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.












This match sinner vs lvashka and it was very late. As you can see there were many empty seats. How come they did not let us seat at the court side to fill up and make it looks good on tv? Last year they let us seat anywhere during the late games and plenty of empty seats.
Hey Chris, totally agree they should. I’ve also been there some nights in the past when they’ve actually allowed that, but it’s always been unofficial and they just let it happen and people figure it out… I also wish as a general rule they’d just make an announcement in those circumstances and actually encourage it.
To encourage people to stay late for the games( after 11pm), they should let the people sit anywhere they want and best of all, reduce the prices of food by 50%…!!!
Hey PJ, what happens at the center the rest of the year…? :/
Hey Ken, it’s a tennis center with lots of training throughout the year – and anyone (no membership required) can also access clinics and lessons. Details here https://www.ntc.usta.com/
Hey PJ,
A question about Sunday Grounds Passes. On TM, there is only an option for the free “Men’s Final Viewing Party Presented By Chase” – and there are no tickets listed. Yet Stubhub is selling some – at a profit of course.
Will there be a release of Sunday grounds passes for purchase?
For reference here is the page on TM about the Chase free grounds passes.
https://www.ticketmaster.com/mens-final-viewing-party-presented-by-flushing-new-york-09-11-2022/event/1D005D1EFE3F70AD
THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Courtney, I thought they were going to release $25 grounds passes on Ticketmaster – in fact one of the representatives via the US Open chat confirmed that was the plan weeks ago— but it now looks like the sponsored “Chase Watch Party” has superseded those plans. Now it currently says sold out, and I don’t know whether they’re planning on releasing more. All I can say is keep checking Ticketmaster – I would be surprised if they don’t release more tickets, but one never knows!
Hi they released some more Chase viewing party free grounds passes
I don’t understand though if they offer an unlimited amount of grounds passes how does everybody get to see the big screen? Is there even room for everyone to get an unobstructed view?
I’ll probably give away 2 of the 4 passes I got once I check with friends to see if anyone wants to go If I do have some to give away I’ll post a new comment on the blog.
Thanks 🙂
Hi PJ – looking to procure Grounds Pass for tomorrow to watch Alcaraz vs Tiafoe on site – is this possible? Will they be showing the match outside Arthur Ashe on the big screen?
Hi Danny, YES! Just go to Ticketmaster via my links above and you’ll see the options ($28).
Hi PJ, how strict are they about the 6pm entry tomorrow for the 7pm semi final? Do you think they’d let us into the grounds an hour or 2 earlier? Thanks!
Hi Sophie, the official rule is 6 PM. Whether or not individual security people on specific days look the other way is entirely a big question mark. You can always try, but just be prepared for someone to say no – that is what they’ve been told for doing their job.
Hey PJ – what is the schedule of play tomorrow? Does the 12pm Ashe get access to Mens doubles + 1 Men’s semifinals and the 7pm Ashe just entail the other Men’s semifinal and that’s it? Any way to know which semifinal happening first or second? Thanks!
Hi Marty, there are 2 sessions: (1) Day (including Men’s doubles at Noon + 1st semi with Khachanov/Ruud at 3pm) and (2) Night (just the Men’s semi with Alcaraz/Tiafoe). They haven’t posted officially, but it’s 100% they’ll put Carlos and Frances at night to give a little more recovery time to Carlos in light of their match being a day after the other.
The ticket says general admission to the other courts except Arthur Ashe, is there anything specific in those grounds?
Hi Mobeen, it depends on the day… see the schedule of play for the day here https://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/schedule/index.html?promo=subnav – and see my day-by-day breakdown (orange button) in box 1 in my post.
Hi PJ, I just discovered your site today and didn’t know about the Chase Lounge reservation. I logged in but didn’t find anything for the US Open. Does that mean it’s filled for today? Would I still be able to get in later?
Thanks!
Hi Elle, I believe so – best thing to do is check when you get there and get on the waiting list in person if you’d like to try to access.
PJ – I see some tickets in the accessible row (last row) for sale. Can anyone buy these or are they only for fans that have disabilities?
