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.












So I am thinking of going to the open the 5-10 but noticed you didn’t recommend the ticket plans which I was thinking of doing. I assume you also don’t recommend going through the tour company either?
Hi Foulon, it all depends on your budget and priorities… Tour groups can be great to simplify, handle transportation, do all the work for you… If you can afford one that gives access to good seats and want that convenience, it’s certainly a nice option. I do not recommend the ticket plans for all the reasons I outline above – you can get much more for your $ if you do it yourself. P.J.
Foulon, is this your first time to the US Open or one of the tennis majors? If you are planning to go all those days (5th-10th) that is a long time to be there with very little tennis. The first week up through Labor Day there will matches all day and well into the evening or later. You would get a better idea of what the Open is all about if you come earlier.
What time is the last subway train back to manhatton in the night?
HI Gary, the 7 train runs all night. You can see the schedule here. Early morning (i.e. after midnight) times are NOT in bold, whereas PM times are bolded: http://web.mta.info/nyct/service/pdf/t7cur.pdf Best, P.J.
Hi! Thanks for the post. It’s going to be my first time in the US OPEN and I’d really like to take advantage of it. Im here in a cultural exchange program and I dont have a credit card only debit. Can I use that for purshasing tickets from ticketmaster? And what do you recommend me to do…buy day or night Ashe sessions for the first days? To tell you the truth I wanna see Roger. That’s my main goal… if you have some tips as regards that, it would be amazing. Last year I went to wimbly but couldnt… Read more »
Hi Ana! Ticketmaster will accept a debit card with a major credit card logo (visa, master card, etc). I’ve copied their details below… My advice for targeting Federer on a budget would be under Box 3 FAQ #2 above (How can I predict which day/time my favorite player will play?). Have a great experience! P.J. From Ticketmaster: “Pick a card, almost any card: American Express, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, Diners Club*, Ticketmaster Gift Card*, or a debit card with a major credit card logo. Now you can even use Apple Pay with our app. International cards are also accepted on our… Read more »
No questions. Just writing to let you know you are amazing. Your passion comes through. USTA should hire you. Thank you Thank you. We just happen to be in NY and will spend a day there.
Kellie, you are so kind! Thanks so much for taking the time to write. Really really appreciate it! Hope you have a great visit 🙂 P.J.
Hello, I may have a silly question and it might have already been answered. I tried searching through all the comments but I couldn’t find anything. I’ve never purchased tickets for the US Open. I want to purchase tickets for the Women’s final on Saturday this year and I’m a little confused with what I should be buying. Would that be ASHE Day or night or grandstand? I just want to make sure I’m able to see that match. I’m buying as a gift and the person I’m buying for may know, but it’s a surprise 🙂 Thanks so much… Read more »
Hi Jaimie, that will be a great surprise! You’ll be buying an Ashe Day session ticket for Sat Sep 9: it’s only one session, beginning at Noon with Men’s Doubles Final followed by Women’s Final at 4pm (i.e. one ticket gets you access to both matches). Best P.J.
Thanks for all the info! What time do they close the courts on that Sunday practice day? Thanks
Hi Linda, not sure exactly – sorry! I think they probably wrap up practices early evening and keep grounds open well into the evening. PJ
Hi PJ
Fantastic information. Thank you so much for your help.
I just had two quick question.
Is it possible at all to find face-valued tickets for the men’s final or semi finals when the tickets go on sale or are these already sold out in the presale?
Moreover I was wondering if there was anywhere to find the actual face value prices for the different days to know how far the prices on the resale websites are?
Hi Sara, thanks for the kind words! Both during the Amex pre-sale and once tickets go on sale to public, you’ll likely only find face-value tickets for men’s semis and finals in Promenade section or “premium” seat packages, which often end up being the same cost or more as most resale tickets later. The “face value” changes every year and it’s never posted on any chart, just available when you search the site and click on seats. I know, it’s a major pain…! P.J.
Approximately how much will resale tickets be for 1) qtr finals, 2) semi finals and 3) finals in the lower promenade? I guess different for men’s & women’s too?
Hi, I hesitate to speculate – yes depends on mens/women’s, also who’s playing, day or night session for quarters, etc. The range is usually around $150-$350 (including service fees). P.J.
Omg, thanks for this information! I’m a huge tennis fan and veteran Wimbledon Queuer, and am excited to finally get to my second GS this summer (my Hamilton tickets may have accidentally been booked to coincide…. :P). We’re going for grounds passes for either 1st Mon/Tues, as I’ve done Centre Court at Wimbledon a whole lot so I’m not particularly bothered about seeing the big names as I’ve already seen most of them up close (the tickets reserved for the Queue are courtside and truly insane). Just want to experience the US Open and explore the grounds! This information is… Read more »
Fiona, would you mind directly advising me of about handling the Wimbledon Queue? I’m from Canada, and got two Centre Court tickets for the middle Friday this year. My sister and I planning to do ‘the Queue’ for Mon-Thurs. any advice/tips from you appreciated. I can be reached at lawrie_eliz@hotmail.com.
I was at US Open two years ago, great fun, and all the information on PJs site is awesome. You will have a great time.
