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.












PJ, thanks for writing this article, it’s been a tremendous help. Excited to finally cross this off my bucket list this year!
I’m reading that Labor Day weekend tickets will generally trend upwards in price due to its demonstrated popularity over the years. Wondering how you feel about opening day (the 24th), given it’s the first-ever weekend start to this tournament? I’m pretty sure I want Ashe loge day tickets, and I’m holding myself back from panic buying watching the prices go up every day :*(
Hi Ji, you’re welcome! As always, predictions about pricing are challenging. Lately, average prices for Day 1 Day session have indeed been trending upward, whereas prices for evening sessions on Day 1 have been declining. That said, there are still MANY tickets available in Ashe and Armstrong (and recently several standard tickets were released in Ashe Loge and Ashe and Armstrong Courtside). So I’d keep an eye on total quantity in sections you’re looking at… If there are still a lot as we get closer, chances are at least some sellers will lower their prices as we get closer (or… Read more »
I’m in panic mode too. But I am fighting it this year, as I look back to last year when I bought tickets for the first 4 days and then I hated the draw every other day, so I wasted money. So I am holding off… for now!
Do you know how parking works during Fan Week? Is it still $40 or is free parking available?
Hey Amos, I’m so sorry I don’t know, have never driven out there during Fan Week. Anyone else have experience to share?
You can park at Met Stadium and walk across the bridge…but go early as traffic is tough, in general in the area.
Thanks Michele!
Still $40! $40 is outrageous. That’s more than I paid to scalp Mets tickets back in June — for very good seats.
Your updated guide to ticket prices for 2025 with the links is great. One thought about being patient before buying tickets early on – When ground passes for the first week were first available thru the Amex presale, if you could get them, they were in the range of $125, depending on the day. In hindsight, that might have been a good purchase. Unlikely, they will get lower or even close to that, especially next Labor Day Weekend.
Hey Marc, thanks for sharing that experience, much appreciated!
Where are the players boxes at Arthur Ashe PJ? Thanks again for all the help when you’re in Albuquerque I’kk buy you an enchilada 😉
Hi Allen, in recent years they’ve used sections 8-9 and 28-29. 🙂
Hi PJ, Loved all the great information you provided. I was wondering do you think it would be too much to do a day and evening session in one day? Or would you recommend breaking it up into two days?
Hi Miranda, thanks! Depends so much on the individual (and the weather, quality of matches, and where you sit!)… I’ve spent many a day and night with friends at the Open, arriving when gates open and staying until the wee hours of the morning – with the time feeling like it flies. What time are you planning to go? If during early rounds, you might consider one Day to feel it out (where you’ll have the opportunity to watch play well into the evening on outer courts and stay as long as you want) and then consider doing a night… Read more »
Ground pass prices are increasing. At this point, do you think I should wait until much closer to August 31 when I’m going?
Hi Mary Lynn, while it’s impossible to predict — as the US Open sometimes releases new standard tickets — the Sun session of Labor Day weekend (Aug 31) always is very high in demand, so prices for that day may hover where they are now or increase.
Hey PJ trying to get Louis reserved/ courtside tickets for one of the earlier rounds this year for during the week either on days 3, 4 or 5 (rounds 1-3) but the prices are insane! I looked at your fair price chart and your chart states to pay no more than $400 for the lower level/ courtside Armstrong tickets but most of those tickets now on TM or Stubhub are going for between $500-700!!! Outrageous! Do you think the prices will come down or go lower as it gets closer in the next 2-3 weeks as people try to scramble… Read more »
Hi Ryan, a few thoughts: 1. Day 4 and 5 (Wed and Thurs) are Round 2 2. To clarify, the low end numbers on the chart are meant to convey roughly the lowest price you might expect for a seat in that section and what might constitute a very good deal – just as a benchmark to help you assess, not a rule. For many years, the lowest price for courtside seats in Ashe (even in rounds 1-2) has tended to go no lower than $400-500 (with rare exception for last-minute deals for sesssions with less popular players). 3. There’s… Read more »
P.J. – what an amazing page you’ve set up – thanks you. I’ve been watching prices for Labor Day Saturday Ashe day tickets. Just in the past few weeks I’ve watched them go up $100 per ticket. Will they shift back down again the closer we get or do I grab what I can now? I know you’ve said here that they can go back down as sellers get more motivated as we get closer (and that makes sense) but I wanted to check here too to be sure.
Hey Tim, thanks! So with the caveat that there are always surprises and there are no sure predictions … Labor Day weekend ticket prices have generally tended to stay flat or go up as we get closer – demand is always incredibly high for every ticketed session (and grounds passes), regardless of who’s playing, because of the huge influx of tourists that weekend. So with that Saturday Ashe session, probably best not to count on better deals emerging.