Hi Ramon, here’s the text that will pop up if you select those seats for purchase: You have selected Wheelchair Accessible tickets. Please agree to the following terms and conditions to start your purchase: Per order delivery and/or processing fees are added when applicable. Accessible seating locations (i.e. Wheelchair spaces and companion seats) are intended for use by individuals with disabilities and their companions. By purchasing tickets for accessible seating through Ticketmaster, you represent that you or a member of your party has a disability that requires accessible features provided by the seating locations being purchased. Ticketmaster may investigate potential… Read more »
Thank you again for all your work on the initial blog and your responsiveness to the comments here. I think we may head out to the community day today. Any idea how crowded Armstrong will get for the doubles matches? If we get there around 1 pm will it be possibe to still get in, especially for the courtside seats? Thanks!
Hi Joseph, you should be absolutely fine at 1pm in getting into courtside seats – enjoy and let me know how it goes!!
Got there just after 1 and caught the last 2 sets of the Salisbury-Ram and Cabal-Farah match. We were able to sit in the 3rd row courtside! Basically empty crowd but the fans that were there (mostly the ones rooting for Cabal and Farah) created an amazing atmosphere, felt more like a soccer game! I even ended up getting Salisbury and Rams autographs. Can’t thank you enough for writing about today. Can’t believe more people don’t take advantage of such an incredible opportunity. Thank you!!
Hey Joseph, So glad you went!! I was dying to be there myself. Btw I have met Farah and Cabal via Zoom for some meetings – they are awesome, humble guys who are so passionate about helping others.
So cool!
Thanks for the information! So helpful as someone traveling from out of state!
For Grounds passes during the men’s semi-finals, do you have to enter the grounds by a certain time? The ticket says 11am but we will not be in the area until 6pm on Friday night and we want to head over that evening after we get checked in.
Hi Yoshi, you’re welcome! Normally they cut off for entry with a grounds ticket is 6pm… You may find a person at security though who is willing to let you in and not be strict about that rule, especially given that it’s late in the tournament and the pressure on grounds entry will be minimal.
Thank you for the reply! Do you know if this is the same case if we purchase seats in Ashe? Do they have a cut-off entry time for reserved seats ? I am thinking we will not arrive at Ashe until around 8pm so we will be late by an hour.
Hi Yoshi, there is no cut off time for evening session entry. You can enter as early as 6 PM, but anytime after that.
Hey PJ, thanks so much for the blog! Very informative. Is today Thursday the 8th free community day?
Thanks, Mary
Hi Mary, you’re welcome and correct! Gates open at 11am. Schedule here: https://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/schedule/schedule17.html
Excited to head to the September 8th community day today, thanks for the tip! I’ve never heard of it and I’ve been living in NYC for a decade. 🙂
Disappointed they split the Men’s singles semifinals as far as I understand. So we won’t know if Tiafoe v Alcaraz is day or night tomorrow the 9th until the schedule is out today? But then again what are the chances they wouldn’t put Alcaraz in the night session?
Hey Oscar, definitely go out there if you can, it’s an awesome day! Tomorrow night will 99.99% be Alcaraz-Tiafoe. They need to give Carlitos maximum recovery time given last night’s match in fairness to him (not to mention it will be the blockbuster match of the tournament in my view).
Hey PJ! Great blog. First timer heading the mens semifinals. I have tickets for the 7pm match, what time can I enter the grounds?
Hey Chelsea, thank you! It’s going to be amaaaaazing!! Will definitely be Carlitos v Big Foe, and I can’t imagine a more electric match up right now, especially after last night’s historic totally epic match. So excited for you! You can enter at 6pm. I’d get there by 5:30 at the absolute latest (5:15 if you can) just to avoid the crush closer to 6pm at the East Gate and give you more time to be relaxed entering the grounds, grabbing food, etc). Have a blast.
Another question – any feedback on any deals at Tennis Point store in the stadium? I am actually looking for a new racquet and was hoping there might be some deals there.
