A Serious Tennis Fan’s Top 10 Tips for the 2025 US Open (Tickets and More)

By P.J. Simmons

UPDATE for returning visitors

**UPDATES FOR RETURN VISITORS**:

Welcome to new visitors and welcome back returning friends! I’ll continue to update this post as quickly as I can – so please keep checking back in the days ahead. First time readers, I encourage you to read the entire post and FAQs below — but first, here are some important recent updates:

NEW DAY-BY-DAY GUIDE TO HELP SPOT GOOD DEALS ON TICKETS: Check out my new 2025 “Guide to US Open Ticket Prices: How to Spot a Good Deal” based on historical average resale pricing, with handy shortcuts to every single specific date/session/stadium option on the official US Open Ticketmaster site. I’ve also built a new dropdown outlining the day-by-day detailed schedule within the post with shortcuts to individual sessions/stadiums. Hope you find them helpful!

WANT TO KNOW WHO WILL PLAY ON WHICH DAYS? On Aug 21, they released Ashe/Armstrong schedule for Day 1. Based on that, below is my prediction for how they will schedule the remainder. See also my new chart summarizing which players will play on various days after round 2 if they advance.

• SUNDAY DAY 1: Exclusively Bottom 1/2 Men’s Draw & Top 1/2 Women’s Draw
• MONDAY DAY 2: Remainder of the above who didn’t play Monday PLUS some Top 1/2 Men & Bottom 1/2 Women
• TUESDAY DAY 3: ExclusivelyTop 1/2 Men & Bottom 1/2 Women
• WED (Aug 27), FRI (Aug 29), SUN (Aug 31), TUES QF (Sep 2): Bottom 1/2 Men & Top 1/2 Women
• THURS (Aug 28), SAT (Aug 30), MON (Sep 1), WED QF (Sep 3): Top 1/2 Men & Bottom 1/2 Women

WANT TO VISUALIZE BRACKET SCENARIOS?: The US Open isn’t doing its usual Racquet Bracket contest this year, but… the Nothing Major guys (Querry, Johnson, Isner, Sock) have started their own contest for the Men’s singles bracket – check it out here!

WANT TO KNOW WHAT KINDS OF MATCHES TO EXPECT ON EACH COURT ON PARTICULAR DAYS? I consolidated all of last year’s daily schedules of play into one PDF here to help readers get a full sense of what kinds of matches to expect on which courts every day of the tournament. (With the addition of an extra day for Round 1 on Sunday, expect that day to look like Days 1-2 last year but with fewer total matches on each day).

LIRR SCHEDULES (See Tip #9 below for transportation details)
Here is the 2025 LIRR schedule until September 1 (Labor Day)
Here is the 2025 LIRR schedule from September 1 until the end of the tournament

NEW RIDESHARE DROP OFF/PICKUP LOCATION: All Ubers, black-car services, etc will need to drop off and pick up at parking lot within the NY Hall of Science – about a 10-min walk from the South Gate.

GREAT INSIGHTS/SUGGESTIONS FROM FELLOW FANS THIS YEAR (THANK YOU!)

• “Bring some singles in cash to tip the people in the bathrooms because they work their tails off.” (Courtney)
• “I use a small tote bag (like the recycle bags people carry to grocery stores [in place of a backpack, which isn’t allowed]. Wear the jacket/hoodie to walk thru Security if it’s too big for everything in the bag or tie around your waist. I always bring in snacks.” (Maura)
• “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)…” (Maura)
• “On Tuesday of Qualifying, I arrived at the South Gate at 10am for a 10am gate time. The queue was from the south gate, all along the fence down by court 17, up and around the Unisphere and back down to the fence along courts 8-9-10… it was a one hour wait for entry and something I’ve only seen before at Arthur Ashe Kids Day in 2023. Never before have I seen this many people at gate time for the Main Draw. It was insane.” (Tom)
• “Parking lot open at 7 AM. I spoke to an employee this morning, who confirmed it.” (Tom)

Me and friends spotted on ESPN during the 2021 Novak v. Brooksby match on Ashe

As a serious tennis player and fan living in New York City, 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. I can’t wait to return to the 2025 US Open tennis tournament, which will take place at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Sunday August 24- Sunday September 7, 2025!

2025 will mark my 17th consecutive 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 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 for serious tennis fans like me.

Tip #1: Do whatever you can to see world-class players and great matches up really close— which if you’re on a budget may mean bypassing Arthur Ashe stadium in favor of the sixteen other courts where matches are played. 

Me spotted on Netflix “Break Point” series cheering on Taylor Fritz and Brandon Holt (yes, I was rooting for both) at the 2022 US Open – front row during awesome match at GRANDSTAND Stadium (not Ashe!)

