughts: 1) The price difference between 8/29 and 8/30 is mainly a function of many folks speculating that Serena will be scheduled on opening night. This is not because they have any information you don’t: for some who purchased, they’re making a reasonable bet based on the odds; for many others, they’re making risky assumptions without knowing how scheduling actually works. Many folks who purchased are likely scalpers who want to capitalize on the latter. 2) The author of the report you saw (noting that the bracket comes out the… Read more »
Hi PJ! Thank you so much for all the detailed information! I am thinking about buying tickets for Louis Armstrong night session. However I noticed Louis Armstrong night sessions often have fewer matches, and (sometimes even no match! e.g. 2021 day3 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_US_Open_–_Day-by-day_summaries#Day_3_(September_1)). Seems like a quite noticeable disadvantage compared to day session. What factors are in play here that affect the number of matches per session (especially night sessions)?
Hey Ben, you’re welcome! For all days where Armstrong has a night session (Mon-Sat of the first week aka “Days 1-6”), there’s 1 Men’s and 1 Women’s Singles match. The only exception was last year when a craaaaazy freak extreme weather event — marked by incredible wind blowing sheets of horizontal rain INTO Armstrong even with the roof closed — forced them to stop evening play on Armstrong. I can’t say that will never happen again, but the chances of it happening again are exceptionally low. The Day session on Mon-Sat of the first week usually features 2 Women’s matches… Read more »
PJ, OMG!! I just stumbled across this site searching for the best information on attending the US Open. I found it. This is very complete and informative. Absolutely all of my questions have been answered. My husband has been wanting to attend for as long as I’ve known him. Since this is Serena’s last US Open, we have to go! Even tough this is not the best time for us, it is the only time to go. So I set on my internet trek to make it happen in the most informed and economical way. Thank you so much for… Read more »
Valerie, huge thanks for your very nice note – you made my day! So gratifying to hear it’s been helpful. Wishing you a wonderful experience at the Open! P.J.
Yes! Valerie, I am the same! My daughter and I have always wanted to go but never made the trip. This will be our first US Open! Hopefully we’ll get to see Serena in her last event; also huge Rafa Nadal fans, and Coco Gauff! Thank you, PJ, for sharing all your valuable research and insights to make our experience the best!!
You’re most welcome, Jeannie!
Hea PJ again great website. I had a quick question. I purchased the AM session for the first day Aug 29th Monday. I was thinking of purchasing the evening also but are the matches only at the stadiums. No grounds matches. The tickets say stadium only.
Thanks
Mike P
Hi Mike, thank you! Your Ashe Day ticket gets you into the grounds when they open at 9:30am. Your Ashe matches will start at Noon and feature two matches – but you can come and go as you please. You’ll have to exit Ashe stadium after your second match (around 6pm), but can remain on the grounds as late as you’d like and watch many (many) matches on non-Ashe courts in unreserved seats. PJ
Hi PJ, Do you know who’s performing Monday night (8/29) before the matches begin in Ashe this year?
Hey Jeff, they haven’t announced yet – I suspect we’ll likely hear sometime next week. P.J.
Hi PJ,
Thank you for this informative site. My friend gave me ground passes for 9/6-9/11. I don’t mind watching matches on the grounds. Are there a lot of games happening during that week? I can only go 9/6 or 9/8, which day would you recommend?
Thanks in advance,
Jane
Hi Jane, beginning on Sep 6 (Day 9) ALL singles matches will be played exclusively on Ashe stadium (which requires a separate ticket). There will be lots of great doubles matches on Armstrong and Grandstand (mainly Armstrong beginning on Sep 7) and Junior and Wheelchair matches on various courts throughout the week. See the 2021 schedule here for a sense of what the doubles lineup will look like. I’d probably recommend Sep 6, given that (1) there will be more options as it’s doubles quarterfinals and (2) Sep 8 is a free “community day”, with no ticket needed – so… Read more »
Hey PJ,
This is a great site you got here, thank you.
I’ve always wanted to go to the this tournament, and this year will finally be the year I do it.
I will be going with my dad, my main goal is to see Nadal play, and other than that just see some good matches.
We are going 9/1-9/2, we are trying to keep it affordable, what would you recommend for a ticket combination, and when should I buy them.