Hey Dave, I popped in there just to check out the clothes but wasn’t looking at equipment so didn’t notice, sorry! (FYI if you play with Wilson they have a whole bunch of demos available to try on the court inside the Amex Fan Experience just to the left after you enter the East Gate across from Armstrong… not sure what the schedule is, but I was able to get out and hit a little on that court last week).
Hi, great blog I must say. Just love it. Any suggestion for the Semi final on Friday? Do I need separate tickets? My ticket says Mens doubles finals and Mens semifinals. Does this mean my ticket include both semi finals?
Hey Dave, thank you! Awesome you’re going. Your ticket includes the Men’s doubles starting at Noon followed by the 1st Men’s singles semi at 3pm. (It doesn’t include the second semi, now a separate session as of 2019). Have a blast!
Thanks for the helpful guide! I’m taking my dad who has mobility issues. Do you know if there’s any special entrances for people with mobility issues? We just want to make sure he’s not overwhelmed by the crowd
Hi! My understanding is that the accessible entrance is at the South Gate. That’s near where Lot H (handicap parking) is if you drive – the shuttle buses will pick you up at Lot H and drop you at South Gate. If you need assistance of any kind during the tournament call Client Services at 718-760-6363 and they will help!
Thank you!
Hey PJ! I submitted a question about this earlier, but I actually found the IHG hotels booth at the Open today! It’s located near the South Entrance and has giveaways (free towels, drink vouchers, etc.) and complimentary massages for IHG One Rewards members. Just sharing so your readers can know about it too 🙂 Can’t thank you enough for how helpful your blog has been!!
Hi Susan, thank you!! Sorry for the delayed reply- was at a work event today and just catching up. So glad you found it and really appreciate the details!! PJ
Hello, yet again 🙂
Re: Community Day tomorrow, do they always have the Mens and Womens doubles semis? Are they held in one of the stadiums?
Also, any juniors to keep an eye on? Looks like they play tomorrow QFs tomorrow.
SPOILER ALERT: How about Big Foe!!! Stunning run thus far!
Hi! Yes on Armstrong- full schedule is posted. I haven’t followed the juniors so would just look at seeds and check out the top ones if you can. And yes on Frances!!!!
Thanks for your reply — turns out I didnt go today because I was up util 3 am watching (on TV) the best match ever! Sinner v Alcaraz. Wow.
Thanks for al your hard work!
Wow indeed – doesn’t get any better than that!!
Hey PJ – do you know until what time the gates will be open for free entry tomorrow (Thurs Sep 9)? I am hoping to go there but will have to wait until I’m done with work and may not be until later…5/6pm.
Hi Marty, gates open at 11am tomorrow. Matches start at noon. Have fun if you get out there!
Hey PJ,
Plan to be there for the first time to see the semis and the final and oh so sad that Nadal is out (and all the big names are out).
My ticket says match time 1 PM and my flight leaves at 9 PM from NYC. Just saw on the official website that the match time is 4 PM ?!
Which one is the correct one do you know? Seems like I’ll have to change my flight.
Hi Mobeen, yes the men’s match will start at 4pm – the session starts at 1pm with the women’s doubles final, and there will be a gap between the two. I would change your flight if you can just so you don’t potentially have to miss the end of a long match or rush.
Hi P.J.
For Friday semifinals day session, I wanted to purchase tickets for promenade, are there assigned seats or once you are seated, after some time you can change your seats and move down?
Hi Nora, expect Men’s semis to be full so not much leeway. The reality is often try to move up to empty seats and most people are cool about it when it happens – but the level of vigilance by individual ushers (and others in the section) can vary a lot. My thoughts on this: the only way to do this responsibly is to aim for an empty seat within the section you actually hold a ticket for and be prepared to move instantly if ticket holders show up, in fairness to them and everyone else around you. Note: if… Read more »
Hi PJ- thank you for this website!
I’d like to treat a couple of friends to some great games + seats (preferably for rounds 3 or 4) next year but given we would be flying in, I’m not sure I’m risky enough to wait long enough to buy from resellers. What would do you do/prioritize if you only had 2 days? Im overwhelmed with where to begin planning.
I also have an AmEx and saw some cool deals were offered this year, so perhaps something to consider for next year.
