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.












Hi P. J.,
Thanks for your advice last year. This year I have tickets for Armstrong on Monday morning again. They are predicting a lot of rain for Monday. What happens to the matches scheduled for roofless courts if they can’t be played? Will they be moved to Ashe and Armstrong? Will my ticket still reserve my seat?
Thanks for your continued service to the tennis community.
Ted
Hi Ted! Don’t worry in the least- you will be in a great and enviable position. You’ll have 2 great men’s singles and 2 Women’s singles round of 16 matches at least – possibly even more, because there is no separate evening session so if they can squeeze another 1-2 more matches on there due to rain they very well might. Your reserved seat is protected the entire time. There will be massive lines to get into the upper deck for all who bought GA tickets and have nowhere else to go. Matches that can’t be completed on field courts… Read more »
Damn. I wish they schedule Rublev vs Norrie and Nadal vs Tiafoe in Arthur. I don’t want to miss these two matches. I am thinking Ivashka’s match will 100% be in Armstrong. However, Carlos is ranked 3 so I am thinking they will schedule his match in Arthur which might push Rublev vs Norrie in Armstrong. Incredible matches in round 4 on 5th September. Rublev vs Norrie should be in Arthur in my opinion as it will attract a lot crowd. And Nadal match will obv attract a lot of crowd. Do you think rank does matter in scheduling their… Read more »
Hi Rishabh, Incredible Monday lineup indeed – anyone with Ashe or Armstrong tickets will be in for some amazing tennis. I agree it’s nearly 100% that Ivashka/Sinner will be in Armstrong. I’d say Cilic/Carlos almost certainly on Ashe, and Tiafoe/Nadal 100% on Ashe. Rank matters, but so do all kinds of other factors – including the fact that Marin is a past US Open champion; so the storyline of him up against the next gen star will probably be too irresistible to schedule anywhere but Ashe.
Hi PJ,
this is the best site ever! So helpful!
we will be arriving by car at 8 am tomorrow. How easy/hard is it to find the orange and blue zone lots? And do you know how far of a walk it is from the lots to the gates??
thank you!!
Hi Michele, thank you! You should be just fine arriving so early. I don’t think it’s too hard getting from those lots to the gates – although I can’t recall exactly how long the walk takes from each since it’s been ages since I parked in those lots. There are shuttle buses if you need. If you have a chance, please let me know how it goes – this is a bit of a blind spot for me when others ask.
Ok, will do! Thank you!!
Hi PJ Reporting back on our driving experience for future drivers on here! Left Stamford at 7:20, arrived to the Open area in 40 minutes. No traffic on 678 south. Proceeded very easily to the orange zone parking as instructed by various NYPD along the way. Shuttles do not start running until 9:00 from the orange zone to the gates, so we walked 10 minutes to the South Gate. We were 10th in line! Waited 30 minutes until the gates opened at exactly 9:30. Very easy drive, maybe because so early. There was no traffic at all. I was pleasantly… Read more »
Michele, this is music to my ears- and deeply appreciate you taking the time to share it!! You’re the best. Have a phenomenal time today!
You as well, maybe we will have a PJ sighting lol!!
Lol aargh unfortunately just Living vicariously through all of you guys weekend — stuck watching on tv because of some family commitments… but trust me, I’m screaming as loudly at home on some of these matches!
This is fantastic. I’ve gone to Indian Wells but I’ve never gone to the USO. Haven’t gotten around to planning a trip but I always get overwhelmed when I try to research it. This will be super useful when I plan a trip next year.
Hey Nico, thanks! I love Indian Wells too. Look forward to hearing from you next year when you’re planning – feel free to reach out anytime.
Hi PJ, your blog is so useful and it helped me a lot to book my tickets for 5th September. I have day pass in Arthur and I am seated in row A in section 106 (seat 12). Do you think there will be any shade in that section or section 106 is the last one to get the shade? I will reconsider if that is the case.
I also have the night session pass for 5th Sept (Arthur). I can leave the park and renter anytime right because I have day and night passes both?
Hi Rishabh, so glad to hear it! That’s a great seat in section 106 – however unfortunately that is indeed a section that will be in the sun for most of the day. Sorry 🙁 And that’s correct, with your Day session reserved Ashe ticket you can leave and reenter before 6pm, and with your evening reserved ticket you can enter and reenter anytime after 6pm.
