A Serious Tennis Fan’s Complete Guide to the 2026 US Open: Tickets, Tips & More

▸ Returning Visitors: Click Here for Latest Updates!
- June 28: Published fully restructured new version of this post to facilitate navigation, including this PDF 2026 US Open Ticket Options and Average Prices: How to Spot a Good Deal — day-by-day ticket options and direct links to check prices and comparison shop on Ticketmaster and Stubhub.
- July 3: Added FAQ: “Which seats in Promenade have obstructed views?”
- August 3: Updated details on shade patterns in Armstrong Stadium in FAQ: “Which seats get the most shade?”
- August 27: The NYT reported that the Open would offer limited $25 evening grounds passes for purchase on-site only through Sep 6: “However, they can be purchased only on-site the evening of entry and on nights that Louis Armstrong is sold out (not including resale tickets).” When I asked the US Open box office to provide more details, they wrote: “No unfortunately we cannot confirm availability beforehand, these specific passes are on a day-to-day basis. Evenings grounds passes are only made available day of based on the capacity of the events and the stadiums.”
- August 29: My new chart outlining how scheduling should work beginning in Round 2: “Who Plays on Which Dates After R1?”
- September 1: Fellow fan Carrie reported on the late-night taxi situation: “I had a great experience with getting a yellow cab at the rideshare area by the NY Hall of Science at around 11:30pm the first two nights. NYPD organized the taxis and the taxi line and I waited only a few minutes in line before I was able to get a cab and a fast ride back to the hotel at a very reasonable cost. There were plenty of taxis waiting to pick up folks. This was probably way faster than waiting for an uber, and the police officer organizing the taxi line even made the sure my driver had his meter on when he saw I was a woman traveling solo late at night!”
- September 3: I share observation on the new post-renovation Courtside and Loge sections in my updated FAQ “What’s different about Ashe after the big 2026 renovation to Ashe Stadium?“
By P.J. Simmons
If you’re a fellow tennis fan planning a trip to the US Open — whether it’s your first visit or your fifteenth — I built this guide for you. As a serious tennis player and fan living in NYC, I feel so lucky that the US Open is in my backyard. I absolutely love the tournament, and find nothing more educational and inspiring for my own game than seeing world-class live tennis.
2026 will mark my 18th time at the US Open, and I’ve learned a ton over the years through trial and error about how to maximize the opportunity, find the best tickets and seats on the Official US Open ticket site on Ticketmaster, StubHub, and other reseller sites, and generally get the biggest bang for the buck. Likewise, I’ve learned so much thanks to fellow fans around the world who have shared their own insights since I wrote the first version of this post over a decade ago.
Below are my top 10 recommendations and practical resources to help you sort through the complexity, understand all the ticket options, and make the best decisions for your own priorities and budget so you have an incredible experience. I’ll continue to update throughout the summer and the tournament. Don’t hesitate to reach out with a question below if you can’t find what you need – I’ll reply as soon as I can.
For my returning friends: Please let me know what you think of this newly restructured and updated version (June 28), which hopefully will make navigation easier and faster for you. Please let me know what you think – I’d really appreciate your feedback!
What Every First-Timer Should Know Before Buying Tickets
Whether it’s your first Open or you just haven’t been in a few years, here are a few things worth understanding before you spend a dollar or make final decisions on when to attend.
Consider taking advantage of incredible FREE opportunities to see world-class tennis and superstars the week before the main tournament (August 23–29)
Before the main tournament begins, there’s a packed week of events at the US Open grounds (“Fan Week”) that offers many opportunities to experience the magic of the Open without spending a dollar on a ticket.
The week kicks off Sunday August 23 with Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day. If you have kids, this is a great day to go with lots of interactive games, music, activities.
Then, the Qualifying Tournament (Monday August 24 – Thursday August 27) is an amazing opportunity for serious fans to see major rising players and incredible tennis up close. 128 of the world’s best male and female players (whose ATP and WTA rankings were just shy of qualifying automatically for the US Open) will compete for the final 32 spots (16 each for men and women) in the singles draws. In 2021, #150-ranked qualifier Emma Raducanu went on to win the US Open women’s singles title – the first Grand Slam champion in history to come through qualifiers. Maja Chwalinska came close to doing the same at the 2026 French Open. Read why Fan Week/Qualies are so special in this excellent piece by Steven Kutz.
Throughout the entire week, there are opportunities to see some of the top-seeded players and biggest stars in unofficial practice sessions (details posted on the practice schedule the morning of).
Note: Fan week also features four special events that require paid tickets: including Mixed Doubles Rounds 1&2 (Aug 25 10am); Exhibition play with Roger Federer (Aug 25 7pm); Mixed Doubles Semis and Finals (Aug 26 7pm); and a “Stars of the Open” exhibition (Aug 27 7pm).
IMPORTANT: TO GAIN ADMISSION DURING FAN WEEK, YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER FOR A FREE FAN ACCESS PASS.
The US Open is much bigger than Ashe Stadium. Get the lay of the land before you make your plan.
Most people think of Arthur Ashe Stadium when they think about the US Open—and understandably so. It’s the largest tennis stadium in the world (almost 24,000 seats) and home to many of the tournament’s biggest matches. But the US Open is so much more than Ashe. Think of it as a massive tennis festival spread across an entire campus. On a typical day during the first week, world-class matches take place simultaneously on Ashe plus 16 other courts.
In fact, some of the most exciting tennis during the tournament happens on Louis Armstrong Stadium (almost as big as the main show courts at Wimbledon, the French Open, and the Australian Open with around 14,000 seats plus a retractable roof in case of rain), Grandstand (with 8,100 seats), Court #17 (2,800 seats) and the smaller field Courts #4-16.
Some important basic rules about how entry and seating works:
- Any of the almost 80 ticket options gets you access to the entire US Open grounds — you’ll find every option laid out in the ticket chart below (2026 US Open Ticket Options and Average Prices).
- Once you’ve entered the US Open grounds, you can access unreserved seats (on a first-come basis) in Armstrong, Grandstand, and on every other court except Ashe stadium. Ashe Stadium has no unreserved seats, so you need to buy an Ashe-specific ticket if you want to get in. Armstrong and Grandstand have both reserved ticket options and unreserved seating. Courts #4-17 are entirely first-come, unreserved seating.
- Grounds entry times vary depending on your ticket: A grounds pass or “Day” session reserved ticket for either Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand allows entry when gates first open (usually 9:30am). If you only purchase an “Evening” session ticket for a particular day, you’ll have to wait until 6pm to enter the grounds. Once you’re in the US Open grounds, you can stay as late as you want until closing.
Learn how player and match scheduling works to raise the odds of seeing your favorite players.
Most fans coming to the Open dream of seeing their favorite players in action. But what many first-timers don’t realize is that it’s impossible to predict which players will play on which days, on which courts, or at what time until the detailed “Daily Schedule of Play” is released shortly before the actual match day. So if you buy a ticket to the Open prior to that – which most people do – you’re buying access to matches in a particular round of play, not a guarantee that you’ll see any specific player.
The good news is that having a clear understanding of how scheduling works can dramatically improve your odds of seeing the players and matches that matter most to you. Taking a few minutes now to review these things will put you ahead of the game:
1. Start by getting the big picture of the tournament’s schedule – here’s an overview:
>> You can find a comprehensive, day-by-day breakdown of the schedule and every ticket option here: 2026 US Open Ticket Options
2. Get a sense of what day-by-day match scheduling looks like by reviewing last year’s “Daily Schedules of Play” to get a feel for what types of matches are played on which courts during the various rounds. Keep in mind this is just illustrative: for instance, just because a player was scheduled for certain days or played on certain Ashe Day or Night sessions does not mean you can expect the same for this year!
3. Go deeper: see the FAQ “How can I predict when and where my favorite player will play?” below — it explains how to make educated guesses about who plays when and where.
How to Choose the Right Tickets and Spot Good Deals
One of the most common questions I get every year is some version of: “What’s the best ticket to buy?” The honest answer is that there are many “best” tickets — it simply depends on your priorities and what kind of experience you’re hoping to have. Some fans want the energy of being with 24,000 others in an Arthur Ashe night session. Others are happy spending an entire day roaming the grounds in the early rounds, hopping from court to court. Some want to treat someone special to courtside seats in a final round. Others want the most tennis possible for the lowest price. So the goal is simply to find the ticket that’s best for you.
Below are my top recommendations—followed by a time-saving chart I built to help you compare all the options, benchmark average prices and comparison shop, and make decisions with confidence.
Don’t miss the chance to see world-class players and great matches up close on the other courts beyond Ashe Stadium.

It was awesome seeing Ben Shelton up close for the first time in 2022 on Court #10 in Round 1 (v. Borges)
For my first US Open, I spent about $250 per ticket for a seat in the upper portion of Ashe Stadium for a night match so I’d be guaranteed to see at least one Top 10 player live. While it was certainly thrilling to experience the electricity of an evening Ashe match, I still felt somewhat distant from the action (it’s a mammoth 24,000-capacity venue) and spent much of the time watching the match on the huge video screen. Moreover, because the tournament prioritizes putting the biggest stars on Ashe over the best match-ups, the matches I saw weren’t terribly exciting.
Since then, I’ve become addicted to the unparalleled thrill of seeing many world-class competitors from a few feet away in epic duels on several of the smaller non-Ashe courts (Louis Armstrong Stadium, Grandstand Stadium, the very cool Court #17, and other outer courts #4-#16). Once you have this experience you’ll likely get addicted too. While it’s rare that you’ll see the Top 5 players on those courts, you WILL see other awe-inspiring players in very competitive matches –including seeing rising stars before they become household names, and feel the excitement of “discovering” new talent to cheer for. Over the years I’ve seen countless “next-gen” players up very close for the first time on outer courts before they were super famous — including Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Madison Keys, Dominic Thiem, Sasha Zverev, Felix Auger-Aliassime, and many others.
While I recommend everyone experience Ashe Stadium at least once, I also can’t recommend more strongly that you make time to explore the opportunities to see thrilling tennis in more intimate settings on the other 16 courts.