Thank you so much!
Hi Dana, that’s wonderful! I’d prob prioritize a combo of Armstrong and Ashe Sun/Mon Labor Day weekend R16 and conclude with Ashe night courtside Mon night (ie fly back on Tues afternoon, expect a late night). Definitely reach out to me next spring in May and I can help more then!
Thank you for all of these recommendations! Your site was the only really reliable and detailed source for all the tricks for attending the US Open. I relied on it so much and had an awesome time!
Laura, huge thanks for your kind words and taking the time to write, means so much and thrilled to hear you had a great time!!
I got free tickets to the womens doubles final. Should I get promenade tickets for the mens something or grounds pass? Don’t want to spend more than 300-400 for not great seats..
Hi Teresa, if you have tickets for the Sunday Day session you already have tickets for BOTH the women’s doubles match and the Men’s Final- no need to buy another ticket!
Thanks so much for the add.. The way I understand it we only have tickets for the women’s doubles final. We live in Dallas so not sure how long will stay it’s up in the air we can fly standby from here so we do have flexibility thanks again.
Hi Teresa, the only way that you’d only have tickets for the women’s doubles final is if the person who gave you the tickets is planning on having you transfer the ticket to them after you watch it and come late for the men’s final – they don’t sell the two events separately, they are combined into one session.
Oh my gosh you’re correct! So excited! Flying in that am .. lower 300 series but free is free and no flight cost. I’ll be reviewing your tips! Main concern is carry on only so hope that locker at the gate situation works😂
Great! You’ll be fine checking Your carry on at the Open. Have a blast!
Sorry if this is already stated😎what is a watch party ticket and I’m not sure I’m clear on when I can get into the grounds tomorrow for the day session..11:00 am ? Since we’re only there one day any tips on what to see at the venue itself / shops- food? We will arrive as early as possible and can stay late as we’re nearby in a hotel for the night. You’re the best! Love the blog. Btw have you gone to Indian Wells? The venue was the best and you can see all players at the practice courts. Went… Read more »
Hey Teresa, thanks! Yes 11am gates open tomorrow. I’m afraid I don’t know anything about the watch party other than it’s basically a discounted or free grounds pass, depending on how folks got it. It just enables you to see all the outer court junior matches and watch the Ashe matches from the fountain area on the South Plaza right outside the stadium. As for stores, I personally think the store with the best US Open swag is the US Open Collection store by courts 6 and 7, just past Ashe main entrance – but a lot have different stuff… Read more »
Whoa! 4 x you’re a rockstar!! Welp going to bed.. up at 4 to catch this flight😂thanks again!
Safe travels!!
Last one do you know when the gates close today?
Hi Teresa, 6pm is the official cut off time today
PJ, for the mens semifinals, how strict do you think the ushers will be if we want to stick around for the evening match for those that have the day session? Theres no way its going to be sold out especially with Rafa out. I know its wrong ethically but I bet many stayed last year. I have upper level nosebleed seats
Hi Corey, probably pretty strict…
Hey PJ my friend, can you please confirm the Wednesday schedule
Hi Jose! posted here: https://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/schedule/schedule16.html
I went yesterday to see Alcaraz, I’m not sure I can make it tomorrow this late again!
Awesome!
really appreciate all your info! First time at usopen and I had gotten 2nd row section 9 Armstrong on Sunday. Two 5 setters!! Well worth it.
Looking to experience night time before we leave Thursday. No tickets yet but want to try courtside this time. Tickets seem to go from outlandish to somewhat doable closer to! I’d be more than happy with the players in each. Any advice on how to play when to purchase? Do I wait until 6pm today and if not try Wednesday?
Hey Christian, you’re most welcome!! So glad to hear it. I do think at this point your best bet will PROBABLY be right before the session starts – or even a few minutes after… If you see something even in the ballpark, you can head out there and purchase the best last-minute deal you can on mobile once you’re there. Can never know for sure on timing… Keep monitoring and if you see something reasonable beforehand then definitely go for it!
