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 there
I am French and I would like to do the us open. I saw that there were several packs available in order to stay several days. Is it really worth taking the Arthur Ashe Stadium First Week? I saw that there were only the first laps on the Ashe, that may be enough… And another question, are there a lot of places available in grand admission on the louis amstrong the first laps? Or you also have to take a pack.. Thank you for these answers 🙂
PS: great blog
Salut Corentin! Merci bien. The subscription plans are now sold out (although I generally don’t recommend then in any case for most people for the reasons I mention in the FAQ section, and always find it more effective and satisfying to apply my budget more strategically). I do recommend experiencing Ashe stadium if you’re coming for the first time, but I would consider at least one session with really great courtside reserved seats in any of the stadiums (day or night session) just to experience the players up close on the bigger stages. Generally speaking it’s relatively easy to access… Read more »
Hey PJ: As usual, this info is soooo helpful! God bless you for sharing with us fellow tennis fans!! Question, I don’t see you mention being able to buy tickets at the box office before the tournament starts. Would love to be able to do that while I’m in NYC tomorrow. Cannot find a phone number to the box office to even call. (Last minute trip and hopefully you see this in time)
Hi Ms Ruth, so sorry not to have been able to reply sooner! Unfortunately they usually don’t post formal box office hours of operation until closer to the tournament. The fan line/ box office number is 833-287-6736. You can also email to ask at: usopenticketoffice@usta.com. P.J.
The box office won’t be open until August 21 (the day before qualies starts). Which obviously sucks because the TM fees are outrageous.
Got a great deal on Grandstand second row section 1 behind the server…. So excited.
Awesome!
GS is far and away the best of the stadium courts.
Any tips for GS? Thanks for the confirmation
Hi P.J., really enjoy the guide you have put together and am finally planning on attending US Open this year! Due to work circumstances, I will only be able to attend Day 1 session. What seats should I go for as this will be my first US Open. Ideally, I’d like to see competitive matches, so would Armstrong or Grandstand be better bets than Ashe? Or, is the experience at Ashe worth it even if you may not get the best matchup?
Thanks,
Bill
Hey Bill, I’d strongly recommend you go with an Ashe Day ticket for your first experience on Day 1! You will definitely be able to get a seat in general seating on Armstrong, Grandstand, and any number of other courts where there will be a cornucopia of GREAT matches, well into the evening (assuming good weather). Definitely worth having the Ashe experience, but best if you treat it as part of your whole experience for the day. I’d recommend getting the best seat you can (courtside if you can possibly afford) and take your time – there will be plenty… Read more »
Thanks PJ! Appreciate the insights. I’ll be going for Ashe Day session in the shade! Great site!
Awesome, Bill, and thank you!
Hi! I must say, I don’t think I’ve seen such a thorough article for any event – EVER! Awesome job!
I think I read on your website, but can’t find the actual item, that suitcases such as carry-ons can be stored near either principal entrances. Do you know if that’s still the case? It would be a bit frustrating to bring my carry-on only to be told I have to find a storage place somewhere else. Thanks in advance for your help!
Hi Sophie, THANK YOU! As I mentioned to someone recently, my post has gotten so long over the years that I constantly worry it’s gotten less user friendly… I really appreciate hearing that! YES, you can check a suitcase at special areas by the East Gate or the South Gate. $10 for a piece of luggage. See photo of the sign I took last year. The limit is supposed to be one bag per ticket holder – so you need to get creative with friends or fellow fans if you have more than one :).
Hi there! First I must acknowledge that this article is more than awesome. I do have a couple quick questions for you! This is my first time buying a ticket and honestly I always wanted to watch a semi final or a final of US open. So this time around I bought a ticket from a site called “tick pick”. (I have used this site for soccer games before) Now after reading your article I’m kind of confused what exactly I bought. Because my ticket is just saying “Men’s final/Women’s doubles final” and the time mentioned on the ticket is… Read more »
Hi Sanai! Thank you so much for the kind words. TickPick is a reliable reseller so you should be fine. And yes, the Men’s Final and Women’s Doubles Final are held in the same “session” – so the ticket for that session gives entry to both, with Women’s doubles match starting at 1pm and Men’s Final at 4pm. You have your assigned seat that entire day and can come and go as you please. Enjoy! PJ
Thanks so much P.J
Hi there – Thank you for all the helpful pointers. Planning on attending either August 28 or August 29, but tickets still look pricey or there are limited tickets leftover on Ticketmaster and SeatGeek. Is there any point to jump on what I see now, or is it better to hold off a few more weeks? Thank you!
Hi Alia, you’re welcome! Depends a lot on what you’re targeting – but in most cases for those dates, I’d recommend being patient to see what else pops up. The best indicator is overall amount of standard blue-dot seats available: the more there are, the more comfortable you should be to wait for better deals. PJ
Hey, there!