For my first US Open, I spent about $250 per ticket for a decent seat during early rounds in the famous Arthur Ashe stadium (1/2 way up in the Loge section) 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 at Ashe stadium, I still felt somewhat distant from the action (it’s a mammoth 23,700-seat 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 (behind courts 4-6), the very cool Court #17, and other courts #4-#16). Once you have this experience you’ll be 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.

A collateral benefit: you’ll be ahead of the curve in 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 — Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Ben Shelton, Sloane Stephens, Francis Tiafoe, Madison Keys, Dominic Thiem, Sasha Zverev, and so many others.

Tip for serious players: After watching a ton of pro matches, I started challenging myself to watch more deliberately from the perspective of a player who wants to improve. I wrote down ten ideas for watching a pro match that may resonate with fellow fanatics who not only want to enjoy the drama of the match but also learn from it.     

(Adapted from photo in “US Open Transformation Update”)

Tip #2: If you’re on a tight budget, try to attend during the tournament’s first week (Sunday August 24- Friday August 29) and purchase relatively inexpensive Ashe DAY session tickets. 

An Ashe day session ticket will get you access to all the courts on the grounds in addition to Ashe during the day, then enable you to stay on the grounds to watch matches on all courts except Ashe in the evening (Ashe day/night sessions are sold separately). You’ll get hours and hours of tennis watching for your money, as many matches on the outer courts will go well into the evening. And if you can take a day off from work and go during these first 6 days, you won’t have to battle hordes of fans for access to the non-Ashe venues– whereas things get very crowded Labor Day weekend.

A priceless moment I’ll never forget

Tip #3: Do NOT buy a “Grounds Admission” pass until you’ve explored whether reserved day session seats in Ashe or Armstrong are also available for around the same price!

Grounds admission tickets (cheaper tickets sold on the tourney’s first 9 days that give access to all the courts except Ashe) can be a good deal, but there are often reserved Ashe Promenade-level tickets (and, occasionally, Armstrong courtside seats) available for nearly identical prices– making them far better deals. Ashe and Armstrong Day Session tickets gives you all the privileges of a “Grounds” pass with added bonuses. In particular, buying an Ashe or Armstrong reserved seat gives you rain insurance, because these stadiums both have roofs so matches cannot be rained out.

Tip #4: Go for quality over quantity. 

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 appying the same budget towards excellent seats for a couple sessions, I generally recommend the latter. (Note: if you’re wondering whether it’s worth it to spend a bit more to sit in the Loge level of Ashe versus the Promenade level, my answer is always yes).

Tip #5: If your budget can swing it, I strongly recommend getting a courtside reserved seat in Louis Armstrong stadium (especially between Aug 27 – Sep 1) and/or in Grandstand (especially on Aug 29 or Aug 30). 

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 BASELINE! Ever since, I’ve made it an annual tradition to go with friends to Armstrong during the 3d 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 setting first row behind-the-server for a match between Auger-Aliassime and his Canadian buddy 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 plus incredible proximity to the players.

Me caught on ESPN cheering for Matteo Berrettini from 2d row Armstrong during 2019 Round of 16 (v Rublev)

Me caught on ESPN cheering very loudly for Carlitos from front row Ashe during 2024 Round 2 (v van Zanderschup)

Tip #6: If you’ve never done it, consider splurging once on a courtside Ashe seat — if possible after the 2nd round of play when matches start getting more competitive. 

After dreaming for years of the possibility, I finally bit the bullet to invest in courtside seats in 2011 for the first time. It was bliss. Ever since, I’ve made an annual pilgrimage to experience 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. If going for a courtside seat, keep in mind that Row E is first row in sections 1-6, 31-40, 65-67; and Row F is first row in sections 7,9,11, 26, 29, 30, 60 63, 64, 41, 42. If courtside is out of your budget, aim for lower Loge rows A-C when possible.

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 (baseline section 58) for Labor Day during the Round of 16 and got to witness Federer perfection from a few feet away. Best money I’ve ever spent.

Tip #7: The night before you go

Check the app or click this link for the detailed daily Schedule of Play for the following day’s schedule and make your game plan so you can beeline directly to the court where the match you care about will happen (including, potentially, the practice courts– see Tip #8 below). You should also download the official US Open Everywhere App (search on app stores for “2025 US Open Tennis”) to track the latest schedule, scores and live updates. If someone you really want to see will play on Grandstand or Armstrong, get to the grounds as early as you can so you can be among the first in line when the gates open at 9:30am then speed-walk to those stadiums and grab the best seat you can. Check out the day-to-day coverage at SI.com’s tennis page, which is always terrific.

Tip #8: Check out the practice courts for close sightings of the superstars

Check the practice schedule the night before (and morning of) to see when/where players are practicing (you can also see it on the official US Open App).

Note: the best time to see top players practice without fighting crowds is during the free Qualifier Tournament and week before the main tournament (see my Tip #10 below).