On a tight budget but want to see a lot of tennis? Consider going during Rounds 1 and 2, and aim for an affordable Ashe Stadium (or Armstrong Stadium) DAY session ticket — often comparably priced to a Grounds Pass, but a much smarter buy.

Be sure to take in some Doubles action too. Here was Casper Ruud and his partner William Blumberg during Round 1 in 2024.
Rounds 1 and 2 (Sun–Thurs of the main tournament’s first week) are a great chance to get maximum bang for your buck. There’s so much action across the entire US Open grounds, with matches happening simultaneously on 17 courts all day — and some play stretching into the evening. Crowds are heavy but not as intense as Labor Day weekend. It’s one of my favorite times to be out there.
Many fans assume a Grounds Pass is automatically the cheapest way into the Open — but often it isn’t. Before you buy one, always compare it against Ashe and Armstrong DAY-session tickets. During Rounds 1 and 2 those are often available for a similar price (sometimes less!), and they give you everything a Grounds Pass does — early entry when the gates open in the morning, the run of the whole grounds — plus a reserved seat and rain protection (both stadiums have roofs). You may end up roaming the outer courts more than sitting in that seat — but it’s there when you want it, and it guarantees you a spot inside if one of your favorites gets scheduled in that stadium. And keep in mind: a Grounds Pass won’t get you into Ashe at all (every Ashe seat is reserved). So if having Ashe be part of your experience matters to you, a cheap Ashe day ticket in the early rounds is often the most affordable way to do it.
And because a DAY ticket lets you stay on the grounds into the evening, you’ll get hours of extra tennis on the outer courts well past 6pm — all for the price of one ticket.
If your budget can swing it, I strongly recommend getting a courtside reserved seat in Louis Armstrong stadium (especially between Sep 4 – Sep 7) and/or in Grandstand (especially on Sep 4 or Sep 5).

Me spotted on Netflix “Break Point” series cheering on Taylor Fritz and Brandon Holt at the 2022 US Open – front row during awesome match on Grandstand
As a general rule, I encourage fellow fans to budget their time and money in ways that maximize the possibility of a few magical experiences versus a ton of forgettable ones. For instance, if you’re opting between multiple days of cheap nosebleed seats in Ashe’s Upper Promenade versus applying the same budget towards excellent seats on Armstrong or Grandstand for a couple sessions, I generally recommend the latter.
Louis Armstrong (14,053 seats) and Grandstand (8,125 seats) are the other two main show courts after Ashe Stadium – and they offer a much more intimate experience. A reserved courtside ticket for either can give you access to thrilling matches and players up close that you’ll never forget.
The first time I did this in 2010 I saw an unforgettable marathon slugfest between David Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco from the first row of the old Armstrong stadium… It gave me a memory I will treasure forever. Ever since, I’ve made it an annual tradition to go with friends to get excellent courtside seats in Armstrong during the 3rd Round or Round of 16. In 2019, I got to see Matteo Berrettini crushing balls in the Round of 16 on Armstrong from the second row (and my phone exploded with texts when my friends and I were spotted on ESPN frequently cheering for him). I’ve had similar transporting experiences in Grandstand over the years – including sitting first row behind-the-server for a match between Auger-Aliassime and fellow Canadian Denis Shapovalov.
Both stadiums also feature general admission seating on a first-come basis, but getting good GA seats can be tough and involve long lines for the higher-profile matches — so having a reserved courtside ticket gives you the dual benefit of skipping long lines plus incredible proximity to the players.
If you’ve never done it, consider splurging once on a courtside Ashe seat.

Me caught on ESPN cheering very loudly for Carlitos from front row Ashe (lower left) during 2024 Round 2 (v Botic van de Zandschulp)
After dreaming for years of the possibility, I finally bit the bullet to invest in Arthur Ashe Stadium Courtside seats in 2011 for the first time. It was bliss. Ever since, I’ve made an annual pilgrimage to experience Ashe Courtside with a few close friends at least once.
What most people don’t understand about the mammoth Ashe stadium until they’ve been in person is that even Loge seating is fairly high up because (a) the stadium is very vertically oriented (seating is on a sharp incline) and (b) there are two levels of suites above Courtside before the first row of Loge even begins. So when you’re down in Courtside, you feel like you’re in another world. The feeling of being that close to greatness in Ashe’s electric atmosphere is pretty amazing.
Here’s a video I shot of Federer from the front row in 2011, the very first time I sat courtside at Ashe. I found a great deal on a resale ticket on Labor Day during the Round of 16 and got to witness Federer perfection from a few feet away. Best money I’ve ever spent.
Before you compare options, get clear on what matters most to you for this particular visit — seeing a favorite player, incredible proximity, atmosphere, the most tennis for your money, shade, flexibility, or certainty. The more familiar you become with the market, the easier it becomes to recognize real value when you see it.
Here are 4 steps to making sure you make your decision with confidence:
- Know the benefits/restrictions of each type of ticket – read “What Each US Open Ticket Type Gets You” below.
- Review the day-by-day ticket options and average prices in the chart below. It will give you valuable context for smart decisionmaking, including up-to-date price ranges of what to expect for every single ticket option plus benchmark ranges from last year’s Open.
- Comparison shop — best done on a computer. For my full step-by-step process — which sites, how to read the maps, what to avoid — see “Which ticket site should I use?” under Before You Buy below.
- Scan the topics below under “Before You Buy — Common Questions” to dive deeper into many important questions that may impact your final decision about what’s best for you.

Before You Buy — Common Questions
▸ Should I buy now or wait? Will prices go up or down?
The frustrating reality is: it depends — and it’s impossible to predict with certainty. Buying US Open tickets can be a bit like investing in the stock market: knowledge and good judgment dramatically improve your odds, but there are always surprises because so many variables are involved.
One thing many first-time buyers don’t realize is that the inventory they see today may look very different tomorrow, next week, or later in the summer. Much of the market is driven by resale, because the USTA typically makes relatively few Standard tickets (“blue dots” on Ticketmaster) available, with most inventory pre-allocated to subscribers — and even Standard tickets are dynamically priced rather than sold at a fixed “face value.” As a result, prices can move in unexpected ways.
Historically, some sessions get cheaper as more resale tickets hit the market and sellers compete, while other high-demand sessions rise substantially. Who gets scheduled on which days, courts, and sessions matters too. Last year (2025), schedulers surprised everyone by putting the blockbuster Djokovic–Alcaraz semifinal in the day session rather than at night — so day prices spiked and night prices dropped.
Resale tickets are almost always available until the last minute, so patient buyers sometimes find great deals — but waiting trades certainty for risk. The best advice I can give: familiarize yourself with typical prices for the sessions you’re considering so you can recognize a good opportunity when you see one. The chart above is built for exactly that — every option, this year’s average ranges, and last year’s day-of benchmarks (for context, not prediction). One clue: if you enlarge the Ticketmaster map and see few tickets, scarcity often signals prices may keep rising; abundant inventory often means more downward pressure.
▸ Will the tournament release more Standard tickets and Grounds Passes?
Sometimes yes — but in a completely unpredictable way. The USTA has historically released additional Standard (“blue dot”) tickets throughout the summer for some sessions, sometimes for surprisingly good seats. There has never been a reliable pattern for which sessions or ticket types get more inventory, and Grounds Pass inventory can fluctuate too. My advice: check periodically, especially in the mornings, but don’t count on it for any specific session.
▸ Will I still get good tickets if everything looks expensive right now?
Usually, yes. One of the biggest misconceptions among first-time buyers is that the inventory available when tickets first go on sale is all there will be. In reality, more resale inventory appears throughout the summer, and the USTA often releases additional standard tickets too. The market keeps evolving right up until the tournament begins — and sometimes even on the day of the matches.
▸ Which sessions are the best deals?
This varies year to year, and some of the best last-minute deals turn up when the lineups aren’t what people expected (last year, for example, a marquee semifinal landed in the day session instead of the night). Still, here are a few sessions that tend to be overlooked and have historically offered relatively good value:
- Armstrong evening courtside, week 1 — exciting under the lights in a big stadium, but demand is lower because many fans choose day-session tickets instead (understandably, since a day ticket lets you in as soon as gates open, so you can catch as much tennis as possible). The trade-off: an evening-only ticket won’t get you onto the grounds until 6pm. But it can be an affordable way to see bigger names from a far better vantage point than the upper tier of Ashe.
- Quarterfinal day sessions — the biggest-name lineups almost always go to the night sessions during the quarterfinals. With many tourists gone and locals leaning toward evenings, day tickets here are often cheaper than the Round of 16.
- Labor Day Ashe evening — historically cheaper than other Round-of-16 sessions, since many tourists have headed home and demand dips. You still get great matches, and it’s a great time to experience Ashe at night.
▸ How do I see the exact location of seats I might buy?
Use the “Map View” on Ticketmaster for any particular session provides the best reference for the exact location of specific seat(s). After you click on the session/stadium that interests you, choose Map View, then mouse over or click any of the dots to see the exact section, row, and seat number. This is also helpful if you’re comparison shopping with Stubhub or other resale sites, whose maps may only feature sections and zones and not individual seats.
KEY SEATING CHARTS AND SHADE MAPS
ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM
- NEW 2026 Arthur Ashe Seating Chart
- My NEW 2026 annotated Ashe Stadium SHADE map
- Ashe “Interactive Seat Viewer” (updated for 2026) to give you a sense of what view is like from specific seats – which from my experience tends to make seats look like they’re closer than they actually feel when you’re there, but helpful nonetheless.
Update on the Renovated Loge Section
In previous years, I recommended prioritizing the lower half of Loge when Courtside wasn’t in the budget, because even the front rows of Loge were already relatively high up. With the new design, the front rows of Loge now sit meaningfully farther from the court (only 5 of the original 13 rows of Loge remain) – so sitting in Loge is only marginally better than lower Promenade, making it hard to justify paying much of a premium.
A warning about the first row of the new Loge section: The roof of the luxury suites just below juts out like a sore thumb from the front row, both creating a visual and emotional barrier to the court. Here’s a photo I took from the new Section 231 Row A.