So…I waited a few days and, as you document on this page, they released a few pockets of tickets and I was able to snag some Ashe day tickets close to the $300 on the Sat of Labor Day weekend. Hope that helps someone else. As you said above, I don’t think they’ll go under that so I was happy to lock those up. Thanks again for your help!
Hey Tim, glad it worked out – thanks so much for sharing and you’re most welcome!
Hey, P.J., shoutout from Brazil! My girlfriend and I are going to the US Open for the first time. After watching Wimbledon finals we decided on the spur of the moment to travel for the next GS, so we booked our flight tickets to NY and then started to do some research to decide the days we’ll go to the USO. But we were struggling a bit since there are many options and factors involved when it comes to choosing the ideal days, sessions, courts, sectors etc. … Until your blog came up to us. Your tips were really really… Read more »
Oi Pedro! Muito obrigado – and I’m so glad to hear it’s been helpful! Fonseca will probably be scheduled on a field court (not Ashe or Armstrong) so you should be able to find great unreserved seats to see him play if you get to the assigned court early enough in advance of his match and keep moving up as people leave. The key is to check the schedule when it’s announced the day before and make your plan around that. Hope you and your girlfriend have a wonderful time!
Good afternoon P.J., thank you for your detailed information. I would like to take my mother who is 78, a vegetarian visiting from India and has trouble walking up and down any staircase to US open. We are on a pretty tight budget and would be driving up from Virginia. What would you recommend – actual match tickets or grounds pass? Thanks for your advice
Hi Rupali, how wonderful you’re bringing your mom to the US Open. Given her mobility concerns, I’d definitely recommend going with reserved seat tickets rather than a grounds pass. Grounds passes don’t include assigned seats and usually involve quite a bit of walking, stairs, and time on your feet—so they’re not ideal in this case. Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong both have elevators or escalators, accessible seating options, and shaded areas if you’re going during the day (see my shade maps). Here’s the official guidance from the US Open around accessibility: “The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center… Read more »
What is the re-entry policy for the grounds? Can you leave the grounds after entering and scan the same ticket to come back in multiple times?
Hi Tim, you can leave and re-enter as many times as you wish with any day session ticket before 6pm. After 6pm, you’d need an evening session ticket to be allowed back in.
Hi there,
Thank you so much for this extraordinary guide…I would truly be lost without it. I do have one question though: I am taking my father to the US Open for the first time and we are planning to go on September 1 (Round 16). He is primarily interested in women’s and I’m wondering if there is anyway to know where the women’s singles will be played that day? Trying to decide whether we should get a day session ticket for Arthur Ashe or Louis Armstrong or will a grounds pass suffice.
Thank you so much!
Tee
Hi Tee, so great to hear it’s been helpful to you! There will be women’s singles matches on both Ashe and Armstrong that day. See last year’s schedule here for Monday Sep 2 2024 (Day 8) to have a sense of what to expect on Sep 1 this year. With a grounds pass, you would have access only to Louis Armstrong, not Ashe. PJ
Ahh, okay great. I guess I’ll snag tickets for Ashe day session and float around the other courts. Starting to see some face value tickets pop up here a there so going to wait it out a little while. Thanks again for all the help! If you have a Venmo or something, please drop it somewhere here.
Hey Tee, you’re most welcome!
Thank you for your site. So helpful! I just bought two tickets to the Mixed Doubles from the official US Open website that takes me to Ticketmaster when I click on purchase tickets. I chose Courtside and paid a hefty price for them but there are no seat numbers. It only states Gen Adm Crtside. Is it a free for all on where to sit or was I scammed?
Hi Manisha, you’re very welcome! That particular session is unique — there are only tickets by tier, and it’s first-come seating within each tier (no individual seats are reserved). The good news is that any seat Courtside will be great.
Thank you for your prompt reply. We are super excited. It will be unbelievable to see (guaranteed) that many top players in one day! It was worth the price to see one of them – but all of them is incredible! With Ashe tickets, would I be able to go into Armstrong? They haven’t announced who is playing in which stadium but I figured the top players will be at Ashe. Any thoughts from your experience about this new event? I think it is brilliant!!
Hi Manisha, I hope you enjoy it! While the decision to change the format has received some criticism, I think it’s exciting that the new format will encourage many folks to take a fresh look at doubles, which is really exciting to watch live at the world-class level (and with so many great players registered to play). And yes, once you are in the grounds with any ticket you can access unreserved seats on a first-come basis in any stadium. But just to be sure you’re clear, you’ll be going during the qualifier tournament – so all the matches on… Read more »
Disagree. While it’s all relative the first two sideline boxes are vastly better than the rear boxes and priced accordingly during the main draw. It’s not as much a difference for baseline seats. In fact, Ashe courtwide is so horizontal that the more rear courtside seats are pretty far off the court and not all that great. That they charged high prices for the mixed Exo courtside and made each level of seats open will create unnecessary lines and annoy people. But if you’re really into it get there early and grab Boxes A or B for a premier viewing… Read more »
Thank you for your help. I will follow your recommendations but can you clarify. When you say, “pick a door”, will they be labeled? Based on PJ’s recommendation seat 58 looks ideal. If I know I want that seat, how do I “quickly” get there? What signage am I looking for so I am not hesitating?
