A Serious Tennis Fan’s Top 10 Tips for the 2024 US Open (Tickets and More)


By P.J. Simmons


WHAT IS A GOOD DEAL? I created this new chart “2024 US Open Ticket Prices: How to Spot a Good Deal” based on average resale pricing information with shortcuts to the Ticketmaster links for specific dates/sessions/stadiums. Hope you find it helpful!
NEW “EVENING” GROUNDS ADMISSION TICKETS: For the first time, the US Open is selling separate EVENING Grounds Passes for “7pm” on the official Ticketmaster site (presumably allowing access at 7pm and NOT at 6pm, when evening session reserved ticketholders will be able to access the grounds). Note: these passes will not allow access to Ashe (where every seat is reserved) — and more night fans will add more pressure to the first-come unreserved seating in Armstrong, Grandstand and outer courts. I have not updated various charts in my post to reflect this yet.
As a serious tennis player and fan living in New York City, I feel so lucky that the US Open is in my backyard. I absolutely love the tournament, and find nothing more educational and inspiring for my own game than seeing world-class live tennis. I can’t wait to return to the 2024 US Open tennis tournament, which will take place at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Monday August 26- Sunday September 8, 2024!
2024 will mark my 16th consecutive US Open, and I’ve learned a ton over the years through trial and error about how to maximize the opportunity, find the best tickets and seats on the Official US Open ticket site on Ticketmaster and other reseller sites, and generally get the biggest bang for the buck. Likewise, I’ve learned so much thanks to fellow fans around the world who have shared their own insights since I wrote the first version of this post over a decade ago.
Below are my top 10 recommendations for serious tennis fans like me.
In a rush and need quick answers?
I recommend reading/skimming the entire post in order if you can, but if you’re rushed here are shortcuts to my answers to the most common questions I’ve received over the years:
- Which ticket sites are best? Note: always check Ticketmaster first and click on the “map” view to get the best initial birdseye view of what’s available (standard and resale tix), then compare with other reseller sites like Stubhub.
- Should I buy tickets now or wait? Will ticket prices go up or down?
- What are average ticket prices? What should I expect to pay??
- How can I be guaranteed to see Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff, Arena Sabalenka or any other favorite player? Note: Rafael Nadal announced on August 8 he will not play in the 2024 US Open.
- Can you explain the ticket options, I’m overwhelmed!
- What time can I enter grounds with a Day or Night Session ticket?
- What kind of matches (and how many) can I expect to see on certain days (in Ashe, Armstrong, Grandstand, etc)?
- Which seats have the best view?
- Which seats get the most shade?
- How should I get there (subway, LIRR, car, parking?)
Tip #1: Do whatever you can to see world-class players and great matches up really close— which if you’re on a budget may mean bypassing Arthur Ashe stadium in favor of the sixteen other courts where matches are played.

Me spotted on Netflix “Break Point” series cheering on Taylor Fritz and Brandon Holt (yes, I was rooting for both) at the 2022 US Open – front row during awesome match at GRANDSTAND Stadium (not Ashe!)
For my first US Open, I spent about $250 per ticket for a decent seat during early rounds in the famous Arthur Ashe stadium (1/2 way up in the Loge section) so I’d be guaranteed to see at least one Top 10 player live. While it was certainly thrilling to experience the electricity of an evening at Ashe stadium, I still felt somewhat distant from the action (it’s a mammoth 23,700-seat venue) and spent much of the time watching the match on the huge video screen. Moreover, because the tournament prioritizes putting the biggest stars on Ashe over the best match-ups, the matches I saw weren’t terribly exciting.
Since then, I’ve become addicted to the unparalleled thrill of seeing many world-class competitors from a few feet away in epic duels on several of the smaller non-Ashe courts (Louis Armstrong Stadium, Grandstand Stadium (behind courts 4-6), the very cool Court #17, and other courts #4-#16). Once you have this experience you’ll be addicted too. While it’s rare that you’ll see the Top 5 players on those courts, you WILL see other awe-inspiring players in very competitive matches.
A collateral benefit: you’ll be ahead of the curve in seeing rising stars the likes of Coco Gauff before they become household names, and feel the excitement of “discovering” new talent to cheer for. I’ll never forget the first time I saw Milos Raonic blast a tournament record 145 MPH serve from the first row of the old Grandstand. Or, in more recent years, when I saw then “next-gen” players up very close for the first time before they were super famous — like Sloane Stephens, Madison Keys, Dominic Thiem, Sasha Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Karen Khachanov, Borna Ćorić. In 2019, I had the thrill of watching the young Felix Auger-Aliassime v. fellow Canadian Denis Shapovalov from the front row in Grandstand. In 2021, I was blown away watching Lloyd Harris for the first time from the second row of Armstrong and know tons of fellow fanatics who had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of seeing rising superstars Jenson Brooksby, Leylah Fernandez and Carlos Alcaraz up close on the outer courts.
Tip for serious players: After watching a ton of pro matches, I started challenging myself to watch more deliberately from the perspective of a player who wants to improve. I wrote down ten ideas for watching a pro match that may resonate with fellow fanatics who not only want to enjoy the drama of the match but also learn from it.
(Adapted from photo in “US Open Transformation Update”)
Tip #2: If you’re on a tight budget, try to attend during the tournament’s first week (Monday August 26- Friday August 30) and purchase relatively inexpensive Ashe DAY session tickets.
An Ashe day session ticket will get you access to all the courts on the grounds in addition to Ashe during the day, then enable you to stay on the grounds to watch matches on all courts except Ashe in the evening (Ashe day/night sessions are sold separately). You’ll get hours and hours of tennis watching for your money, as many matches on the outer courts will go well into the evening. And if you can take a day off from work and go during these first 5 days, you won’t have to battle hordes of fans for access to the non-Ashe venues– whereas things get very crowded Labor Day weekend.
Tip #3: Do NOT buy a “Grounds Admission” pass to save money until you’ve explored whether reserved day session seats in Ashe or Armstrong are also available for around the same price!
Grounds admission tickets (cheaper tickets sold on the tourney’s first 8 days that give access to all the courts except Ashe) can be a good deal, but there are often reserved Ashe Promenade-level tickets (and, occasionally, Armstrong courtside seats) available for nearly identical prices– making them far better deals. Ashe and Armstrong Day Session tickets gives you all the privileges of a “Grounds” pass with added bonuses. In particular, buying an Ashe or Armstrong reserved seat gives you rain insurance, because these stadiums both have roofs so matches cannot be rained out.
Tip #4: Go for quality over quantity.
As a general rule, I encourage fellow fans to budget their time and money in ways that maximize the possibility of a few magical experiences versus a ton of forgettable ones. For instance, if you’re opting between multiple days of cheap nosebleed seats in Ashe’s Upper Promenade versus appying the same budget towards excellent seats for a couple sessions, I generally recommend the latter. (Note: if you’re wondering whether it’s worth it to spend a bit more to sit in the Loge level of Ashe versus the Promenade level, my answer is always yes).
BOX #1: UNDERSTANDING YOUR TICKET OPTIONS & HOW THE SCHEDULE WORKS
See US Open Official Ticket Site for all sessions above organized by stadium.
See Daily Schedule of Play for day-by-day schedule
FAQ: What Matches Can I Expect on Each Court?
To get a sense of what types of matches are played on which courts for specific dates, I recommend reviewing the recent year’s schedules for the specific day(s) you’re considering attending:
–> See Full 2023 US Open Daily Schedules (All Days, All Courts)
–> 2022 Daily Schedule of Play
The US Open will likely release the 2024 Tournament’s Day 1 and Day 2 Schedule on its Daily Schedule of Play page and the US Open app on Friday August 23 (start checking mid-day, usually released late afternoon/early evening).
CLICK HERE FOR A DETAILED DAY-BY-DAY BREAKDOWN OF THE US OPEN SCHEDULE
2024 US OPEN SCHEDULE
“FAN WEEK” (FREE – See Tip #10 for details)
- Aug 20-23 (Tuesday-Friday): Qualifying Tournament. 128 male and female players compete for the final 32 spots (16 each for men and women) in the singles draws.