LOUIS ARMSTRONG STADIUM
- Louis Armstrong Stadium Seating Chart (Official)
- Louis Armstrong Chart (with my annotations)
- Armstrong Interactive “View from Seat” Map
- My annotated Armstrong Stadium SHADE map
GRANDSTAND
▸ What’s different about Ashe after the big 2026 renovation to Ashe Stadium?
A lot. 2026 brings a huge change to Ashe: a major renovation added 2,000 new Courtside seats and removed around 2,800 Loge seats to make room for the expanded courtside area and newly designed luxury suites between the Courtside and Loge levels. Promenade remains exactly the same.
My initial observations after spending a few days watching play from various sections of Ashe in 2026:
The New Courtside
- Courtside seats (even higher rows) remain qualitatively much, much better than Loge and Promenade, which now feel even more remote. Overall, though, courtside feels far less intimate. And more numbers create intense crowds in the “Club Level” corridors (where you get drinks and food).
- Noise levels are worse than ever in the stadium due to the larger numbers of people in courtside and folks in suites, many of whom are drinking heavily and carry on conversations at full voice. All it takes is a few loud conversations to spark a chain reaction: background conversations become white noise, and everyone feels permission to talk loudly.
- Gone are the days when you would be embarrassed for standing in an aisle except during changeovers. The longer stairways — coupled with the highly questionable elimination of the continuous walkway at the top of Courtside — means people take too long to get to their seats.
- The addition of two cordoned-off Courtside rows (“100A-100E”) with walkway behind the umpire chair feels, to be perfectly frank, obnoxious. One the one hand, I applaud the move to put Players’ Boxes into the first row on this side (section 100A) and directly opposite (105AA). And I understand the need to reserve parts of these rows (especially 100G) for VIPs like Billie Jean King and provide special security for them. But selling the rest of these seats to ultra-rich subscribers — many of whom skip matches in favor of hanging in suites or resell the seats at out-of-reach, exorbitant prices — is infuriating to someone like me who has spent hard-earned savings on those seats in the past and literally been moved to tears of joy and appreciation to be in them watching favorite players.
The New Loge
In previous years, I recommended prioritizing the lower half of Loge when Courtside wasn’t in the budget, because even the front rows of Loge were already relatively high up. With the new design, the front rows of Loge now sit meaningfully farther from the court (only 5 of the original 13 rows of Loge remain) – so sitting in Loge is only marginally better than lower Promenade, making it hard to justify paying much of a premium.
A warning about the first row of the new Loge section: The roof of the luxury suites just below juts out like a sore thumb from the front row, both creating a visual and emotional barrier to the court. Here’s a photo I took from the new Section 231 Row A.
I’ll update the FAQ on views from seats as soon as I can with a few more photos, but wanted to share this update in real time (Sep 3, 2026).
▸ Which seats get the most shade?
ASHE STADIUM
The roof creates a huge amount of natural shade all day for many seats. The most shade is in the South and West sections. Next-best is the North. The most sun (to avoid for Day sessions) is on the East side. See my Ashe shade map. I will update this with more details after I’ve experienced Ashe post-renovation in person during Fan Week this year.
GRANDSTAND
Much less shade overall, but South and West are again better because the sun is more at your back. GA seats higher under the overhang — especially the Southwest corner — get the most.
ARMSTRONG STADIUM
Sections 1–8 (South and West) are best overall for shade, with Section 2 the best (in shade all day). Sections 11-16 (East) are the worst and sit in direct afternoon sun (however the top couple of rows are shaded all day due to the overhang from the upper deck). See this basic overview of the Armstrong shade pattern – then see these additional photos showing how various sections are impacted throughout the day. Additional details:
- Section 1 is fully shaded until around 12:30pm, then some rows and some seats in the first 8-10 rows start getting some sun). See this photo.
- Sections 17-18: Fully shaded until around 12:30pm, then lower rows start getting sun. By about 2:15, many of the first 8-10 rows (rows E-O) are getting sun – see this photo and this photo. By 3pm a few more rows in 17 and 18 get sun – see this photo. By around 4pm (not sure exact time) all of 17 and 18 are shaded completely again
- Sections 3-8 (West side/Chair umpire side) is in full sun at 11am, but the shade gradually moves down to blanket more and more rows such that by 12:30pm the top 10 rows (appx) are in shade and by around 1pm all seats are fully shaded.
- The last 2 rows in the lower bowl around the entire stadium stay shaded (under the overhang from the upper bowl).
- Sections 8-11: Rows U and above are always shaded, most other seats always in direct sun.
▸ Which sections and seats have the best views?
Most people consider “behind the server” seats (the North or South ends of the court) the best — and prices reflect it. For first-timers, that’s my top recommendation. It’s the angle used for broadcast: you can follow point construction and see the court from the perspective of the player on your side of the net, without moving your head side to side. Here’s a photo of the same perspective (from higher up seats) in Armstrong. Here’s another photo from Ashe courtside front row.
Corner sections are also widely considered to be highly desirable — and for good reason. They carry many of the same advantages of the above, with the added benefit you can see the player on your side of the net from the front as their hitting the ball not just the back. Here’s a photo from the new Armstrong from that perspective.
As a serious player myself, I personally love sitting courtside as close as possible in lower rows of sections where seats are practically on the court, perpendicular and near to the actual baseline (e.g., section 120 in renovated Ashe) because it gets me physically even closer to the players and more on the same level. Sitting in the lower rows, I feel even more like I’m on the court with them. I feel the speed of the game. In these seats, I personally enjoy watching one player at a time sometimes to see their footwork, how they prepare for the next ball, etc. Here’s a photo from Ashe courtside from that perspective.
For Loge or Promenade in Ashe, I generally recommend the lowest rows you can get regardless of location, since Loge — and especially Promenade — are already quite high up.
For Day sessions, factor in shade (West, Southwest, and Northwest get the most relief; see the shade question above). The umpire chair is never a real obstruction, but in very low rows on that side it can be a minor annoyance.
▸ Which seats in Promenade have obstructed views?
There are a handful of specific seats worth avoiding in Promenade based on reader reports in the comments over the years and posts on “View from my Seat.” Two recommendations based on every obstruction complaint I’ve ever heard about the Promenade:
1. Avoid aisle seats in Promenade rows A-E (due to large glass safety panels at the bottom of aisle stairways).
At the bottom of every aisle staircase, there’s a clear safety panel (with a metal support bar) to keep people from stumbling over the ledge. These sit at the ends of the rows, all the way around the stadium. If you’re in one of the first several rows (roughly A through E) AND in the seat or two directly beside an aisle, that glass and bar can cut right across your view of the court. Fans report this year after year, always in the same spots: the aisle-adjacent seats in the low rows. A few rows up, or a few seats over, and the problem disappears. The added bonus of skipping these seats: you’ll avoid fans walking up and down the aisles (which they’re only allowed to do in Promenade).
2. Unless you are fairly tall, avoid Row A in Promenade due to the metal safety rail. The front row of the Promenade has a horizontal rail along it. For many adults it’s a non-issue — you see right over it. But if you’re on the shorter side, or bringing kids, the rail can sit annoyingly close to your sightline to the near baseline. My advice for most folks is to avoid the first row altogether. Rows B and C give you virtually the same view with zero rail, and Row A’s extra legroom probably isn’t worth the tradeoff.
Check out photos from other fans of particular seats in Promenade at “View from my Seat.”
Note: I am not able yet to address questions about structural obstructions in the newly renovated Courtside and Loge sections – I’ll update after I’m there this year.
▸ Day session or evening — which is the better value?
For most fans, day sessions offer better overall value. You’ll typically get more tennis, more scheduling flexibility, and grounds access from morning until late evening. Evening sessions often feature big names and a special atmosphere under the lights, but you’re usually paying for fewer matches. Which is “better” comes down to whether you care more about the quantity of tennis or the energy of a showcase night session.
▸ Is a Grounds Pass worth it?
Sometimes — but usually not. Many fans assume a Grounds Pass is automatically the best value; often it isn’t. Before buying one, always compare prices for Ashe and Armstrong day-session tickets. If they’re available for a similar price, you get all the same grounds-access privileges plus a reserved seat and valuable rain protection from the stadium roofs.
▸ Should I buy a subscription or multi-session plan?
For most serious fans, I don’t recommend it. Most multi-session and first-time subscription plans are only for Promenade seats — so high up in that huge stadium that you’ll watch much of the match on the Jumbotron or through binoculars. It can take years to upgrade to Loge (only available with the very expensive full-series plan). For the price of a full-series plan (well over $2,000 each) you could buy several amazing seats across the tournament — or two excellent seats for the Men’s Final. And there’s always a glut of Promenade Ashe seats on the resale market, so an entire series of Promenade seats can be hard to resell.
▸ Which ticket site should I use? How to comparison shop?
Start with Ticketmaster, then compare resale. My process:
- Consult 2026 US Open Ticket Options and Average Prices: How to Spot a Good Deal to learn the average price ranges for the sessions you care about.
- Always check the official Ticketmaster US Open site first — on a computer for the fastest navigation. Use “map view” (click any section), try different sortings, and use multiple tabs to compare sessions. Ticketmaster shows both Standard tickets (“blue dots” — face value, most often Promenade, occasionally Loge/Courtside) and resale tickets (“red dots”). Surprisingly, resale red dots are often the best value, because resellers undercut each other. Tickets stay on sale up to 59 minutes after a session starts if inventory remains, and both Ticketmaster and StubHub make it easy to relist if your plans change (you need a US bank account to re-list on Ticketmaster).
- Compare availability and prices with StubHub and any other preferred resellers to see if you can find an even better deal for comparable seats. Other sites I’ve never had any problems with include Viagogo, VividSeats, SeatGeek, or Ticket Liquidator. I personally no longer recommend TickPick after two very poor experiences. My “2026 US Open Ticket Options” chart linked above links directly to every specific Ticketmaster and StubHub session ticket option.