Does anyone know what time we are allowed into the grounds on the Sunday before the tourney starts to see Open Practice? It’s advertised on the Schedule of Play as an event, but no time is given. Just wondered if anyone has any information based on previous years Open Practice the Sunday before the tournament starts.
Hi Mario! Should be 930am if they are consistent with prior years. PJ
Hi, I booked Ground Passes for Monday 4th….not realising this was the second week! With my wife and 2 daughters we are coming all the way from UK for a few nights in NYC. What are our chances of getting an unreserved seat on Armstrong to see some good matches and how long would we have to queue for? What time would we need to arrive at the grounds to be sure of a seat? Would really appreciate some guidance (and I will be concentrating more next time I book tickets
!)
Hey Matt! So you should be fine getting into the GA seats on Armstrong that day (it’s busy, but actually Sat-Sun that weekend are much worse). Hard to say on the length of the queue – entirely dependent on who’s scheduled. Generally speaking, demand for the men’s matches is much higher – and they usually put on the first (of 2) men’s matches on first that day (at 11am). So check the schedule the day before, and if you care about the 11am match I recommend arriving by EAST Gate (near Armstrong) by 8:45am to queue up so you can… Read more »
Hi PJ! Thanks a lot for the information about the LIRR, but the website does not work in Brazil… So, I’ll need to wait until I’m arriving in the US to see. One question: when I was in Indian Wells (and also saw that in Miami was the same) they only allowed us to enter the grounds with a very very small bag (slightly bigger than a mobile/cel phone) and the rest you need to bring in a plastic/transparent/incolor bag. I faced the same in a NHL match in N Jersey. Therefore, I will like to know if the same… Read more »
Oi Ligia! Don’t worry, you’ll be able to figure it out when you get here. You can hopefully download the app – or at worst get a timetable at the train station. It runs frequently during the tournament (they have a special schedule). For bags, it can be 12x12x16″ (see this photo), so it’s quite a bit larger. PJ
Thank you for the great help and tips!
Hi! First time attendee this year and so excited. Thank you so much for this awesome resource. I feel much more confident in my plans. Waiting to buy tickets still…better to buy a decent seat (row N) now, or wait to see if we can get better seats closer to the court? I have FOMO!! Thanks again for your expertise, it’s greatly appreciated!
Hi Jamie! I’m so excited you’re excited! It’s so tough to say… I literally just bit the bullet on some seats today, having checked averages for the session I purchased for the past couple years. I’m taking some folks for the first time (my favorite thing to do every year) and always invest in great seats. Saw some awesome seats in one of my favorite parts of Ashe, and there’s a chance I could save several hundred dollars if I wait… but there’s also a chance those tickets will disappear and I’ll be left paying the same for something less… Read more »
Thanks for response! We are looking to go Friday 9/1 day sessions.
Hey Jaimee, so that particular date/session is always in HIGH demand. Last year there were very few standards available and average prices didn’t decline as we got closer. If it were me, I’d probably keep monitoring for a couple more weeks (every day) to see if anything pops up that appeals, but wouldn’t expect much movement in that session unlike others that can be much more variable. PJ
Hey there PJ. Thought I’d post your advice was spot on. Got up early this am to watch Ons (unfortunately lose) and then hopped on TM to surprisingly find a brand new batch of blue dots. Found some pretty good seats at a reasonable price and we are ready to go! To PJs readers: this guy knows what he’s talking about!
Hey Jaimee, thank you so much! Yeah, heartbreaking loss for Ons yesterday. She gained more fans and love yesterday, though, and will be all the sweeter when she eventually gets her first title. So glad you stayed patient and got some good tix – and appreciate the kind words! PJ
PJ, worst case scenario what would they do if they had to cancel a few to several days of matches due to bad air quality? They cant have every match at Louis and Ashe. Weve already seen race cards at belmont park being cancelled because of it.
Hey Corey, really good question. I actually was at the Australian Open in 2020 the year of the massive fires there, when terrible air quality ended up impacting a lot of players early on in the tournament. Louis actually wouldn’t be helped by the roof because it’s free-cooled (fresh air ventilation), so if things get terrible it could really throw a wrench in things. It’s all uncharted ground. Worst case scenario: they would have to delay until it was safe to play, which could be days — and that could mean the final day of the tournament is later than… Read more »
Hello again
I wrote comment days ago. It didn’t show up yet. So I guess that it didn’t go through.
Now I look at Wimbledon’s draw, I think what I was guessing is correct (hopefully)
Top half will play at Day 2, Day 4 and such
Bottom half will play at Day 1, Day 3 and such
In case my comment went through, please delete it.
Thank you 🙂
Hi there, apologies for not being able to reply sooner! See my detailed explanation on how this works in BOX 3 — click the orange button “LEARN HOW TO MAKE EDUCATED GUESSES ABOUT WHO PLAYS WHEN/WHERE.” The short answer: there is no way to predict when which half will play (can be diff for men’s and women’s draw) until Day 1 schedule is posted. PJ
Thank you so much for your reply.