Hey Fiona, sound strategy – but I would strongly counsel you to pay a tiny bit more for a reserved seat in Ashe Promenade instead of grounds (often times just as cheap as a grounds pass). That way in case it rains you have an insurance policy, as Ashe is the only stadium with a roof, and you can use that ticket the same way as a grounds pass (i.e. access to everything). P.J.
Dear PJ, Many thanks for all the information shared up here, really useful 🙂 I am a huge Roger fan and I’ve never seen him compete in a Grand Slam tournament. Being from Hungary, it would be the easiest to go to Paris or London to see him, however it is nearly impossible to get tickets to Wimbledon and I also don’t really like the clay court so I’ve decided to go for New York while there is still time before his retirement. I would like to see RF play in really competitive games and I also don’t want to… Read more »
Jó napot kívánok, hogy vagy?! I actually spent a semester in Budapest during university (studied Magyar for 1 semester, so barely speak… but I have a good accent 🙂 I LOVE Hungary. And still drink Tokaj often to bring back good memories. So if you haven’t already bought the Championship Week ticket plan, I would first read my FAQ #2 in Box 3 above (“FAQ #2: How can I predict which day/time my favorite player will play?). During the first week, it’s really easy to get last-minute tickets on the resale market — and if you know the day prior… Read more »
Hi PJ This is so much great information! To be honest I know nothing about tennis and have never been to an event like the US Open. I would like to purchase tickets for my dad and brother but am on a budget. There goal is to see Federer play. What do you think my best options are? We are able to make it out to NY either Aug 28-Sep 1 or Sep 4-8. I am assuming it would be cheaper to go the first week? Are you able to estimate how much tickets would be versus the 2 weeks?… Read more »
Hey Amy, so sorry for the delay – last couple weeks crazy busy at work. DEFINITELY cheaper week 1. Significantly. I hesitate to give specific estimates — too many variables — and the difference even between prices on Sep 4 versus Sep 8 can be significant (in the hundreds of dollars). My advice for targeting Federer on a budget would be under Box 3 FAQ #2 above (How can I predict which day/time my favorite player will play?). P.J.
Hey PJ, I’m from Mexico City and I’m planning on going to the Open this year, first time! I have stumble upon your blog and it is awesome it has given me a lot of insight and cleared a lot of doubts however since I’m a first timer I still have a couple of questions. After reading some of the comments and your reply this is my question. Im on a budget and I’m only thinking on going to the first week, I know that during the first week it might be difficult to see great matches compared to the… Read more »
Hola Juan, que bueno que vayas venir a Nueva York por primera vez! A mi me encanta Mexico… yo pasé 4 meses estudiando español en Mexico (en una escuela al borde de la Riviera Maya) y extraño Mexico lindo y querido 🙂 I think the first week at the Open is wonderful and there ARE many great matches… Some of the most competitive matches, however, are dueled out on the outer (non-Ashe) courts– because they tend to put the superstars on Ashe pitted against contenders who may not give them the greatest challenge. That said, as I recommended to Mariel… Read more »
Hey PJ Escribes muy bien en español!! que bueno que extrañas México lindo y querido!! Y muchas gracias por tu respuesta! So I`ll be there from the 31st to the 4th Labor Day weekend haha! Im guessing that even if its crowed that will bring a special atmosphere to the tourney and for the games I’m thinking on getting a reserved seat for the Armstrong and for the Grandstand either Friday or Saturday Im not sure yet and may be Sunday or Monday a ticket with a good seat on the Ashe, Im on a budget of around $400, what… Read more »
Hola “JP” 🙂 – If it were me, I would wait until a couple days before Labor Day weekend and look at the weather and draw. Then go to the Ticketmaster Exchange site (super easy to buy last minute and access tickets on your phone via their APP so you don’t have to print) and get the following: 1) If no rain forecast, get great Grandstand reserved ticket for Friday or Saturday 3d Round (somewhat less expensive than Armstrong) so you can sit reaalllly close (budget appx $130 – rough guess based on last year) 2) Spend the remainder of… Read more »
Hey PJ!! Hope you are doing great! and not so busy now that the sale is open for everyone! So I have a couple of questions: first, I’m trying to buy a loge ticket for Sunday September 3rd day sessions on the west side of Ashe, however, right now there are no tickets on ticketmaster (public sale or resale) I went on to ticketliquidator and I found the ticket that I am looking for but I’m not sure of the delivery method of the ticket, since I live in Mexico Im a little concern about this and they don’t seem… Read more »
Hola Juan! (1) Check again – there are many resale tickets now visible on Ticketmaster — just make sure you click the button that says “Type” upper right, then make sure “Verified Resale Tickets” is checked. Resale should appear in red (many), regular tickets in blue (very few). – if (2) If you purchase from another resale site, look for an indication (usually a symbol) such as “E-ticket” or “Instant Delivery” next to the tickets so you know you can get the tickets electronically (3) I’m not sure about the ease of using the Ticket Exchange from Mexico, but I… Read more »
Thanks for all of these really good tips. I am planning on heading up for the first time to US Open this year. So excited to catch a glimpse of Andy Murray..bit of a fan 😉
After reading your article,I think I will try heading up early to check our practices too.
Awesome Janet!
Awesome!!! Thanks, you’ve really been of great help!!
Con mucho placer!