Thank you in advance
Hi Matt, you’re very welcome. I’d recommend waiting to purchase any tickets focused on Nadal until at least until Friday August 30, the day you’ll find out on which of those two days Nadal would play (see my FAQ #1 for how that works). Then I’d do one of 2 options: (1) Once you know whether Nadal will play on 9/1 or 9/2, buy tickets on Ashe for both Day and Night sessions for that day to be 100% certain you’ll see him (unless he doesn’t advance for some unexpected reason) (2) * A: Wait until the day prior (Wed… Read more »
HI…this is fabulolous website and thank you for all this info. I have been going to the US OPEn for years, but have never been out there during qualifying week. Today, I purchased great tix for August 24 in Armstrong for an exhibition with Rafa and Coco! I am so excited! But can anyone tell me…what will be the food options out there during qualifying? Are the nice, sit down restaurants open…or only “food stands”? And what about Honey Deuce drinks? Are they available during qualies? THANKS SO MUCH TO ALL TENNIS LOVERS OUT THERE FOR YOUR RESPONSES!
Hi Cheryl, thanks! That exhibition benefit on the 24th should be really cool in Armstrong. I’m pretty sure most of the sit-down restaurants will be closed that week – but a good number of the food stands will be open and Honey Deuces should be on sale at several stations. Anyone else remember from last year? PJ
PJ, this is incredibly helpful. Thanks so much for taking time to do all of this. I’ve just requested august 28-31st off to catch the first round of action! I’ve been watching tennis for 20 years but this is my first time going in person. My main goal is to see Serena! I’m also going solo. Considering her announcement I’m really scared to wait but also don’t want to be all the way in New York (from Ohio) with no tix at all. Budget for Ashe tix is $500 tops. If this were you, your first and last opportunity to… Read more »
Hi Mila, great to hear it and you’re welcome! Two options I’d consider: #1: As scary as it seems, I would probably recommend waiting to purchase any tickets until Friday August 26, the day they post the Day 1 and 2 Ashe Schedule and you’ll find out on when exactly Serena will play on Day 1 or Day 2 and which other days thereafter she’ll play if she advances (see my FAQ #1 for how that works). This requires serious commitment on that Friday afternoon, however, of hitting “refresh” on the Daily Schedule of Play page frequently beginning around 4pm… Read more »
Thanks so much for your quick and detailed response! (I posted a second comment so please ignore that one, i just wasnt sure if this one had originally posted!) I too think it would be impossible for them to schedule her for a day session at this point, im thinking Coco for sure though. That also means more ppl would be able to attend the night session. But like you said, we just dont know til the schedule is posted. My whole trip is kinda centered around this, I havent gotten my flight yet but likely will in the coming… Read more »
Hey Mila, you’re welcome! A few thoughts: – Since Serena announced her post-US Open retirement plans, ticket sales for Monday night Ashe have skyrocketed based on speculation (some based on educated guesses, some by folks hoping to resell for a profit, others based on being very misinformed on how things work) and average prices have too. If that ends up being the night she’s scheduled, it will indeed be a really pricey ticket for you to purchase – but as I say there almost certainly will be options for you to at least get in. – For Day, yes you’ll… Read more »
Ok great, good to know on the food! Thats 1 thing I dont mind spending money on LOL. Thanks for the clarification on Ticketmaster as well. I think Im going to stick to them. One other thing Im noticing currently on TM is that they’re giving the row and section, but no assigned seat. I feel like when I looked the other day they gave all 3. Is that something to worry about? I do like the idea of purchasing a tix for both nights. My face would be on the floor if she was scheduled for day, but considering… Read more »
Hi again! If you’re not seeing an assigned seat on Ticketmaster, you may be viewing the selection for Grounds passes (or not actually looking on Ticketmaster). All stadium tickets on Ticketmaster (Ashe, Armstrong, Grandstand), including resale, have assigned row and seat numbers. Do not purchase anything without an assigned row and seat number! P.J.
Friday is the 26th, not the 30th
I know you know that and this was probably a typo, but just in case 🙂
Great job as always PJ!
Courtney what would I do without you?! Thanks so much! Just edited the comment to fix. PJ
Hi PJ, thanks for all this information. As a first timer it is a bit overwhelming but you have made things considerably clearer. I can only attend one evening session on Thursday 1 September. Which court would you pick? My budget is ±$250. Should I get my ticket soon or would it be worthwhile to wait? And can you recommend a hotel nearby? Thanks much in advance.
Hi Annelise, you’re most welcome. As it’s your first time, I definitely recommend Ashe stadium for that evening session. For “when to buy,” see my FAQ #3 for my thinking on that question. For hotels, check out the great list put together by my friend Melissa here. PJ
Hi PJ
coming in from TX to see Open for first time. Very excited. We have first and second days available to attend. Have purchased ground pass for Monday and planning to play by ear for Monday evening and Tuesday. Just found your site (it’s great and so informative) and wondering what you would suggest for those two days for a first timer. Resale ground pass and buy Ashe is obvious option. We are leaning toward keeping Monday ground pass and getting evening Ashe ticket for Tuesday.