This is such an exciting event but reserved seating would have taken some stress out of it. I guess they thought that would add to the fun. 🙂
I assume you mean you want section 58? If so, this is on the west (umpire side) sideline, last section closet to the south baseline. So when you first enter Ashe past the ticket takers you are on the south side facing north. You will see a set of escalators and stairs on both your right (east) and your left (west). You want to go up on the left (west). If you are in front of any crowd take the escalator (walk up it if you can to move faster). If there are people on the escalator then if you… Read more »
OMG – WOW – thank you so much!!! I will follow your directions.
Hopefully no one else going is reading this – haha 🙂
Hi, thanks for great wealth of information. I will be a first-timer and you’ve answered so many questions I had. I splurged for Ashe courtside tickets and will have access to the 2 dining restaurants Aces and Champions Bar Grill. Do you know how and when you can make reservations? I’ve looked for information but can’t find anything and when you click the reservations link on the US Open website it sends you to a Resy page that is unavailable right now. Just wanted to know what to expect realistically for getting a reservation. Thank you!
Hey Carmen, great to hear it! I believe reservations open up about 2–3 weeks before the tournament (possibly earlier, but I don’t have direct experience with this so can’t say for sure). You can also try calling the reservations line at 718‑393‑1933 as we get closer (it’s not working now but that’s the number they’ve used in the past).
Anyone else have experience to share?
Hi – this is great and thank you. I have been before but just general admission. In the very early sessions when it is not very crowded in the stadiums with roofs can you sit in lower level seats while paying for the rooftops if on a budget or do ushers strictly enforce seating?
Hi Mike, ushers are very strict about checking tickets for courtside sections in Ashe, Armstrong and Grandstand. If you have courtside level tickets, people often sneak down to empty seats in lower rows but I advise folks to be sure if they do that to be ready to leave every changeover in 2 seconds if the ticketholders show up. For upper sections, you can pretty easily sneak down to empty seats WITHIN your own ticketed section or the adjacent one – but it’s harder to do that from, say, Promenade to Loge or to go to other sections you don’t… Read more »
Your site has been so helpful! I’m taking my mom to this event for the first time and want to give her the best experience. Because of your website, I felt like a pro, and I’ve been watching daily for tickets to drop. Yesterday the wait paid off, as I found 2 tickets to Arthur Ashe courtside in the second row of section 33 for face value! I would have never thought to keep looking without your advice, so I wanted to say thank you! It is going to be a complete surprise to my mom and a memory that… Read more »
Derek, you just totally made my day. I am so excited for you and your mom to have that experience together! Please let me know after how it goes – excited to hear about the look on her face when you keep walking down to that second row and she realizes those are her seats!! PJ
Hi Thanks a lot for all the information.. My wife and me for the First time will fly from europe to see us open and we are so excited! We will try to see men semifinals and final. We bought tickets for day session of september 5 (first men semi) on TM. Instead i don’t know if to purchase now the tickets for night session (semi #2) and the sunday final cause tickets are very expensive. Do you think is it more convenient to buy directly at tickets shop of the NTC in the game day or in the previous… Read more »
Hey Paolo, you’re very welcome! Unfortunately there’s no way to predict, as it depends almost entirely on which players advance. Last year, Carlos Alcaraz was eliminated during round 2 (I was there for that tough match to watch) and prices for the evening Semi ended up going down closer to the match day (and on match day) as it became clear who would play (it was Tiafoe and Fritz). By the time it was clear Sinner would play Fritz during the final, prices plummeted for the Final. It’s not more convenient to buy tickets on site, and it’s important to… Read more »
Thanks so much! I am getting the feeling that prices for the final will go up if it is between sinner and alcaraz and down if it is not…thank you so much for all the information
Hey Paolo, you’re welcome!
Hi! I’ve been to the US Open before (both instances were on Labor Day) and I was exploring trying to maybe go earlier on in the tournament this year. I had two questions: 1) do day session tickets get you grounds access during the night session? I was under the impression that this was the case but then I saw some conflicting information and I wasn’t sure. Is this only Ashe day tickets? Or do Armstrong day tickets get the same privileges? 2) does anyone know the best way to get in from Jersey? We were trying to brainstorm new… Read more »
Hi Andrew!
1. Yes – ANY day ticket gets you in the grounds and once you’re in you can stay as long as you want
2. Any readers have thoughts here?
Take the subway from NYC. Or park car in NJ, take ferry across and jump on the bus that takes across to Grand Central and take 7 train
Hello! Had a bag question… we have a drawstring bag, but it does have a front zipper in addition to the main compartment. Is that iffy? It does say single compartment on the rules
Hi Chris, I’ve brought drawstring bags with front zipper compartments on many occasions and never had an issue. I can’t guarantee you won’t encounter a super strict security screener, but I think that’s highly unlikely and pretty sure you’ll be fine.