Then I think that I am going to stick to my tickets. (Arthur Ashe Day @ Day 2)
I have many favorite players. So I’m thinking that even if I can not see Djokovic’s match on Day 2(Tue.), I still have an opportunity to see him in practice court.
Thank you again. I really appreciate it.
You’re most welcome – and that’s the spirit! I love that you have “many favorite players.” Me too. There are so many spectacular players right now, and each brings something unique. While I hope it works out that you see a Nole match, I assure you that you will enjoy the experience thoroughly with that attitude. Do keep an eye out for the schedule for Days 1-2 when it comes out (almost assuredly) on Friday Aug 25, just in case it turns out you end up having flexibility to get a ticket another session in case Novak isn’t scheduled for… Read more »
Hey thanks as always for this! Your site has been the go to reference for me for years. Niche question. What’s the advantage to the seller to selling on StubHub/SeatGeek etc as opposed to the official Ticketmaster site? Are the fees lower? As a buyer, Ticketmaster seems superior — you can tell exactly what seats you’re getting (as opposed to just section and row), and you always get your tickets right away as opposed to sometimes having to wait until right before the event. Just curious what drives the numerous different resellers. Thanks for your thoughts!
Hey John, great question. Honestly it’s been a while since I resold tickets on anything other thank Ticketmaster so I haven’t compared terms – but I think it ends up being about the same for the seller. The main reason I think people do it is (1) Ticketmaster requires the seller has a US Bank account, whereas I don’t think StubHub does (not sure about SeatGeek); (2) exposure to more potential buyers. PJ
Is it safe to buy from SeatGeek? They seam to have good prices. I like to watch mostly doubles but I like to have a good seat in Armstrong.
Hi Leslie, yes, I’ve used it in the past on multiple occasions myself. PJ
Travel Tip: I don’t think I’ve seen this tip mentioned; maybe it didn’t make the Top 10. Nevertheless, given the expense of attending the USO you may as well save money where you can. If you are coming out or going back by LIRR and taking an off-peak train (which you will be if you are coming in the morning or going back in the evening but not if you are going out for the evening) then don’t buy an off-peak ticket at $6.50 buy the “City Ticket” for $5. It’s good for the same trip. Also download the MTA… Read more »
Great tips, thanks!
Is there any entry / exit restrictions on a Grounds Pass? Would I be able to come say 10am-4pm, leave, and come back after 6? So that would be the advantage vs getting an Ashe day ticket.
Thank you! This website has been extremely helpful over the past few years…
Hi Mike, thanks! You can come and go with a day session ticket or grounds ticket, but unfortunately the only restriction is that you need to enter or reenter before 6pm (or at least that’s been the policy through last year). PJ
Hello,
We are heading out on a cruise on the 4th and decided it would be crazy to not cross this off our bucket list. We have Sept. the 2nd day and the 3rd all day/night available. I am reading that its better for us to buy a Arthur Ashe stadium ticket as it gives us access every where. Prices even in the nose bleed are still very expensive. Is it worth it or do you have another suggestion to experience this the best way possible?
Hi Diane, sorry for the slow reply! I would strongly recommend combining some time in Ashe so you have the experience (and will definitely see some stars) WITH an experience in Armstrong. If it were me taking friends in that situation, I’d probably: OPTION A – SAT Sep 2: Ashe DAY ticket – best seats you can afford – and plan to walk around and try to see some matches on other courts (just be prepared for long lines for those unreserved seats on other courts) – SUN Sep 3: Armstrong DAY ticket – to enjoy world-class players during round… Read more »
so helpful. will use your link to purchase tickets. for Wednesday August 30th 2023, 2nd round, would you recommend tickets for Ashe, Grandstand or Armstrong Stadiums? Would love to finally get a closer look with tickets in Grandstand or Armstrong but would hate to not be able to see a good match at Ashe Stadium.
Thanks
glenn
Hi Glenn, thanks! If this is your first Open, I’d probably recommend going for an Ashe DAY with best seat your budget can support (see my shade map!) — but also plan to head over to Grandstand or Armstrong during the day to grab a seat in general seating AND plan to check out some action on other outer courts where you can get even closer to players – it’s only second round so there will be SO many great options that will go well into the evening! PJ
Hi! Thanks again for the replies and this useful website! I noticed that you recommend taking the LIRR train to the tournament, which is express and faster than the subway. However, I could not find more information about this train. Does it stop in the same station as the subway? Does it have reserved seat, or it’s like the subway and can get very crowded? Thanks a lot again!