Hey David, that’s great you’re coming for your first Open! Your Monday GA ticket will probably not command much $ at all on the resale market, so I’d just keep it knowing it will give you access to SO much great tennis on field courts that first day. My only advice would be to check weather forecast on the Friday afternoon prior — and keep checking that day for when the Day 1 and 2 schedule is posted to see who’s scheduled for Ashe on Mon/Tues (usually posted that Friday). If, for instance, someone you’re dying to see live is… Read more »
I agree…put your money against Ashe evening seat…the best you can afford, either courtside or in the first few rows of (lower) Loge section. I have found a great plan is to get a reserved seat in Armstrong during the day…good seats are really reasonably priced and you will definitely see some big names. Armstrong is wonderful because there is a permanent roof overhead but it is open on the sides, so it is breezy and airy in there. Those Armstrong seats during the day are great because if it is super hot outside, you are shielded from the sun,… Read more »
Thanks, Cheryl!
Stick with day. The day matches usually go late the first two days. Most fans can not do more than 8-9 hrs and those days often last 10-12 and sometimes more. Do not waste a second of your precious time in Ashe in any seat. It is a shockingly horrible stadium. All the good stuff is on the outer courts.
Hi PJ – its been over a decade since I’ve been to the Open and finally going to make it this year! Question – I have tickets to Arthur Ashe, am I required to sit in my assigned seat or can I grab a better seat if open/available? I recall snagging up better seats if they were open, but just wanted to confirm.
Hi Sue, that’s great you’ll be back! The official answer: yes. The reality: fans often try to move up to empty seats and most people are cool about it when it happens – but the level of vigilance by individual ushers (and others in the section) can vary a lot. My thoughts on this: the only way to do this responsibly is to aim for an empty seat within the section you actually hold a ticket for and be prepared to move instantly if ticket holders show up, in fairness to them and everyone else around you. Note: if you… Read more »
Hey PJ., great content. I am from Switzerland and will visit the US Open for the very first time. You gave me all the insights I’ve been looking for. Thanks a lot. Appreciated.
PS. Maybe any ideas on where to sit to be captured on the TV? This would be also interesting content.
ALI
Hi Ali, apologies for the delay – your comment somehow got trapped by a spam filter so I didn’t see it until now! So glad to hear it was helpful. As for TV, sitting in first few rows behind the server (N or S side of the stadiums) is a guarantee to be on camera. Also in the lower rows on the umpire chair side of the stadiums. P.J.
Hi P.J.,
Thank you for your time and passion to help us plan and enjoy our US Open experiences! I’m planning to be there with my brother on Friday, September 2nd and Saturday, September 3rd. First grand slam for either of us, we’re looking to maximize men’s single action. With an eye on your Tip #5 and also wanting to watch an Ashe night match, what combination of stadiums/sessions would you recommend? Given that we only have 2 full days there, our budget is somewhat flexible. But looking for the best value
Hey Aaron, my pleasure! Here’s probably what I’d do if I were taking someone for the first time and wanting to maximize value and focus on Men’s singles: 1. Friday DAY – Ashe (lowest priority from budget perspective, spend the least on this session to allocate more for others). Way cheaper than Saturday Ashe Day. Usually women’s match is on first, so plan to get to the grounds around 9:30am, then head to Grandstand to grab an unreserved seat to catch the first men’s match there (or on Court 17 or Armstrong if there are men’s singles matches there you’d… Read more »
Hi PJ! Great site is right. Quick question: which seats do you think would be better for a day session at Louis Armstrong? Section 7 Row B, Section 5 Rows C/D, or Section 13 Row B? Thanks!
Hi Wendy! I’d personally favor 7B (one of my favorite places to be in that stadium). You’ll also be on camera all day 🙂 13 is facing sun and in sun all day; at least with 7 sun is at your back for most of afternoon. And with 7 you won’t have to turn your head back and forth to follow the ball on every point 🙂 P.J.
Great site, PJ. Taking my high school tennis playing son to the Open for the first time. Have courtside at Armstrong for a day session and planning on upstairs for the evening as you’ve suggested as a strategy (staying in Armstrong concourse between sessions). Is there any trick to where best to wait for entry to the upper GA seating? Does it typically fill up for 2nd round evenings? Probably a stupid question as likely a function of matchups only. Thanks!