Great, thank you. I did just notice it’s 17x13x2. Are the security eyeballing the bag sizes? I know it says 16x12x12, so it’s slightly bigger height and width, but I would think it’s probably too small a difference to notice at sight 🙂
Hey Chris, yes they totally eyeball it and usually there’s such a crush of people they don’t want to quibble unless it’s an egregious violation!
Before I go through security, I turn my bag inside out so the zipper pocket is hidden. Then once inside, I turn it back to zipper outside!
Amazing site with such great information. I just got standard (on resale) Loge tickets (albeit the last row N) in the shaded section 134 for the Thur. Day session for $270 There are more available and thought I’d alert your followers.
Thanks, Miguel!
Thanks PJ for all your hard work! Do you know how the mixed doubles schedule on day 2 is going to work? It seems like both semi-finals are going to be played back to back and then the final immediately after? Isn’t the team that plays the second semifinal going to have a a major disadvantage?
Hey Joseph, thanks for your thanks! It seems a little crazy to me. I was excited they put Mixed during Fan Week to draw more fans, but Semis and Final in the same session seems really unfair to players indeed. The rules are also a bit wonky: “The matches will be played in best-of-three-sets with short sets to four games, no-ad scoring, tiebreakers at four-all, and a 10-point match tiebreak in lieu of a third set. The final will be a best-of-three set match to six games, featuring no-ad scoring, with tiebreakers at six-all with a 10-point match tiebreaker in… Read more »
LOL how seriously you’re taking this. Playing this format with semis and finals back-to-back will be less strenuous than a singles practice match. It’s an Exo for giggles and easy money. That’s it. Any ‘serious fan’ is watching qualies not a mixed Exo. 🙄
That’s an interesting perspective. I think my friend Bethanie Mattek-Sands, who has won 4 grand slam titles in Mixed Doubles, might have a different one. I’ve been to many of her Mixed matches and I can assure you neither she nor any of her partners or opponents would consider that category an Exo.
I think your friend B M-S will tell you it’s an exo. Most of the top mixed teams aren’t even invited. Sabs described the event perfectly: “ “I’d like to play. I believe it’s like two-days’ event. I always enjoy playing doubles. It’s like little fun sort of exhibition,” Sabalenka said last week in Dubai.” https://www.tennis.com/baseline/articles/stefanos-tstisipas-confirms-plans-for-us-open-mixed-doubles-with-paula-badosa It seems clear that fans would much rather watch the top singles players (and certain popular players like Emma) play a mixed exo than watch the top mixed teams play in a major tournament. The mixed was formerly second week filler with the finals… Read more »
Your points are very well taken about this “reimagined” format of mixed dubs. I’ve always found it frustrating that most fans don’t have any interest in watching doubles at all, mixed or not, which can be thrilling – especially watching doubles specialists when they’re crushing it. So I respect the decision to shake things up to draw in more big-name singles players – even if the motivation is mostly commercial. While it may be naive, I hope this experiment ends up being more than a lighthearted exo and we end up with a good competition, a deserving team to get… Read more »
I watch doubles. I watch mixed. I watch wheelchair doubles. I watch kids doubles. But not only do I not care if other fans don’t, I prefer they spend their time instead shopping and/or eating or just relaxing so it’s easier to get good seats. 😀
I have been going to the US Open since 2002 and every year the ticket prices keep going up and up. I was able to get a nice T- shirt for just $10..oh well.
Tip— just take the subway to the Flushing M, life will be so much easier.
Good luck on the tickets….I have my tricks now…
Hi PJ, I wanted to pass on an experience I had with AMEX presale tickets in case it will help someone else save some money and frustration. During the AMEX presale event, I was unable to grab tickets to my first and second choice dates so I started to just see what was left/available. I finally found available tickets for first round evening and purchased 4 tickets in section 11. Fast forward to this week and I look on Ticketmaster to see what is available and notice that the seats directly in front of me are selling as Standard Tickets… Read more »
Thank you, Virginia!
I always tell my friends to avoid the Amex Presale and buy later during the summer and usually my friends ignore me and they learn the hard way (as I did many times over a decade ago)…
Agree!
I notice that on stubhub there are several instances of tickets for sale that are either missing seat numbers or the row number. For example Aug 27 , Louis Armstrong, day session, sections 2 and 8 courtside. Is this an over site by the seller or is it done on purpose for some reason? You make a point of making sure section, seat and row is stated. Also, if we wait to buy tickets, do you suggest holding off on flight reservations also? I think its risky trying to ” time the market”!