Ended up going out in NY and catching last 2 sets of men’s in hotel (glad I did after Kyrgios decided to not play 1st set it seems). Tonight is the night. Seems courtside cheapest resell was $1000 per at around 730pm. And loge row a-c around $500. What would you say is value difference in experience between “worst” courtside up high vs getting loge row a/b?
Hey Christian so sorry for the late reply! Bottom line: even the last row in courtside is a different world, so just getting down there is amazing period. Sitting in first few rows on the side is a special treat to be so close to the players on these big matches but only if it’s financially responsible for you and you can really afford it!
Hey PJ – I was at section 322 #G15 for the Nadal-Tiafoe game. Good match but I am gutted for Nadal as has one of his crazy fans. Better serving could have sent the match to a deciding set. Tiafoe handled the pressure well. I went for the behind the server view and it was a great vantage point for the price. The glass support was annoying though. Something to keep in mind in the lower rows of the promenade sections I guess. You were spot on with the tips for shade and getting to the grounds early. I reached… Read more »
Hi Arvind, thanks so much for this great report!! Agree totally on the Amex fan experience – also did some hitting there and had a blast! Thanks again 🙂
As first timers to US Open, I feel so lucky to have found your blog. I took so many of your advices from buying tickets to bag check. But your advices on courtside seats and the shade map were what made our time at US Open so much more enjoyable and we brought home some unforgettable experiences.
Also thanks for sharing Serena match on iPad while watching Brandon Holt and Taylor Fritz at Grand Stand. It was really nice to meet you.
Hi Kai, thank you so so much! And it was a DELIGHT to meet you in person!! Look forward to the next time! PJ
How much does Louis Armstrong courtside full series subscription typically cost?
Hi Haroon, around $2100 for 8 day sessions (a bit less for the 6 night sessions).
Just for comparison I have a full series in Ashe (row C in lower promenade all sessions) and it was $2700 this year. It also includes access to the subscriber section in Armstrong. I think the full Loge series in Ashe was $4400-4500
Thanks Maura!
Thank you so much, P.J!
Hi PJ, Hope you had a great time at the Open today. I didn’t plan on going, but then at last minute, a few sellers lowered their prices so much for Louis Armstrong that I’d have been a fool to pass up. (Ashe’s prices were still ridiculous though because of Nadal), I ended up paying less than $200 for a courtside seat. Since it was last minute, when I got into the stadium, they were in the middle of cleaning up the rain mess (Norrie vs. Rublev). Wasn’t expecting a straight set win for Rublev, but whatever. By the time… Read more »
Justin, great to hear it! Yeah that Vika/Pliskova match was amazing, so glad you were able to get out there!
I was at this session as well. Paid 250 ish for a courtside seat; they were selling for much higher just a couple of days prior and this was row #5 so didn’t want to pass up on watching a few games courtside. Saw the first 3 matches (the Pliskova / Azarenka match was phenomenal). Left just before the Sinner match as I had a long train ride back home on Monday night! I think Louis Armstrong has the best bang for the buck to see some upclose action with reserved seats. Next year I hope to get the full… Read more »
Your site is amazing and I have been following your advice for years! Headed to the Open on Tuesday to watch doubles (already went Friday, so I’m ok with the rain – but it’s raising a few questions that I haven’t had to ask in the past). It seems like the only reserved seats for tomorrow are in Ashe, do you know if that means Armstrong will be all general admission? Do you think there’s any chance they’ll move the mixed to Armstrong as well? Finally, do you know if Lot H is only available as pre-reserved, or if you… Read more »
Hi Jennifer, thank you!! Yes Armstrong is entirely unreserved tomorrow – including the courtside seats (open to anyone with so Ashe ticket or grounds tickets). They may well try to get through as much as they can tomorrow given that rain is in the forecast Wed too, possibly putting the mixed on Armstrong or moving one dubs match onto Ashe if the QF matches don’t run too long…
Not sure about H – I think it’s possibly just for subscribers. Have fun!
Tuesday QF Schedule out! Kyrgios/Khachanov + Gauff/Garcia evening session https://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/schedule/schedule15.html
Are corners like 117 still good for us oldish people? Thanks!!!