Hi Ligia! The LIRR can get crowded during the tournament, but I’ve never experienced it to be uncomfortably crowded – much nicer trains than the subway. You can take from either Penn Station or Grand Central within the city. You can see all the stops and schedule here (and there will be a special schedule with more trains, see my Top Tip #9 and links to last year’s 2022 schedules as illustrative of what to expect and with details on the stops). PJ
PJ, what a tremendous resource! I live in NY and am a very amateur player, but have a friend who wants to come up this year for the tournament. I was so baffled by the official site. You really enlightened me. Thank you so much!
Steve, I’m thrilled to hear it – thank you for letting me know! PJ
This is the best website I have ever been to for a visit to an event ever. Really awesome stuff. I am taking my wife and 2 kids Wed-Fri of opening week for 2nd round and 1st day of 3rd round. Is that a well attended timeframe and should I commit to buying seats in Ashe or Louis in advance for day or night sessions? The way they do dynamic pricing almost makes you feel like you can be more patient on the tickets, especially since no Rafa or Serena this year, but obviously I don’t want to have my… Read more »
Hey Preston, THANK YOU!! Means so much hearing that, really appreciate it. It’s been a labor of love and I keep trying to reformat every year to make it more user-friendly, but I second guess myself constantly – so always reassuring to hear that kind of feedback 🙂 For that Wed-Fri, I would say (1) NO RUSH for Wed and Thurs, take your time to keep hunting for the best value you can get for either Ashe or Armstrong; (2) for the Friday, Ashe Day and Night sessions are both always in very very high demand regardless of who’s playing… Read more »
Thanks for writing this. I’m gonna watch the USO for the first time this year and this has been a huge help.
The USO website says bags must be no larger than 12″ x 12″ x 16″ but most drawstring bags are a bit larger than that with 13″ x 17″ dimensions. In your experience how strictly do they enforce restrictions on bag size?
Hey Nico, so glad to hear that! My experience has been they don’t look with that much scrutiny unless something is way off size – but it’s totally dependent on the individual you get, so I always play it on the safe side. PJ
PJ – you have compiled a fantastic resource here. Thanks so much, Doug
Doug, THANK YOU so much for taking time to say that, really appreciate it! PJ
Hi PJ, I revisit this post every year for the US Open. Helpful as always! This year I am determined to watch the men’s finals (hoping Novak gets his calendar GS!), but I’m not sure when to buy my ticket. I’m looking for loge tickets and they’re selling for the $1,500 ~ $2,000 range at the moment. Any guesses on whether prices would go up or down? Plus, I know Ticketmaster releases some standard tickets along the way, but is there a high chance I can get my hands on them if I check frequently considering that finals tickets are… Read more »
Hey Kyle, so glad to hear that, thank you! So sorry it took so long to reply – my work has been super demanding past few weeks. It’s always a huge guessing game on prices – and depends hugely on who ultimately advances in the tournament… Years ago when Kevin Anderson made the final, prices plummeted and a ton of seats were dumped on the resale market. Last year average prices went down a bit after Nadal lost to Tiafoe. This year, average resale prices for Promenade started around $430, whereas last year day of the final they were down… Read more »
No problem PJ! Thank you so much. Do the prices you mentioned include fees or are they just the ticket price?
Hey Kyle! Apologies for not being more specific, I meant before fees. But in when I meant that the resales in Promenade were less than the standards, I meant even after fees were accounted for. Last year, they eventually released some Standards in August for the Men’s Finals at around $550-582 (before fees, which are more modest for standards) in row J 82, which is insane. The resales were down to around $325 before fees, but even after fees were significantly lower than the Standards. PJ
Hello, I was looking at the Louis Armstrong Full Series Courtside ticket plan and it doesn’t seem like a bad deal. What are your thoughts? Some of the tickets for Labor day weekend in Armstrong are expensive, the plan seems to be a good deal when considering individual ticket prices.
Hey Rick, I agree it’s a good deal — however for most folks I don’t recommend a series subscription to Louis Armstrong unless you plan on attending most of the matches and/or can go in with friends and split the cost and/or risk of losing a bit of $ if you can’t resell tickets for value you paid for them. However, relatively to Ashe subscription (limited to Promenade seats, and usually a terrible deal), it’s much easier to recoup the value and at least break even with Armstrong subscription seats. PJ
What are your thoughts on waiting to buy Sunday, September 3 tickets until we are there on September 2 or the morning of September 3 onsite?
Hi Katie, unfortunately that weekend always has huge, predictably high demand – my experience over the years has been that it rarely pays to wait for those particular dates because demand doesn’t fluctuate much in light of who’s playing: it’s a function of the holiday weekend and massive amount of tourists coming into town. For that Sat and Sun, I generally recommend trying to line up tickets in advance. PJ
Hi, if I waited to buy a ticket from a reseller at the stadium for the final until that day, would I be able to find cheaper prices than what they are now?