Hey Sharon, I always recommend steering clear of resale tickets that are not clearly labeled with section, row, and exact seat number. Some sellers omit details deliberately to make seats seem better than they are. A seat range is OK if (and only if) you’d be happy with ANY of the seats in that range. For instance, if someone posted Row AA Seat 1-12 in Ashe and you purchased 2 seats and all of 1-12 were available, the seller would almost certainly give you seats 11-12, which are in row 2, not the first row. I’m hesitant to weigh in… Read more »
One more question – I’ve been looking at courtside seats for Louis Armstrong on Wed Aug 27. Would you recommend similar priced seats in Arthur Ashe instead?
My understanding is the advantage in Ashe would be seeing better players but the disadvantage would be being further away for a similar price.
For that particular date, if it were me I’d probably wait until the schedule is out and base my decision on the scheduled players/matches. Historically, there have been plenty of seats available in Armstrong until the day of for that Wed session. Armstrong courtside seats are definitely much better seats than Ashe Loge or Promenade – but during round 2 you could have similar experiences seeing great players up close on outer courts where many matches will be scheduled (and use either an Ashe or Armstrong ticket to bop around to other matches – including into the early evening).
Which sections will players face at the ceremony? I’d like to view the ceremony and players face forward. Which sections in Loge would that be?
Hi Anna, they set it up such that the players face South – so, for instance, if seated in section 101 of Loge you’d be facing the ceremony in a centered position.
Thanks for all the help J.P. you really give me confidence to go. If I get women’s finals tickets can I sell the Men’s Double’s part of it?
Thanks!
Hi Allen, you’re most welcome — and yes indeed: your ticket is for both matches. The doubles will start at Noon, then there will be quite a pause before the Women’s Final at 4pm.
Thanks, but am I able to sell the mens doubles portion of the ticket if I don’t want to go to that?
Unfortunately not.
Gotcha! Thanks again for the info.
Sure thing!
One more question! With that ticket how early am I able to get on the grounds?
Hey again! Gates open at 11am that day. Enjoy!
Gracias!
Any tips for getting autographs and pictures with the more famous players?
Hi Luke, one possibility is to go during Fan week and try to get players after one of their practice sessions – but hardly a sure thing, as not all the players take time to sign/get selfies and big-name practices for top players will attract big crowds. One of the best ways to do it is to get Ashe Courtside tickets in lower rows (although they are very very expensive) somewhere between the umpire chair and the player’s entrance (sections 47-51) and go to the front immediately at the end of a match. For Armstrong, it would be similar but… Read more »
Not sure what who you qualify as “famous.” If you want an autograph from Alcaraz/Sinner/Djokovic in my experience it’s doable depending on how much time you want to spend on the project. The time to do it is either: (1) qualies week practice sessions by positioning yourself behind the chair they use to set down their tennis bag at and wait until the end of a practice session. They understand they are expected to do autographs and will usually hit the areas behind their chairs. Rafa would often do the entire sideline and then cross to do more on the… Read more »
Tremendous, thanks for sharing!
Hi! Thanks for all the above explanation, one thing it’s not clear for me, though: I got tickets for the semifinals evening session at the Ashe’s stadium, my question is, am I able to enter the US Open before 6 pm to see any other general sessions?
Hi Daniel! Same rules apply for that day as with the others: an evening session ticket only gives you entry at 6pm to the grounds. However, it’s possible Ticketmaster will release special grounds tickets closer to the date for that day and “Finals Weekend” for heavily discounted price compared to usual grounds passes. In past year’s they’ve been around $25. Keep checking the Ticketmaster site closer to that week.
Hi, where exactly on the site do we find these grounds tickets on Ticket Master?
Hi Allen, see this PDF for direct links.
“The 2025 US Open main tournament will span 15 days for the first time,”
I guess I must have imagined attending five Monday men’s finals (the 15th day). LOL.
LOL, VERY good point! I guess I’ve attended several of those too… But thankfully with roofs on both Ashe and Armstrong, the chances of it being extended like in the past are substantially less now 🙂
I recall the last Monday men’s final was scheduled long before tournament start (at the request of the primary broadcaster) for Monday not extended due to rain. It may have been so as not to compete with Sunday football.
those were the days!
P.J. Thank you! Your advice is priceless! I am attending the women’s semis and finals with my girlfriend. I know it’s a stab in the dark but should I wait until the week of to purchase tickets? Or is this a better way to ask – Between now and match day will they go down much? We are staying in Midtown and taking the 7 like you advised. My girlfriend is so excited to see it all for the first time.
Hi again! It’s really impossible to predict. Depends heavily on who makes it through. But that said, I think it’s unlikely they will go up too much from where they are now for that session (very high), so unless you see specific seats you’re targeting in your price range now you might consider holding off. But importantly, keep checking the overall inventory for that session as the date approaches. If number of available tickets starts going down significantly, then it’s less likely prices will decline a ton.
recommended places to stay? Thank you.
My fellow tennis fanatic friend Melissa maintains a great list of hotels here appealing to all budgets.
Why are your good deal prices for generally higher in the day time vs night time? Is it just less demand for night time matches?