Yeah I will not mind the sunlight if they schedule Nadal’s fourth round (only if he wins today) in day. I want Tiafoe to come to 4th round. It will be an electric atmospheres as he is an entertaining player. If it’s night session, I have section 135 Row K. So that should be a good one as well (I think so! Lol, you can give your input on that section selection as well). Finally, I hope they schedule Nadal’s next round in Arthur. I don’t want to go rushing for seats in Armstrong or any other court. It’s challenging… Read more »
That would be an electric match indeed! (this Francis – Diego match right now is INSANE!) They will definitely (100%) schedule Nadal only on Ashe, don’t worry.
Tiafoe just killed it today. Let’s hope Nadal does it now. 4th round will be be worth the money. 🚀
Totally! What a match. And yes, vammmosss Rrrraaaffa!
I signed up for the women’s final viewing party presented by chase – on Ticketmaster it shows ground admission only; but after adding it to my apple wallet – it shows a seat number too – So, what exactly are these tickets providing access to?
Hi Rinka, I’m not aware of anything other than this, and it clearly says it’s general admission and there’s no assigned seating. What exactly does the ticket say for a seat number? I’m 99% sure it’s just free grounds admission.
Yes exactly even I thought so – but the ticket in apple wallet shows section =GA2, row=GA3 and seat =39, which confused me as to what seat is this indicating to.
Hey Rinka, that is weird and confusing indeed – but I bet it’s just an inadvertent glitch in the way they coded things, one which is going to cause folks working at the Open that day a lot of heartache because I’m sure they’re going to get so many questions! Should be awesome to be out there that day though.
Yes true 🙂 Thanks.
SUNDAY SCHEDULE OUT. Daniil v Kyrgios Ashe Night. Blockbuster Armstrong Day lineup. https://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/schedule/schedule13.html
Thanks for all your help PJ – We land at JFK tomorrow 430PM – managed to get row 1 lodge for Kygrios Medvedev at 7Pm (was hoping it would be the second match of the night) I was going to hire a car service to take us to our midtown Manhattan hotel drop bags then bring us back to Billie jean king – assuming all goes well we would get to bill jean king right at 7PM – cutting it very close another option is to go direct to Billie jean king from JFK – I asked before as we… Read more »
Hi Craig, sure thing. Here’s what I’d do if I were you given the relatively tight time fram (other readers may have other strong feelings about this!). Note: this assumes you will be OK dragging your bags a bit: 1. Take a cab/car service to the Open from JFK – going all the way into midtown first and coming all the way back to Queens seems unwise. Have them drop you off on Roosevelt Avenue by the Mets-Willets Point 7 train subway stop (near intersection of 126th Street & Roosevelt Ave, Queens, 11368). This is the same place you’d get… Read more »
Thanks very Much PJ your help is invaluable!
We have decided to uber from JFK to Billie jean king – coming back into midtown at 1AM or so we will be doing a car service just not comfortable being on the train with luggage.
I assume since this is our plan and it seems uber/car service picks up form the new York state pavilion it seems out best bet would be to bag check at the bag check at the south gate?
Please let me know if I have this right
Hey there, yes absolutely the right call on checking at South Gate if that’s your plan. You should be fine as long as you have the car service. Enjoy and let me know how it goes for other folks who may need to know down the road!
Hi PJ,
This might have been asked before but wanted to check as I have a ticket for today evening for Ashe. But as you said gate opens at 6:00 PM is that for the stadium? Can I come early and gain entry to the general area to watch other matches on the Ground court.
Thanks.
Hi Sudi, with an evening ticket you can only enter the US Open grounds at 6pm. Ashe stadium will open at 6:30pm to evening ticket holders, unless they’re running late (unlikely at this point unless for some reason Brooksby starts giving Carlitos a tougher time!)
I have an Armstrong day session ticket but due to scheduling issues I can’t make it until 5 PM. I want to use the ticket as a grounds pass to see the evening Armstrong and outer court matches. Is there a certain time I have to enter the tennis center before I’ll be turned away?
Hey Anthony, they’ll let you in anytime before 6. Used to be 5pm but they adjusted it this year so you’ll be fine!
Hi PJ. Thx again for all the info. We have tix for Ashe night session tonight 9/4. What time would you suggest showing up at the venue tonight? We’ll be arriving on the 7 train. Leaving yesterday there was a huge crowd trying to get in to see Serena. Thx again!