Tip #9: Do not drive unless you really have to. Especially if the Mets have a home game.

Option 1: Take the subway #7 train (see 7 train schedule here, runs 24 hours, PM times in bold, see stops here, which include Grand Central). Note: you no longer need a MetroCards for the NY subway– you can simply TAP YOUR PHONE AT THE TURNSTILE if you are set up for tap-and-pay..

Option 2: (FASTEST, only 15 min from Midtown NYC): Take the LONG ISLAND RAILROAD (LIRR), which departs from Penn Station from the new “Moynihan Train Hall” (entrance on 8th Avenue between West 31st-33rd, directly across from Penn Station). to the “Mets-Willets Point” station (the signage will say either “GREAT NECK” or “PORT WASHINGTON” – double check the train number before boarding). Look for the “Port Washington” train on the monitors to find the right track. IMPORTANT: The LIRR stop at Mets-Willets is NOT accessible for fans with disabilities — so anyone with disabilities should exit the LIRR at Woodside/61st Street Station then transfer to the 7 train (or just take the 7 train to Mets-Willets Point Station).

• To purchase LIRR tickets:
  • Download the very easy-to-use NEW MTA TrainTime App. Within the app, click “Trips”, then at the top fill in From “Penn Station” and To “Mets-Willets Point” then see all the upcoming train options. Click the train you want and select “Buy” and it will show options for one-way or R/T.  Ticket(s) will then be in your “wallet” in the app for you to use whenever you like; you just have to press “activate” right before you board your train of choice.
  • Alternatively, you can also buy a ticket at Penn Station in the Moynihan Hall using an ATM-like ticket machine (or at the window). But the app is way easier.
    • For return trips from the Open, you’ll need to show your ticket at the US Open’s LIRR entrance (top of the ramp near the East Gate) — the individuals checking tickets can also sell you a one-way return ticket if you need and you can use a credit card (tip: you do NOT need to line up at the ticket window!!).
    • Here is the 2025 LIRR schedule until September 1 (Labor Day)
    • Here is the 2025 LIRR schedule from September 1 until the end of the tournament

• If you fly into Laguardia (LGA) you can take the NYC “Q48” public bus from Laguardia to the US Open (the stop is listed on the MTA website as “ROOSEVELT AV/WILLETS PT BL STATION.” LGA is very close to the US Open grounds, but the bus trip could take around 30 minutes.

If you must go by car… 

• See the US Open’s driving directions and details on parking lots.
• Plan extra time (more than you think) Monday Aug 25-Sunday 31 when Mets are playing home games and parking will be limited or not available at Citi Field. Consider  reserving a parking spot here. 
• Recommend putting in GPS “Citi Field” to get you to the general area – if parking isn’t available at Citi Field, there should be traffic cops around to redirect you
  • US Open recommends using “Grand Central Parkway exit 9E or Whitestone Expressway (678) Exit 13D.”
  • You’ll see signs and be directed to available public parking ($25 for cars).
    • Citi Field will be the primary lot (“Yellow Zone” parking) except when the Mets are playing at Home (see the Mets home schedule). On those dates, according to the US Open you’ll be “directed to guest parking lots 1-6” (which the map confusingly labels as A-H– sorry I can’t provide any more clarification on this!).
    • If you must drive on a day the Mets are playing, ARRIVE AS EARLY AS YOU CAN – like around 8:30am if possible – to avoid major hassles.
  • The entrance to Citi Field parking is located at 126th Street and Shea Road, Corona, NY.  GPS address to that intersection is “126 Roosevelt Ave, Flushing, NY 11368.
  • Consider buying a parking pass on Stubhub to lots A, B, or C (which are closest). Here’s the detailed transportation map showing parking lots.
  • Fellow fan Harry pointed out: “If you are willing to walk a bit, street parking underneath or south of Highway 495 is a viable option.”
• Uber/Lyft/Taxi TO the Open:
  • You can have the driver put in “Billie Jean King National Tennis Center” if you want to have them drop you near the SOUTH GATE. If you’re aiming for the EAST GATE, try putting in “Mets-Willets Point” as the destination – this will take you directly to the spot on Roosevelt Avenue where the 7 train lets people off, then you can just walk up the stars and across the foot bridge to the East Gate. But that option MAY not be available if they are blocking off traffic, which they occasionally do.
• If considering a taxi or Uber/Lyft home after a night session, be prepared for a long wait, hassles, and a very (very) expensive ride with surge pricing. Getting an Uber/Lyft after an evening session when literally thousands of others are trying to do the same can be a nightmare. I tried it in 2016 as an experiment and here’s what happened: (1) Had to go to designated “zone 3” pickup area for cabs and users– a long walk from the South Gate near the globe (trying to meet them by the 7 train at Roosevelt is really tough given heavy traffic); (2) three Uber drivers cancelled on me after accepting before I finally get one; (3) Surge pricing was in effect, with a ride that should have cost $45 being quoted over $120.
• If you must hire a car back home after a night session, you might try the following instead:
  • (1) Reserve a car service pickup in advance. I’ve used Riverside and they’re always reliable (and they have an app as well) – but you can find many other car services in NY if you Google.
  • (2) Take the LIRR or 7 subway train into Manhattan (or to another local stop like “Junction Blvd”), then call Uber or a hail a cab
  • (3) Try to hail a cab on the street just under the 7 train (Roosevelt Ave); or download the “Curb” app for NYC taxis and hail one that way from that location.