- Aug 24 (Saturday): Kid’s Day
- Aug 25 (Sunday): Grounds open, practice day
MAIN TOURNAMENT
- Aug 26-27 (Monday-Tuesday): Men’s & Women’s 1st Round * Separate Day (11am) & Night (7pm) sessions on Ashe & Armstrong * Monday Aug 26 Ashe Evening session features short Opening Night Ceremony prior to regular matches
- Aug 28-29 (Wed-Thursday): Men’s & Women’s 2nd Round * Separate Day (11am) & Night (7pm) sessions on Ashe & Armstrong + Doubles 1st Round (outer courts)
- Aug 30-31 (Friday-Saturday): Men’s & Women’s 3rd Round * Separate Day (11am) & Night (7pm) sessions on Ashe & Armstrong + Doubles 2nd Round, Juniors (outer courts)
- Sep 1 (Sunday): Men’s & Women’s 4th Round (“Round of 16″) * Separate Day (11am) & Night (7pm) sessions on Ashe * Day session ONLY on Armstrong (11am) * Note: In 2019, Armstrong and Grandstand both featured one men’s singles R16 match (others on Ashe) + Doubles 3rd Round, Juniors (outer courts)
- Sep 2 (Monday): Men’s & Women’s 4th Round (“Round of 16″) Note: Men’s Round of 16 Singles matches on this day will be played exclusively on Ashe and Armstrong, not Grandstand! * Separate Day (11am) & Night (7pm) sessions on Ashe * Day session ONLY on Armstrong (11am) + Doubles 3rd Round, Juniors (outer courts)
- Sep 3 (Tuesday): Men’s & Women’s Quarterfinals (Ashe Stadium only) * Separate Day (11am) & Night (7pm) sessions on Ashe + Men’s Doubles Quarterfinals (Armstrong) * Armstrong and Grandstand only feature Doubles matches from this point on, so don’t purchase Armstrong reserved tickets for September 7 unless you want to see Doubles.
- Sep 4 (Wednesday): Men’s & Women’s Quarterfinals (Ashe Stadium) * Separate Day (11am) & Night (7pm) sessions on Ashe + Women’s Doubles Quarterfinals (Armstrong)
- Sep 5 DAY (Thursday): FREE DAY SESSION ENTRY (Community Day) ** Free grounds access to watch Juniors, WC, and Men’s Doubles Semifinals (in 2024 was on Armstrong at 4pm) plus Mixed Doubles Final (in 2024 was on Ashe at 3pm). Gates open 11:00am, matches start at Noon.
- + Wheelchair and Junior matches
- Sep 5 EVENING (Thursday at 7pm): Women’s Semifinals (Ashe Stadium) * Ashe Evening Session ticket gets access to both women’s Semifinal matches
- Sep 6 DAY (Friday): Men’s Semifinal #1 (Ashe Stadium 3:00pm), preceded by Women’s Doubles Final (Noon). Note: The Men’s Semis take place over two separate sessions (1 Day, 1 Night)– so if you want to see both matches, you need to purchase tickets for both the Day and Evening sessions. Wheelchair and Junior matches (outer courts). Gates open 11:00am.
- Sep 6 EVENING (Friday 7pm): Men’s Semifinal #2 (Ashe Stadium)
- Sep 7 DAY ONLY (Saturday): Women’s Final (4:00pm) * Preceded by Men’s Doubles Final (Noon) (There is only one Ashe Day ticket option and it covers BOTH matches, and you can enter grounds at 11:00am). + Junior and Wheelchair finals beginning at Noon.
- Sep 8 DAY ONLY (Sunday): Men’s Final (2:00pm). Gates open at 11:00am.
Here is the ESPN Broadcast schedule (updated link to come)
Entry and re-entry rules:
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- Any DAY session stadium reserved ticket for Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand gives you the same exact privileges as a Grounds Pass: You can enter the grounds as early as 9:30am (or 11am on Finals weekend) and stay on the grounds as late into the evening as you want. However, your Day session reserved seat in Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand only entitles you to those reserved seats for the Day session matches (then you have to exit your seats) — after which you can stay on the US Open grounds as late as you want and access general unreserved seating on every court (except Ashe, which has no unreserved seating).
- To enter the US Open grounds, you must pass through security then have your ticket scanned at either the EAST GATE or SOUTH GATE (see map above).
- If you have a reserved seat in a stadium, you’ll have your ticket re-checked upon entering that stadium.
- If you have tickets for Day and Evening sessions (Ashe or Armstrong) on the same day, you will NOT need to exit the US Open grounds and re-enter again. Your ticket will be checked as you enter the stadium.
- If you are in Armstrong for the Day session (either Courtside reserved or GA seating), you’ll need to leave your seat between Day and Evening sessions as they clean up. However, you may stay inside the concourse area of Armstrong (the inner-stadium areas with food stands).
** I took the photo above at the 2016 US Open from a corner courtside seat in Ashe watching the Nadal-Pouille round of 16 match on Labor Day.
Tip #5: If your budget can swing it, I strongly recommend getting a courtside reserved seat in Louis Armstrong stadium (especially between Aug 28 – Sep 2) and/or in Grandstand (especially on Aug 30 or Aug 31).
Louis Armstrong (14,053 seats) and Grandstand (8,125 seats) are the other two main show courts after Ashe Stadium – and they offer a much more intimate experience. A reserved courtside ticket for either can give you access to thrilling matches and players up close that you’ll never forget.
The first time I did this in 2010 I saw an unforgettable marathon slugfest between David Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco from the FIRST ROW BASELINE! I had arrived that morning at 11am and left around 11:30pm at night, leaving my seat only twice for a total of about 9 minutes for rapid-fire bathroom breaks and to grab snacks so I wouldn’t want to miss a second of the action. Ever since, I’ve made it an annual tradition to go with friends to Armstrong during the 3d Round or Round of 16. In 2019, I got to see 2021 Wimbledon finalist 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 – most recently when I sat first row behind-the-server for a match between Auger-Aliassime and his Canadian buddy Denis Shapovalov.
Both stadiums also feature general admission seating on a first-come basis, but getting good GA seats can be tough and involve long lines for the higher-profile matches — so having a reserved courtside ticket gives you the dual benefit of skipping long lines plus plus incredible proximity to the players.
BOX 2: WHERE TO GET THE BEST DEAL ON US OPEN TICKETS? SHOULD I BUY NOW OR LATER?
Individual ticket sales are now available on the official US Open Ticketmaster site, as well as on reseller sites like Stubhub. My most important advice: DO NOT PANIC and rush into a decision!
The frustrating reality is that the ticket availability you see today may be different tomorrow — and the ticket situation will continue to evolve over the summer because (1) USTA/Ticketmaster use “dynamic pricing” on face-value “standard” tickets in response to fluctuations in supply and demand; 2) the tournament holds back on releasing all the tickets initially, and tends to trickle more out in the weeks/months that follow (however frustrating, I’ve learned this is fairly common practice for event ticketing); (3) more and more people put tickets up for resale on Ticketmaster and elsewhere, which can sometimes drive down average resale prices as sellers compete to unload their tickets. Without knowing better, too many first-time buyers panic without knowing that a little research and patience can yield better options.
THE GOOD NEWS IS: if you’re willing to exercise patience and do a little work, there are almost always good deals to be found throughout the summer – right up until the actual day of matches! This is because:
- (1) Increasing numbers of sellers post their tickets for resale throughout the summer, and sellers competing for buyers often lower prices as we get closer to the start of the US Open;
- (2) USTA ends up releasing more standard price tickets as the summer goes on (inexplicably, at random times). I have on many (many!) occasions found better seats on the resale market for around the same price (sometimes even less) as standard no-fee seats. For example: in 2022 on Ticketmaster for the Day 1 Ashe DAY session there was a FRONT ROW Loge Resale ticket available for $281 ($327 with fees), while a Standard ticket in the third row of the adjacent section was going for $347 ($372 with fees) – see this screenshot (from August 17 2022).
Before buying, I recommend reading this entire post carefully to understand all the available options, explore the resale market to get a sense of average for sessions/seats that interest you, and prioritize what’s most important to you… THEN you’ll be in the best position to get the best seats and experience for your budget.
Below are the sites that will give you access to the BEST INVENTORY of available tickets (both face-value and resale). Before buying, be sure to compare options and prices.When searching, try sorting by price, section, row… Take your time, get a good sense of what the prevailing price for what you want, and when you spot a good deal, grab it!
1. ALWAYS (!) first check the official Ticketmaster US Open tennis tournament site. I strongly recommend looking on a computer/web browser for fastest navigation and the best options for viewing availability (be sure to use the “map view” of individual seats by clicking on any individual section, try sorting lists in different ways, and use multiple browser tabs to compare across various sessions).
- This site features both (1) any standard tickets (non-resale, face value) that may be available (shown as “blue dots” on the detailed seat map for each session – most often only in Promenade, but occasionally pop up in Loge and Courtside sections throughout the summer); and (2) resale tickets (shows as “red dots” on the detailed seat map for each session).
- Surprisingly, resale tickets (red dots) can often be the best value: resellers often lower their prices to around or below face value as they compete with other resellers to attract buyers.