- Only buy resale tickets that specify the exact Section, Row, and Seat (or seat range) matching the stadium seat maps in this post. Double-check what you receive matches what was advertised; reputable resellers refund a misrepresented ticket (but then it’s on you to find another).
- Never buy off Craigslist or classified sites — too many scams, and NYC law bans “scalping” within 1,500 feet of the venue (effectively everywhere off the subway), with undercover police on site.
- Going with friends? Consider buying a mix of cheap and amazing seats and trading off time in the great one (Promenade vs. Courtside, or across stadiums) — I do this every year. All tickets are mobile-only; if you don’t have a smartphone, Ticketmaster customer service can move yours to Will Call.
- For package deals (tickets + hotel/transport/VIP), trusted options include Championship Tennis Tours, Grand Slam Tennis Tours, and Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours.
▸ Are resale ticket sites safe?
Generally, yes — provided you use reputable marketplaces. In some cases resale tickets are actually better values than standard tickets, because sellers compete on price. Before buying, always verify the section, row, and seat numbers, and make sure the ticket is clearly marked for mobile transfer.
▸ How can I predict when — and where — my favorite player will play?
While you can never be absolutely sure whether your favorite player will be scheduled for a Day or Night session (or on which court) until the Schedule of Play is released the day prior to matches, you CAN predict which DATE your favorite players will play if they advance after the Round 1 schedule is announced. Here’s a chart showing which players would play on which days after Round 1 if they advance (based on the pattern from the first two days of Round 1).
To be absolutely sure you see your favorite player, consider waiting until the schedule is published the day prior (start checking frequently early afternoon, usually out by 5:00pm), then immediately go to the official Ticketmaster US Open site or other resale sites like Stubhub to grab a resale ticket. This strategy requires, however, that you monitor the ticket situation closely in the days prior and are prepared to act immediately when the schedule is announced. Also, if you see tickets becoming scarce and prices going up in the days prior, you may conclude it’s worth taking a chance and purchasing based on an educated guess.
Another way to see your favorite player up close is to watch them when they’re scheduled for practice on the practice courts. See Tip #9
- Only the biggest superstars (like Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff) are sure to be scheduled on Ashe – others might be scheduled on Armstrong, Grandstand, or field courts. Schedulers have been known to put even the #1-ranked player in the world on Armstrong or Grandstand, as they did in 2021 with then #1 Simona Halep during Round 1 (on Grandstand) and then #2 Aryna Sabalenka (Armstrong).
- There’s never any sure way to predict whether players will be scheduled for DAY or NIGHT sessions. Officials try to spread the wealth and be fair to players by alternating players between Day and Night sessions. Contrary to popular belief, they do not always schedule the biggest stars at night. The one exception to this is Quarterfinals, when biggest stars are almost always scheduled for the night sessions.
- For Men’s Semifinals, we learned last year (2025) never to assume that the biggest starpower matches would be put on the Night session: they shocked everyone and put the Alcaraz v Djokovic match on during the Day session, and Sinner v Auger-Aliassime at night.
How to Get the Most of Your Visit
The night before you go, check the Schedule of Play
1. Download the official US Open Everywhere App (search “2026 US Open Tennis”) for the latest schedule, scores, and live updates. I also recommend SI.com’s tennis page for terrific day-to-day coverage and analysis.
2. Be sure to check the Schedule of Play here (or on the App) to identify the matches that most interest you and build your plan around that.
3. If you are targeting the first match of the day on either Grandstand or Armstrong and if you don’t have a reserved seat, aim to get in line early at either the East Gate (for Armstrong) or South Gate (for Grandstand) so you can be among the first to enter when gates open at 9:30am. Then speed-walk over and grab the best seat you can.
4. If you’re a player, you might be interested in reading my ten ideas for watching a pro match to help improve your own game— some of the ways I challenge myself to watch live tennis more deliberately from the perspective of a player who wants to improve.
Check out the practice courts for close sightings of the superstars
Check the practice schedule here (or on the US Open App) the night before and the morning of your day at the Open. Note: the best time to see top players practice without fighting as many crowds is during the Fan Week (see Tip 1).
Don’t drive unless you really have to — here’s how to get there
My top recommendation is to take the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) to “Mets-Willets Point.”
It’s super fast (under 20 minutes from midtown Manhattan) and drops you literally steps from the US Open’s East Gate. You can take it from either Moynihan Train Hall (8th Avenue between West 31st-33rd) or Grand Central. Look for “Port Washington” train on the monitors (signage may say “GREAT NECK” or “PORT WASHINGTON” — double-check the train number.) See 2026 LIRR schedule here. Download the MTA TrainTime app to purchase tickets. Important: the Mets-Willets LIRR stop is NOT accessible for fans with disabilities — exit instead at Woodside/61st St and transfer to the 7 train (or just take the 7 to Mets-Willets Point).
The subway #7 train is also a convenient (and the least expensive) option.
Takes a bit longer, but runs 24 hours. Stops include Grand Central. Download the MTA App for train time and routes. If you must drive: See the US Open’s driving directions and parking details. Plan extra time when the Mets are home (Aug 24-30 and Sep 4-6); I recommend arriving no later than 8:30am on Mets’ dates to be on the safe side. A good alternate parking option is the Shops at Skyview – about a 10-minute walk to the East Gate (and you can reserve a spot in advance for a discounted rate here). Consider buying a resale parking pass on StubHub for a specific lots. Fellow fan Harry notes street parking under or south of Highway 495 is viable if you don’t mind a walk.
Thinking of using UBER/ LYFT/ TAXI? They’re great getting out to the Open – but can be a nightmare coming back after a night session.
To the Open, set the destination to “Billie Jean King National Tennis Center” (drops near the South Gate) or “Mets-Willets Point” (near the 7 train, then walk the footbridge to the East Gate). After a night session, be ready for long waits and heavy surge pricing — thousands of people will be trying to do the same. Alternatives: reserve a car service in advance (I’ve used Riverside), take the LIRR or 7 into Manhattan and hail a cab there, or hail under the 7 train on Roosevelt Ave (or use the Curb app).
Consider staying nearby in Queens and walking or biking.
Fellow fan Mark stayed at an Airbnb on Queens Boulevard about 2 miles away: flat terrain, good bike lanes, and bike racks across from the South Gate — “a fun and hassle-free way to make the commute.”
Coming directly from Laguardia?
It’s only a 9-minute cab ride — or take the Q48 public bus to the “Roosevelt Av/Willets Pt” stop (around 30 minutes). You can check your bag at the US Open before you enter the grounds.
More Common Questions - Good to Know Before You Go
▸ What can I bring — and what’s not allowed? (No backpacks!)
Be sure to review this official complete list of prohibited items before going! To help clarify some common confusions:
- You CAN bring a drawstring bag (click here for example) but NOT a backpack with two straps
- You CAN bring a digital camera with video capabilities (however they do NOT allow “Video cameras or recording devices”, which includes GoPros)
- You CAN bring a plastic or metal water bottle 24 oz or less to refill on site (but NOT anything glass!)
- You CAN bring a fanny pack: but if you do you’ll still need to go through the “with bag” security line
- You CAN bring sunscreen in lotion form only, NOT aerosol cans
- According to the US Open bot on the website: “Outside food or beverages (excluding alcohol) CAN be brought into the US Open grounds, but must fit into one sized bag. There are no exceptions.”
- There is storage outside both East and South Gate entrances if you need it: (in 2025 it was $10 per locker, $20 for large items including suitcases). Bag check for American Express cardholders is discounted (1 bag per card).
Be prepared to wait in a potentially long security line if you have any bag at all (i.e. an enclosed object that doesn’t fit in your clothes), whereas you can breeze through a separate express line for those without bags.
Before Leaving, Don’t Forget…
- Download your mobile tickets to your mobile wallet (e.g. Apple Wallet or something like WalletPasses on Android)
- Sunglasses and sunscreen (lotion not spray)! If you forget, La Roche offers free samples just inside the EAST gate entrance.
- A backup phone charger (e.g. a Mophie) if you have one – although there are Chase-sponsored free chargers on site.
- A lightweight white towel (and/or lightweight neck gaiter) to protect exposed skin from sun or to sit on when in unreserved seats, which can get hot and uncomfortable.
- Reusable plastic water bottle (to refill using any of the many water fountains).
- A small umbrella if rain may be in the forecast
- Dress in layers as it can get hot during the day and occasionally chilly at night
- Contacts wearers: A very small bottle of contact lens solution in case you get something in your eye
- FYI: There are two entrances to the grounds: (1) the main entrance, the “East Gate,” located near the Subway/LIRR; and (2) the “South Gate” entrance near the iconic World’s Fair “Unisphere” (globe) – see map above. While lines tend to be shorter by the South Gate, the wait may end up being about the same because there are fewer attendants and metal detectors.
▸ Can I exit and re-enter the US Open grounds?
DAY SESSION ENTRY TO US OPEN GROUNDS (Gates open usually 9:30 most days, 11:00am Finals weekend)
- With either a Grounds Pass (Day) or a DAY-session reserved ticket in Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand), you can enter the US Open grounds as soon as gates open (usually 9:30am, 11am on Finals weekend)
- Enter the US Open Grounds through security with your ticket scanned at the East Gate or South Gate; if you have a reserved stadium seat, your ticket is re-checked entering that stadium. Once you enter the US Open grounds with any ticket, you can stay as late as you want until closing.
- Note: DAY-session reserved tickets for Ashe or Armstrong only entitles you to that seat for the Day-session matches — after which you will have to leave your seat but can remain on the US Open grounds and access general unreserved seating on every court except Ashe (which has no unreserved seating).
- You can exit the grounds and re-enter as much as you’d like before 6:00pm (you can’t re-enter the Grounds after 6:00pm).
EVENING SESSION ENTRY (6:00pm)
- If you only have an Evening session ticket, you have to wait until 6:00pm to enter the grounds.
- If you are already in the grounds and also hold an Evening reserved tickets (for Ashe or Armstrong) for the same day, you do NOT need to exit and re-enter the grounds.