Hey P.J.! I imagine that the closer we get to the open the busier you’ll be! but this thing you do for us tennis fans is just awesome!! I wanted to ask you something… since I’m going to be there for the labor day weekend I figured that may be buying the holiday weekend package wasn’t such a bad idea, my question is… should I wait for the day in which the tickets are sold to the public I think with American Express is June 5th and general public is June 12th or can I try to but them now?… Read more »
Hey Juan! Thanks so much :). If you do decide you want to get a ticket plan, now probably the best time to get it. You can actually see the individual seats available when you select the plan you want on this page. Just know that there WILL be many more tickets available than the ones you see on any package currently – they will release more individual seats when tickets go on sale to public, and there will be tons of Promenade seats available on the resale market over the summer. PJ
I’ve checked the tickets on the holiday weekend package and it seems that all the good seats are gone 🙁 I kinda freaked out a little bit but as you said more tickets will be available! Would you say that “loge” seats are the best thinking that one is on a budget? Thanks!!!
Hey Juan, seriously do not worry. Most of those package seats were high up in stadium in upper Promenade. You can do better buying individual sessions. Promenade are the “budget” seats, Loge are more expensive. You might want to go cheap one day, then try for a Loge another day. PJ
Have you found that you can get better tickets from the USTA presale?
Hi Mary, no– never. But it’s a moot point now, as USTA announced last year they will not do a pre-sale anymore beginning this year. PJ
Planning my first trip to the Open this year, and have found all of your tips so helpful for planning our trip!
So glad to hear, thanks for letting me know Shari! PJ
Hi PJ!
This is a very informative blog. I do have a question for you. If my family of 4 wants to be guaranteed a Federer 1st round match, which of the 3 would you recommend?
1) Purchase the “Opening Sessions” package
2) When individual tickets are released, purchase all 4 1st day sessions
3) Wait until the week before the event starts when first round schedule is released and then purchase on the resale market
Thanks PJ!
Hi Dean, absolutely #3 because then you can allocate your entire budget to the best seats possible knowing exactly which day and which session (daytime or evening) to target. Only advice is to keep monitoring so you can act quickly as soon as schedule is announced, as many folks will flock to the session Fed plays in (but still, you can expect tons of tix available for 1st round at competitive prices). PJ
Hi PJ! Thank you SO much for this informative post. I’m from Manila, Philippines, and am keeping my fingers crossed for the chance to watch the US Open on 8/28 or 8/29. Would you happen to have estimates on the cost of decent seats for these ticket categories? 1) Armstrong Stadium Reserved 2) Grandstand Stadium Reserved 3) Ashe Day Session 4) Ashe Night Session I went to Roland Garros in 2016 and the ticketing options are not as complicated as that of the US Open, so I’m thankful I came across this post so I’ll be prepared for ticket purchase… Read more »
Hi Mariel! My pleasure. I’m always hesitant to give estimates because prices can vary wildly… But as a general rule, for those 1st 2 days of the Open I’d counsel putting all your $ into best Ashe seats possible and NOT getting reserved seats for GS or Armstrong — unless you’re not on too careful a budget. It’s relatively easy to get into Armstrong and GS on those first two days and sit in the non-reserved sections, and there are so many great matches happening on other courts too — part of the fun is just bopping around. That said,… Read more »
PJ,
Will Armstrong be open this year?
Hi Nicole, In 2017, the old Louis Armstrong Stadium pictured above will be replaced by a TEMPORARY ARMSTRONG (#2 stadium after Ashe) with 8,800 seats (slightly larger than the old Armstrong) located by the East Gate entrance. I expect they will use the same or similar seat numbering system for reserved seats as last year– stay tuned.
Thank you for the information. I apologize that I hadn’t yet read your 2017 Construction Update section which answered my question. Another question: Do you ever (for a service fee, of course) help people find/purchase tickets? You know a lot about finding the best deals, and it seems you would excel at doing that. If you do, please feel free to email me directly. 🙂
Hey Nicole, my pleasure and no worries! I have a couple of really demanding jobs so only do this as a hobby – but happy to try to answer any questions as you get closer. I know it may seem a little overwhelming, but the reality is that once tickets are listed you will be able to fairly quickly get a sense of trends and deals… and if you carve out a couple hours when the time comes I guarantee it will be super rewarding to make the final decisions yourself! PJ
I just want to say thanks so much for all this really helpful information!! My mother is a huge tennis fan and a native New Yorker but has never been to the US Open. I am planning to get her tickets for her birthday and am on a budget, but of course want her to have a great, up-close experience! Your tips are wonderful and have saved me a lot of stressful detective work. Thank you!!!
Hey Suzanne, that makes me so happy to hear. Thank you!!