- Tickets remain on sale for 59 minutes after a session begins as long as tickets remain (e.g., if an Ashe Day session begins at Noon, tickets remain on sale until 12:59pm). For Men’s Semi’s in 2019, Ticketmaster kept sales open for standard seats only another 3 hours beyond that (which were in most cases about double the cost of what was available on the resale market).
- Both Ticketmaster and Stubhub make it very easy to put your tickets back up for sale if your plans change or you decide you want to switch days or tickets later.
- You must have a US bank account to put your tickets up for resale on Ticketmaster.
2. Scan my NEW 2024 chart outlining my best guesses for what is a “good deal” (including fees) for every session/ticket type at the 2024 US Open.
3. In addition to Ticketmaster, it often pays to check StubHub or other reseller sites like those below to see if you can find an even better deal for comparable seats. If you search on both the official US Open Ticketmaster site PLUS one of the sites below to compare, you’ll get tremendous visibility into what’s available and the range of prices on the resale market. Many of these sites also keep selling tickets after a session begins for several hours (versus Ticketmaster, which stops selling 59 minutes after the session begins).
CAUTION: Only purchase resale tickets that are clearly labeled with SECTION, ROW, and SEAT numbers that match up with the Stadium Maps I include in this post; if something appears questionable or too good to be true, it probably is. Also only buy tickets available for MOBILE TRANSFER. You should receive them promptly, and be sure to double-check the tickets you receive correspond to what was advertised. If you don’t, contact the reseller and ask for a refund. While rare, there’s always a handful of unscrupulous sellers who label tickets inaccurately to make them more appealing. Stubhub and other reputable resellers will refund your purchase if you purchase a ticket that has been misrepresented (e.g. the seller delivers a ticket in a different section than advertised) – but then it will be up to you to find another ticket.
- Beyond Ticketmaster, Stubhub is my main source to check for any other deals, as it usually has the largest inventory of resale tickets.
- Other sites I’ve never had an issue with include TicketCity, VividSeats, Viagogo, SeatGeek, or Ticket Liquidator.
- WARNING: DO NOT PURCHASE FROM TickPick. I personally have had two awful experiences: sellers reneged on promised tickets, Tickpick customer service was abysmal, and they were unable to produce replacement tickets.
4. Check out the exact location of individual seats for tickets in each stadium before buying them. Learn how and see seating charts and shade maps here.
5. Do not buy off Craigslist or classified sites!
I’ve heard tons of stories over the years of folks who got scammed or had to go through considerable hassle to obtain tickets. Not worth the risk. Also know that NYC law prohibits reselling “scalping” 1500 feet away from the venue (which is effectively everywhere off the subway at the US Open), and they have undercover police on site cracking down on both sellers and buyers.
6. If you’re going with a friend(s), consider buying a combination of cheap and amazing seats.
This way, you can split the cost and trade off time in the great seat. E.g., you could trade time in seats in Promenade vs Courtside, or between stadiums (in Ashe vs a reserved seat in Armstrong or Grandstand). I do this every year with my best friends. This is a bit more challenging given evolving e-ticket technologies, and may require meeting up and trading phones – but it can be worth it.
Note: all tickets (including through Ticketmaster) are offered as MOBILE ONLY tickets (i.e., “Your Phone is Your Ticket”) – which requires having a smart phone with internet/wifi capability or downloading into your electronic wallet.
- If you do not have a smart phone (either iPhone or Android) and you purchase through Ticketmaster, they WILL help you – but you’ll have to contact their customer service directly and have them make an exception and transfer your tickets to “Will Call” pick up location on site. If you don’t own a smart phone and are purchasing resale tickets during the tournament, I’d recommend buying exclusively through Ticketmaster and not taking chances with other resellers.
- Questions? See US Open’s detailed instructions (with screenshots) on how to access and manage your mobile tickets.
Finally, if you want to explore package deals (combining tickets with optional hotel, transportation, VIP perks, etc), there are several trusted options including Championship Tennis Tours, Grand Slam Tennis Tours, and Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours.
Tip #6: If you’ve never done it, consider splurging once on a courtside Ashe seat — if possible after the 2nd round of play when matches start getting more competitive.
After dreaming for years of the possibility, I finally bit the bullet to invest in courtside seats in 2011 for the first time. It was bliss. Ever since, I’ve made an annual pilgrimage to experience Courtside with a few close friends at least once. What most people don’t understand about the mammoth Ashe stadium until they’ve been in person is that even Loge seating is fairly high up because (a) the stadium is very vertically oriented (seating is on a sharp incline) and (b) there are two levels of suites above Courtside before the first row of Loge even begins. So when you’re down in Courtside, you feel like you’re in another world. The feeling of being that close to greatness in Ashe’s electric atmosphere is pretty amazing. If going for a courtside seat, keep in mind that Row E is first row in sections 1-6, 31-40, 65-67; and Row F is first row in sections 7,9,11, 26, 29, 30, 60 63, 64, 41, 42. If courtside is out of your budget, aim for lower Loge rows A-C when possible.
Here’s a video I shot of Federer from the front row in 2011, the very first time I sat courtside at Ashe. I found a great deal on a resale ticket (baseline section 58) for Labor Day during the Round of 16 and got to witness Federer perfection from a few feet away. Best money I’ve ever spent.
BOX 3: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the questions I get most often, along with important stuff I wish I had known myself before buying tickets the first time…
FAQ #1: How can I predict when (and on which court) Nadal, Djokovic, Alcaraz, Medvedev, Gauff, Sabalenka, Swiatek or my other favorite player will play? Will they play Day or Night Sessions?
As of August 22, we now know that players in the BOTTOM HALVES of the men’s and women’s draws will play beginning on Day 1 (then again on Day 3, 5, 7, and 9 if they advance), and players in the TOP HALVES will play beginning on Day 2 (then again on Day 4, 6, 8, and 10 if they advance). See this new chart here summarizing which top-seeded players will play on which days.
HOWEVER, 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 (or most anticipated match-ups) are usually scheduled for the night sessions.
One thing you can count on is for the US Open schedulers to defy crowd predictions ever year, with decisions that resist generalizations. Many a fan has been heartbroken after spending a lot of money on expensive seats based on erroneous predictions. Case in point from the 2020 and 2019 US Open tournaments:
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- In 2020, Serena’s 1st Round match (on Day 2) was a DAYsession; 2d Round match (Day 4) NIGHT session; 3d Round match (on Day 6) DAY session; 4th Round match (on Day 8) DAY session again; Quarterfinals (Day 10) — a DAY session yet again!
- In 2019, Serena’s 1st Round match (on Day 1) was a NIGHTsession; 2d Round (Day 3) NIGHT session; 3d Round (Day 5) DAY session; 4th Round (Day 7) DAY session again; Quarterfinals (Day 9) NIGHT session
- Also in 2019, Djokovic was scheduled for 3 consecutive Ashe Night sessionsand Federer for 3 consecutive Ashe Day sessions (Days 3, 5, and 7).
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 page (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.
One sure 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
To see real examples of what kinds of matches get scheduled on which courts for specific days, look at previous years’ schedules:
–> Full 2023 US Open Daily Schedules (All Days, All Courts)
–> 2022 Daily Schedule of Play
LEARN HOW TO MAKE EDUCATED GUESSES ABOUT WHO PLAYS WHEN/WHERE
On the THURSDAY before the main tournament begins (August 22, 2024), the “Draw” is revealed: Singles players (128 men and 128 women) are split into two equal “Halves” of a “Men’s Singles Draw” and “Women’s Singles Draw,” each half of which will play on alternating days through quarterfinals (Day 1-10). The #1 and #2 seeds (based on ATP and WTA rankings) are placed in opposite halves of the draw (so they will play on different days). The #3 and #4 seeds are also placed in opposite halves of the draw and in different quarters from the #1 and #2 seeds. Spots for winners of the Qualifier Tournament will be indicated as “Qualifier.”
- Once the US Open announces which halves of the draw will play on Day 1 versus Day 2 (which they do on the Thursday or Friday before the main tournament begins) you CAN then predict the DATES your favorite players will be scheduled through quarterfinals: Players scheduled on Day 1 will play again on Day 3, 5, 7, and 9 if they advance; players scheduled on Day 2 will play again on Day 4, 6, 8, and 10 if they advance.
- Only the biggest superstars (like Serena and Rafa) 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). See my chart (click to enlarge) for illustrative examples of who has been scheduled on which courts.
- 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 usually scheduled for the night sessions.
FYI: A fun way to get your head around the draw/brackets — and potential match-ups — is to enter the official US Open “Million-Dollar Bracket” contest. Each submission that correctly picks all 127 matches in the men’s singles bracket will share from a prize pool of One Million Dollars ($1,000,000). It’s also a great way to become more familiar with some players you may not have heard of yet but probably will soon.