Hey Michael, assume you mean Ashe section 117? That’s definitely a great vantage point – although FYI in sun for most of the day.
Hey pj
Some nice people sitting next to me in Armstrong want to know how early should they head into grandstand to ensure they see Special K doubles.
Ps I keep plugging your blog 😉
Thanks! I’d encourage them to go no later than the end of the first set of the women’s doubles match that precedes it.
Will do!!! Thx!
Hey PJ,
Could you please recommend parking strategy for today’s evening session? I’ve never been to the Open by car but today has to be the case.
Thanks so much! 🙂
Hey Prady, my only advice would be to arrive very early to play it safe. There’s no Mets home game today, so that will make things easier. Just put “Citi Field” into your GPS, and once you exit into that area and try to park first at the Citi Field lot. If it’s full, ask traffic cops for directions to the overflow lots (there are shuttle buses if needed). And bring an umbrella!
Thanks so much!!
Your site has been so invaluable. My dad and I enjoyed Courtside grandstand on Saturday (per your recommendation) and great seats for a full day on Armstrong yesterday. Watching some of the krygios match at the Heineken patio bar was. A great break. today we are so lucky our loge tickets get us to see Rafa. question. We have flights out of LGA at around 630. How easy is getting a taxi to L g a? We might leave at around 530 at the latest if maches are still rocking. Any taxi advice to dart from Ashe to Lga would… Read more »
Hey Bill, I’m so happy to hear that- and Happy Birthdays!! How awesome you’ll be able to see Rafa v Francis today. Have a feeling it’s gonna be epic. For today, I’d personally head over to the East Gate, head over across the boardwalk and down the stairs to Roosevelt Avenue (outside the Mets-Willets Point 7 train stop) and order an uber or cab from there. The only challenge: it will likely be raining, which will complicate matters – and it’s a time when a lot of folks will be arriving for evening, so traffic might be heavy. Check your… Read more »
Hey PJ
thanks again for all your hard work on this amazing blog!
Do you know if it’s possible to get to the Armstrong Courtside sections if you have a ticket for one of the few reserved upper sections (112 113 114)?
Thanks!
Hey Courtney, not unless you make friends with someone in Courtside who shares a ticket with you or you encounter a very lax usher 🙂
Hi P.J., I’m sitting front row but not along the baseline… I’m sitting on the sideline in Section 48 in Arthur Ashe. Do you think these seats are good in terms of getting blocked by the umpire and the player benches?
Thanks.
Josh, section 48 is phenomenal. Any slight obstruction (and I mean slight) from the umpire chair will be more than made up for by being there. Also, bring something to have a player sign if you want: that’s one of the best sections to get an autograph (or selfie with the player) as players exit!
Thanks for the reply PJ. Can’t wait!
I agree with everything you wrote. I am so disappointed that we can’t get the men’s semis on one ticket anymore. It’s so dumb. I am hoping they will not do that with Armstrong (Labor Day) but they might. Armstrong is the best for the $ on Labor Day. 4 round of 16 matches for one ticket. I got a front row behind the baseline for tomorrow and am taking my chances for Rafa to come through for me for Ashe on Wed. I don’t see any face value tickets left. But this will change as the days go. But… Read more »
Hey, thanks so much – so awesome to know my takeaways resonate with someone who’s clearly seasoned with the Open. I’m with you 100% on Armstrong: the day they split the Round of 16 sessions into Day and Night is the day I will lodge a formal protest… But no signs of that happening, so fingers crossed 🙂 It is KILLING me not to be on Armstrong during this R16 (family commitments upstate). But I’ve been glued to the TV. Hoping you have an amazing QF experience Wed, whether it’s Nadal or Tiafoe… If it’s Francis, that will be really… Read more »
Well it is Foe 🙂
I understand computers and laptops aren’t allowed but can I bring an iPad?
Yup, no problem!
How can I watch Rafa in Arthur Ashe tmrw day session, if my tickets are for Louis Armstrong?
Hi Taj, the only option is to buy a ticket for Ashe for the Day session – there are no unreserved seats in Ashe. You can also watch on the big screen by the fountain on the south plaza, where many other fans will be watching too.