Hi there. Thanks so much for this very helpful advice. I’m flying over from the uk for a friends wedding in New York on Saturday 9th September this year and would love to get a ticket for the men’s final on the Sunday 10th before I fly back on the Monday. How likely is it that if I waited till June it would be possible to get a ticket for this? My experience of Wimbledon is that it’s very hard to even get a ticket but I’d love to go if I could. It would be great to get your… Read more »
Hi Mark, my pleasure. Please see my note under Box 2 above — I strongly recommend you not purchase a ticket before June, but instead try on the day tickets go on sale to public (usually very little selection) and, if you can’t find a good seat within your budget then, take your time monitoring the resale market in the months that follow. There are always tons of resale tickets available right up until the week of the event. Prices can vary wildly based on who’s expected to play. Last year, there were excellent Loge resale tickets on sale night… Read more »
Hi! I´m planning on going to my first US Open (I´m from Perú). My budget for tickets is like $400 and I would like to go the four days of Labor Weekend (Fri – Mon). What tickets and when would you recommend me to buy them? I was thinking like for Fri – Sat get reserved seats for Armstrong and for Sun and Mon some decent tickets for Ashe (I wanna know what the experience is like at Ashe!) What do you think? Is it reasonable or should I consider buying for fewer days or cheaper tickets? I just wanna… Read more »
Hola Sebastian! Que bueno vayas a venir por primera vez! $400 isn’t a lot for all four days of that holiday weekend, so here’s what I would do in your shoes and would stretch with a slightly higher budget of $460 if possible (with the caveat that this is all very subjective and based on optimistic guesses about good deals you may be able to find if you’re patient and follow advice in my post on searching for tickets): (1) FRI: Armstrong reserved seat (low budget estimate of a great deal around $120). You’ll see 2 great 3d round men’s… Read more »
P.J. thak you very much for your response! I have a few questions: 1) About waiting to buy the tickets for Arms and Grand, is it like really safe to do that so close to the day I will go? and will the prices will be the same as the ones I would found If i buy in June when all the tickets go out? Because I will get to NY like one day before the US Open and I don´t how that Ticketmaster Exchange works, do I receive like tickets to print online? 2) We are powdering the idea… Read more »
Hey, sure thing! 1) Over the past 10 years I’ve always been able to get a resale ticket 1-2 days prior for virtually any session. You just have to be prepared to monitor the ticket situation carefully in the weeks prior and act quickly if remaining resale tickets become scarce. 2) On availability and pricing, I can only offer educated guesses based on experience — there’s always always some element of guesswork and risk. If you are willing to take the risk of bad weather (I always am, but that’s me…), trying to buy a face-value price ticket for Armstrong… Read more »
Thanks for all the great info . I read somewhere that ashe has plexiglass round the court which row would be best to sit in to have a clear view as near to the court as possible…… thanks.
Hi Andy, that rumor isn’t true. There are only a couple of corner Courtside seats that have a very small piece of plexiglass is installed in the front row. You can see exactly the perspective by going to the US Open Virtual Venue and clicking on a few courtside sections (for example, click on e.g. sections 42 and 63 and look closely and you’ll see the small piece of plexiglass in neighboring section).
Thanks for the quick reply P.J .we are coming from the uk and want to ensure we get the most out of the event. We usually go to the atp world tour finals in London .but fancied a change .can’t wait.
My pleasure Andy. Getting to the London ATP World Tour finals is on my bucket list! PJ
Hey Nathan.I just realized through your article that I’m not the only fan preparing for the Open.I go there every year and I agree with everything you wrote from experience.I’ve never had a court side seat on AA.I want to budget for one for men’s final well..the upper courtside ?.If I can get one at face value, how much am I looking at?I’ve sat in loge for a men’s semi 2015.Face value for that one was $350.HELP.
Sorry PJ I don’t know where I got the name Nathan from.?
Hey Brenda, no worries – Nathan is a great new nickname 🙂 The short answer: the only face-value tickets I saw available last year for men’s final courtside were $2,000 (they released a couple day before the event); however there were tickets available on reseller sites last year day before men’s final for as low as $800 plus service fees (which probably would have taken them to around $1000). The long answer: (1) Over the past 9 years I’ve never seen face-value courtside tickets for the men’s final posted on Ticketmaster on the day tickets go on sale or anytime… Read more »
Thank you for this very informative blog. Is it possible to buy tickets on the day, or are all tickets sold in advance? I was thinking of going on the first day (Mon 08/28/17), general admission or Armstrong/Grandstand if they were available. I’m flying back to the UK that evening, so could only stay till about 4:30.
Hi Simon, same day almost always possible throughout the entire tournament (best to do via Ticketmaster or Ticketmaster Exchange, and you can get a mobile ticket that can be scanned via their app on your phone)– and especially easy early in the tournament like that Monday. Best, PJ
Fantastic, thank you very much. Do you know if it would be easy to get a cab from there to JFK at about 4:30pm on the Monday?
Sure thing. And at that time shouldn’t be too difficult to get a cab. Would download the “Curb” app (all NYC taxis connected to it now) and Lyft or Uber too. That way you can look to see how many available cars are in the area before you go to a specific place to meet one. The street just under the 7 Train would probably be easiest.
That’s tremendously helpful, thank you very much PJ, I’m looking forward to going now!
My pleasure!
This has been a great help for me given I am embarking on a solo trip from London-Vancouver-Calgary-Toronto and finishing in NYC for the first week of the US Open.
I’m looking at an Ashe night session on the Tuesday of the first week so I am trying to prepare as much as possible to ensure i don’t travel disappointed.
Flushing Meadows is a bucket list location and so stumbling upon this post has provided lots of crucial information to me, many thanks!
Hey Nathan, so glad it was helpful. Hope you have a great trip! P.J.