Hey Tim, thanks! I actually don’t think courtside Day ticket holders have any advantage in lining up for the GA seats in the evening… I haven’t tried myself, but I just texted a subscription ticket holder friend who said he doesn’t think so either. That said, the evening sessions in Armstrong are usually not packed to capacity during round 2 unless there are incredible matchups – so you should be fine! PJ
Hi PJ, I’m planning a trip with my brother. I saw your note about trading seats, and I’m thinking about getting one court side Arthur Ashe and one court side Loui on Sept 4. I couldn’t find an explicit ticket rules saying that such exchanges are allowed, or are the tickets tied to the same person. Can you please confirm?
Hi Karthik, it’s allowed and possible to swap seats on site with others on site, but more cumbersome than it used to be because of some changes implemented over the past 2 Opens. Key background: — Tickets are entirely mobile via Ticketmaster (even resale tickets will be transferred into the Ticketmaster system). Easiest if you download the app onto your mobile device. — Your name is NOT on your ticket: I.e., it’s not like an airline ticket that must be used by the person who purchased it. — As of last year, they stopped the old practice of printing a… Read more »
Hi P.J,
Thank you so much for such a detailed response. Very helpful.
Will this work as option 3:
Use a 3rd phone with ticketmaster app, and trade phones instead. Hope they are not checking for a valid sim when scanning 🙂
Hey Karthik, you’re very welcome. I really think the screenshots will probably be fine once you’re in the grounds – but yes having that 3d phone might make things easier! P.J.
Hi P.J.
I found information on this blog very useful when I visited day 1 last year.
This year I want to treat a few friends to the open on second Monday evening session at Ashe. Do you think section 53 middle rows are not so great and will have blocked view?
Thanks!
Prady
Hey Prady, even in section 53 the umpire chair isn’t really an obstruction as much as it can be a minor annoyance. This photo (from Armstrong, but same idea and exactly the same model of chair on Ashe) gives a sense. If you can find comparably priced seats on the other (eg see section 16 row D) I’d opt for those. P.J.
Thank you for making it clearer. Cheers!
Thank you for this information! We are headed up for the first week and so many questions have been thoughtfully answered.
I’m thrilled to hear it, Julie, thank you for letting me know!
Hi PJ, This site has been a wealth of knowledge. Thank you for taking the time to put it together and answer everyone’s questions. I would like your suggestion on purchasing tickets like so many others. My daughter and I will be in NYC 9/2-9/6. We’d like to spend Sunday and Monday watching as much tennis as we can. We’d like to see a night match in Ashe and are willing to pay for courtside. I appreciate your help!
Hey Jonie, you’re very welcome, thanks for your thanks! For a night match during that period, I strongly recommend looking on Labor Day evening: it’s round of 16 but average prices historically (and this year too) are below prices for the Fri and Sat night sessions during 3d round. That’s typically the one night I splurge for courtside during the tournament myself. For Sunday, I’d probably recommend Armstrong Day (there is no night session, but there will be several matches on that court to give you a full day’s worth of tennis). If you also want to go on Monday… Read more »
Thank you!
Hi PJ, I really appreciate all the info! I’ll be in New York (and the US!) for the very first time later in the month. I’ll be there for about a week and my trip happens to coincide with the first 3 days of the tournament. I’ve already gone ahead and purchased a Loge ticket in Arthur Ashe for the Tuesday evening session, and I’m looking to perhaps supplement this with a day or evening ticket on either the Monday or Wednesday. Is there anything you would recommend in particular? And is it okay if I wait the day before… Read more »
Hey Jeremy, great you’re coming to visit! I think Monday or Wednesday Day would be a great time to come and take in a ton of tennis, particularly on the non-Ashe courts (see my Tips #1-3 on that point). But would definitely counsel an Ashe ticket so you have the option to enter and see a big name you care about and as rain insurance. Yes absolutely fine to wait until the day before to buy your tickets for those days: there will be plenty, and that way you can play by ear depending on how rest of your schedule… Read more »
Perfect, thank you!