Hi. Not sure if this has been mentioned but what time do they start allowing people to enter Armstrong to get an unreserved seat?
Hi Jaime, gates open to the grounds (East and South gates) at 930am. East gate is much much closer to Armstrong (right after you walk in). They allow people in beginning at 9:30, so the sooner you can get through security and scan your ticket at the East gate, the better chances you have at a good GA seat in Armstrong.
Hey PJ – I have Ashe day tickets for tomorrow. Planning to get there early for the Norris-Rublev game. How early should I reach the gate to be able to get entry a decent seat in Armstrong?
Hi Arvind, the Rublev-Norris match will be in heavy demand. I’d recommend getting to the East gate and lining up at 8:30am. It’s early – bring something to read. But you’ll be in good shape to get a good seat if you do.
Thank you. Ideally, I would like to find a seat behind the baseline in the general admission area. Are there separate lines in Armstrong depending on if you want to sit by the side or the behind the player or just a single line? If it’s a single line, any tips for finding the section behind the player?
Hi Arvid, unfortunately the seats on the GA tier behind the server are all reserved – either sold via Ticketmaster or given to Ashe full-series subscribers. You’ll have to aim for seats on the E and W sides. PJ
Brilliant website, I am visiting from U.K. and have found it invaluable. Thanks so much.
THANK YOU!
Hi, question about rain. Surely if I have a ground pass I can still access unreserved seating sections on Armstrong and see play with the roof closed?
Hi Charisse, yes absolutely you can access unreserved seats in Armstrong with your grounds pass tomorrow – but strongly (!) recommend you arrive at the grounds early, like 8:30am if you can, to get in line at the East Gate so you’re among the first wave to be able to get to Armstrong as soon as gates open at 9:30am. There will be tremendous pressure on those seats tomorrow especially if it rains.
Thanks P.J. I arrived 10am yesterday (also with ground pass) and got into Armstrong with no lines but I guess that’s because the weather was great. I know the best option (to see Armstrong matches tomorrow with minimum hassle) is to buy a seat but I can’t justify the cost of re-sell prices showing online. I’ll just aim to get there a lot earlier tomorrow. I cheered for Norrie on Grandstand yesterday and have got to be there for his 4th round!
Hey Charisse, that’s great to hear. However keep in mind that yesterday’s first match was a women’s singles match, which is an entirely different scenario when there’s a men’s singles match on Armstrong first (however nonsensical that is, given the amazing quality of play of the likes of Muguruza and Kvitova!). Also a very different scenario in Round 3 when there are more options beyond Armstrong for exciting matches (Grandstand had amazing options yesterday too). Round of 16 during bad weather: GO EARLY!
Have used your guide over the years (Thank you!!!) and finally doing Ashe for the first time and lucked out with NADAL for tomorrow’s day session. Due to where we are coming from in Brooklyn, LIRR which we usually have taken in years past doesn’t make sense. For Uber or driving, how early do you recommend arriving for Monday day?
That’s AWESOME, so glad you will see Rafa!! Mets fortunately don’t have a home game tomorrow, so you should be fine to drive. Personally I say the earlier the better – you don’t want to miss the window to park at Citi Field and have to go to one of the other satellite lots. If it were me, I’d aim to arrive in the area no later than 9:30am just to be on the safe side. It will make things more chill. If you’re interested in seeing some of the the Rublev Norrie match starting at 11 on Armstrong, you… Read more »
MONDAY SCHEDULE OUT: Nadal/Tiafoe and Kvitova/ Pegula Ashe DAY, Cilic/Alcaraz and Collins/Sabalenka Ashe NIGHT – the rest of the R16 matches on Armstrong https://www.usopen.org/en_US/scores/schedule/schedule14.html
That morning session is going to be crazyyy in Arthur. I hope it rains so that I can get some shade. Lol
Totally! Looks pretty likely that some shade (and possibly a roof) will be in store for you! ENJOY!