- If you’re in Armstrong for the Day session (courtside or GA), you’ll leave your seat between sessions while they clean, but you can stay in the Armstrong concourse.
▸ What if it rains?
The good news: since both Arthur Ashe and the new Louis Armstrong have roofs, far more fans can keep watching even
if it rains.
The bad news: if you’ve invested in Grandstand seats or just a Grounds Pass, there’s less consolation. Keep in mind weather forecasts are notoriously unreliable and change by the hour — there’s always hope showers pass quickly.
In the rare event of an all-day rainout (or under 60 minutes of play), the session may be rescheduled to the next day and your ticket honored then — or, if you bought directly from Ticketmaster, you may be able to trade tickets for another session this year or next (see the US Open’s somewhat complicated 2026 Inclement Weather Policy).
Worst case, look for the silver lining: you’ll be among thousands of fans you can grab a specialty cocktail with, huddle under shelter, and watch an Ashe match together on the big screen.
▸ Is grounds admission free on the second Thursday (Sep 10)?
One of the best-kept secrets: for years the US Open has quietly offered free grounds admission on the second Thursday of the main tournament (gates usually open 11am or noon; you must arrive before 5pm) — a chance to see the Men’s Doubles Semifinals plus all-star wheelchair players, the world’s top juniors, and standout collegiate players.
If you’re a serious fan — especially a doubles player — this is a day not to be missed.
▸ Food
FOOD: There are a bunch of options on site, but they aren’t cheap! See my chart outlining examples of the food stands by area on the grounds.
- This PDF includes several menus from past Food Village stands. Every year there are some new additions and substitutions, but many of these will still be around in 2026.
- Korilla BBQ is one of my favorites, but lines are usually among the longest.
- Poke Yachty is absolutely delicious and lines move quickly because they’ve nailed their system.
- Oyster Bar behind Grandstand has killer ceviches and lobster rolls.
- Hill Country BBQ, Curry Kitchen, Fish Shack and Fly Fish are also delicious.
- Restaurants in Queens not on the grounds
▸ What are perks for cardholders?
- AMERICAN EXPRESS CARDHOLDERS: Bring your Amex card if you have one! See full Amex Benefits at US Open here. Perks from 2025 likely to be repeated in 2026:
- (1) Amex Card Member Lounge on the 2d Level of the Amex “Fan Experience” (where anyone can also play a “Glow Tennis” mixed reality interactive game and get a complimentary manicure with tennis themed nail art).
- (2) Centurion Suite in Armstrong (Exclusive to Platinum and Centurion Members). Book in advance on Resy
- (3) Book complimentary court time in NYC area at over 500 tennis and pickleball courts and unlock special access to peak reservation times when using your Amex.
- (4) Check your bag for a reduced fee at East or South Gate
- (5) Get a one-time $20 statement credit when you spend $100 with your enrolled card at participating US Open merchants
- (6) Get a free earpiece/radio to hear ESPN match commentary
- (7) Skip lines and grab concession items quickly (checkout-free shopping) at the Amex Shop in South Plaza .
- CHASE CUSTOMERS? Check this Chase site for updates on perks for 2026.
- Click here to make a reservation to access the “Chase Lounge”
- Other past perks have included offering cool video+mobile “Chase Charge & Watch” chargers
▸ Recommended places to stay?
This is not an area of expertise for me, but I trust fellow tennis fanatic Melissa, who maintains a great list of hotels appealing to all budgets here.
Fellow fan Mark recommends staying in Queens and biking, based on his experience: “We packed our bikes and stayed at a nice AirB&B on Queens Boulevard, a little over 2 miles from the stadium. Queens has a great network of dedicated bike lanes and a friendly attitude toward bikers, and best of all – the terrain is flat! Once at the grounds, there are bike racks across from the South Gate entrance and in front of the security tent that handles baggage claim. It is a fun and hassle-free way to make the commute for anyone that so inclined!”
▸ Grounds access on Finals Weekend?
Grounds Admission tickets usually get issued at some point over the summer for Finals Weekend (Fri-Sun Sep 11-13) on Ticketmaster.
You can’t access Ashe with these tickets, but you can walk the grounds, see juniors and wheelchair finals, and watch Ashe matches on the big screens.
Final Tip: Pay It Forward When You Can
If you have the opportunity, consider a random act of kindness for fellow fans during the tournament. Our tennis community is big, but in a way it’s small — and our passion is infectious; do something kind for someone today, and they’re likely to pay it forward.
For instance, if you’re leaving your great Ashe (or Armstrong or Grandstand) seat for the day/night while matches are still going, as you exit consider consider gifting it to a fan who’s waiting outside the entrance hoping someone like you might offer. Giving someone on grounds your seat when you’re done isn’t as easy as it used to be, given tightened Ticketmaster restrictions preventing transferring after the ticket is scanned and preventing screenshots from within the Ticketmaster app… But with a little creativity and effort you can pretty easily make it happen, and the gesture might create a lifelong memory for someone else. Here’s how:
- Take a screenshot of your ticket in your phone’s WALLET (Ticketmaster will block screenshots from within the app).
- For Armstrong or Grandstand, simply text someone else the screenshot and it should hopefully suffice.
- For Ashe:
- If gifting to someone already IN the stadium, a screenshot from your wallet should suffice — including if you’re leaving the Courtside/Club level area entrance and you want someone already in Ashe to benefit from your seat (from Loge or Promenade.
- If gifting to someone already in the Open grounds but not in Ashe already: You’d need to walk with them to the Ashe entrance, re-scan your ticket (telling the ticket scanner that you’re letting your friend go to your seat) AND give them a screenshot (which they’ll need to show to ushers or for entry to Club level); OR you’d need to walk with the friend(s) as if you were going to re-enter with them, hand the friend your phone to get scanned, then have the friend discreetly pass the phone back after they are “in” (then just turn around as though you changed your mind about entering themselves at this time).
I’ve gifted a lot of tickets over the years, and it always feels wonderful.












I’m flying in tomorrow, have tix for Monday day Grandstand and evening Ashe. Nadal is my favorite player though and seeing him do so well this year I’m thinking of grabbing a loge ticket for tomorrow’s day session just to see Nadal. Problem is flight doesn’t arrive until 10:45 and I’m staying in Manhattan. I’ve been to the Open the last three years but have never noticed any kind of facilities for storage. I’m traveling fairly light, a carry on roller and backpack, do you know of anywhere I could store this so I wouldn’t have to waste the time… Read more »
Hey Dave, I will be in Ashe tomorrow as well. Yes, there are lockers there and, according to the box office ( I just called to doublecheck), they can also store luggage. It’s near the East gate (main entrance). Hope you can make it! PJ
Hi Dave, I had the same dilemma last week. The US Open East Gate (Top of the Ramp) has a $5 storage option depending on space. If you are in Manhattan in the morning already though and don’t want to carry into Queens…I took the Amtrak at Penn Station and stored 2 bags there @ $11.00 – it saved me from dragging my stuff everywhere. [Pennsylvania Station does store luggage, but the facility can be hard to find. Do ask a uniformed Amtrak employee for assistance at the station if you have difficulty finding it. Generally, you need to be… Read more »
Thank you for all this wonderful information. We are hoping to come to the US Open in the future from the UK and your site will be invaluable for planning our trip.
Hoping Andy Murray wins tonight. Am also rooting for all the other Brits still in the tournament.
Hi Diane, you’re most welcome. I had a wonderful experience at Wimbledon a few years ago and look forward to crossing the pond to experience it again soon! P.J.
V nice detailed input for newbies…..like us.
Thanks! PJ
Omg the best advices ever. Going crazy looking for tickets but really so indecisive.
Thanks so much, Sara. Don’t angst too much – let me know if you’re struggling with a couple options and need advice. P.J.
Hi there. I will be coming all the way from Indonesia, arriving on Saturday, which is the last two days of the Open. There’s no chance that im getting the ticket at this moment, so I think i’ll just go to the grounds and soak up the atmosphere. Apart from floating around the area, what else I can see there, any tips? what time should I arrive? and you’re sure that it’s free entrance, correct? thanks for your help!
Hi Pat, (1) I just called the box office again to double-check and got a different answer about grounds admission during finals weekend. They JUST changed the policy yesterday and released a limited number of $25 Grounds Admission tickets, now available on Ticketmaster. I will update my post now – thanks for asking. (2) There will absolutely still be resale tickets available – there always are. For last-minute tickets, I recommend you start with the 100% reliable Ticket Exchange where all tickets are available for instant delivery and you can simply show the mobile version of the ticket if need… Read more »
This was very informative. Thanks. I have gone for 6 straight years. What became obvious to me last year (2015) was the severe impact of match placement on the middle weekend because of CBS no longer doing the TV. When CBS was the main or only outfit, they made sure the stars, and good matches involving the stars, would occur in the day session when they provided coverage. Thus, Saturday through Labor Day, night matches had less attractive matches or ones with little star power. When good matches in Day Session were at Ashe, they drew a good portion of… Read more »
Bill – I was there last year Monday too and bought seats at LA once we saw the draw. Was a great choice, with the Federer match that most people expected to see in Ashe during day instead being scheduled at night. Meanwhile, LA went until midnight and was an epic day of tennis. However, not sure if I’d agree with that being the norm – so far, Saturday and Sunday both seem to be opting to show the bigger stars during day (I’d say Nadal has more star power than Djokka, and Murray over Kyrgios)
Maybe it was more luck as far as how it worked out last year on Monday. Although in old days of all CBS, those weekend night matches were weak. I probably over think things though. Last night’s lineup was weak so there goes my theory! ESPN had big lineup of college football at night so maybe they preferred weak tennis competition. It never occurred to me to wait until daily schedule to get tickets. That is great advice. Looking to next year, with LA gone and no replacement, it’s going to be a zoo, isn’t it? Reserve seats in Grandstand… Read more »
I think they will have a temporary replacement for LA next year, though I’m not sure what that entails. Was at tennis today, interestingly LA had 3 matches scheduled on Sunday, but 4 today (no singles at Grandstand unlike yesterday) – a good session in great weather, without any real magic, although Wawrinka got into some trouble which turned that game into an interesting one and in the end was the only really competitive Men’s singles match of the day. Stayed for first night match at Ashe – a blowout to Andy, but some amazing tennis played, was good to… Read more »
Hey Josh, they have indeed promised a temporary structure next year as a holdover until New Armstrong construction is complete. I was a bit surprised they didn’t put one of the last men’s R16 matches on GS today… perhaps part of the final tribute to old Armstrong in its final days. P.J.