Hi! Thanks for the great site. I’m a huge tennis fan who has yet to go to her first Grand Slam! Was trying to figure out how you get tickets for a first timer when I found your site that is very helpful. I really want to go to Men’s Semi’s on Friday Sept 9th and would like pretty good tickets (I was thinking Loge tickets). 2 questions: – since I want to go to a specific session, should I buy tickets right now (via one of the reseller sites you mentionned) or am I WAY too early and should… Read more »
Hi Lamia, apologies for the delay in replying. Awesome you’re going to your first Slam! I updated my post yesterday as many folks have emailed me with a similar question about whether to buy now (see Box 2 above). In short, my strong rec is to wait – way too early indeed. Yes, I believe if you can afford it’s always worth investing in Loge over Promenade – unless perhaps you’re looking at the last couple rows of Loge versus the first couple in Promenade and there’s a huge price difference. P.J.
Hi loads of great information here.we have booked a week in N.Y for next year 2017 coming from the UK any tips for then please .
Hi Andy, apart from the tips above I don’t have any additional general recommendations, but feel free to share any specific questions as you embark on your planning. Best, P.J.
Hi P.J ,andy again here just wondering if I get Amex presale tickets in Ashe promenade for either tues or wed night for the 1st week. How easy is it to sneak down to lower empty seats and how near could I get to court side ,thanks again……andy.
Hi Andy, it’s generally pretty hard to sneak down from Promenade into Loge section, and impossible to sneak into Courtside. For Courtside, people tend to wait in one of the main exit areas in the stairwell for people leaving and ask politely if those leaving are going for the night and might be willing to share their tickets… Usually only happens later in the evenings and there are usually many folks lining up in hopes of that happening. So in short, you can always try but don’t count on it! 🙂 P.J.
thanks for the quick reply P.J. just another quickie on your ashe seating plans the annotated map shows west side Loge as 126-130 but the seating plan shows the same seats as 187-206 I’m hoping for this area to get which is right ….. cheers…andy
Oh man, thank you so much for catching that Andy – just fixed. I hadn’t realized, but the USTA map I had up was from 2012 when I wrote the first version of this post. My annotated map is correct, and I’ve replaced the USTA map with an image that I’m sure is correct (from the interactive seat viewer portion of the US Open site). Thank you! P.J.
You’re welcome PJ that’s cleared it up for me and if you ever make the trip over the pond and need some O2 atp finals tips give me a call only too happy to help.
Thanks so much, Andy – I will definitely get over there for that event at some point and appreciate the offer to help! P.J.
Hey Andy. Is your offer open to everyone? I’m considering going to the ATP finals this year.Do you know of a similar blog that has tips and such? Cheers!
Thank you for all the information. I’m still completely overwhelmed! My plan is to fly my parents to NYC for their 50th anniversary for a US Open day. They have never been but are huge tennis fans. They are getting older so I’m trying to plan the best day possible for them and hoping that they can be somewhat comfortable since they are getting older. I’m planning this as a surprise. Do you recommend just trying to go for the 2nd week at the Arthur Ashe stadium? Is it too early to get decent seats for them? I happen to… Read more »
Hi Stacey, what a great gift. Yes, way too early to get tickets. Individual tickets go on sale to the public each year in early June (this year it was June 6 at 9am EDT) on Ticketmaster – and it doesn’t make sense to buy tickets through reseller sites before then, as they will have limited listings and prices will come down as more tickets enter the reseller market. USTA recently announced that 2016 would be the final year for its traditional member pre-sale. Give me a sense of your budget and I’d be happy to make some recommendations on… Read more »
Great write up, very informative for a newbie who’s planning to attend first time 2017 us open tennis. Is there 60-70 year old social group i can meet there? I’m coming from Australia To NY. God bless.
Thank you very much.
My pleasure – great you’ll be coming over for the Open! Not sure about meet ups, but please remind me closer to the event and I’ll try to help you plug into some social networks where you can connect with others who might be interested in meeting up. PJ
Thank you so much for this post on the 2016 US Open. I abided by it to the letter and had an incredible experience!! For most of Labor Day weekend I was firmly planted in Louis Armstrong where I got to see amazing players I’ve followed for years up close…and experience the feeling of an Ivo Karlovic serve coming directly at me!!!
I’ve enjoyed going to the Open before but your tips helped me do it more wisely! Thank you again!!
My pleasure Heather – I’m so stoked to hear you had a great time! I love tennis so much and it’s such a rush to hear from so many fellow fanatics who feel the same way. P.J.
May I ask what passes you purchased for what week/days?
Ticketmaster and Stubhub close ticket sales at 12 noon (i.e when the day session officially starts), however the men’s semi finals doesn’t start until 3pm and there were tickets still available at 12 noon on ticketmaster and stubhub, so are there any other places to buy tickets between now and 3pm.
Good point. TicketLiquidator, SeatGeek are both reliable bets. PJ
Hi PJ,
Thanks again for this great page. I was here last year and it had helped me a lot and this year as well. I will be in NYC tomorrow and am considering going to the final. Is it wise to wait until last minute to buy seats? I’m considering reasonably good Loge tickets (that I can see currently for roughly 350$). I’m not sure how prices will adjust once we get really close to the beginning of the session. Any thoughts greatly appreciated!
Ismail
Hey Ismail, As always I am hesitant to speculate or give firm advice when it comes to pricing, etc. I just checked Ticketmaster map view f it were me I’d probably grab 113 C, 121 C, or 122 B now – those are really good deals and, unlike Men’s Semis the other day, there is much less inventory left in first 1/2 of Loge sections. You certainly could safely wait until closer to get a decent seat around that same price, but I’d be surprised if anything in first few rows went much lower than that. But you never know!… Read more »
Got 121 row C tickets! So happy to go! First ever final of a grand slam!