Hi Marlene, it depends entirely on who makes it through… Years ago when Kevin Anderson made the final, prices plummeted and a ton of seats were dumped on the resale market. Last year average prices went down a bit after Nadal lost to Tiafoe. This year, average resale prices are starting around 430 for the Final, whereas last year day of the final they were down to around $325 (which was a lot less than the lowest standard price). In short, as I mention in the post, it depends on a variety of factors and is like playing the stock… Read more »
Hi and thank you greatly for the amazing amount of information!! We are first timers taking our competitive 15 year old to the open on the 1st. Would you recommend 300’s for Ashe and court side for Armstrong if you are spending one full day?? Thank so kindly!!!
Hey Michael, you’re welcome! Yeah I think that sounds like a great plan – your 15-year old will greatly appreciate being up closer in Armstrong! For Armstrong, ask if they’d prefer sitting behind the server or up even closer to the court on the side/corner… If they think the latter, I’d recommend section 6 or 7 in Armstrong if going during the day (sun at back or in shade for a lot of the day). I’d say consider doing one stadium for Day and the other for evening, depending on prices/available seats (e.g. Ashe for Day and Armstrong for Evening)… Read more »
Any recommendations on best spot for grandstand?
Hey Jonathan, there isn’t a bad seat in the house in Grandstand, so largely a matter of preference (see my FAQ #7 for some thoughts on that generally). With regard to sun, there’s virtually no shade in any of the courtside seats – only underneath the overhang in the unreserved section. I find it preferable to be on the WEST side (chair umpire side) with the sun largely at your back for the hottest hours of the afternoon. PJ
Thanks. Was checking out sections 4, 5, and 10
New Armstrong absolutely blows. As much as I loved old Armstrong, I absolutely despise new Armstrong. It is a horrible court and 80%+ of the so-called courtside seats are higher than an unreserved seat in the old stadium. It’s not Ashe level awful but it’s not too far off. Anything in the Armstrong uppers is a bad joke.
Hi! Thanks for the helpful website. This will be my first time at the US Open. I bought tickets for second round in section 12 os Arthur Ashe. They say it is a courtside ticket, but I don’t know if the view is good. Do you know? Another question, if possible, I’m going with my mother who is 68, how long is the walking from the train station to the Grounds? Also, we plan to go in 4 people and switch tickets in LA and Arthur Ashe courts. Is it possible? Finally, which day do you think is the best… Read more »
Hey Ligia! Hopefully you saw my reply to your earlier question about seat quality, your mom, and switching seats – responded separately, let me know if you don’t see it. For Fan week, literally any day is good to go during Fan Week to see main draw tournament players practicing. There’s no way to predict which day you’ll see the top players, it depends entirely on their whims… but I’ve seen great folks on all the days. That final Sunday of that week (the day before the main tournament begins) is also a great day to go – very light… Read more »
Thanks a lot! Sorry for sending twice, but I didn’t notice the first reply. As for the Fan Week, I was thinking to go on Sunday, but I was afraid it is too crowded, but, as per your answer, it is not! 🙂 So I’m truly considering Friday or Sunday (I just have one day to choose…). Thanks
Hi Ligia, my pleasure! Sunday is usually very light crowds. Friday has the added benefit of being the final day of the qualifying tournament – so even though there are more folks then I’d recommend that day so you can see some of the great qualifier matches… Vastly underrated, and a really wonderful opportunity to see rising players battling it out for those coveted spots in the main tournament. PJ
Super helpful. Thank you very much!
Hi there! So if I buy a cheaper high up Ashe seat, does that also allow for grounds ticket access as well? I am trying to understand the more economical way to get into my first US Open. A reader mentioned below, “will buy Ashe high up to get a cheap ground pass for day session (i.e. 70 bucks) and then spend my budget on Louis Armstrong courtside tickets close for evening session.” What does he/she mean when he says “buy Ashe high up to get a cheap grounds pass for the day? Do regular Grounds Pass tickets only allow… Read more »
Hi Katie! I know it’s really confusing: a reserved Day session seat Ashe (or Armstrong or Grandstand) gives you full access to the grounds and unreserved seats in all the stadiums (except Ashe, where all seats are reserved) — in other words, every reserved stadium ticket is the same as a grounds pass PLUS a reserved seat, so the person whose that is intending to use their Ashe ticket mainly as a grounds pass. Grounds open 930am on most days of the tournament, except finals weekend (11am). This chart lays out all the options in detail. PJ
Hey P.J. another fan of yours passing along thanks! I used your guide last year to buy a gift for my girlfriend and we’re making a tradition of sorts and planning to go again! Question for you: Have you seen any pattern to the ticket release schedule? I assume they are trying to prevent scalping or something but it’s incredibly annoying to have been ready for both the pre-sale and the public sale to see barely ANY non-resale tickets. Last year I got great seats in July! From some of your other comments it seems like you usually wait as… Read more »