Hi Sam, sure thing! Last night the lines were massive at 6pm. I’d recommend getting there by 5pm if you can so you are far enough ahead in line to get in early enough to relax, get drinks, etc. It’s like arriving at the airport early: sometimes it feels unnecessary, but always better than the alternative with the stress of running to catch the flight. PJ
Hi PJ,
We will be forced to drive on Sep 4th (a Mets game day). How early do we need to get the stadium to get a reasonably close parking spot and arrive on time for the 11 am Armstrong matches? Thanks as always for the help!
Hi Harmit, if it were me I’d arrive no later than 830am to be on the safe side and make things less stressful. PJ
Thanks!
Hey pJ
Any idea if there is a size limit to the bag check at east and south gates? We are landing at 430 Sunday and may opt to go directly to the stadium as opposed to hit first. So would have two sledge “airport checked” suitcases
Hi Craig, no limit on size for the bag check, but there is a limit of one per ticket holder – so as long as you each have one you’ll be fine. PJ
What’s the earliest I can enter the grounds if I only have an evening ticket (in Ashe)?
Also, does the first come first serve section in Armstrong become ticketed at night? If not, doesn’t that guarantee they never sell out the stadium in the evening? Can I sit in there with my Ashe evening ticket?
Hi Lisa, 6pm entry for Day session ticketholders. Anyone can access unreserved GA seating on every non-Ashe court (including Armstrong) anytime, day or night, once you’re in the grounds. Around 90% of Armstrong’s general admission section (upper section) is never ticketed, however a small number of seats on the N and S of that section are ticketed and/or reserved for Ashe full-series subscribers on a first-come basis. PJ
So. Serena ‘has left the building’. A huge amount of star power is gone from Ashe. How does this affect court assignments for Mens Sunday Round 4. I imagine there will be two on ashe and two on armstrong. Of the four Rd of 16 men’s matches on Sunday, where will they end up? I know nothing is ever certain, but with the loss of Serena, Ashe needs to compelling. I am thinking: Ashe Kyrgios v Medvedev (provided Medvedev wins tonight) Berretini v Davidovich Armstrong Ruud v Moutet Busta v Khachanov Any thoughts based on your experience? Especially regarding Day… Read more »
Hey Courtney, yeah it was a tough night for all of us… Her departure probably won’t impact the men’s placements at all – it only could have if she and Venus had continued to win and they were contemplating adding their doubles matches to Ashe (which they are almost certainly not going to do for anyone else). I don’t want to speculate on which matches will be where, because there are many factors that go into their decisions beyond TV ratings… I have seen Federer and Djokovic on Night multiple times on holiday weekends, and I don’t want to lead… Read more »
Thanks for your reply PJ. I did get Ashe for day and night. I just can’t handle not knowing I may not have a seat. My fear is what you said- that they will put Busta Khachanov on ashe… And of the four matches that’s the one I want to see least. I REALLY want to see Davidovich Fokina play! He’s fun!
Happy weekend to you!
OMG I’m dying to see the Busta Khachanov match, really like watching them both! Agree on Davidovich! Happy weekend back!
You made me feel better now. The reason I don’t react to see it is that Karen hasn’t been amazing lately and Busta has. I feel like it will be a quick one but you are prob right. Itll be good.
I just saw on TM Sunday ashe Day session courtside seats for $440. That’s surprising. Should I grab it?
OMG absolutely on Sunday if it’s still there!
My mistake. It was armstrong. But now I see it looks like round of 16 is only day armstrong – 3 matches. Is that normal? Or maybe I again made a mistake as I did not have my glasses on even looking at the tm app!
Yes, always 3 day matches on Armstrong (usually 2 women’s singles, 1 men’s singles).
End of an era with Serena.
No one on the women’s side has the star power.
If Nadal wasn’t playing this year, the same can be said for the men’s side about the lack of star power.
Kygrios has the star power but he like Coco Gauff has yet to win a Grand Slam.
Hi PJ,
If my friend is going to the 11am Louis Armstrong match but I wanna see the 2pm Tiafoe match, can he leave the stadium then screenshot his ticket and let me use his ticket to re-enter? Or would he be able to get a paper ticket and give to me so I can re-enter for the later day match?
Thanks!!
Hey Charlie, there aren’t any paper tickets or receipts anymore – so best option is for you guys to transfer the ticket via the app back and forth (takes seconds, you can transfer either to a cell # or email). He can also save to his wallet then transfer and it will effectively be the same a screenshot (and safer in case the ticket checker tries to swipe to verify). If you screenshot be sure to do the wallet view without the barcode.
Hi PJ, does front kiosk sell ground pass for standard rate? I checked ticketmaster and there is only resale ticket for Saturday session. Want to try my luck and see if I can get cheaper tickets tomorrow morning.