Thanks PJ and if you’re going to be there as well… Enjoy!
Ismail
That’s awesome! I unfortunately am stuck at my desk these days – my busiest time of year at work. That is going to be an awesome match. Have a blast!! P.J.
Anyone agree/disagree with this ESPN article about the louder Ashe this year?
http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/17479201/us-open-quiet-please-silence-becoming-thing-in-tennis
“During some matches, repeated pleas for less commotion during play have been ignored. It soon became apparent that the root of the problem was not chatty fans, but the acoustics of the newly roofed Arthur Ashe Stadium.”
“Closing the roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest tennis arena in the world, magnifies an already loud crowd.” – ESPN
I think the pros far outweigh the cons… and somehow the roof has added some intimacy to the otherwise cavernous stadium, bringing more unity to the different levels of seats. I do think they’ll eventually invest in something to help acoustically though (see this NYT piece).
I really hope they will make adjustments. Also wonder why they can’t turn on the de-humidifcation A/C system even with the roof open? It was soooo Humid last night. I was sweating just watching them on TV 😉
Didn’t really notice the extra noise but did notice that the ushers in the lower bowl have not much interest in doing their jobs. At several matches I was at, players had to wait until fans who barge down to seats during play are not stopped by ushers who are too busy finding an empty seat so they can watch the play themselves. Ushers in the loge and even high sections seemed much more attentive to making sure fans did not disturb play. But where it really mattered, in those most expensive seats close to the court, the ushers did… Read more »
Also wonderful blog!!!! Helped me so much!!!
So glad, thank you Andre! 🙂
I concur with you guys. I am watching the mens doubles finals and it’s so disheartening to see the stadium virtually empty. I would love to watch the game live but the ticket prices for the women’s finals are really expensive. I think it’s not fair for the doubles players. PJ, THANK YOU and I wish I had seen your blog earlier. 🙂 This year, I learnt so much and followed your tips. Watched a lot of exciting matches up close. I grabbed $100 tickets @AA for court side seats for Mens quarterfinals. That was insane! Do you think since… Read more »
Hey Andre, thanks so much! The new Armstrong won’t be ready until 2018, and next year they’re planning to build a temporary structure. Still TBD how big that will be, and whether they’ll sell reserved seats for it… so definitely too early to guess how they’ll schedule. Will definitely be updating next spring as soon as I learn the details. P.J.
Hi is it possible to move from loge to the courtside level after a lot of people have left in arthur ashe? Like i want to buy ticket in loge and then try for signings at the end!
Hey Andre, the only way to do it is to go down to the courtside-level corridor entrance (by the escalators)– which requires a ticket for access– and patiently wait outside with a longing, friendly look on your face as people exit. Ask them politely something along the following lines: “If you’re leaving for the night would you mind donating your ticket/seat to a die-hard fan?” I give my ticket to someone every time I have to leave early and see people do it routinely. Just depends on how many other people are hopefully waiting with you… P.J.
They really should come up with a system to allow unoccupied seats (corporate sponsors that never show up) or seats of people that leave early to be used by true tennis fans. It will improve the atmosphere dramatically. It is sad to see on TV that so much of the stadium is empty and at the same time deny true fans and teenagers only because of cost. If you don’t turn up by the end of the first set they should give your seat away to people that have lined up and if you are leaving for the day you… Read more »
Couldn’t agree more. Wimbledon does it very successfully. It would be a win-win for fans and the sport — imagine the optics of having those seats constantly filled on TV. I’ll continue to push my friends at USTA. A petition is a great idea. It would need to be powerfully articulated and reasoned to be effective. I’m crazy busy next 8 weeks, but I’d be happy to work with you offline after mid-October. Shoot me an email. 🙂 P.J.
I would be on-board with this idea PJ for a joint petition to USTA! I’ve been to many tennis events where unoccupied seats are barred by over-zealous Ushers. It looks bad for TV and fans get discouraged with their bad views. One idea model is the Speed Pass model at amusement parks. When it’s close to your time to watch just stand in the queue to tag in, tag out. From an app standpoint, I could see creating a dedicated “standing room only” section. Seats there would be slightly cheaper and where fans could swap seats to watch perhaps 2-3… Read more »
That is such a great idea, I noticed that for the semi final matches there were many many seats empty which really surprised me and it was ashame, especially for a grand slam in a state as big as New York.
PJ – wonderful blog. I was wondering what seats have the view most similar to the camera man on TV (he or she seems to be behind the server but fairly high up)?
Also what are the pro / cons of Section 116, Row A?
Hi Jake, thank you very much. (1) Seats with view most similar would be Row A Section 119 (this is directly above the ESPN booth, which is at the upper suite level) or Section 101 Row A. (2) There are very few cons of Section 116 Row A: those are awesome. Having the corner view is a favorite for many: no need to move head back and forth to track the ball (great for watching strategy and points unfold), yet an angled/side view of players by the baseline (great for watching technique and movement, and photos). That section actually is… Read more »
I just found your page while researching my options for 2017. My wife & I have attended the Open for the last 23 consecutive years as well as 2 others “out of sequence” prior to ’94, and I found the info you present to be spot-on & excellent advice. You detail all of the tips we give our friends, & some other worthwhile tidbits I actually hadn’t thought of. Well done!