First off, thank you for this incredibly thorough and insightful review of the US Open, it is very appreciated. I am a college student literally trying to go up to NY for and catch some matches for one day. My dream is to see Serena play- that makes it hard to guess which day to pick as well as court to choose to buy tickets from. The day pass you described seems like my best bet. Any other advice before I up and do it? Like I said I’d love to watch Serena but also just want to make the… Read more »
Hi Alec, you’re very welcome! If seeing Serena is your primary goal, I would recommend against a grounds pass. There is a near 100% certainty they will schedule Serena for Ashe stadium – but as I mention under FAQ #1, there’s no way to predict yet whether she will play on Day 1 or 2 during Day or Night. I’d wait until the Friday before (Aug 26) and keep checking for when they post the Day 1 schedule (usually around late afternoon or early evening), see when they schedule Serena, and buy your ticket quickly then (very quickly, because many… Read more »
Thank you so much! This is much appreciated 🙂
Hi PJ, This is the greatest guide I have ever seen thank you so much! I just graduated college, finally have some adult money and am looking to go to 9/2 day session (if work permits), and then every other day/night session from 9/2 to 9/5. What would you recommend in terms of an optimal experience as a huge tennis fan trying to see the most men’s singles matches as possible with a great view? From what I have gathered from your guide I’m thinking 9/2 if i can go during day I will do Grandstand, if not I will… Read more »
Hey Zach, thank you! I’m sure given all that time you’re planning to attend you’ll have an incredible time regardless of your final choices. Here are some of the things I’d probably prioritize if I were going for that entire period (before making any final decisions, be sure you look closely at the 2021 daily schedule for various courts to get a really clear sense of what types of matches are on which courts and when): * 9/2-3 (Fri-Sat): Grandstand DAY sessions. Such a great deal because you get 2 men’s matches and all the seats are great. Risky in… Read more »
Thank you so much for getting back to me PJ, I really appreciate all of your insight. Do you think it would be wise to buy these tickets now, or to wait until closer to the tournament? I know the prices are very unpredictable but from your experience any thoughts? I’m thinking the best move is to just check it everyday to see if any deals come up on the courts you recommended between now and when the tournament start, but not sure if these tickets will start to dry up at a certain point and if it may be… Read more »
Hey Zach, you’re welcome! A rule of thumb as you consider when to purchase: the more availability you see now, the less risk there is in waiting — and the more likely that prices will come down as resellers compete with each other to unload their tickets. There’s no perfect science to time the purchase, but I would definitely first taking time to really analyze average prices for the sessions/ stadiums you’re considering, then take at least a few days to keep monitoring for good deals that may pop up. Every year I’d say I get it right 75% of… Read more »
Hi PJ, thanks so much for this great guide – very helpful! My brother and I are attending the US Open and sightseeing in NYC from the UK for the first time. We have verified resale tickets purchased for Thurs 1st (night session on Armstrong) and Friday 2nd (day session on Armstrong). We were looking to book at least one more session – perhaps either Friday night session on Ashe and having a full day and night at the tournament (and see some outside courts), or 1 session on Saturday (night) or Sunday day or night (Ashe or Armstrong). What… Read more »
Hey Nick, welcome in advance! To answer your Grandstand question first: the queues vary a lot depending on the specific match… so if you see something that interests you on that court, the trick is to go get in line during the middle of the prior match; on Friday Day, you shouldn’t have an issue getting in as long as you time it right. For your third session, I’d probably counsel going back on Sunday during Round of 16. I wouldn’t add Friday night to your Friday day because there’s a good chance that a good match on Grandstand will… Read more »
Thanks for the advice PJ! Much appreciated. Would you recommend holding off buying tickets for Sunday night on Ashe or is it best to buy now? Were looking at tickets up to $200 each so I expect we would be limited to the upper sections of the stadium?
Hey Nick, unfortunately that night always has high demand and this year is no exception. Last year the average resale prices for Loge were between $375-450; and this year the cheapest face-value Loge ticket for that session is $245. So any resale ticket priced below $250 for Loge that session now is a great deal. You may want to wait until much closer and keep checking, knowing that there will absolutely still be promenade options available until the very last minute. P.J.
Thanks for the amazing blog, most detailed US open FAQ and list of tips out there. We(family of 4)last went to the US open ore pandemic and now planning to do it again 3 years later. Took your advice of monitoring the tickets for a couple of weeks and finally decided to bite the bullet for court side seats for day and night session of the second day of the second round $473 standard ticket/day and $500/night. We would like to see all top 4 seeds play so considering a second consecutive day, first day of third round, but court… Read more »
Hi Mohan, thank you! There’s a strong likelihood some more courtside seats will open up for sale for that Wed. However, if it were me, I would wait to make a decision until the Day 1 schedule comes out (usually the Friday night prior, this year Aug 26) and we know which 1/2 of the draw will play on the Tuesday you have those great seats. Say, for instance, Medvedev and Nadal (assuming they’re in the same 1/2 of the draw) are scheduled for Day 2– and you care less about players in the other 1/: in that scenario, you… Read more »