Hi P.J. Thank you so much for your help. It’s so insightful. I went there last week with car during the fan week, and we parked by where it says “Grand Central Parkway” sign, however, at nighttime, it was hard for us to find our parking spot. Do you think it is better to go there with train or car? are there close parking lots to the stadiums where we can park if we go early in the morning? Also, for day session for Men’s Singles semi-finale match, it says on Ticketmaster at 12pm, however, when I look up US… Read more »
Hey Nora, you’re most welcome! I think as long as you can arrive early enough, driving is OK – but especially on days when Mets are playing home games (see list in my post) you should arrive very early to be on the safe side. As Michele reported this morning, driving was a breeze for her today leaving early; as others have written, it can be an absolute nightmare if you arrive closer to when everyone else is arriving. In general, as I mention in the post, I favor train whenever possible – and the LIRR is my preferred choice… Read more »
Thank you. I have a few more questions that I was wondering if you could please help with. I’m coming from NJ, and I will come through port authority bus station to NYC and I am not that familiar with NYC trains. I prefer to take one train to the stadium rather than switch trains. -Which train do you think is better to take from there? -Also, I was wondering, why do you favor the LIRR train vs the 7 train? -How long is the walk from the train station Mets-Willets Pointto Arthur Ash stadium? is it hard to find… Read more »
Hi Nora, Port Authority is soooo close to Penn Station/Moynihan. My strong rec: take the LIRR. It’s 16 minutes instead of 40-45, less crowded, and on a schedule you can depend on. Download the MTA TrainTime app. It’s really easy once you’ve figured it out the first time. – The walk from the Mets-Willets Point 7 train subway stop to the East Gate is about 4 minutes if you walk as fast as I do, around 8 minutes if you walk slowly (somewhere around there). The walk from the LIRR is about 90 seconds (another advantage) – The walk from… Read more »
Thank you.
When we went to US open last week, we parked under the highways. At night, it was hard for us to find our parking spot and we got lost. In 2019, when we went to US open, we parked in a big parking lot where there was a bridge that we walked over, and it was free. Do you know if this was the Citi field parking lot?
Also, which parking lot is the closest to the stadium?
Hi Nora, Citi Field is the closest of the main lots open to public on a first-come basis (some others are for staff, subscribers, etc). It may be there that you remember from 2019, assuming you mean the boardwalk bridge that starts at the 7 train Mets-Willets Point stop and goes up to the East gate area? It wasn’t free in 2019 though, so not sure it’s what you are thinking of.
Hi P.J. If it was the same parking lot as the Citi Field, could it have been free because in 2019, we went during the fan week? This year during the fan week, all the parking lots were full, and the staff directed us to go to G, H, under the highway parking lots and one of the staff told us that everything is full and go to the Queens Museum parking lot. We ended up finding a spot in one of the lots near the highway. But I’d like to know, how would you compare Queens Museum parking lot… Read more »
Hi Nora, yes possibly! I unfortunately haven’t ever been to that lot. Maybe another reader has and can help?
Hey, PJ, hope you’re doing well. We have a ticket for the Ashe night session on Monday. I’m assuming the crowd for that session will be the least amongst all the other sessions during labour day weekend. Should we still plan to reach the grounds by 5 PM or is 6 PM a good bet for that day?
Hi Aakash, yes it will be much lighter comparatively speaking Monday evening. I’d recommend arriving no later than 5:45pm just to be more relaxed about things. There will already be a line for security by then, but it should move pretty quickly and you’ll be through and over to Ashe in plenty of time before the start of the 7pm session.
Hi PJ – I am a regular visitor to the grounds but never knew about the free second day grounds admission until I saw your note. I couldn’t find much information about this on the USO website. Is this guaranteed or they might have a different policy each year?
Hi Arvin, it’s set in stone for this year – you can count on it. Gates will open at 11am. It’s a terrific day, strongly recommend!
Thank you so much. Truly an insider secret 🙂 There is hardly any information about the second Thursday free admission. As someone had commented earlier, I would love the opportunity to express my appreciation for your hard work if you can sign up for a “buy me coffee” link or a wallet to accept crypto. Thanks a ton for taking the time!
My pleasure and thank you, Arvind!