Best regards,
Jeff Schafran (@USOpenPinhead)
Jeff, that means the world – thank you so much for the encouraging words and for making the time to write! Really appreciate it. P.J.
Hi – this is a phenomenal blog. I would like to buy a good seat (willing to spend $500-750) for the Men’s Semi Finals on 9/9. Should I buy it today 9/8 or wait till the day off in the hope that re-sellers will drop their prices as the event nears?
Hey Rahul, thanks so much! I always hesitate to give specific advice on specific sessions because you never can predict 100%… but if you track carefully you can almost always find a great deal very close to the event if you’re willing to adopt that strategy. The key is to monitor and see how much is still available — an indication of how strong the resale market is at a given moment for that particular session. I just checked Ticketmaster main site (which shows any regularly priced tickets that may have been released plus those on the Exchange) – and… Read more »
Rahul- Looks like prices are still coming down. Just saw individual seat (135 B) available for $291 – this is really low for such a great seat for semis! If I could take the day off tomorrow I’d be there in a heartbeat. P.J.
Hi! I am attending the us open for the First time. I ordered a men’s final ticket on viagogo but the eticket is for ‘day session’ and I am not sure if I have purchased the correct ticket. It is a day session ticket for the Ash @12pm or from 12pm? I mean is it for the women’s double only or the men’s final?? Or do I have permission for both matches? I am a bit worried now. Can you help with this question? Thanks! Greeting from Germany.
Hi Franziska, no need to worry — there is only one session that day and it includes both (beginning at 12). You will be able to enter grounds at least an hour earlier. Enjoy! P.J.
Hi again, P.J.! Just wanted to ask if we shall have access to the US Open stores (not courts) before 6 pm if we have an Ashe evening session ticket? I would like to roam the stores and purchase some memorabilia before the matches start.
Thanks a ton,
Santosh
Hi Santosh, unfortunately not. However they MAY let you in earlier – especially because today there isn’t high demand on outer courts. If you’re willing to take the risk, I’d arrive at 5 and give it a shot (please let me know if you have luck). If they turn you away at the East Gate, try the South Gate. PJ
Sure, P.J. Will try that and let you know! Thanks!
Thanks so much for all your advice! Here from Australia with nosebleed seats for Ashe Day Session. What’s the decorum for loving forwards of there’s a free seat?! I’m pretty keen to catch Djokovic tonight but only have day tickets. Can I stay in the grounds to watch on a big screen somewhere? If I’m feeling rich come 7pm, am I able to just purchase resale tickets there and then? Any other hot tips for today in particular?! Thanks again!
Best,
Rachel.
My pleasure Rachel! Welcome to the US! Here’s what I do: if there’s a free seat that’s been unoccupied for a bit further down, just go sit in it as if it were yours (USTA, I hope you’re not reading this). But in deference to the actual ticket holders (and to others in the section and the players themselves), be ready to get up immediately on a moment’s notice (i.e., don’t spread out, put bags and drinks all over that you’ll need time to collect): if/when actual ticket holders come and say “um, sorry, these are our seats,” for everyone’s… Read more »
Wow. this is one of the best summary of tips! Well done. In any future updates, you may want to include free parking options. If you are willing to walk a bit, street parking underneath or south of Highway 495 is a viable option. Also, since the food prices have gone through the roof (e.g., pretzel for $6), there may be cheaper options if you are willing to walk west a bit across the Grand Central Parkway.
Harry
Harry, THANKS! And great point about the parking and food – will add right now! P.J.
Thank you so much for this site. I went for the first time this past Friday (sept. 2). Courtside seats in Armstrong! We began the day by checking out the new Grandstand for a little Tsonga action and later in the day to an EMPTY Court 17 to watch Pouille…who would go on to beat Nadal on packed Ashe 2 days later. Quite the change of circumstances for him. Our day was just unbelievably fun and we owe much of that to you and your advice in our planning stage. Next year we will definitely go for more than 1… Read more »
Linda, thank you so much for your thanks and for sharing this! I’m so glad you had a great time. And thanks a million for the note about Amex – I’ll update my post to reflect that. All my best and until next year! 🙂 P.J.
When should I try to start buying tickets and looking to book hotel rooms for the 2017 US Open? Thank you so much for taking the time to post all the valuable info!
Randy Threatt
Hi Randy, for hotels in NY at any time, it’s always good to start looking as early as you can. If you already have a sense of when you’ll be here, look for great deals where you can reserve now and allow you to cancel or change dates with no penalty with enough notice (check cancellation policies carefully). For tickets, no need to even begin thinking about it until next May — other than to start thinking about which days/types of sessions you’d ideally want. Study this year’s schedule of play as a guide. I’ll update my blog next spring… Read more »
We booked rooms for August 27- Sept 1, 2017. We plan on getting grounds passes during the day and take your advice for courtside seats at night. If Nadal or Federer are playing a day match and we can get courtside I’m sure we would do that. I say all that to say what should I expect to pay for day courtside tickets and night courtside tickets for the first Monday -Thursday. Thank you again for taking the time and effort to answer my question’s.