Thank you!
Hi Cindy, if there are not GA standard tickets listed on Ticketmaster, they will not have them at the box office. They do not keep a separate stash there that is different. They sometimes do release GA tickets on the same day, but if they do those would also be listed on Ticketmaster. The only advantage to buying JC to the box office if they are available is they waive any service fees.
I live in the city…Can you show up to the box office and buy GA? You used to be able to. Thx!
Hi Steph, it depends entirely on the day whether there’s any availability. If there are not GA standard tickets listed on Ticketmaster, they do not have them at the box office. They do not keep a separate stash there that is different. They sometimes do release J tickets on the same day, but if they do those would also be listed on Ticketmaster.
I attended on Aug 31. This site was very helpful. Thank you! I will reiterate to NOT try to do rideshare over by the globe after a night session. Wow. Total fiasco.
Thank you Jonathan!!
This is an amazing thread, thanks so much! I just wanted to ask if it is possible to take food into the ground with you? Like a sandwich or something light? Thanks again!
Yes. I usually bring in fruit, popcorn, bagel type stuff without problems. If it’s 10 sandwiches maybe not but they allow small amounts of snacks. I also bring in a 24 Oz iced tea from Dunkin Donuts (and then refill it with water the rest of the day).
I saw some people with simple sandwiches and small bags of potato chips.
Remember — no backpacks.
https://www.usopen.org/en_US/visit/prohibited_items.html
What does the shade situation look like on the Grandstand court? Thinking of posting up there all day tomorrow for the matches. Any thoughts/tips would be much appreciated.
Hi Drew, the only shade in Grandstand is in highly coveted unreserved seats at the top of the West side (behind the chair umpire) under the canopy that overhangs. Go early to stake out a spot!
Any idea where Uber/Lyft can drop off (main gate vs. south gate)?
Thanks!
Hi John, it depends entirely on the day and time (and direction you’re coming). When it’s really busy, they sometimes close off some streets. I always try to get dropped off by the Mets-Willets 7 train stop just across from Citi Field on Roosevelt Ave. But that isn’t always possible.
Others have recent experiences/ recs?
Hey PJ,
Just to share my experience with you and others, I was able to get a cheap day session ashe promenade yesterday (Thursday) at $117 (including fee) as they released standard tickets at 11-12 hour mark.
Same happened for evening session around 7 pm mark and I was getting at $150 mark but passed because tired.
So it’s prudent to wait and refresh Ticketmaster and exercise quickly when opportunity presents. General prices remain at the level anyway.
Did you go first then buy, or buy then head out? Thx
Hey again Steph, also depends entirely on the situation and context. I personally will head out on the same day when I’m convinced that there is some thing with my budget available but I am waiting until the last minute for a special deal to Popup Dash and I am willing to take the chance. There are other times where that is not always a wise move, because availability may be so limited and there may not be anything in your budget – so you risk a trip for nothing. It’s very much an individual call, and I just recommend… Read more »
I second the point of being super familiar with ticket situation and willing to buy at the prevailing price if that good deal doesn’t show up.
And to answer your question, I purchased on the way knowing fully well that I may have to pay the prevailing $250 price.
Same for the evening, as I was on the grounds watching other games hoping for the cheaper tickets to show up.
Thanks Prady!
I had a grounds pass for today and I checked the Ashe seats for the day session and saw a row A courtside for $466 and then lowered to $400 just before the hour mark after start of match so I snagged it so had a front row for Andy Murray-Berettini and Coco-Madison matches. I always look for the helluva it to see if someone tries to sell for a bargain.
Hi PJ, this is the mot helpful sight ever! Thank you again! We are arriving by car (i know not advised, but its our only option right now) by 8 am on Sunday 9/4. Do you think there will be spots in the US Open parking lots at that time? I am confused after reading some things…do we need paid for parking passes to get into these lots? Does it make more sense to head right to the orange and blue zone lots (i know there is a Mets game that day so Citi Field parking is not an option).… Read more »
Hi Michele, thank you! You should be fine that early. It’s $30 to park when you arrive (you don’t need a pass). I don’t recall how long the walk is (anyone else?). There are shuttles available. PJ
SATURDAY SCHEDULE IS OUT (Nadal night for third straight session!): https://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/schedule/schedule12.html
Freebies:
New for Chase card holders: Free iced tea, lemonade and snacks and ice cream periodically at the Chase Terrace, when you head up the stairs to Grandstand it is on the left. No reservations needed. Show your chase card and you get access to the comfy sometimes shady terrace overlooking court 8.