Hey Tom, thank you!! Unfortunately the short answer is no to the question on “pattern.” It’s been totally haphazard and random, both in terms of timing, quantity, session, stadium, and sections… I have noticed courtside Ashe standards (for the first week M-F and Labor Day in particular) seem to be released more in July and August – but as I’ve noted to others, the other frustrating thing is that they use dynamic pricing even for Standards, which means sometimes resale tickets end up being a better bargain. I do indeed usually wait myself (although this year I actually saw an… Read more »
What row did u grab for semis? Loge or court side
Hey Jonathan, I splurged for Row B Courtside – bucket list session for me, and going to take someone who I know will appreciate it as much as I will 🙂
Wow… we will look for u on the tellie
Hi! This is so useful!! Thanks a lot. This will be my first time and I’m planning to go 2 days in a group of 4. For one day, second round, I bought 2 tickets in Ashe in section 12 and 2 tickets in LA in section 5 (they are courtside, even though seem to be high up – do you know if they are good seats), and we planned to change courts during the day, is it possible to do this change or are the tickets personal (Don’t seem to be, but better confirm)? For the other day, I… Read more »
Hi Ligia! All great questions: 1) You can trade seats during the day, but the new electronic anti-counterfeiting measures make it harder than it used to be. Once you’re in the grounds (I.e. once you have scanned your tickets at the East or South Gate entrance), you can usually get away with using screenshots on phones at the entry to individual stadiums, because stadium ticket monitors at the gates don’t check carefully or re-scan. 2) There is no bad courtside Ashe seat – they’re all amazing. LA upper rows in section 5 are pretty noisy because of the concession stands… Read more »
Very very helpful! So glad I found you! Regarding question 1, I still have a doubt: if it is necessary to transfer the tickets, is it possible to transfer tickets more than once? Like, I’m in Ashe, my sister is in LA, we want to change for the next set and, afterwards, change again for the next match. Is this multiple change possible? Also, regarding question 2, the seat is in section 5 row K, it seemed to be good seat, hope not that noisy :((. Finally, I’m still worried about my mom, and I saw there is a shuttle… Read more »
Hi Ligia, my pleasure! Unless there’s any unexpected change in the Ticketmaster platform or policy, it should be possible to transfer the tickets more than once – I’ve done it on several occasions myself. Row K is EXCELLENT in Louis Armstrong. The crowd/white noise around the concession area is really only a factor somewhere around rows Q and higher. For your mom, I do think the 5 minute walk from the Mets-Willets station to the East Gate should be fine. Alternatively, you could drop her off at the South Gate, then park and meet up with her. Here’s the page… Read more »
Great! Thank you very much. I’m very excited to enjoy the tournament:)
“ There is no bad courtside Ashe seat – they’re all amazing.” — P.J. Let’s just agree to strongly disagree. Unlike old Armstrong (the original #1 stadium), new Ashe was built for two rows of corporate suites (pushing the lodge and promenade too high up for good tennis watching) and to stuff as many “courtside” seats below the corporate suites as possible giving it a very horizontal courtside structure. In addition, there is much more space in new Ashe between the sidelines and the sideline seats (ditto the baseline.) As a consequence, the bulk of the “courtside” seats, arguably past… Read more »
Hi there, appreciate your opinion on this, but definitely do differ in my opinion:). I always feel so lucky when I’m down in Courtside and have sat in first and last rows in multiple sections and have loved the experience every time. PJ
Hey, we’re visiting from the UK for a week and, being big tennis fans (we go to Wimbledon every year), we’re hoping to get a ground pass for the second Friday (we arrive on the Weds).
When will these tickets be available to purchase?
Hi Mahesh, grounds passes usually are not available for the second Friday. (However, the second Thursday — ie the day after you arrive — is usually a FREE community day, with no pass required to access the grounds). In past years, they have occasionally made $25 (ish) grounds passes available at the last minute (closer to or during the tournament) for the finals weekend. There’s never a huge demand for them, so just keep checking closer to the tourney and if they do release them you’ll be able to purchase on Ticketmaster. PJ
FYI, they used to do $5 ground passes for the two final weekend days. Then they went to $25 which they have done consistently since (not occasionally). Last year the final day was sponsored by Chase and was free (and they had free ice cream and they gave out tokens for a free beer too). It was fun; then heavy thunderstorms arrived. It was still fun. I think it’s vastly more fun than sitting in the promenade but then I think anything is.