Randy
Hey Randy, sure thing! Strongly recommend purchasing super cheap Ashe Promenade seats instead of grounds as rain insurance. For courtside Mon-Thurs first week, you should be able to find for under $500 a ticket but may have to wait until resale market and closer to tourney. Ashe evening almost always more pricey than day session (a function of supply and demand, not value because day session gives you more matches). To ensure your dollars go as far as possible for courtside, and to make sure you see particular players you want most to see, recommend you follow strategy under FAQ#1… Read more »
Thank you so much for your wonderful blog. I have learnt so much. Your passion is quite inspiring. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Oona! P.J.
PJ, I just wanted to leave another note of THANKS for all your efforts and incredible tips. This truly is a goldmine of information for a newbie and feels like you have given so much to put it all down. We had an AMAZING experience yesterday, I brought my 70 something parents and we saw the Bryan brothers, and the evening Ashe matches and soaked up all the good tennis vibes. Hope to get back again in the future. You sure learn a lot the first time around! And I couldn’t have pulled it off without your blog. Thanks again… Read more »
Eliza, I’m so happy to hear it and grateful for you taking the time to say thanks and share your experience! I heard that match was awesome (and Sock-Tsonga too) the Bryans stuck around after their comeback and signed autographs forever (they took a selfie with a friend of mine who was there!). So glad you and your parents had a great time, and thank you again for sharing! P.J.
FREE TICKETS:
To all readers of this exceptional blog. I was unable to make it to the open this year with some last minute issues.
I have 4 tickets a few rows behind the baseline in Grandstand today. If you love doubles and want to bring out the family today and get access to the grounds, as well as a reserved nice seat in the beautiful new Grandstand, just let me know. I can electronically transfer the tickets via Ticketmaster instantly.
Hey everyone, Jason is a great guy and this is the real deal! Thank you for offering this to fellow fans, Jason– you’re amazing! P.J.
Thanks PJ! Your help with all of these tips is priceless!
I’ve gotta believe there’s a line of people paying to get in and I hate for these tickets to go to waste. Hoping that someone replies. The vibe at the Open right now has to be incredible!
Thanks, awesome!
I have tickets for sept 5 night match. Can I go early and walk around shopping and take pics of the court of champions and get something to eat?
6 pm is the official entry time for night tic but it is not strictly enforced, from my experience. What was early for you?
Hi Sep, if individuals make exceptions it depends on who’s working and which day. During Sat-Sun of Labor Day weekend, I know they enforce pretty strictly because the crowds are massive. Other days you an individual working might let you through. If you don’t mind the risk of them potentially saying no and just having to wait until 6, it’s certainly worth a shot. P.J.
Correct PJ: I do not do the Labor day for that reason. On those days the night line gathers at 5 or earlier so for you to get in at 6 you should get there pretty early and stay on line. On the quiet days I go to South entrance be polite and ask the right person and you are in I have time to see some day games on the outer stadia and courts. But you are correct, best to get on line early and wait.
Hi. I’m attending the men’s final on the 11th September. Are there any events going on during the day prior to the men’s and ladies doubles? Or any other day during the 2nd week with available access? We arrive on the 8th. Also why do they not allow knapsacks/backpacks but do allow small bags? Will it be cooler weather on finals day scheduling? I’m a first timer from the UK so obviously want to make sure we have the best possible time. Thanks so much, Nick.
Hi Nick, On Finals day – check your ticket on exactly what time you can enter grounds. Best thing to do is to check the official app the night before. Rest of this week outside Ashe: Today (Tues) Doubles Quarterfinals + Women’s Doubles Semifinals + Juniors Wed: Doubles Quarterfinals + Women’s Doubles Semifinals + Juniors (Armstrong, Grandstand, other outer courts– no reserved seats, accessible with General Admission or Ashe ticket) Thurs (FREE Community Day) Doubles Semifinals and closing Armstrong ceremony Friday-Sun: Juniors, with Final Sunday On backpacks: I think the only reason is to make security move quicker. Backpacks tend… Read more »
Had a horrible experience on Friday when I tried to reenter Ashe after the abrupt firstset ending. Horow story too long. But what I was told by three officials is that mt seat assignment in sect 307 was not reserved. The seat numbers are for count only and not assignment. Who Is Correct t.
Sounds like they used confusing phrasing, but if I understand correctly they were right to deny you reentry because the Day 5 Ashe Day Session ended after Youzhny retired after the first set. That had nothing to do with seat numbers (and every single seat in Ashe is reserved): everyone would have had to leave their seats at that point in Ashe unless you had tickets to the Night session because there were no more matches (there had already been two complete women’s matches before the Nole-Youzhny match). P.J.
Thank you so much for this site. It is a must read for anyone attending the US Open. I read the entire site and every comment and every time I had a question, I re-read it and found my answer. It helped make our US Open (my second and my family’s first) an amazing experience. We bought promenade tickets for Thursday, day session, and waited to see when Djokovic, my son’s favorite player, would be playing. He did not play Thursday, but we got to see Halep, Murray (during the very loud torrential downpour) and V. Williams. Then we headed… Read more »
Michelle, to say you made my day would be an understatement. Thanks so much, and I’m so glad you had a great experience! P.J.
In case anyone knows a US Active Military member who wants to go to the US Open on Sunday – I’m giving away a pair of tickets to a US service member hero…Dedication for 15th anniversary of 9-11-01:
https://www.facebook.com/TennisBargains/posts/1196464643738034