Havent confirmed this myself but my friend said if you go to the Cadillac mini-showroom, and submit to wathcing a video of theirs, you get a $20 gift card for the food court.
The $20 gift card is true. I did it.
Hi everyone (and PJ) – I went for the evening session yesterday (very lucky!) and the Honey Deuce lines felt insurmountable, especially inside of Ashe. I’m going back for a day session tomorrow and wondering if anyone has found any reliably / relatively quick Honey Deuce vendors this year anywhere on the premises?
Thanks so much!
Hey Ian! Yeah, that’s been my experience especially inside Ashe on Loge/Promenade level. My go-to backup has been Grandstand Village, which has been a little lighter every time I try. Anyone else?
I loved last year’s specialty drink. Was so underwhelmed by this year’s Honey Duece that I was mad. It is just Chambord and vodka pour into Minute Maid lemonade. The bartender said it was the easiest drink he ever made.
It’s easy to make at home too – and better with high quality lemonade! However, they have been using exactly the same recipe and ingredients at the Open for years.
Can’t thank you enough for all of this info. Regarding this Thursdays session, you write that you can get onto the grounds for free, but can you watch the doubles semifinals if they are in Armstrong (or Grandstand) without a ticket? Can you access the general admission sections? Thanks!
Hey Joseph, you’re welcome! YES on Armstrong for Thursday! COURTSIDE seating is open and free in Armstrong for that session. It’s one of the best-kept secrets. GO!
Hi PJ, thanks for the tip! I got armstrong tickets for the 4th and the 5th, do you know if I can leave the grounds and re-enter during the day?
Hi Kyle, sure thing! Yes, Day session ticket holders can leave the grounds and re-enter until 6pm. PJ
Hi PJ
Thanks for sharing your wealth of knowledge!
You have described above how tickets can be shared for re-entry. Before I get my daughters all excited at the prospect of attending the Open, I wanted to be absolutely sure that I understood the process.
Is it as simple as handing them the printed receipt received after scanning the digital ticket when we exit the stadium? i.e. they will not require anything more than the printed ticket for entry (since the digital would be on my phone).
Thanks!
Hi Sandy, they actually no longer give out printed receipts after scanning tickets – so the only way to share a seat once you’re inside the grounds is to hit the “Transfer” option within the Ticketmaster app and send to their mobile # or email. They can transfer the ticket back to you if you want to reenter the stadium yourself later. Just to be clear: this only works if all parties have separate individual tickets to enter the US Open grounds (I.e., separate individual tickets that can be scanned at the initial entry point into the grounds at the… Read more »
Hi PJ thank you so much for all your tips – they’ve been super helpful on each visit here. Question re Armstrong – have you heard If allowing Day session ticket holders to remain in the stadium has changed this year? In the past (as your blog notes) we were permitted to remain in the concourse to access unreserved seating after cleaning. I just checked this with an usher this morning and he indicated that we will need to exit the stadium and re queue outside? Was he mistaken (I hope). Appreciate your thoughts thank you!
Hi Barbara, I meant to try this as an experiment earlier this week but couldn’t get to it… so unfortunately can’t confirm for sure. They may have gotten more strict about this, so the usher may be right. Could you please let me know what your experience is later today?
If anyone else has had first-hand experience this year please chime in!
Hi P.J. confirming that indeed Day session ticket holders are now required to exit Armstrong stadium completely and queue for general admission. I asked a couple of employees – some actually said that if the day session rang longer then patrons could remain in the concourse within the stadium. However today’s day matches rang long and we still had to exit. Hope this helps! And thank you again
Thank you so much Barbara!!!
I also heard folks saying that their friends stayed in the bar in Armstrong and were not asked to leave during day to evening changeover. Another strategy perhaps!
on Tues (30th), following Armstrong day session, although they cleared everyone from reserved seats, folks were allowed to stay (not required to exit). Employees were going up to people asking to see nighttime tickets in order to stay in the arena.
Thanks Dupree! Great to have that additional intel.
If try to linger and then hide in the bathroom to see if I could avoid exiting…
is it possible to scalp tickets outside the venue?
Hi James, NYC law prohibits reselling 1500 feet away from the venue (which is effectively anywhere near the entrance). PJ
Thanks for sharing all your info! Very helpful in planning my visit.
Hello PJ and thank you for providing this excellent website for us tennis fans. On Thursday 9/8 you mentioned that it is free to enter the grounds. Do the gates open at 11 or 12 pm? Can you tell me which stadium the Men’s double matches are played in and the time those matches start?