FAQ #2: How do a see the exact location of seats that I might buy (in Ashe, Armstrong, or Grandstand)?
- Go to Ticketmaster, click on any session for the stadium in question, choose Map View, then mouse over or click on any of the dots to see the exact section, row and seat #.
- See all the seating charts below
- Note that for Ashe Courtside seats, each lettered “row” (e.g. “A” or “H”) actually stands for two rows: e.g., “Row A Seat 5” might actually be in the second row, Row C Seat 6 is probably 6th row). Courtside Sections 48-49, 52-63 and 66-67 go actually have two rows of “AA” seats followed by rows A-H.
- Also take note of where the umpire sits (you’ll see a little chair icon on each map — and avoid courtside tickets very close up in sections right behind or next to the chair (please note: the umpire chair is never a big obstruction, but it might be a minor annoyance to some).
- To make matters more complicated… first row for Behind-the-Server seats Courtside begin with E or F: Row E is first row in sections 1-6, 31-40, 65-67; and Row F is first row in sections 7,9,11, 26, 29, 30, 60 63, 64, 41, 42.
- In short, check out the detailed Seat Map on Ticketmaster view before buying to see the exact location.
KEY SEATING CHARTS AND SHADE MAPS
Arthur Ashe Stadium
- Arthur Ashe Seating Chart (view from above)
- Official Ashe Stadium Seating Chart
- My annotated Ashe Stadium SHADE map
- Ashe “Iteractive Seat Viewer” 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.
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
FAQ #3: When should I buy? Will prices go up or down? Will sessions sell out if I wait too long? What are average prices? What’s a “good deal”?
The frustrating reality is: “it depends.” Buying tickets for the US Open can be like investing in the stock market: knowledge and judgment dramatically raises the odds of a good decision, but there are always surprises due to the number of variables involved. Standard (non-resale) Ashe tickets usually sell out fairly quickly (except for Ashe stadium’s “Promenade” section, where there are usually quite a few available throughout the summer). However, there are almost always resale tickets available until the very last moment because thousands of fans post their tickets for resale. You can almost always get tickets closer to the tournament – and you may end up finding a phenomenal deal if you are patient. However, waiting longer to purchase requires you to have a higher risk tolerance than those who’d prefer the certainty around making arrangements sooner. Resale ticket prices can vary significantly, especially closer to the tournament. Prices can plummet when lineups are predicted to be lackluster… or they can skyrocket if fans speculate that certain marquee players (like Federer) will be scheduled. In 2017, after it became clear that both Federer and Nadal would be scheduled on the same days throughout the tournament, prices spiked sharply for the days they’d be scheduled if they advanced and dropped significantly for the opposite days. Then, after Federer got knocked out in quarters, prices for semis and finals declined quite a bit. The best advice I can give is to familiarize yourself with average prices on Ticketmaster for the days/sessions you are considering over the course of several days so you can recognize a good deal when you see one and spot the trends.
This year, prices are shockingly high across the board. Tennis is having a moment, thanks in large part to the massive popularity of the likes of new young players, particularly Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff!
Here’s my NEW chart (updated July 2024) that outlines my best guesses for what I’d consider a “good deal” (including fees) for each session/ticket type. The estimates are based on this year’s average resale market prices and my tracking of the past two years’ pricing trends for both standard and resale tickets. Please use it only as a rough guide – but hopefully it will be a helpful starting point to gauge expectations as you explore and make the right decisions for you.
FAQ #4: Which seats get the most shade?
For Ashe: The roof creates a massive amount of natural shading all day for a large number of seats. The sections that get the most shade are in the South and West sections of the stadium; Next-best for shade are in the North. Sections with the most sun (to avoid for Day sessions) are on the East side. Click on the photo/map below for details. For the new Armstrong: Situation is similar to Ashe, now that there’s a roof. In short, Sections 1-8 are best for shade. West-side sections (Chair Umpire side) get the most shade; and when not in shade, at least the sun is at your back. Rows K and above (approximately) are shaded soonest (by about 12:30pm), then the sun gradually moves down to cover all rows by about 2:00 pm. East-side sections get the least shade and are in direct sun most of the afternoon. However, Rows T and above (approximately) get shading all day. South sections (behind-the-server) get more shade than North sections: South sections start out almost entirely shaded until about 1pm, then the sun starts wrapping around clockwise, such that sections 17-18 end up losing shade mid-afternoon. See photo/map below. For Grandstand: There’s much less shade overall, however South and West sections are similarly better because sun is more at your back. General admission seats that are higher under the overhang, especially Southwest corner, get the most shade.
FAQ #5: What happens if it rains?
The good news: Now that both Arthur Ashe and the new Louis Armstrong stadiums have roofs, now up to 37,771 more fans each day will be able to see matches even if it rains. The bad news: if you invest in great seats for Grandstand or simply buy a Grounds Admission pass, there isn’t much consolation. Keep in mind that weather forecasts are notoriously unreliable and can change on the hour (I have literally been at Flushing Meadows when my iPhone said it was raining and it wasn’t). There’s always hope that showers will pass quickly. In the highly unlikely event of all-day rain out or under 60 minutes of play (which happened to me unforgettably in 2012 on the day I treated 6 friends to pricy Armstrong front row seats), the session may be rescheduled until the next day and your ticket may be honored then — or, you MAY be able to trade in tickets through the US Open for another session this year or next year if (and only if) you purchased directly from Ticketmaster (see the somewhat complicated US Open Inclement Weather Policy). In the worst case scenario, I recommend looking for the silver lining: you’ll be surrounded by a ton of other fans with whom you can grab a US Open specialty cocktail, huddle under a shelter, and watch an Ashe match together on a big screen.
FAQ #6: Should I buy a subscription or multi-session ticket plan?
For most serious fans, I don’t recommend it. Most multi-session plans for Ashe (and first-time subscription plans) for are only for “Promenade” seats — so high up in that huge stadium you’ll end up watching a lot of the match on the Jumbotron or through binoculars. It could take years to get the chance to upgrade your seats to Loge (only available if you purchase the very expensive full-series plan). For the full series ticket plan price (well over $2,000 each) you could buy several amazing seats for multiple sessions over the tournament (or 2 excellent seats for the Men’s final). Finally, there is always a glut of Promenade Ashe seats on the resale market, so if you buy an entire series of Promenade seats you may have a challenge reselling any you don’t need.
FAQ #7: Which are the best sections/seats with the best views?
The vast majority of people would consider “behind the server” seats (i.e., those on North or South ends of the courts) to be preferable — and prices generally reflect this. For first-timers, this area would be my top recommendation.
- This is the vantage point they use for filming for broadcast, because it enables you to follow point construction and see the court from the perspective of the player on your side of the net.
- From these seats, you’ll never have to move your head side-to-side to follow the ball.
- FYI: seats in these sections start several feet higher in these seats than sections on the side (this is why these rows begin with higher letters E instead of AA or A).
- Here’s a photo of the perspective from higher up seats in the new 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 58 in 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. I took the video of Federer I included in my post from this perspective (from section 58). Here’s a photo from Ashe courtside from that perspective.
When considering Loge or Promenade seats in Ashe, I generally recommend prioritizing seats that are in lower rows regardless of location— simply because Loge (and especially Promenade) are already quite high up to begin with. For Day sessions, I strongly urge folks to factor in potential shade benefits (seats on West side, SouthWest, and Northwest tend to get the most shade relief). See FAQ #4 above. With regard to the umpire chair, it really is never an obstruction but may feel a bit of an annoyance to some if you’re sitting in very low rows on that side — simply because you may not always have a complete view of the player on the other side of the net. See this photo for example. I personally don’t mind this for reasons I mention above, and this is ONLY an issue when courtside in very low rows.
Tip #7: The night before you go
Check the app or click this link for the detailed daily Schedule of Play for the following day’s schedule and make your game plan so you can beeline directly to the court where the match you care about will happen (including, potentially, the practice courts– see Tip #8 below). You should also download the official US Open Everywhere App (search on app stores for “2024 US Open Tennis”) to track the latest schedule, scores and live updates. If someone you really want to see will play on Grandstand or Armstrong, get to the grounds as early as you can so you can be among the first in line when the gates open at 9:30am then speed-walk to those stadiums and grab the best seat you can. Check out the day-to-day coverage at SI.com’s tennis page, which is always terrific.
Tip #8: Check out the practice courts for close sightings of the superstars
Check the practice schedule the night before (and morning of) to see when/where players are practicing (you can also see it on the official US Open App).
Note: the best time to see top players practice without fighting crowds is during the free Qualifier Tournament and week before the main tournament (see my Tip #10 below).