Was looking at round 3 Armstrong night time, courtside seats are 550$ pp right now, is that worth it?
Thanks for the great guide!
Hi Josh, you’re welcome! It actually depends on the day/session – it’s often the reverse for Ashe, where Evening can be substantially more expensive than Day (including during QF). But for days when average day prices are higher, it’s because any Day session reserved seat ticket also gives you access to enter the grounds at 930am so you not only get your reserved seat but also can access unreserved seating everywhere but Ashe.
Do you think Day 6 Armstrong night session courtside seats for 550$ is a good deal? Or should I wait and see?
Hi Josh, that’s high. There are still plenty of excellent standard courtside seats for that session showing for $348.
Really? I am mainly looking at section 4-6, 13-15 closer rows (D, E) do you think these will go for below 400$? 550$ is the price from standard Ticketmaster not resale tickets
Attached is a screenshot of what I’m seeing on Ticketmaster – are you sure we’re talking about the same session?
Apologies, I meant Day 7 on Saturday 8/30 night session
Ah, got it. As I note in the blog FAQ #3, predicting whether prices will go up or down is like trying to game the stock market. For that particular session, the elasticity of the price will largely hinge on (1) weather (if it rains and more matches end up getting scheduled on Armstrong, which would drive prices higher) and (2) who gets scheduled (which you won’t know until the day before), which can drive prices up or down dramatically at the last minute. With all those caveats, I think $400-500 is likely to remain the general range for the… Read more »
Appreciate the insights!
Hi! Thanks so much for all the great advice. I am coming to NY from Canada and hoping to catch Novak Djokovic’s first round match. I was contemplating buying tickets now for the first night, Sunday, the 24th at 7 p.m. on Ashe. I hear your advice about us really not being able to predict. My thought was I will either be lucky and have the right tickets and see the match, re-sell and buy tickets to the correct match, or catch two matches. The only reason I am contemplating this is that I’m worried the prices will go up… Read more »
Hi Suzy, my strong advice is to wait until the schedule is released on the Thurs or Fri prior – which means refreshing your browser regularly on those days, checking the US Open handle on X (Twitter) regularly, etc then buying tickets ASAP after thata. There’s no way now to predict whether Novak will play his first round match on Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday – and there’s no way to predict whether it will be a Day or Night session. Ticket prices MAY go up for the session he’s scheduled to play in, but the advantage in waiting is you… Read more »
Got it – we’ll hold off. Thanks for you advice! Enjoy the tournament.
You too, Suzy!
Even with the tournament start moved up a day, I still envision the order of play being released on Friday. The draw is still on Thursday, as it always has been. Quick turnaround time to do a draw + schedule release same day.
Can’t believe I stumbled upon this amazing site. I am debating on attending the US Open for rounds 2 and 3. I live in KC and always wanted to go! This had so much helpful information and is the ultimate fan guide for attending. Thank You!
Hey Will, really appreciate hearing that, thanks!
I’ve been going to the US Open on a regular basis since 1981. If you are coming from the South, avoid driving at all costs. It’s a friggin’ nightmare.
I will probably recognize your face. I have been going on a regular basis since 1978. Some years to every session. I am not a serious fan. I am a very serious fan. 😛 See you in August!
This guide was super helpful for learning everything there is to know about the US open. I wanted to get tickets for this years US open but I’m not sure which dates I should go to see top seeds, especially Jannik Sinner. It would be wonderful if you could give me a prediction on which dates etc I should buy tickets. Thank you so much!!
Hi Anna, glad to hear it! Please see Box 3 FAQ #1 and see also last year’s full schedule to get a sense of which players get scheduled on various courts during different rounds. The fact that round 1 will be played over three days this year (the first time they’ve done this) adds additional complexity. I’d probably recommend planning to travel and attend during Round 2– played over 2 days (the first Wed and Thurs) and less expensive than matches during Labor Day weekend — and making your decision based on the schedule when it’s announced the day prior… Read more »
Thank you for your answer and sorry to be a bother again but I have decided to get tickets for the Semifinals on September 5 but I’m not sure whether I should go during 3pm or 7pm. What do you think is the difference between those two hours, if any ?
Hi Anna, great question. The main difference is that for that day, they will definitely schedule what is generally considered to be the most exciting semifinal players/match in the evening for prime-time TV (unlike during Rounds 1-4, when that generalization is NOT a rule to be counted on and scheduling between day and night is notoriously unpredictable).