TY Brian
Hi Brian, they open at 11am on Thursday. Men’s doubles will almost certainly be on Armstrong (unless they make any unanticipated changes from prior year patterns). PJ
If anyone is inside today (Day 2 Sep 2) and would like to attend matches in Armstrong, have an extra ticket I’d be happy to offer in Section 2. Reply to this comment and hopefully PJ can connect us.
Ticket was given away. 🙂
Hi PJ, Need your guidance again. I already have Ash tickets for tomorrow evening session (Saturday) for my self and my 11 year old son. One of my sons tennis club passed two tickets to me for tomorrow evening session (Saturday) for Armstrong. Now there is a clash of timing as both the tickets are for tomorrow evening session (Ashe and Armstrong). Do you think it is a good idea to have both tickets and cover match in both stadium. Is it practically possible? What is your guidance in this kind of situation if there is a timing conflict. My… Read more »
Hi Sudi, I’d wait until tomorrow’s schedule is announced this afternoon (start checking around noon) to see who’s playing before making your decision. If Nadal is playing Day and you see a match on Armstrong that you and your son would love to attend – but also something appealing on Ashe too – I’d keep both and see a bit of both (absolutely manageable to go back and forth a couple times). If Nadal is Day and Armstrong would be enough for evening, you could post your Sat evening tickets for resale and probably get back enough to cover a… Read more »
I think the schedule is posted and it is Nadal for night. Maybe you can watch Nadal first and then catch Sinner at Armstrong after the Iga match :p
Hi PJ,
One more question. For the Women’s Final / Mixed Doubles Final on 9/10 at Noon, is this two matches as well? And which match is played first? What is the length of the transition from one match to another (presuming this is the same way it works for the Women’s Semifinal matches)?
Thanks again!!
Nat
Hey Nat, yup they’re both in the same session. Mixed usually has a Noon start, the women’s final is usually a “not before 4pm” start. So quite a bit of time between the two – whereas for the women’s semis they are back-to-back the same evening. Unfortunately a lot of folks don’t attend the mixed doubles final and only arrive closer to the start of the women’s singles final… Recommend you not miss the mixed dubs because it is always exciting to watch! PJ
There used to be secret Courtside seating for general admission in the grandstand before the reno. Is there anything like that now?
Hey Beverly, if there is it’s a secret to me!
OH WELL, DO YOU REMEMBER IT THOUGH, THE COURTSIDE GA?
Unfortunately I never knew about that or took advantage back then!!
PJ
I know you hate to make bets or guesses on AM vs PM on Ashe – but If Serena and Kygrios+Medvedev win tomorrow who do you think plays in the evening Sunday or do they share it?
Hey Craig, I think they’d likely split Serena and Daniil since they’ve scheduled them together 2 sessions in a row… Apart from that, not gonna guess 🙂
Hi P.J.,
Thanks for the invaluable information on your website! This is our first time going to the US Open.
I’ve got a dumb question. We have tickets to the Women’s Semifinals at 7pm on 9/8. Are these tickets for one match or both?
Thank you!
Hi Nat, not a dumb question! They’re for both matches – enjoy! PJ
Thanks, PJ!
Hi PJ, thanks so much for this guide! As someone looking to get the cheapest tickets, do you have any predictions on whether Tuesday’s or Wednesday’s day sessions will be the better show?
Hey Eric, so much can happen between now and then! I would personally be happy with either probably equally. Tues Day could Berrettini v Paul or Ruud if things go well for either (I would suspect that a Khachanov V Medvedev or Kyrgios matchup would be night). Wed Day could see either Alcaraz v say Sinner — or if Nadal loses then Tiafoe v say Shapo (Nadal would be eve almost certainly if he advances). Bottom line: I’d say look at whichever half of the draw you like more players in and choose based on that!
My friend pointed me to this blog and it’s been SO helpful! It’s my first time and I am going to the day session tomorrow in Armstrong and am super excited about those matches. Then Sunday evening in Ashe. The one thing I have learned is that I bought tickets for the same side of the bracket…certainly not complaining, but I want to see as many players as possible. Guess I’ll have to come back!
Hey Kris, you just helped me realize a big point I need to add in next year’s revisions… Thank you! I usually recommend that in comments (for folks to try to hedge bets by buying on second day of one round and first of the next) but realize it’s not in the actual post. Thank YOU for being so helpful! PJ
Also for reference, I’m in Armstrong, section 4, row G, seat 1 & 2 and we are finally in the shade at 12:45. 3rd set of the first match. That sun is HOT! And there is even a little breeze…
Thanks Kris! Yeah that first hour and 45 min can be brutal.. But you’re safe the rest of the day now!