You should have stayed for the Ana Konjul match. This is a superstar in the making. She will be the one to replace Serena at the top of the women’s game.
Bill and Josh – check out this piece my friend wrote in the New Yorker today. Captures the essence of what I love most about the Open… The Difference When You Watch Tennis Up Close P.J.
Great article. Thanks for linking to it.
FYI ALL – Just saw tomorrow’s schedule: strong Armstrong lineup including FERRER v DELPO (!!) and plenty of good reserved seats still left on Ticketmaster (including a few regularly priced) on Ticketmaster. I wish I could go myself! New Grandstand reserved seats going quickly, still a couple good deals there left. P.J.
Hi P.J.! Firstly thanks a ton for this site! All your efforts are much appreciated! It’s really incredible!
I just wanted to ask if we can watch any day session matches if they extend into the night session time (after 7 pm). Or will we wait to have to go into the courts till the night session starts?
Again, thanks so much,
Santosh
Hi Santosh, thanks for the kind appreciation – it means a lot! YES: If you’re in Ashe with Day session tickets, you will be able to stay until they’re done. And once you’re in the grounds before 6pm — with an Ashe or any other ticket (Armstrong or Grandstand reserved, or Grounds Admission) — you can stay as late as you want if matches are still going on on outer courts (which last night was until after midnight). P.J.
Thanks for replying so fast, P.J.! So I have an Ashe night session ticket. Will that allow me to watch day session matches if they continue into the night? I’m guessing not.
Hey, nope. But you can enter grounds at 6pm and take in any matches on outer courts before your matches begin in Ashe – or go back to outer courts from Ashe (and re-enter later) if something else appeals. P.J.
I am hoping you have good weather for Sunday, at least it looks like there may be less threat of rain, just not sunny. Have a wonderful time.
Thanks a million – looks like we may be in luck as the hurricane seems to be steering its way out to sea. Yesterday the predictions were “90%” rain Sunday, today 20%. So happy! P.J.
Hi P.J. First of all THANKS, everything you have provided has been a tremendous help. You do forget some tips in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the day, but a lot of things I remembered. Despite the almost 3hr. rain delay on Thursday we saw some incredible matches. The rain delay made for some really good night tennis especially on the smaller courts. During the rain we forgot about the Amex Fan Experience and went to eat, ironically right after we had just eaten during the Nishikori match. But once we made it to the Fan experience… Read more »
Gina, I’m so happy to hear it!! 🙂 I was thinking of you last night as I saw the matches stretching late into the evening. I was especially happy my man Daveeeeed Ferrer won his 5-set match after midnight. P.J.
Poor Fognini, there were mainly Ferrer fans, there was a little heckling going on too. I forgot to mention I saw Dimitrov and Chardy play as well, we made a mad dash only to watch him prun away with the 5th set.
BTW – once it hit about 11:30pm they stopped reentry on some sides of the Ferrer/Fognini match. I wanted to use the rest room and she was like if you leave you can’t get back in. When we first went in at around 10, it was packed at some point people couldn’t get in because there was just no room.
Just curious Gina: did you find it extra loud inside Ashe (especially with the roof closed)? I got a few fans telling me the A/C works great but it feels like ThunderDome in there 😛
Hey, Multiple reports yesterday from friends that during intense rain Ashe is loud – like a train passing by constantly. Better than the alternative! 🙂 pJ
Hehe, that’s true PJ! Whenever I can play indoors during a rain storm I don’t complain 🙂
But I wonder how the players really deal with it. A couple times on TV the Umpire had to ask the crowd to quiet down? – a new request I haven’t heard asked in past years. *Great acoustics*
I was there yesterday and found it definitely louder. The thing I noticed the most though was that when the players are interviewed afterwards it is harder to hear since it echoes. The A/C was great though since it was so humid! I almost wish they closed the roof on really hot days even when it’s not raining.
I wasn’t in Ashe, but me and my daughter plan do to a savings plan, to make sure we can get good seats in Ashe next year. I will say this though the fans were crazy loud during the Johnson , Del Potro match. It was all we could hear no matter which court we were on.
this was a great site with good information. this is my first time going and I feel a little list- this helped me tremendously. we bought 7 pm tix for Ashe bit wasn’t sure what time we could get there to enjoy the grounds but I was able to read it on your site.
Glad it helped Jessica! Have a great time. PJ
Hi PJ – Thank you for this! It’s incredibly helpful.
I have Evening tickets for Arthur Ashe on Tuesday, September 6th (7pm M&W Quarterfinals). Based on the schedule, who would you say is most likely to be scheduled to play that night? Also, I’m guessing it would be two matches, right? Would it be one Men’s and one Women’s? Thanks!
Seb
Hey Seb, yes indeed – I do it all the time with friends, a great way to spread the wealth. You all just need separate tickets to get IN to the grounds in the first place. PJ
Hey Seb, I hesitate to predict who. See my “FAQ#1” under Box3 above. Almost 100% it will be 1 women’s quarter and 1 men’s quarter. PJ
Hi PJ,
What are the rules about switching tkts? My friend has loge AA tkts and i have court side GS for this Sat. Can we take turns to go stadiums? Is this allowed?
Outstanding stuff. Thanks so very much! Don’t know if I will ever go but if I do, this info is pure gold.
Thank you Jeff, seriously appreciate the kind words!! P.J.
Hey – Thanks a lot for all the advise. Do you think it makes sense to buy Louis Armstrong tickets for Tuesday Sep 6th as if it rains on Sunday/Monday, they might push some R16 singles into that day?
Hey there, my pleasure. That is a bet I would be willing to make for myself (esp because prices are relatively low that day) – but I hesitate to recommend gambles to anyone else… Forecast starting to look abysmal for Sunday (when I’m going :)) but better for Mon, so good chance they could catch up on Mon with play stretching late into evening. P.J.
Hi! Last year I remember paying just a few dollars to bring the kids into the stadium – lunch Etc.. Was still an expensive day! This year it looks like it would be $80 just to get in and walk around… Is that right?
Hi there, depends entirely on the day (and the weather forecast). Generally GA passes are above $80, and even regularly priced ones this year for Labor Day wknd (sold out as of today) were priced at $100. Often you can find cheaper upper Promenade Ashe seats from buyers desperate to sell (see my Tip #3 above – I almost always recommend buying a cheap Ashe seat over GA, especially now that Ashe has a roof in case of rain). P.J.
Hi PJ, I absolutely love your suggestions and tips. Awesome website – Thanks for all the hard work!! Quick question regarding weather and Hurricane Hermine. I have decent tickets to AA on Saturday 9/3, but per your input i’ve been meaning to purchase LA ticket for Sunday 9/5. Hermine seems to be a game changer. Instead of possibly getting rained out at LA, would you recommend playing it safe and purchasing AA tix for Sunday? Thanks so much!
Best,
Liz
Hey Liz, thanks so much for your very nice comments! I was literally just having dinner with a friend, lamenting that the forecast looks grim for the one day I can go myself this year and am going with 5 of my best friends and taking my trainer as a gift — and bought Courtside seats for both LA AND Grandstand so we could switch around… Sigh. Yes, at this point I’d say play it safe and go for best Ashe seats you can. The silver lining is that for the first time ever there IS a rain insurance policy… Read more »
Thanks PJ- I was worried you were going to say that. LA is a special place- bummed. Best to you and your friends.
Hi PJ! I love your site — so much valuable information. I’m a US Open newbie looking to go sometime this weekend. I’m not sure which tickets to buy given all of the options! I’m looking for 2 tickets in the $150 range for anytime Saturday or Monday. Could you tell me what my best bet would be? Thanks again for helping all of us tennis fans!!
Hi Megan, thanks! Given the unexpected twist of Tropical Storm Hermine potentially throwing a wrench into Sun/Mon weather, I’d say focus entirely on best Ashe seats you can get. I always think it’s worth taking the chance on Armstrong and GS far in advance, as the chance of prolonged rain is relatively low (advice I followed myself this year for Sun) — but since it’s high probability Hermine will affect things and you haven’t bought tix, I’d recommend Ashe. Day session will give you more matches, so I’d say go for best seats you can for Day session. PJ
I’m going this year . 1st time in a long time. I’ll be in the nosebleeds and will be drinking from water fountains & and my own snacks but that’s OK because I’m going to make it this year! Thank you for this awesome list
You will have fun no matter what! PJ
Thanks PJ and others for the Qs and As. Learning alot from them.
I have a question. I am not from the US and will not get a local sim card. Are there free wifi inside the tennis complex? How are they? Any worth mentioning for great signals?
Thanks in advance!
Oliver
Hey Oliver, welcome! Yes there is free wifi. It can be a bit slow, though, given the huge amount of people sharing it. P.J.
Hi Stacey, I’ve always found them pretty comfortable (and have sat in them for long periods!). P.J.
Thanks PJ
hi all i am wondering with the new grandstand courts and had a few queries maybe someone can help out!
We are looking at day seats for Ashe, new Grandstand and old Grandstand, and Armstong. Does anyone know which sections of Ashe, in the 100-136 sections are best to stay in the shade, from around 2pm onwards? and ditto for the other courts, any way to get some shade in the Grandstand courts, and the Armstrong?
and alI’m presuming it’s impossible or mostly to avoid sun in the 11am to 2pm slot but if you have any suggestions, much appreciated.
Hi Tan, see my updated FAQ on this under Box 3 above. P.J.