Tip #9: Do not drive unless you really have to. Especially if the Mets have a home game.
Option 1: Take the subway #7 train (see 7 train schedule here, runs 24 hours, PM times in bold, see stops here, which include Grand Central). Note: you no longer need a MetroCards for the NY subway– you can simply TAP YOUR PHONE AT THE TURNSTILE if you are set up for tap-and-pay..
Option 2: (FASTEST, only 15 min from Midtown NYC): Take the LONG ISLAND RAILROAD (LIRR), which departs from Penn Station from the new “Moynihan Train Hall” (entrance on 8th Avenue between West 31st-33rd, directly across from Penn Station). to the “Mets-Willets Point” station (the signage will say either “GREAT NECK” or “PORT WASHINGTON” – double check the train number before boarding). Look for the “Port Washington” train on the monitors to find the right track. IMPORTANT: The LIRR stop at Mets-Willets is NOT accessible for fans with disabilities — so anyone with disabilities should exit the LIRR at Woodside/61st Street Station then transfer to the 7 train (or just take the 7 train to Mets-Willets Point Station).
- To purchase LIRR tickets:
- Download the very easy-to-use NEW MTA TrainTime App. Within the app, click “Trips”, then at the top fill in From “Penn Station” and To “Mets-Willets Point” then see all the upcoming train options. Click the train you want and select “Buy” and it will show options for one-way or R/T. Ticket(s) will then be in your “wallet” in the app for you to use whenever you like; you just have to press “activate” right before you board your train of choice.
- Alternatively, you can also buy a ticket at Penn Station in the Moynihan Hall using an ATM-like ticket machine (or at the window). But the app is way easier.
- For return trips from the Open, you’ll need to show your ticket at the US Open’s LIRR entrance (top of the ramp near the East Gate) — the individuals checking tickets can also sell you a one-way return ticket if you need and you can use a credit card (tip: you do NOT need to line up at the ticket window!!).
- Here is the 2024 LIRR schedule until September 2 (Labor Day)
- Here is the 2024 LIRR schedule from September 3 until the end of the tournament
- If you fly into Laguardia (LGA) you can take the NYC “Q48” public bus from Laguardia to the US Open (the stop is listed on the MTA website as “ROOSEVELT AV/WILLETS PT BL STATION.” LGA is very close to the US Open grounds, but the bus trip could take around 30 minutes.
If you must go by car…
- See the US Open’s driving directions and details on parking lots.
- On any of the dates below when Mets are playing home games, be sure to reserve a parking spot here. I can’t recommend this more strongly.
- Monday, Sep 2 2024
- Tuesday, Sep 3 2024
- Wednesday, Sep 4 2024
- Friday, Sep 6 2024
- Saturday, Sep 7 2024
- Sunday, Sep 8 2024
- Recommend putting in GPS “Citi Field” to get you to the general area – if parking isn’t available at Citi Field, there should be traffic cops around to redirect you
- US Open recommends using “Grand Central Parkway exit 9E or Whitestone Expressway (678) Exit 13D.”
- You’ll see signs and be directed to available public parking ($25 for cars).
- Citi Field will be the primary lot (“Yellow Zone” parking) except when the Mets are playing at Home (see the Mets home schedule). On those dates, according to the US Open you’ll be “directed to guest parking lots 1-6” (which the map confusingly labels as A-H– sorry I can’t provide any more clarification on this!).
- If you must drive on a day the Mets are playing, ARRIVE AS EARLY AS YOU CAN – like around 8:30am if possible – to avoid major hassles.
- The entrance to Citi Field parking is located at 126th Street and Shea Road, Corona, NY. GPS address to that intersection is “126 Roosevelt Ave, Flushing, NY 11368.
- Consider buying a parking pass on Stubhub to lots A, B, or C (which are closest). Here’s the detailed transportation map showing parking lots.
- Fellow fan Harry pointed out: “If you are willing to walk a bit, street parking underneath or south of Highway 495 is a viable option.”
- Uber/Lyft/Taxi TO the Open:
- You can have the driver put in “Billie Jean King National Tennis Center” if you want to have them drop you near the SOUTH GATE. If you’re aiming for the EAST GATE, try putting in “Mets-Willets Point” as the destination – this will take you directly to the spot on Roosevelt Avenue where the 7 train lets people off, then you can just walk up the stars and across the foot bridge to the East Gate. But that option MAY not be available if they are blocking off traffic, which they occasionally do.
- If considering a taxi or Uber/Lyft home after a night session, be prepared for a long wait, hassles, and a very (very) expensive ride with surge pricing. Getting an Uber/Lyft after an evening session when literally thousands of others are trying to do the same can be a nightmare. I tried it in 2016 as an experiment and here’s what happened: (1) Had to go to designated “zone 3” pickup area for cabs and users– a long walk from the South Gate near the globe (trying to meet them by the 7 train at Roosevelt is really tough given heavy traffic); (2) three Uber drivers cancelled on me after accepting before I finally get one; (3) Surge pricing was in effect, with a ride that should have cost $45 being quoted over $120.
- If you must hire a car back home after a night session, you might try the following instead:
- (1) Reserve a car service pickup in advance. I’ve used Riverside and they’re always reliable (and they have an app as well) – but you can find many other car services in NY if you Google.
- (2) Take the LIRR or 7 subway train into Manhattan (or to another local stop like “Junction Blvd”), then call Uber or a hail a cab
- (3) Try to hail a cab on the street just under the 7 train (Roosevelt Ave); or download the “Curb” app for NYC taxis and hail one that way from that location.
- If you’re lucky enough to be driving a Cadillac to the Open, you’ll get complimentary parking (Cadillac replaced Mercedes-Benz in 2022 as a major sponsor)
Alternatively, consider staying in Queens and biking! Fellow fan Mark shared his experience in 2019: “We packed our bikes and stayed at a nice AirB&B on Queens Boulevard, a little over 2 miles from the stadium. Queens has a great network of dedicated bike lanes and a friendly attitude toward bikers, and best of all – the terrain is flat! Once at the grounds, there are bike racks across from the South Gate entrance and in front of the security tent that handles baggage claim. It is a fun and hassle-free way to make the commute for anyone that so inclined!”
Tip #10: Take advantage of these amazing FREE opportunities to see incredible players up close:
- AUG 20-25 FREE “Fan Week“: If you’re a serious fan, don’t miss the FREE qualifying tournament Tuesday August 20- Friday August 23, the week before the main tournament begins. 128 of the world’s best male and female players (whose ATP and WTA rankings were just shy of qualifying automatically for the US Open) will compete for the final 32 spots (16 each for men and women) in the singles draws. Last year’s US Open women’s singles champion Emma Raducanu became the first in history to win a major after playing in the qualifiers – a reminder this is an amazing opportunity to see major rising players! It’s also a great opportunity to see top-seeded players on practice courts.. Read why Fan Week/Qualies are so special in this excellent piece by Steven Kutz.
- Gates open at 10:00am. You must arrive before 5:00pm to enter.
- Qualifier Tournament matches start at 11:00am
- Official practices (of main draw players) start earlier. However, fans won’t have access to any player practices scheduled before 10:00am, For practices on Ashe, you need to register for a Fan Access Pass to access practices in Ashe (which you can do via the app).
- To understand how players qualify to play in the US Open and why qualifiers matter, see this explanation by Laurence Shanet
- Watch top seeds (including Federer) practicing during this entire “Fan Week. Check the practice schedule here (also available on the app) the day before/ morning of to see when your favorites are scheduled to practice.
- Click here to register for a “Fan Access Pass,” which gives you certain perks (including access to special preferred seating for some practice sessions). Note: the Fan Pass check-in is located by the East Gate on the left.
- FRI AUG 23:
- US Open Media Day at 11am ET on Ashe Stadium, with players answering questions. Fans must register for the event via Fan Pass.
- SAT AUG 24: “Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day:” (9:30am – 4:00pm) If you have kids, this is a great day to go– lots of interactive games, music, and activities.
- SAT-SUN AUG 24-25: Go see top players practicing up close by taking advantage of free access to the US Open grounds the day before the main tournament begins to watch practice sessions – it’s one of the best-kept secrets that the grounds are open to the public all day.
Box 4: What to Bring and What NOT to bring (Backpacks not allowed!)
Be sure to review this 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
- As of 2022 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: $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 from 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 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). Evian is $6 for a small so bring your own!
- If taking subway (7 train), fill up your subway Metrocard in advance for your return trip in advance if taking 7 train so you don’t have to wait in long lines; If taking LIRR (my favorite) you need to get your ticket before boarding
- 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.
Box 5: FREE ADMISSION ON SECOND THURSDAY (September 5)!