Also for reference, I was at Armstrong yesterday for the day session. Section 4, Row G, seat 1 and I was thankfully in the shade at 12:45. That sun was hot! We very much appreciate your shade maps!! The umpire chair blocked our view a little, but I’ll take the shade!
Sorry that I posted this twice. 😬 I didn’t think it went through the first time…🤦🏼♀️
No worries!
Hi! Does Louis Armstrong ever fill up? If yes, how early do you recommend arriving? I want to see the 11am game tomorrow (before tickets to Ashe at noon), and can’t figure out how early to get there to guarantee a seat. It doesn’t need to be a good seat, just a seat!
Hi Danielle, the Jabeur-Rogers match will likely be crowded but not impossibly so… That said, I’d recommend if you can to arrive by the east gate entrance by around 9am, get in line, try to be among the first wave in, and go directly to Armstrong (soon after you check your ticket on the right) and grab a GOOD seat, which is worth doing! Ask the person next to you to save it if you need to go get food, drinks, whatever and you can return the favor. Enjoy! PJ
Hi PJ, your website has been so helpful! I really want to watch Serena’s singles match tomorrow Sep 2 at night. Prices are through the roof though! Any helpful strategies of how to get “a good deal” at this point? Will they still be selling tickets at the front kiosk tomorrow afternoon? Do you advise checking websites for tickets tomorrow early afternoon? 1 or 2 hours before the match? Other suggestions? Thanks so much.
Hey Jeff, I wish I could give some special insight on this one – it’s really a pretty extraordinary experience, the combo of Serena still in the tournament AND on Friday night of Labor Day weekend when a huge amount of tourists are in town adding to the demand. I would recommend setting a max budget, monitoring the ticket situation on (Ticketmaster, Stubhub and other sites I mention in my post), and waiting until you see something decent that fits in your budget. It’s unlikely there will be too many last-minute deals – but keep in mind that Ticketmaster keeps… Read more »
Just wanted to say thanks again for the tips!! I waited outside of Flushing Meadows and was able to buy tickets about 30 minutes before the match started, and they were over $100USD cheaper than earlier that day. So surreal to be watching Serena live in-person at her last professional match ever. Will remember this forever.
Jeff, you are most welcome and that’s awesome to hear, thanks for letting me know!! PJ
If you are a fan of Serena I HIGHLY suggest you purchase the cheapest promenade ticket you can find. I was there Monday, and having attended several Beyonce concerts and seeing Kobe on his farewell tour, I have never seen or heard anything like i did on Ashe that night. I too did not want to sit in the nosebleeds, especially for those prices, but I didnt want to risk the tix going up even further so I bought one. Now with that being said, although I bought nosebleed tix, that is not where I wound up sitting 🙂 !!!… Read more »
Hi
This will be our first US Open and we are bringing our twin boys so there will be 4 of us coming from Philly. I read that you don’t recommend driving and was wondering the reasons why. For us, it would be cheaper and we are thinking maybe easier?
Thank you
Hi Shannon, for anyone who has a choice I strongly advise against it. For those who must drive, you can certainly make it work – but (1) arrive as early as you possibly can and (2) if it’s on a day when the Mets are playing a home game, arrive even earlier. As an experiment for the blog I drove Monday (non Mets day) and Tuesday (Mets day) this week. Monday wasn’t bad at all and I arrived fairly late (around 10am); but on Tuesday, I hit massive traffic coming in, the trip that should have taken me 25 minutes… Read more »
Don’t do it! Cheaper is not better especially when it comes to driving to US Open and parking. We did it on Sunday, and I would never do it again. It was our first time. Google Maps is totally wrong about drive time. It took me 2+ hours one way from exit 8 of NJ Turnpike to when we finally arrived on the grounds. Lots of traffic and then there is the parking problem. On weekends, the park where you will be parking is crowded with many locals. The “roads” inside the park are unmarked. How to get out of… Read more »
Hi P.J. This has been my go to website for all US Open details. I have shared this website to many of my family and friends. Thank you so much for keeping up, USTA should pay you. 🙂 What are your thoughts of Nadal (hopefully wins tonight) playing day session on Sat?