Hi P.J.! Once again I’m making my annual visit to your site to prepare for my trip to the Open this year on 9/2. Thank you so much for taking the time to not only update the information every year but also for answering all of our questions. I also wanted to let your readers know that I JUST got an email from Travelzoo for discounted Promenade tickets (Upper Promenade $27, Lower Promenade $42) for the Day Sessions on Tues. 9/6 and Wed. 9/7. Travelzoo will link to the Ticketmaster website to purchase the tickets so I believe it should… Read more »
Hey Niya, you’re most welcome! P.J.
So I bought ticketed for the semifinals next Tuesday, however I’m having to cancel my NY trip due to a hospitalization. I bough the tickets on ticketmaster and I’m trying to resale on that site but I feel it’s ripping the other buyer off and seriously they haven’t sold. Any recommendations what I should do?
Hi Elie, first and most importantly I hope everything is OK with your health. Next Tuesday is a long ways away in terms of ticket sales. And the good news is that they are quarterfinals, so should be strong demand. Many folks won’t purchase until closer. Some will hold off until the day prior when schedule announced to see if a big name is playing. Consider checking the box under Ticket Exchange where they automatically adjust the selling price based on prevailing market rates. If you need to, you may have to lower the price so you lose a little… Read more »
Thank you P.J. I bought my tickets using your tips. And hopefully I can try again next year.
Elie, sending you healthy thoughts! P.J.
Hi PJ,
Lots of useful information here. Thanks a lot for your effort. I just had a quick question:
Louis Armstrong court is scheduled to hold a some of the QF matches on Sept. 6(Tuesday, day session). Now, with grounds admission tickets not being sold for this day, how are the general stands on this court expected to fill up? Will they remain empty, or are some the AA day session ticket holders expected to drop in to this court?
Hi Rahul, LA (and Grandstand) matches on Tues Sep 6 will almost certainly be all doubles quarterfinal matches (super exciting to see up close if you play/like doubles). Singles quarterfinal matches will be scheduled for Ashe. Other outer courts will be mainly juniors. There will be substantially less pressure on un-reserved Armstrong seats that day due to New Grandstand also being open. P.J.
Hi PJ,
We have booked ticket for Sunday 7 PM session in Arther Ash stadium. By your experience , any guess who will be playing on that day. Also we are planning to take the Car since we are in New jersey and its s 2 hour drive. Please advise the best possible and cheap Parking places to park our Car and any other important things to consider. Many Thanks for all your help in making this forum very lively.
Thanks,
Praba
Hey Praba, Take a look at Day 1, Day 3, and Day 5 players: those are the ones likely to be scheduled. Look at when “stars” are scheduled on Ashe on those days, and that provides a clue. Strong chance that Nadal (if he continues to win) will be scheduled Ashe Sunday night, as he was scheduled Day session on Day 1, Night session tomorrow (Day 3), and they’ll probably put him Day session Day 5 (they tend to alternate). By same logic, strong chance Muguruza will be scheduled Sun night Ashe. I’d guess Djokovic for Ashe day session Ashe… Read more »
Hi PJ,
Debating if I should get AA lower loge tkts vs courtside LA tkts on Sept 6th. You had mentioned that Sept 6th will the last game at the LA. It would be nice to be a part of history but am wondering if it would be so crowded. What would you suggest? Thank you!
Hi Arya, I’d personally go with lower loge Tues Sep 6 if you are interested in singles quarterfinals. Armstrong will almost certainly only have doubles scheduled that day. There are still remarkably good deals right now on Ashe day session Tues Sep 6. You should be able to access General Admission seats in Armstrong without much wait to check it out and experience it – shouldn’t be terribly crowded that day (it’s really only Labor Day weekend that it will be insane). P.J.
Thank you so much for your advise. I will go ahead with the AA tkts. Seems like there are a lot of resale tkts. Now debating if I should wait and keep checking for better deal.:P
Arya, If you have the will and patience see if a courtside seat comes available at reasonable price. I got one for $350 last year for QF day session and had loge AA for night session. There is simply no comparison. And in day the crowd is very thin so you will likely be able to move down a few rows (carefully) and be super close to some top flight action that you’ll never forget. Best way to track real-time prices for me is the stubhub app but you need printout of ticket to enert. Cannot show ticket on phone.… Read more »
Agreed! However as I mention above I strongly recommend always checking Ticketmaster first (which shows both regularly priced and resale tix) even after you’ve monitored resale prices elsewhere before you hit “purchase”, just to be sure you’re getting the best deal and guaranteed quick delivery and no hassle with any seller on 3d-party sites. P.J.
I’m new to this: Should I buy a $250 just released Loge ticket for AA on Sunday? There is no surcharge
LA and Grand are all over $350-400 +fees.
I think I know the answer to this, but just wanted to check.
Great Site!!
Thanks,
ELSIE
Hi Elsie, just checked – saw just under $200 Row D section 5 seats in Grandstand including fees for Sun (check Ticketmaster). Those $250 seats in AA are last row in Loge. The answer depends on your priorities: if you want to say you saw a “star” (if Djokovic manages his injury and continues to win it’s likely he’ll be scheduled for day session Ashe Sunday) then go with Ashe. If you want to see some exciting matches and great players up really close, choose Grandstand. I’ll be in GS myself on Sunday (alternating with Armstrong seats), then Ashe for… Read more »
Great advice, thanks!
Thanks for this awesome guide you’ve put together. Do you happen to know if you can get onto the grounds without a ticket on other days later in the tournament once they stop selling grounds tickets after day 8? (I saw your post about the community day but thought it might be possible on other days as well) Looking at the past schedules of play it looks like there are junior and wheelchair matches on outside courts late in the tournament and I imagine that the people watching these didn’t pay Men’s finals prices for Ashe tickets to watch a… Read more »
Hi Brett, you’re most welcome. Not 100% sure, but don’t think so — haven’t observed this in previous years and haven’t seen anything to indicate it’s possible beyond community day (they only started that last year). This year FYI there’s no wheelchair tournament during the US Open this year due to the Paralympic Games in Rio. P.J.
Thanks for your response. Would love to see them change this in the future. As someone who just moved to NYC, I’m somewhat surprised they don’t want to create a Henman Hill-esque atmosphere for the matches later in the tournament and make some additional money/let people take advantage of the all of the upgrades they’ve made to concessions in the last couple of years. I’d definitely come out and watch the finals on the big screen and take in the atmosphere if this were an option.
Brett, I just called the box office and was told that yes we CAN enter the grounds for free beginning Thurs (community day) and through the finals weekend. I don’t have it in writing… But the representative I spoke with sounded definitive. I will update my blog to reflect this, thanks for raising this! P.J.
This is so great–thanks very much. THis year is my first visit.
Question: I’m coming with my parents, one of whom recently had a knee replacement. How long is the walk or what are the option from LIRR stop to get to Arthur Ashe? We have 7 pm tix on Sunday.
Hi Eliza, you’re so welcome. LIRR stop is actually super convenient – much closer to the East Gate entrance than the exit from the 7 subway train. And actually would be closer than walking from most parking areas. I can’t remember if there’s an elevator or a ramp, though – I always walk up the stairs from the platform. I can’t imagine there isn’t an accessible option. Remember you can enter grounds early (6pm with evening session ticket) so recommend getting there early to be relaxed, see grounds, etc. P.J.
Eliza, it’s 0.1 according to Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/J3uFb8YJadP2
Just exit the LIRR go down the wide ramp and turn right to get into the East Gate entrance.
There should be a disabled/assisted patrons line for wheelchairs on the far left if you ask. Hope that helps and that your parents will enjoy the show!
HI there , how are you ? My daughter wants to bring her giant tennis ball , is that OK with security checking ?
Hi Sylvain, should be fine (see this year’s list of dos and dont’s). P.J.
Thanks. We plan to come prepared, big umbrella, I will get a couple ponchos and plan to take advantage of the good food tips you left. My daughter was a culinary arts student in high school so I’m sure we will love getting to eat a couple of unique things. We will make the most of it trust me.
PJ… Your site is awesome for novices such as myself. You mentioned you’ve experience ‘rain delays’. I’m holding tickets for Armstrong on 9/1… and right now there’s a forecast for rain. Where do fans hang-out during rain delays? I’ve read the ‘Inclement Weather Policy’, but would appreciate an insider’s perspective. Thanks for all you do!
Kay – there is now a lot of sheltered space at the new Grandstand (but it’s a long trek to AS). However the old Grandstand is still open and the overhead cover is nice to ride out a storm with TV to watch action on Ashe. I avoid the “cellar” perimeter around Armstrong where the concessions are located because it will feel very humid and stuffy. Hope that helps! Btw, here’s my perspective on ticket prices when rain is in the forecast: http://www.tennis-bargains.com/2012/09/us-open-2012-rain-forecast-and-falling.html
Hey Kay, thanks so much! So far looks like scattered T-storms only in the am (fingers crossed!). If you need to you’ll be able to take cover in the large indoor corridor that wraps around most of the stadium – austere and no chairs, but at least you’ll stay dry. You may want to bring a lightweight rain poncho and umbrella so you can just stay in your seat in the event of drizzle or light rain. P.J.
Hi Kay, P.J. and JC
I will also be there on Thursday and I did see the forecast. Last week when I checked Thursday was sunny and there was supposed to be rain on Wednesday, so I’m hoping it will change. Even if it doesn’t don’t the Slams have dryers for the courts?? I think I read that somewhere and even saw some on tv this year when i watched matches. If there is rain will play resume?? When do they decide to just call “it” and say that is enough?
I wouldn’t worry too much unless they’re predicting rain for most of the day, which right now doesn’t look at all likely (again fingers crossed!). They do have machines to help accelerate drying courts. They do suspend play rather quickly on court when it gets wet because hard courts get slippery when wet – it’s a safety issue for players. Officials want things to get back on schedule and do everything they can to get things on track whenever possible. They have suspended and resumed play several times before calling it in the past. P.J.
It was looking good as of last night, but now not to much. Rain was supposed to stop around 10am, but it looks like they are saying isolated showers a few times throughout the day.