Thanks for all the excellent information! Attending Labor Day for the day session, and I have to drive. I know, I know. Not looking forward to it, but no other options for me. Luckily, no Mets game, but I did read about the shops at Skyview parking. Do you have any knowledge of that area? Seems to be a bit of a walk, but cheaper and (it would seem) a little easier to get in and out of, so as not to be stuck in a parking lot traffic jam leaving in the evening. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.… Read more »
Hey Chris, you’re welcome! Driving on non-Mets days really isn’t bad – and there may well be ample parking right by the Mets-Willets stop/boardwalk leading to the East gate on Roos Ave. That lot has been expanded and I’ve never experienced a crazy long wait trying to get out (then again, I usually leave pretty late). What I do when I need to drive (which may sound a bit nuts, but after dropping so much money on tickets the extra expense feels worth it to avoid losing time on the grounds) is to pre-purchase a spot at Skyview, but use… Read more »
I agree with P.J. that parking really isn’t that bad on non Mets days. Unlike many other sporting events where if it’s a close game/match then most everyone will leave after the event is over, with the US Open there are many matches going on at once and all ending at different times. People will leave at all different times and even if there is a really good match going on Ashe, the later it goes, the more likely people are to leave (either those in Ashe or those on the grounds). I guess there is a perfect storm event… Read more »
Thanks, Lucas!
I love the Skyview parking, I use it every year when I go to the Open. Affordable, easy to get in and out, and a short walk to to the Open!
HI there! I’m planning on attending the US Open for the first time this year and I’m coming in from Texas. I’m looking at going on either August 28th or to 29th depending on which day my favorite players are on. I really only follow the American players and with this being the US Open I’m assuming that they will be featuring. My question is, how likely is it that they will put Fritz, Tiafo, Shelton, and/or Paul in the night slots? I’m assuming Goff will be at night, but since the boys aren’t Alcaraz or Djokovic I’m curious if… Read more »
Hey Liz. thanks for your thanks! My best advice is to take a hard look at all the scheduling from last year – and to take seriously my hard lesson learned over the years that we really cannot predict. I still stand by this advice I include in FAQ #1 (which I need to update with more recent examples, but it all still holds): “One thing you can count on is for the US Open schedulers to defy crowd predictions ever year, with decisions that resist generalizations. Many a fan has been heartbroken after spending a lot of money on… Read more »
Hi PJ, I just wanted to say that I am so grateful for you providing this resource. This will be my first Open tournament and we were feeling overwhelmed looking at tickets. We can’t wait to get there! Thank you.
Will, thank you so much for taking the time to write and let me know – really really appreciate it! Hope you have an amazing time!!
What are your thoughts on the new mixed doubles tournament?
Thanks again for this amazing guide! Been coming back to it every year!
Hey Joseph, thanks for your thanks!! I’m personally very excited they did that for Mixed Doubles. Prices are reasonable, and by giving that event some feature time I hope it exposes more people to the magic of watching doubles live. And for the players, it’s going to be incredible to have fans on a big stage.
Hi PJ. I hope all is well. Thank you asd always for updating this amazing page. I am currently watching Wimbledon from home, of course, but I wanted to tell you agasin how much my first visit to thje US Open which was orchestrated from thuis page with your help, well I have still been telling friends and family about it, and I try to share my tips and tricks with them and have traveed now 4times with newbies that have loved every minute of the US Open! So no questions, just coming by to say hi!
Gina, so nice to see your name pop up here again and hello back!! Thank you very very much for your kind words, really appreciate them and hope you have another great time this year!
Hi PJ. Congratulations on this blog, because it is great!!! This year I’m going for the first time to the US open. I am coming from Spain with a friend. We were planning to go the first days of the tournament (between Sunday 24 and Thursday 28 August). Since we are coming from far away, we would like to be able to see Spaniards (mainly Carlos Alcaraz) up close (i.e. some training, take a picture if possible, etc), and Ashe is such a big stadium, do you have any advice on this? Many thanks in advance, and congratulations again!
Hola Fran! Muchisimas gracias por las palabaras tan amables. I’m in the same boat: I have specific players I want to prioritize (Carlos being the #1) and so I plan to wait until the daily schedules of play are released the day prior before buying tickets (which is the advice I lay out in FAQ#1). The downside: it can be a little nerve-wracking and requires time and effort to keep checking the day prior for when schedule is released; and it may mean paying more for individual tickets. However, the upside is certainty that you are investing $$ in your… Read more »
My son, mother, and I are attending the Open with Abilities Tennis of North Carolina, a group that teaches tennis lessons to those with intellectual disabilities. My son and his athlete have been invited to play for a short session prior to the night match on Arthur Ashe on Monday, September 1, with Net Generation. It’s going to be awesome! They have been given grounds passes for the morning session on 9/1, but my mother and I need to buy grounds passes for that session. There are only resale tickets available on Ticketmaster. ($175 for what was a $100 ticket).… Read more »
Hi Amy, that is wonderful!! However, because he’s playing on Ashe (where all seats are reserved, meaning grounds passes will not get you in) you’ll need to get an Ashe ticket. The good news is that Ashe evening promenade-level tickets are cheaper than grounds passes for that day (here’s direct link to that specific session on Ticketmaster). Note: with an evening ticket you’ll only be able to enter the grounds at 6pm. If you want to enter the grounds earlier in the day, you’ll need another ticket. It’s hard to predict where pricing will go for grounds tickets that day,… Read more »
Hi PJ,
Thank you so much for building such a wonderful site for tennis lovers. This will by our first visit to the US open to celebrate my wife’s bday. we are visiting from the west coast.