I won’t be surprised that the US Open Tennis will be bought by the Saudis too and raise the prize money to $100 million USD
Looking at prices today, they seem very high compared to last year. I’m assuming wait a few more weeks before pulling the trigger?
https://www.roadto45tennis.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/2021-US-Open-Standard-Ticket-Prices.pdf
Hey Jinesh, FYI that link I posted is with 2021 average prices (I haven’t had a chance to update based on 2022 details, which were indeed higher than 2021). That said, prices are higher across the board from last year. As for whether to wait, it’s such a personal decision and depends on priorities, risk tolerance, and patience. I personally almost always wait until around 3d week of June unless something really appealing pops up prior, because they often release additional tickets and because the resale market has so many people competing to sell. The most important thing to do… Read more »
PJ, I am so despondent. Not only are prices higher, there are so few standard Ticketmaster tickets. Looks like the resellers snatched everything up. I am in shock. For the quarter finals, there aren’t even any single tickets. Two tickets or more only. And I’m solo. I am seriously considering going to Montreal this year for a week, which will cost me less than going to the Open for a few matches! I know the advice you give, and I follow it. But please reassure me that TM will release more tickets. Also, I hope that other people who follow… Read more »
Hey Courtney, don’t despair!! There are rarely many good standards available on opening day/week. For most sessions (apart from Men’s evening QF sessions and Men’s semis and finals) there’s a strong likelihood that new ones will pop up sporadically. However, as you know from previous years, complicating matters is the fact that they use a dynamic pricing system even for standard seats, which fluctuates based on overall market demand. If it’s any consolation, I almost never buy my tickets during the first week of public sale – I look for good deals to pop up over the summer on resale… Read more »
PJ… Absolutely love your work here. Thank you for sharing with us. This will be my first live tennis event ever. I am excited! Planning to go with a friend on August 30… will buy Ashe high up to get a cheap ground pass for day session (i.e. 70 bucks) and then spend my budget on Louis Armstrong courtside tickets close for evening session. One question I had not covered in your post is regarding headsets for hearing the commentors. Any thoughts on that? What equipment is needed?
Hey there, thank you! And so excited for you hearing your excitement come through. If you have an Amex card, you can pick up a free little earpiece/radio on the grounds when you arrive (multiple locations, lots of signage). PJ
PJ, have you heard about issues with getting valid tickets on StubHub for the US Open? I read several reviews that said people bought tickets only to get to their event and the tickets were invalid or had already been scanned. Numerous people said they had been scammed by StubHub. Also, it said StubHub told them they would receive Mobile tickets on the day of the event so they didn’t have any time to contact them to get replacement tickets. Now I’m hesitant to use StubHub. What are your thoughts?
Hey Mel, I’ve used Stubhub so (so) many times and never had any issues whatsoever. Stubhub has very strong buyer protections- and with US Open it’s really difficult to scam because of the e-ticketing system and digital anti-counterfeit measures they’ve put into place in recent years. Sometimes bots or other nefarious actors post fake negative reviews on sites they don’t like – I suspect at least some of the negative ones you’ve seen are questionable in that regard. PJ
Thanks so much, PJ. I am taking my daughter and are traveling from the Midwest so just wanted to get your opinion on StubHub. Appreciate your feedback and putting my mind at ease! We are so excited to see the US Open in person for the first time! Mel
Hey Mel, you’re welcome! Hope you and your daughter have an awesome time!! PJ
Hi PJ! I am a newbie going for the first time this year. If I buy a day session-reserved seat for Ashe stadium, your graph on BOX#1 says I can stay in the grounds as late as I’d like. Does that mean I can stay for the night session and access the first-come first-serve unreserved seats in Armstrong and watch the night matches?
Hey Carl, correct! Hope you have an awesome time. PJ
Yes you may but you very likely won’t. Very few day people stay for Armstrong night matches — especially the second match — because very few can do what can turn out to be a 12-15 hour day. I see the same behavior year after year, decade after decade. People show up early at the gates all hyped up to see tennis. By 6pm or so when the nicest weather arrives most of them have left or will do so after a bite in the junk food court. By 8-9pm almost all of the day crowd but the real diehards… Read more »
This will be my first year going! You’ve already helped by saying not to buy on the first day of sales, which I was about to do when I saw this post. Thank you so much for this super valuable info. I’ll be sharing with friends as we all buy for the first time!
Hey there, thanks so much for taking the time to write and let me know it was helpful – and great to hear you’ll be coming for the first time! Let me know if you have other questions as you continue to navigate the process! PJ
I tried to log on to Ticketmaster immediately at 9AM est this morning and there is nothing but maybe a few promenade seats available on Sat 9/2 and Sun 9/3. Did I miss something? I wouldn’t think Amex snatched them all up during presale. Maybe they will release more over the coming weeks?
Hi David, unfortunately it’s pretty much the norm every year – very very few standard seats available on opening day of public sale (although there were and still are standard promenade seats available for more than those two sessions). The Amex presale only features a small handful of standard seats that eventually are made available, so you didn’t really miss anything then either. They WILL release more standard seats in the weeks ahead, but unfortunately there’s never any rhyme or reason as to timing or quantity or for which sessions… you just have to keep checking for the sessions you’re… Read more »
Thanks for this! Massive help…such good information.
Kyle, THANK YOU! Much appreciated!
Are the prices of tickets higher this year?
Should I wait later to get the best deals?