Hey Gina, keeping fingers crossed… Every year I go I experience at least one day where a forecast for sunny skies 3 days prior completely changed (including this coming Sunday, when it just did again!) and days when rain is predicted and it only rains a little. My only advice: Plan for a long day with matches stretching into the evening. If it’s raining hard in the morning, hold off on going a bit until it looks like it will clear up. P.J.
You are spot on with your tips and really appreciate you’re taking the time to share your expertise. I am not local bit going to our 5th Open. Have booked good seats in the New Grandstand this Saturday day and pretty good seats in Armstrong on Monday night. Excited!
Hey Libby, thanks! Sounds great. And you mean Ashe Mon night, right? I’m so excited to experience New Grandstand… P.J.
Great post! I visited several times over the past few weeks and see you’ve updated on 8/28. Can you somehow mark/highlight/underline/etc. what the updates are? Thanks!
Hey Manuel, thanks man! I have indeed – inspired by many questions I’ve been getting. Only big changes are to:
* Box #3 (FAQs)
* Tip #10 (bullet #3 on the free “Community Day” this Thursday
* The “Foodies” bullet and link to article at the end next to the photo of Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake 🙂
P.J.
Awesome! Thanks P.J.!
Thank you so much for this amazing write up. While I followed your advice to buy a great (courtside baseline!) Louis Armonstrong seat, I mis-remembered that you had suggested doing so between Sept 3-6 and instead bought on Sept 2. Is there any chance that I’ll still be able to see one of the top players, or other really exciting play, in Armstrong when we’re only in Round 3? I’ll still be happy, no matter what–and I definitely plan to leave my seat and wander around–but just thought i’d ask I”m super excited and, again, thanks!
Hey there, Fri Sep 2 will be great in Armstrong — Saturday is 3d Round too. I was recommending purchasing reserved seats particularly for Labor Day weekend simply because lines are outrageous to get into the stadium otherwise (for General Admission seats). Last year on that Friday you would have seen matches with 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic, Eugenie Bouchard, and David Ferrer… As always, they will put the superstars on Ashe — but you’ll see some great matches and amazing players for sure! PJ
Hi All,
Watching the Townsend/Wozniacki match, it is getting me super excited. t-minus 3 days and we will be there:). Question about Open Access, I registered but not sure exactly what it is, or what it provides. Is is social media or more for when you are at the open? PJ do you know what it is? Anyone else?
Hey Gina, Open Access is new. I registered too and tried to log in a few times on the app today (pressing the QR code symbol upper left of screen and following prompts), but it just said “Please wait” and never loaded content. I’m pretty sure you have to physically be on the grounds for it to work. I’m not at the Open until Sunday – let me know if you figure it out sooner! P.J.
Ok. I am sure I will be checking this page regularly that day so as soon as I figure out how it works I will let you know. Unless someone figures it out before me.
PJ, Thank You so much for all the helpful information you presented about US OPEN. It’s a shame I don’t attend every year considering I love tennis and live only a few train stops from Arther Ashe. I have a long time ago seen Federer and Roddick at the finals and it was one of the most enjoyable days. Your article got me soooo excited to be going this year although I haven’t bought the tickets yet. What do you think are the best days for me to attend to see some competitive matches and as many matches as I… Read more »
Hey my pleasure, thanks for your thanks and glad you’re soooooo excited (I’m going this Sunday and feel the same way!) 🙂 Not sure what your budget is… Here’s what I strongly recommend: (Priority 1) Go this Friday Sep 2 and focus on seeing players up close on outer courts including Armstrong and Grandstand. Go to Ticketmaster right now and grab the available single ticket in Grandstand Section 20 Row D for $100. If it’s not there by the time you get this, keep monitoring and try to find the cheapest Grandstand reserved seat you can. Make your day about… Read more »
Welcomed to share among tennis fans around the world. I put some more preview tips and pics on Facebook as well: https://www.facebook.com/TennisBargains
I went to the US Open qualifiers and checked out the new Grandstand! I draw up a new map of all the cool features around it too! – http://www.tennis-bargains.com/2016/08/us-open-2016-opening-day-preview-part-1.html
Rafael Nadal will meet Denis Istomin in today’s game played in US Open. In their last H2H meeting played at Miami Open, Nadal won the match with 2:0. I wonder if D. Istomin prepared us with a surprise today. Based on the past results of the two players, I would expect Nadal to perform well during this game and go for a victory. It should be interesting to see if Nadal will win by 2 sets difference as his last head to head meeting.
I have holiday weekend upper promenade tickets (day and evening sessions) purchased as mini plan but I would like to exchange these for Loge seats. I would like to take the risk of buying some loge day or evening seats to get a better view and Im willing to sacrifice either day or evening sessions each day in order to put that money into Loge seats. I would buy the Loge tickets first and once assured my new seats put my promenades on sale on the official page. I’m just afraid my tickets don’t get sold and getting stuck with… Read more »
Hi Andres, the good news is that demand for holiday weekend tickets is much higher and all regularly priced seats are sold out. The bad news is that there are many many people trying to sell their Promenade seats. My advice: study the going price on Ticketmaster (click the sessions you want to sell and then click seat map and look at comparable prices of resale tickets in your section) then set your initial offer towards the low end so your tickets stand out. Best way to sell is on Ticket Exchange. If you don’t want to risk losing money,… Read more »
UPDATE AUG 28: THANKS TO SOMEONE IN OUR COMMUNITY (THANK YOU DINO!) WE NOW KNOW THAT TODAY IS INDEED A FREE PRACTICE DAY as it has been in years past.
I just spoke with someone at the Box Office and they confirmed that Aug 28 is an open practice day.
THANKS!
Hi PJ,
I am planning to visit the open on 2nd September. I am thinking of buying Ashe courtside tickets. Should I buy them for the day session or the night session.
Thanks for this wonderful blog.
Who would like to go to see the final or semi-final together?
Are they still having the practice day on August 28? I can’t find any information on the website about times for Sunday! Thanks!
Hey Lynnae, unfortunately I haven’t seen any official confirmation yet either. And as of midnight, there’s still nothing posted on the practice schedule… They did have many players practicing today (Aug 27). Be sure to check the practice schedule in the am before heading over just to be sure! P.J.
Lynnae, still not sure – sorry!
Hello PJ, Firstly thank you SO much for the detailed tips on US Open. Only a die hard and passionate fan would share the ins and out of the game. I have been subscribing to the labor day weekend package for 5 years and finally got upgraded to lower promenade tickets last year. I am so tempted to give them up next year and get better seats for day sessions. I also purchased the tkts for the new grandstand stadium and am so looking forward to it. Per your suggestion I think I will take Sept 6th off and purchase… Read more »
Hi..! great article. i’m huge nadal Fan,iam planning to go for his match.what are the chances that he will play outside arthur ashe in the first week? i mean if i get a day pass for one of the days in first week.otherwise may be i will try to buy arthur ashe ticket for his 4th round or quaterfinal.the draw is out today,but when can we know whether he will play in day or night session(for example 4th round matches are scheduled on sept 4th&5th at 11:00 AM & 7:00 PM on ashe & amstrong ).i was planning buy the… Read more »
Hi there, chances are very very slim they’ll schedule Nadal outside of Ashe. You won’t be able to predict which day he plays until 1st round schedule comes out tomorrow or Sunday. You won’t be able to predict whether they schedule him day or evening – however you can make an educated guess: if they schedule him for a day session on one day, then two days later they’d probably schedule him for an evening session in Ashe – but no guarantees. I’d stay on schedule like a hawk and wait until you know when he’s playing, then spend whatever… Read more »
Hi PJ! Terrific website!
Will lockers be available again this year outside the main gates to store bags/items to large to bring on the grounds? How much does it typically cost?
Thanks for your help!
Hi Rey, thanks! From the USO website: “There are two storage locations adjacent to the National Tennis Center. Lockers are locked on the boardwalk outside of the East Gate and a baggage check is located outside of the South Gate of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Both locations are available to all ticketholders for a small fee.” I don’t remember what the small fee is, but I do recall it’s pretty incidental. PJ
Hi P.J. – My son and I are less than a week away from flying to NYC for the US Open. I followed your great tips above. Based on the good reviews of the new Grandstand stadium, I wonder if I’ve made good ticket purchases. On Fri, 9/2, we’re in Ashe (day) section 18, row H. On Sun, 9/4, we’re in Armstrong section 36, row B. We’re taking a break to enjoy the city on Saturday, but should I consider buying tickets for Grandstand on Saturday, or switching from Ashe or Armstrong one day and instead get seats in Grandstand?… Read more »
Hey Tonya, (1) Yes any Ashe Day ticket or Armstrong/Grandstand reserved ticket allows you to wander the grounds and access general seating in any outer court (including Armstrong and Grandstand, though as I mention Labor Day weekend lines will be loooonnnng for general seating in both Armstrong and Grandstand). (2) Those are great courtside Ashe seats, keep those! You can go check out Grandstand general seating on Friday if you want to have an experience there. (3) Armstrong and Grandstand will provide similar experiences and similar caliber matches – both stadiums are way way more intimate than Ashe. You’ve got… Read more »
Thanks PJ! Appreciate your great advice. Can’t wait to experience my first US Open. You’ve definitely made planning this experience infinitely easier.
Tonya, thanks so much – let me know how it goes! P.J.
I came across this blog last year (just before my first trip to the Open). Before the event I thought ‘this is great info’, and after the event I was even MORE grateful. PJ provides spot on advice and recommendations. I think he even goes beyond the scope of the site and is sooooo patient with some of the questions people ask. You’re a good man PJ. After purchasing front row Armstrong and grandstand seats for multiple days next week I just received word I will not be able to attend. Very bummed, but still grateful that this blog will… Read more »
Jason thank you so much for the very encouraging words – I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it! So sorry to hear you can’t make it this year 🙁 P.J.
You are the man. Last year I purchased front row Armstrong versus Ashe based on your advice. Although we also purchased some Loge Ashe seats to watch Murray destroy Kyrios, the best was watching the fuzz fly off of the ball as top talent went at it. No better value for your dollar than being up close in Armstrong and Grandstand.