I am looking for good “day” tickets for Amrstrong on Thu, Aug 28. I am getting tickets for Section 9, row T in ticketmaster for ~400$ per ticket… is that a good price or do you recommend I wait till last day? are there other sites that are cheaper?
thank you so much
RJ
Hey RJ, thanks for your thanks! For that particular session, if it were me I’d wait until much closer – possibly even day of (but keep monitoring over the summer just to confirm that the overall inventory remains high for that session). Historically that’s one where prices may drop as we get closer (versus Fri-Mon of Labor Day weekend, where it tends to be the opposite). Ticketmaster and Stubhub are my main go-tos personally – there’s no overall average “cheaper” site, more just a matter of whether you might get lucky finding a particular ticket on another site that someone… Read more »
amazing so helpful thank you!
You’re welcome!
Will grounds passes for Sept 1 have the ability to watch singles matches on Armstrong or Grandstand? The pricing guide notes ‘doubles only’ for grounds passes that day.
Hi Mike, great question – and you make me realize I need to tweak the language on the pricing guide. For Sep 1 (Monday), a grounds pass gets you access to everything EXCEPT Ashe. However, the only singles matches that will be played off Ashe that day are in Armstrong (Grandstand will only feature doubles). So with a grounds pass you could try to access seats for the singles matches in Armstrong.
Thanks PJ. And it looks like in your updates you specify that Tuesday Sept 2 all singles will be on Ashe. Was hoping to get a grounds pass and lineup for a singles match during the day but looks like that’s a no go.
Hey Mike, correct: beginning Tuesday of 2d week, all remaining singles matches will be on Ashe.
TY so much for your helpful tips! Be careful using StubHub as they weren’t releasing Miami Open tix till the am of your event. After explaining travel time & hotel costs, they finally released them the pm before.
Hey Kim, thanks for your thanks! Sorry you had that experience with Miami Open tickets. With US Open tickets, it’s different because all mobile tickets originate through Ticketmaster – so any StubHub reseller would have the ability to do an instant transfer as soon as they are available.
Bought 4 tix for the August 26 day session through StubHub. They were delivered via Ticketmaster instantly. Thanks for all of your tips and suggestions! I went with cheaper tickets at Ashe. I wanted full access to all courts and hedge my bets if it rains. My family will probably wander around the grounds, with no player agenda. Thanks again for your website!
Great to hear it, and you’re most welcome, Mikey!
Hi, I am experiencing the same thing with US Open tickets bought on StubHub. It says that my tickets will be available at 8 AM on the day of the event. Should I be worried about this and contact StubHub on why I cannot get the tickets immediately?
Hey Thomas, I wouldn’t worry about whether you’ll get the tickets – StubHub does have strong guarantees to protect buyers. But I would reach out to StubHub to ask them to contact the seller and find out if they can get them delivered sooner.
Just adding a few thoughts on ticket-buying. I agree that there are at least sometimes better deals on StubHub/SeatGeek etc. than Ticketmaster. But one downside is that in my experience when you buy from a non-Ticketmaster outlet you do NOT get your tickets right away but sometimes only get them a week or so before the event. (Curious if others have this experience.) That’s not ideal if you want the option of re-selling if your plans change or you find better seats. A second issue is that SeatGeek/StubHub usually only give you the section and row rather than the specific… Read more »
Hey John, very helpful, thanks a lot for this! Really want to underscore the point that it’s critical to make sure you purchase resale tickets from non-Ticketmaster sources that specify section, row and seat number.
Love all your tips! I enjoy watching doubles tennis – so decided to attend my first ever tennis tournament for the Mixed Doubles Championship. I purchased courtside general admission tickets for Wednesday evening. Plan to attend Fan events on Tuesday and Wednesday to get the “lay of the land”. Am I correct in understanding that the only tickets available for the Mixed Doubles Championship are general admission? Should we plan to arrive early to line up to get the best seats? If so, any idea how early? Appreciate all your tips re: travel, hotels, trains!
Hey Julia, thank you and apologies for the delayed reply! Tickets for Mixed Dubs are all general seating but BY SECTION, ie there are three tiers of pricing for the general seating: Courtside (good choice!), Loge, and Promenade. Literally anywhere within Courtside is a great seat. But it’s fun to sit close, so yes try to get there to line up enough in advance so you can beeline to the seats you want. No idea how early, though, because this is the first time they’ve done this… If it were me I’d probably go to line up about an hour… Read more »
Amazing guide, thank you. Saved a lot of research. My first US open, very excited. coming from London for day session in Arthur Ashe for round of 16 and quarter. I was almost gonna book for night session but if i can only enter after 6, i would rather take the day session tickets