Hi Noriya, thank you so much for the incredibly kind words! I hesitate to make any predictions on that front as there’s never any sure way to predict whether players will be scheduled for day or night sessions. Many a fan has been heartbroken after spending a lot of money on expensive seats based on erroneous predictions. Case in point: in 2019, Djokovic was scheduled for 3 consecutive Ashe Night sessions and Federer for 3 consecutive Ashe Day sessions (Days 3, 5, and 7). If Nadal wins tonight, definitely keep refreshing the schedule page as often as you can beginning… Read more »
This site has been so helpful for this native NY’er first time to the Open. I’m so grateful for this site. Can anyone tell me if they indeed see people bringing food into the stadiums. I know the chatbot says it’s allowed but I haven’t seen or heard anyone actually doing it.
Hi Melissa, here’s the official rule for 2022: “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.” FYI: they will only inspect your bag when you enter the grounds and go through security, not again before you enter any stadium.
I bring in fruit, bagel, popcorn and an iced tea from Dunkin Donuts all the time. I have a shopping tote bag
I can confirm that you can bring food! Saw some ppl munching on homemade sandwhiches. I was there Monday! I also saw ppl with bags much larger than what they say is allowed, like tote bags. However, you never know who you might get at the gate so best to be on the safe side. Also, I had the pizza, nothing to write home about, definitely not worth the money. However the chicken tenders and waffle fries were really good and worth the $16, especially if youre staying for a night session as most restaurants will be closed by the… Read more »
got section 113 for September 7th for $600, i hope its worth it!
Hey Michael, fingers crossed you get to see some good matches! PJ
You are a legend for this. My first time going this year. This has been my bible. Took your advice and got hopefully decent seats (sec 9 row Q) in Louis Armstrong for the Saturday day session. A thousand thank yous!
Jonathan, I’m SO happy to hear it’s been helpful, thank you!! And Section 9 in Armstrong is awesome. Have a great time! PJ
Hi,
I came to New York with lots of excitement with my family to see Nadal and got day session tickets for for Arthur Ash for 1st September, but came to know that Nadal is scheduled to paly at night, I need some help what to do now ? I was told that my day session Arthur Ash won’t give me access to Arthur Ash. Any suggestion what can we do ?
Hi Tooryalai, Yes unfortunately he is and there’s no way you could have known (there is no way to predict in advance whether players will be scheduled for Day or Night sessions, you either have to take a chance or wait until the schedule is released the day before). Here’s more detail on how it all works. Your only option for tonight is to buy another ticket for tonight’s session – there are tickets available on Ticketmaster, Stubhub, etc but unfortunately prices are through the roof because the Williams sisters doubles match is also on. So sorry!
Thanks @P.J. for the reply. Yeah ticket prices are way too much and over my budget. Do you think I can just go there and stand and get to any unoccupied seat in Arthur Ash ? Will they actually allow people who has no evening tickets to get in to Arthur Ash in the first place ? What if I go inside the Arthur Ash with my day ticket (since my day ticket is for Arthur Ash) and not leave Arthur Ash until the evening and that way I by-pass ticket screeners and just wish that those seats are not… Read more »
Hi Tooryalai, unfortunately there are no unreserved seats in Ashe – they do not allow anyone without an evening session ticket to enter. They clear the stadium between the day and evening sessions. You will be able to watch from outside the stadium on a big screen with other fans, if that’s any consolation. Following the Williams sisters’ match, you might want to wait outside Ashe for folks leaving and see if anyone is leaving for the night and would be willing to transfer their ticket to you… always worth a shot, many fans want to help other fans!
Hi PJ,
Do you mean there is a giant screen outside the stadium where you can watch with other fans without entering the stadium and the ones without the ticket? will it be too crowded and any sitting arrangements here. First timer hence asking this.
Thanks.
Hi Sudi, correct. No seats, but there are some ledges to sit on… although it will likely be pretty crowded.
Hi P.J. thanks for writing this.
I’m going for the first time ever with my brother and we are going on 9/5 @7PM in Arthur Ashe. I know the scheduling is random but we do get to see two matches in men’s/women’s singles, correct?
Thanks.
Hi Roger, before yesterday I would have said “definitely” — but after they scheduled Serena/Venus yesterday for doubles on Ashe Night tonight in place of a women’s singles match, I will never say “definitely” again (I thought they’d do Day Ashe, which in and of itself would have been a huge exception). Almost certainly, you’ll have 1 men’s singles and 1 women’s singles round 16. You’ll definitely get 2 matches. But there’s a chance one could be doubles with Serena/Venus if they advance… PJ
Perfect. Two matches is definitely worth the ticket regardless if its duos or singles 😀