DOUBLES SEMIFINALS (Men’s & Women’s) Plus the World’s Top Wheelchair, Junior, and Collegiate Players
Gates open at 11:00 AM
One of the best-kept secrets is that you can usually enter the US Open grounds for free on the second Thursday (gates open at noon, must arrive before 5pm) and see the Doubles Semifinals plus all-star wheelchair players, the world’s top juniors, and incredible collegiate players.
If you are a serious tennis fan, particularly if you’re a doubles player, this is a day not to be missed.
Among the world-class wheelchair players to watch for:
- Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid, who in 2021 completed the Grand Slam for the first time in wheelchair tennis history.
- The world’s #1 in the “Quad” (quadriplegic) division (ranked #1 in singles and doubles), American David Wagner. Born in 1974, David became paralyzed from the mid-chest down at age 21 when he was playing frisbee on the beach and a wave tossed him head-first into the sand. With only thirty percent function in his hands, David plays by taping the tennis racket to his hand. And by all accounts he’s a super cool guy besides being an extraordinary athlete .
A FEW MORE RECS
- I agree with every word of “Here’s How to Have the Best Time at the U.S. Open: Tips, Tricks and Transportation“ by the brilliant Sports Illustrated writer Jon Wertheim. Note: if you haven’t yet seen Wertheim’s 2018 Strokes of Genius documentary on the Federer/Nadal rivalry, RENT IT! It’s one of the best documentaries on anything I’ve ever seen, beautifully capturing so many of the unique aspects of tennis that make us so passionate about our sport.
- Bring a backup phone charger if you have one. However, there are several re-charging stations, but after all the photos and video you take with your phone and use of Wi-Fi you’ll run out of juice quickly.
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FOOD: There are a bunch of options on site, but they aren’t cheap! See my chart outlining examples of the food stands by area on the grounds.
- This PDF includes several menus from past Food Village stands. Every year there are some new additions and substitutions, but many of these will still be around in 2025.
- Korilla BBQ is one of my favorites, but lines are usually among the longest.
- Poke Yachty is absolutely delicious and lines move quickly because they’ve nailed their system.
- Oyster Bar behind Grandstand has killer ceviches and lobster rolls.
- Hill Country BBQ, Curry Kitchen, Fish Shack and Fly Fish are also delicious.
- Restaurants in Queens not on the grounds
- Need an affordable hotel room? Fellow tennis fanatic Melissa maintains a great list of hotels appealing to all budgets, starting at $25 per night.
- AMERICAN EXPRESS CARDHOLDERS: Bring your Amex card if you have one! See full Amex Benefits at US Open here. Perks from 2024 likely to be repeated in 2025:
- (1) Amex Card Member Lounge on the 2d Level of the Amex “Fan Experience” (where anyone can also play a “Glow Tennis” mixed reality interactive game and get a complimentary manicure with tennis themed nail art).
- (2) Centurion Suite in Armstrong (Exclusive to Platinum and Centurion Members). Book in advance on Resy
- (3) Book complimentary court time in NYC area at over 500 tennis and pickleball courts and unlock special access to peak reservation times when using your Amex.
- (4) Check your bag for a reduced fee at East or South Gate
- (5) Get a one-time $20 statement credit when you spend $100 with your enrolled card at participating US Open merchants
- (6) Get a free earpiece/radio to hear ESPN match commentary
- (7) Skip lines and grab concession items quickly (checkout-free shopping) at the Amex Shop in South Plaza .
- CHASE CUSTOMERS? Check this Chase site for updates on perks for 2025.
- Click here to make a reservation to access the “Chase Lounge”
- Other past perks have included offering cool video+mobile “Chase Charge & Watch” chargers
- Sign up for the “Fan Pass” on the app to be entered into a sweepstakes and track your activity on site. Scan your personal barcode at various stations around the event to collect “badges,” which can redeem for prizes.
- Do your shopping for US Open gear early in the tournament – stores run out of the popular sizes fast.
- $25 Grounds Admission tickets will be available for Finals Weekend (Fri-Sun Sep 6-8) on this Ticketmaster page. Note: these grounds ticket options are not yet showing up on main Ticketmaster pages displaying the other stadium ticket options. 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 performing a random act of kindness for fellow fans during the tournament. Our tennis community is big, but relatively speaking, it’s small… Our passion for our sport is infectious; do something kind for someone today, they’re likely to pay it forward. Last year, a reader emailed me saying he had an emergency and couldn’t go to the tournament but had amazing New Grandstand seats – he asked if I knew anyone that would really value them for free so they didn’t go to waste. I was able to share with a fanatic who’s in town on a budget, who as you can imagine was elated. In past years, I’ve gifted a lot of tickets myself – and it always feels wonderful. It takes seconds to “transfer” tickets from Ticketmaster/Ticketmaster Exchange to others simply by putting in an email address.
BOX 6 (INDEX): OUTLINE OF COMMON QUESTIONS AND IMPORTANT LINKS
This post has gotten long over the years to include many more details, so I’ve created the outline below with shortcuts to help you find what you need more quickly. Click below for shortcut links to key topics and FAQs I get most often:
CLICK HERE FOR OUTLINE OF COMMON QUESTIONS AND KEY LINKS
WHERE TO BUY TICKETS: How to Get the Best Deal? Which sites can I trust?
- Where to get the best deals on tickets? See Box #2
- Read my full advice for getting best deals on tickets (Box 2)
- What are reliable ticket sites?
- Ticketmaster – Official site – always check first then compare options on reseller sites. It also includes most resale tickets from the official Ticketmaster Exchange (resale tickets are shown as red dots on seat maps, standard non-resale tickets are blue dots)
- Official US Open Ticket Exchange (Official reseller site – also check this site for comparison purposes as it includes ALL verified resale tickets on the exchange. Confusingly, there are some verified resale tickets here that don’t show up on the main Ticketmaster site because they may not be available for immediate delivery– which is why it’s worth checking in addition to the main Ticketmaster site.
- You may want to see if you can spot any other exceptional deals on Stubhub, SeatGeek, Ticket Liquidator, or other resellers.
WHEN SHOULD I BUY? WILL PRICES GO UP OR DOWN?? What are average prices?
- When should I buy my tickets– now or closer?
- Will sessions sell out if I wait too long?
- Will prices go down or up?
- Should I buy a subscription ticket plan?
- How can I recognize a good deal?
- What are average prices?
- (NEW posted July 23, 2021): See my Chart listing 2021 prices for standard (non-resale) tickets as a point of reference to what may be a “good deal,” noting that sometimes better resale seats are available for the same or less than standard prices.
I WANT TO SEE SERENA AND RAFA! Which tickets should I buy?
- How can I be sure to see Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal (or Novak Djokovic, Sasha Zverev, Naomi Osaka, Sloane Stephens, etc)? See FAQ #1
- Can I predict when my favorite player will play on a specific day or night? See FAQ #1
- How does the draw influence when players are scheduled? Do rankings affect the draw?
WHAT TIME CAN I ENTER WITH A DAY OR NIGHT SESSION TICKET (and how long can I stay)?
- Once you enter the Grounds of the US Open (through the East or South Gate), you can stay as long as you want and access non-reserved seating in any stadium (except Ashe, the only stadium where every seat is reserved and requires a ticket).
- If you enter with a Day session ticket, you can stay on grounds all night and access unreserved seating in any all stadiums (except Ashe), including Armstrong general admission seating for night matches on first-come basis.
- If you have a day and evening ticket the same day, you will NOT need to exit the US Open grounds and re-enter again
- If you have both Day and Evening session for Ashe on the same day, you will need to exit and reenter Ashe Stadium (they clear the entire stadium between Day and Evening sessions)
- If you were in Armstrong for the Day session (either Courtside reserved or GA seating), you will need to leave your seat between Day and Evening sessions (as they clean up). However, you may stay inside the concourse area of Armstrong (the inner-stadium areas with food stands).
- See Box #1 (Ticket Options Explained)
WHICH SEATS ARE BEST? BEST VIEW? SHADE?
- Which sections have the best view?
- “How do a see the exact location of seats that I might buy?
- Related: See my annotated Seating charts (including some shade maps) for all stadiums (including New Armstrong)
- “Which seats get the most shade?“
- Related: Annotated Ashe Stadium SHADE map
- Related: Annotated Armstrong Stadium SHADE map
CAN I BRING AN SLR CAMERA, BACKPACK, FOOD, WATER BOTTLE, ETC?
- Can I bring…
- An SLR camera with video capability? YES
- A plastic water bottle? YES, just not glass bottles – and they must be 24 oz or less. They can be plastic or metal.