Hey Chris, prices do appear a bit higher across the board. As for whether to wait, it’s such a personal decision and depends on priorities, risk tolerance, and patience. I personally almost never buy on the first day and usually wait at least until around 3d week of June, because they often release additional tickets and because the resale market has so many people competing to sell. The most important thing to do now is get familiar with the average prices on the resale market (see Ticketmaster, Stubhub, etc) — and look at those in the context of the average… Read more »
Hey PJ- you are so damn right.—after all you the expert
The pre release ticket price was $91 for AA and now only $81$
Hope to buy you ice cream when we meet.
Hey Chris, no need for the ice cream but will be great to say hello 🙂 Yeah, it’s always such a guessing game… Sometimes it pays to wait, other times you make a guess early and it pays off because prices go through the roof (like last year with every session Serena played in). But in my experience, being patient has paid off more often than not! PJ
Hi PJ, I was disappointed that 2022 did not include an opening night performer (other than Serena). Do you know who will be performing this year?
Hey Jeff, was such a big deal with Serena last year that it was a huge exception! I don’t think they’ve announced this year’s performer yet. PJ
Hi PJ, Have you heard yet whether there will be an opening night performer this year on 8/28/23?
Hey Jeff, it’s weird I haven’t… anyone else heard or seen anything? PJ
My best guess is that given this year’s logo and 50th year anniversary of the WTA, that we’ll likely see a nicely done tribute to Billie Jean King, not unlike last year’s tribute to Serena.
Sounds exactly right!
Hi P.J.! This is all super helpful. We will be first-time attendees this year! Question: We were thinking of seeing matches on the Friday, Sunday, and Monday of Labor Day weekend? I have friends recommending going earlier in the week at the beginning of the tourney so that it is less crowded. What has been your experience going over Labor Day Weekend? Is it a total zoo? We went to the Indian Wells Tourney this year and the first Saturday was so crowded with huge long lines waiting to get into the stadiums…it was almost hard to move around the… Read more »
Hey Debra! Great to hear it’s been helpful and so glad you’re coming. Labor Day weekend Sat and Sun are indeed packed – definitely a mob scene at Armstrong and Grandstand (and outer courts esp on Sat during R3). That said, if you can score seats (on resale market) for Grandstand on Saturday (R3) or Louis Armstrong (R16) on Sunday those are some of my favorite times to go.
First few days are fantastic to go because prices are less expensive and so many options on outer courts. There are always upsets and a lot of spectacular play. PJ
This is so helpful! I’ve never been but am absolutely busting to while I’m able to. I’m 62 and in good health but at this age, anything can happen!
Thanks so much! I saved the page under favorites!!
Thrilled to hear that, Nancy, thank you! PJ
Incredibly helpful. As a big tennis fan but US Open virgin this was exactly the information I was searching for. Thanks for taking the time to do this.
Nichole, I’m so gratified to hear it, thank you so much! PJ
Hi – Love the article. Wife and I are going for the first time this year. Question on Lodge tickets. Is there a difference in the rows and what do you have access to with these tickets? We don’t mind spending the extra $$ if worth the value, especially if there is access to additional amenities.
Hi Timothy, thanks! There’s a big difference between first few rows of Loge sections and the last few rows. What’s hard to grasp until you’ve been to Ashe is that Loge seats are already pretty high up, because the section begins above two levels of suites that sit above the courtside section. So definitely worth targeting lower 1/2 of Loge section. No access to additional amenities with Loge or Promenade seats — only with Courtside (access to special restaurants). PJ
I am seeking day and/or night sessions for only 2 days (8/31 and 9/1). This will be my 4th visit to the Open, and looking forward to another great tourney in NYC. I attempted to buy seats this morning with AMEX early access ticketing, but there were no courtside options in Ashe. At this point, I believe I will wait closer to the actual dates to buy unless you feel otherwise. I am not sure if Ticketmaster releases additional seats to members later. Also, do you know if the AMEX Centurion Lounge will be available this year, and when one… Read more »
Hey Christopher, great to hear from you. Yeah, I’ve never seen courtside tickets (and usually only a small smattering of Loge) during Amex presale. There may be standard courtsides available beginning today for some sessions – but be careful of any that are blue but actually premium hospitality versions, which carry a very steep premium. I personally don’t think I’ve ever purchased courtside seats for sessions I wanted until at least a couple weeks after tickets go on sale because (1) they often release more (trickled out randomly and unpredictably so you just have to keep checking) and (2) because… Read more »
The Centurion Lounge will be indeed available this year. Please see below from Amex’ email sent las week:
THE CENTURION® LOUNGE AT US OPEN
Elevate your US Open experience with The Centurion Lounge, our premium lounge in Louis Armstrong Stadium. Relax between matches and enjoy a complimentary drink and light bites. Reservations required through Resy starting August 10, 2023 at 1pm ET while supplies last.
Thanks so much, Alejandro, just updated the post with the Aug 10 date! PJ