• If you’re lucky enough to be driving a Cadillac to the Open, you’ll get complimentary parking (Cadillac replaced Mercedes-Benz in 2022 as a major sponsor)

Alternatively, consider staying in Queens and biking! Fellow fan Mark shared his experience in 2019: “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!”

Carlitos during 2023 Fan Week exhibition match on Armstrong

Tip #10: Take advantage of these amazing FREE opportunities to see incredible players up close:

• AUG 18-23 FREE “Fan Week“: If you’re a serious fan, don’t miss the FREE qualifying tournament Monday August 18- Thursday August 21, the week before the main tournament begins. 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. 2021 US Open women’s singles champion Emma Raducanu became the first in history to win a major after playing in the qualifiers – a reminder this is an amazing opportunity to see major rising players! It’s also a great opportunity to see top-seeded players on practice courts. Read why Fan Week/Qualies are so special in this excellent piece by Steven Kutz.
  • Gates open at 10:00am. You must arrive before 5:00pm to enter.
  • Qualifier Tournament matches start at 11:00am
  • Official practices (of main draw players) start earlier. However, fans won’t have access to any player practices scheduled before 10:00am, For practices on Ashe, you need to register for a Fan Access Pass to access practices in Ashe (which you can do via the app).
  • To understand how players qualify to play in the US Open and why qualifiers matter, see this explanation by Laurence Shanet
  • Watch top seeds (including Federer) practicing during this entire “Fan Week. Check the practice schedule here (also available on the app) the day before/ morning of to see when your favorites are scheduled to practice.
  • Click here to register for a “Fan Access Pass,” which gives you certain perks (including access to special preferred seating for some practice sessions). Note: the Fan Pass check-in is located by the East Gate on the left.
• FRI- SAT AUG 22-23:
  • US Open Media Day at 11am ET on Ashe Stadium, with players answering questions. Fans must register for the event via Fan Pass.
  • “Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day” Sat Aug 23. If you have kids, this is a great day to go– lots of interactive games, music, and activities.
  • Free access to practice sessions: Go see top players practicing up close by taking advantage of free access to the US Open grounds the day before the main tournament begins to watch practice sessions – it’s one of the best-kept secrets that the grounds are open to the public all day.

A FEW MORE RECS

• I agree with every word of “Here’s How to Have the Best Time at the U.S. Open: Tips, Tricks and Transportation“ by the brilliant Sports Illustrated writer Jon Wertheim. Note: if you haven’t yet seen Wertheim’s 2018 Strokes of Genius documentary on the Federer/Nadal rivalry, RENT IT! It’s one of the best documentaries on anything I’ve ever seen, beautifully capturing so many of the unique aspects of tennis that make us so passionate about our sport.

• Bring a backup phone charger if you have one. However, there are several re-charging stations, but after all the photos and video you take with your phone and use of Wi-Fi you’ll run out of juice quickly.

• 

  Chart with food options at 2022 US Open

  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 2025.
  • 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

• PLACES TO STAY: Need an affordable hotel room? Fellow tennis fanatic Melissa maintains a great list of hotels appealing to all budgets.

• AMERICAN EXPRESS CARDHOLDERS: Bring your Amex card if you have one! See full Amex Benefits at US Open here. Perks from 2024 likely to be repeated in 2025:
  • (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 2025.
  • Click here to make a reservation to access the “Chase Lounge”
  • Other past perks have included offering cool video+mobile “Chase Charge & Watch” chargers

• Sign up for the “Fan Pass” on the app to be entered into a sweepstakes and track your activity on site. Scan your personal barcode at various stations around the event to collect “badges,” which can redeem for prizes.

• Do your shopping for US Open gear early in the tournament – stores run out of the popular sizes fast.

• $30 Grounds Admission tickets are available for Finals Weekend (Fri-Sun Sep 5-8) on this Ticketmaster page. Note: these grounds ticket options are not usually posted until closer to the tournament. 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.

GOT A QUESTION OR COMMENT?
Please submit below and I’ll reply as soon as I can – I’m limited to replying over weekends and evenings given my demanding real job, but will do my best to help!
P.J.