- A backpack? NO, but you can bring a drawstring bag
- Food? YES, in “limited quantities” (they don’t define limited). “No sealed packages of any kind”
- See Red Box #4 above (“What to Bring and Not to Bring”) and review official list of prohibited items here
DAILY SCHEDULE OF PLAY/ PRACTICE SCHEDULE
- 2024 Tournament Schedule – See my “Schedule at a Glance” in Box #1 (note: official tournament schedule is here but more vague)
- 2024 Daily Schedule of Play – Note: The schedule for Day 1 (and possibly Day 2 too) is released on the Friday (or sometimes even on the Thursday) before the main tournament begins.
- 2024 Practice schedule
MEN’S AND WOMEN’S BRACKETS
- See full Men’s Draw (bracket) and Women’s Draw (bracket)
- I prefer the more easy-to-read ESPN version of Men’s Bracket and ESPN version of Women’s Bracket
WHAT IF IT RAINS?
TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS? SUBWAY OR CAR OR LIRR?
- See Tip #9 above
- 7 train subway schedule
- 2019 LIRR special schedule for 2019 US Open through September 2
- 2019 special schedule for 2019 US Open September 2-8
- Detailed transportation map showing parking lots
- Q488 bus from Laguardia Airport (5 min away)
HOTELS?
US OPEN POLICIES, RULES, AND OFFICIAL GUIDE
GOT A QUESTION OR COMMENT?
Please submit below and I”ll reply ASAP (although it may take some time before I can reply before I can given my demanding real job!)
P.J.
If the last evening match at Ashe goes super late and the stadium is starting to empty out, will ushers let people move down from Loge into empty seats in the court side level to get a better view?
Hey Cole, they do sometimes – but usually only when it goes super late and it has really emptied out. I really wish they had a more systematic way of doing that like Wimbledon does!
Hi! My first time and have tickets for night session 9/5. We land early that morning however. What’s the cheapest way to get on grounds earlier in the day rather than waiting until 6:00 to enter? Buy tickets for the 11:00 games? Thank you!
Hi Dawn! Cheapest would be a Grounds Admissions ticket on Ticketmaster ($55).
Since there aren’t grandstand tickets sold after day 8, are all of the seats in there essentially GA? Wondering about the doubles matches this week. Thanks
Hi Aimee, correct!
Hi! There are many reseller websites like Gametime, SeatGeek, Stubhub. I have never purchased tickets from them and want to make sure not to get scammed. Are these websites legit for purchasing US open tickets? which reseller websites other than Ticketmaster do you recommend?
Hi Elena, I recommend Ticketmaster and StubHub first because they have the most inventory and have solid customer protection. See my box 2 for some others I’ve used.
THANK YOU, PJ ! You are amazing. Quick ? – For Sept 8th, Ticketmaster has 12noon tix and 7pm tix. for 12 noon, does that ticket get you both the men’s doubles final (at noon) and also the 1st men’s semifinal match at 3:00pm? thank you!
Hey Brian, you’re welcome! And yes that’s correct!
thanks! so why the massive price difference between the semi final #1 (3pm) and semi final #2 at 7pm? seems like we could have Novak in one match and Carlos in the other, no? thanks again!
Yes if they make it then one will be Day and the other night. But night sessions for both QF and Semis always have the highest demand from fans- so a function of supply and demand.
Willing to wager who would be Semis day and who would be Semis night (assuming Carlos makes it through)? Nole hates the sun and will be putting in a night session request, plus he will be playing an American. So night session? On the other hand, Carlos is Carlos. And if it’s Medvedev he plays, it’s #1 vs. #3. But… Nole has Tues pm/all Wed/all Thurs to recover for the day session, whereas Carlos will have only Thursday to recover if they put him on during the day. I do know that if Zverev wins, Nole and the as of… Read more »
The only thing I’d put good money on is the scenario with Zverev winning: agree with you that 100% a Zverev v Meddy or Rublev match would undoubtedly be on day. Beyond that, all bets are off – could see it going either way for the reasons you mention. That said, I’d probably put 70% odds on a Novak v either American being evening (because of the drama of having an American and the ratings draw).
Thanks for your insights. With Ben garnering so much attention since last night, think it will be Nole/Ben at night. And if I say it, it means the opposite will happen.
Stay cool!
LOL – agreed
Watching tennis in Ashe in any loge or promenade seat has to rate among the worst experiences in all of sports. I’m sitting there as I type this from my expensive loge seat.
All of these tips and tricks are amazing – thank you so much! I’m travelling over to New York last minute and trying to get my hands on some tickets for the men’s semi-final – Stubhub looks like they have great prices! The tickets advertised says Men’s Doubles Final – but this also includes the first Men’s singles semi-final, right?
Hi Susan! Yes, the first Men’s Semi Day Session on Friday includes both the Men’s Doubles Final (at noon) followed by 1st men’s semis match at 3pm.
Hi P.J., I’m wondering if men’s final will start at 1pm exactly or it will only start after women’s double final? What’s the ideal timing to get to the stadium if I dont want to wait for too long? Thank you!
Hi Jessica, the session begins at 1pm with the women’s doubles final – but Men’s Final match won’t start till 4pm.
Thank you so much for the info!
You’re most welcome!
PJ,
Actually my tickets say Sec GA2 for Men’s Semifinals/Men’s doubles Final front Ticketmaster for noon September 8th. Does that mean what I think it means if they would allow us to go to the Arthur Ashe stadium too if those matches were scheduled there?
Alan
Hi Alan, there unfortunately is no “GA2” section in Ashe – so unless there’s another section and row number on your ticket, you purchased a grounds pass. If you believe the listing was misleading, you should contact the seller (Ticketmaster, Stubhub, wherever you purchased) to ask for a refund or credit. PJ
PJ, Hi. Me, my wife, and son first time going to US Open. Got Grounds Admission only tickets on vivid website for day September 8th Friday. they were $119.00 each. I saw other tickets for Grounds Admission for only $30.00 a person that same day. Was I screwed and could of only paid $30.00 per person instead? Second question: Look at lineup for that day and there’s is a men’s double final/mix double final/Women’s Doubles final scheduled for noon that day. What do you think the chances that one will be played in the Louis Armstrong stadium, and with our… Read more »
Hi Alan, sorry working backwards and just seeing this one. 1. Yes, you overpaid for those grounds admission tickets and should request a refund if they were labeled in a misleading way and it appeared they were for Ashe stadium. There are plenty of standard ground passes available for that day on Ticketmaster for $28. 2. Both the Women’s Doubles and Men’s Final will be played on Ashe 3. You won’t have access to Ashe with those tickets – just to the grounds (via East or South Gate) and option to watch on a big screen and see Juniors and… Read more »
Will they be selling finals grounds admission like last year?
Hey Josh, yes now available on Ticketmaster.
We are in Ashe for tomorrow’s day session. A little sad that Tiafoe and Fritz are in Armstrong, and we are not familiar with the men’s players in Ashe. If we want to get into GS to see Tiafoe, when should we try to get there? We would like to see Coco play in Ashe, so may ha e to make some choices …
You are in for a big treat with the Ben Shelton v Tommy Paul match tomorrow! Seriously. Yes, there’s a good chance for you to get into Armstrong for the Tiafoe match, but there will be tons of pressure on those seats so you’ll have to get there during the previous women’s match and be prepared to wait. Hope you enjoy regardless of where you are!
Hi PJ! Long time lurker here, thanks for your contributions to the community! I have a ticket for each of the men’s semis but am planning to sell if Djokovic is not in either/both. 1. When will I know for sure which session he is playing in, assuming he makes it? Is there a way to make an educated guess given Alcaraz is likely going to be in the other semi? 2. Realistically, what time will the semi 1 start on Friday? I am travelling from Boston and want to make plans early!
Hi Christine, thanks for your thanks and lurking!! 🙂 We’ll know at some point on Thursday (probably fairly early around noon I’m hoping) about the Friday schedule. I could see it going either way if Nole and Carlos make it to semis – there could be some spectacular matches and can imagine them putting either on Night. 1st semi won’t start before 3pm (men’s doubles match will be at noon). PJ
Hi! I just bought GA tix for the men’s final/women’s doubles final on Sunday 9/10 (tix say 1pm). I’m a first-timer and didn’t realize GA means I wouldn’t have a chance to see anything inside Ashe. Does it even make sense to go or is there a chance of seeing something? Bringing 2 kids so just want to know what to expect or if I should just try to sell the tickets. Reserved seat prices for that day aren’t in the budget 😉
Hi Katie, yes, I’m so sorry but that’s unfortunately correct: those GA tickets will only get you into the grounds to watch the match on video monitors. The prices for men’s finals are off the charts 🙁
If you have reserved Armstrong tickets, can you leave Armstrong after the first match to catch a doubles match (like Pegula/Gauff if they go through) and then return to your reserved seats? Or do you have to stay at Armstrong all day?
May be a dumb question. Thanks!
Hi Erik, yes you absolutely can!
Hi! What happens if the first game of the night goes for too long and therefore is to be continued the next day – if I bought the night ticket, do I get to see the game when it continues? Do I have to purchase another ticket?
Thanks so much for all the information! It is extremely helpful when purchasing tickets!
Hi Karolina, you’re welcome! Matches on Ashe will always finish during the same scheduled session and never be postponed until the next day – even if that means 2:30am!
Hi P.J., I’m in awe of your dedication to your fellow fans/players. Thank you so much. I think I’ve had this tab open since June! Have you heard anything about whether there will be a community day on 9/7? We’re coming in on Wednesday, and have tickets to the day and night matches on Friday. We wanted to get a little more bang for our buck, but I haven’t been able to find anything about it online. With the attendance numbers this year and the demand for tickets, my gut is saying it’s not going to happen. Thanks again for… Read more »
Hey Heidi, thank you so so much!! I haven’t seen anything officially online, but that’s nothing new – they often times don’t really promote it. But I can tell you with 99% certainty that it will be the same as previous years: gates open for free to the public all day to enjoy the doubles, wheelchair, and juniors matches. If for any reason they break from tradition, I offer huge apologies for steering you wrong! As for the expense, I’m with you… I hope your anniversary celebration is spectacular on Friday. I’ll be there as well for both sessions (my… Read more »
Hi PJ,
i just saw on the USO app that men’s doubles SF will be at Ashe on Thursday, 9/7. Women’s doubles SF may be at Armstrong on Friday. I wish the USTA would promote “Community Day” ahead of time instead of the night before (if there will be one this year!). The USTA does a disservice to wheelchair, doubles, and junior tennis by not letting the community know that gates will be open to all. It’s so frustrating.
Monique
PS: thank you for your very informative write up about the tournament!
Hey Monique, agreed!
Thank you (and others who replied) for the help.
I just received an email from US Open News – amongst other things – stating that Finals Grounds Passes are available, plus this link to the grounds admission information for Thursday:
https://www.usopen.org/en_US/content/thursday_grounds_admission.html?cid=2023InTournamentWeekTwoStart_09042023_phto_chemal_ctdly__endcid
They are having the community day. Posted tonight on their app: https://www.usopen.org/en_US/content/thursday_grounds_admission.html
Gates open at 11.
Thanks Maura!
THANKS!
hi and again huge thanks for this. I notice that Grounds Passes for Tuesday are very low. What can be seen on the outer courts on those days? And for 3rd round doubles matches, on Sunday and Monday, where are they generally played? for Hsieh Su Wei on Sunday women’s doubles, which courts are they typically scheduled for? We ‘ve been at the Open for 3 days straight and had a great time, bought tickets for Grandstand and Ashe, fairly close, 100 section in Ashe, but ended up spending almost all our time on court 5 and 17 courtside, so… Read more »
Hey Anthony! Great to hear you’ve been having such a good experience. To get a sense of what to expect for scheduling, check out last year’s (2022) daily schedule of play for Day 7 (Sun) and Day 9 (Tues). Yes for Tuesday!
Is it cheaper if you go to the ticket box and try buying a ticket there or is it the same with the prices at Ticketmaster
Hi Hisa, Box office prices are exactly what you see online for standard tickets (blue dot tickets on Ticketmaster) IF they are available, minus the Ticketmaster fees. The Box Office do not sell resale tickets. So if you don’t see standard tickets available on Ticketmaster, they won’t have them at the onsite box office. If on Ticketmaster you only see tickets market “verified resale ticket” then it’s not worth trying to wait in line at the box office.
Hi PJ, I’m trying to buy tickets and are willing to spend up to $500 range for some good tickets and be able to see the big names. However it seems like anything in Ashe or Armstrong is going for a lot more (for good seats) for tomorrow. We’re here until Wednesday so I was eyeing at some Ashe stadium Sec 103 Row D tickets for Monday day session at $466/ticket. Would that be good seats? Would the big players be playing at night? Thanks for all your help!!
Hey Carolina, Monday Labor Day session is always very pricey. Those are very good seats. Check out this post for why it’s dangerous to predict who will be scheduled for day vs night. If there’s anyone in particular you’re dying to see, you may want to wait until the schedule for Monday comes out tomorrow afternoon before you make the final decision! PJ
Hi! I have a night session ticket for Monday but I just want to confirm that who plays today/tonight will be seeded into Monday? I haven’t seen anything pop up on the US Open google search so I just wanted to double check.
Hey Mark! Players who win today will next play their R16 matches on Monday (FYI – they are already seeded and the days they play are a function of which half of the draw they’re in). Schedule for Mon won’t be out until tomorrow afternoon. See this for details if you’re interested in how it all works.
THANK YOU! We just returned from our first US Open experience, we had a great time and your article was KEY to our navigating what is a wonderful but complex and expensive event. We think that one of the hardest things is to figure out is transportation to and from the Tennis Complex. With the congestion tax starting up in the future, Taxi/Uber/Lyft will be even pricier. Finding lodgings close to easy public transportation (that is, few/no transfers, etc.) seems to be the key.
Hey again! Thank you so much for taking time to write. Fantastic to hear you had a great time and this was helpful! And agreed 100% on your assessment around transportation and lodging. Safe travels home!
Hi! I have day sessions for Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Historically speaking, do you think we’ll still have some good matches? Or should I buy the night session as well?
Hey Mags, absolutely. Some possibilities:
Tues DAY: Probably all-American match featuring Tiafoe v either Tommy Paul or Ben Shelton
Tues NIGHT: Almost certainly Novak if he makes it through (probably against Taylor Fritz) (Note: there’s always a small chance they would put the all-American QF at night, but more likely they’d put Novak v Fritz at night)
Wed DAY: Probably Medvedev v Rublev
Wed NIGHT – Definitely Carlos if he makes it through vs Dimitrov or Zverev
Hi P.J. Carlos is right now playing during the day session, based on how the timings of his games have been, it seems they switch day and night for every of his games. So, his next match should be Monday night and the next match should be Wednesday during the day? I was wondering, how come your saying that his match will be on Wednesday night? because if he plays Wednesday night, isn’t he going to play 2 night matches back to back?
Hey Nora, not necessarily. Please see this post: https://www.roadto45tennis.com/how-to-get-tickets-to-see-serena-williams-and-rafael-nadal-at-the-2022-us-open-advice-from-a-serious-tennis-fan/
Just to be clear—if you get Ashe night tickets only for Monday, can you enter the grounds early and try to go to Louis Armstrong General Admission for the first couple of matches? Or do you need an Ashe day ticket? Is it very obvious where the line is or where you go to line up for General Admission? Sorry, first timer here and just trying to get it sorted out. Any idea on Monday at Louis how early you’d want to get there to get in for general admission?
Thanks! This is an amazing resource!
Hey Erik, an evening session ticket only allows entry at 6pm, not before. The unreserved seats will be in high demand for Armstrong on Monday – but crowds depend entirely on who is playing (men’s matches almost always draw the biggest crowds). You would need a day session ticket (either grounds admission or Ashe or Armstrong) to enter before 6pm.
Hi, do you have any tips on how to get an autograph or picture from a favorite tennis player? Huge sinner fan and looking for some advice for my trip tomorrow. Thank you!
Hey Charlene! You’d have to be sitting in lower rows of Sections 5 or 4 (between the chair umpire and the players’ entrance/exit in the SW corner). Or potentially catching him in practice if he happens to get scheduled on P5, but apart from that probably really tough. They are laser focused as you can imagine on their prep, recovery, etc!
Thank you so much! I managed to get a picture today with your tips:)
Awesome!!
Hi P.J, I found a ticket for $120 on one of the reseller websites for Mens & Womens Quarterfinals on Wednesday. September 6th at 12pm. This ticket is relatively cheaper than other tickets next week even cheaper than the nigh session on the same day. So, before I purchase, I want to make sure, is this a real match ticket?
Hey Nora, that sounds like it could be legit – hard to say without a bit more information about section and row and how it’s described (which site?). It’s probably in the very last few rows of the top of the stadium. Cheapest seat on Ticketmaster right now is around $140. There are some in row E Promenade for 189, which would be significantly better. It is very normal that QF Day sessions are cheaper than R16 weekend tickets and cheaper than QF evening sessions, a function of less tourists in town and night sessions being more popular (and which… Read more »
Thanks, I’m waiting to see if my favorite player will play on Wednesday. If I wait until Monday night to get the tickets, do you think the price will stay the same as $120 or go up?
Hi Nora, it depends heavily on the match — if popular players and looks like a great match, prices may go up – and the reverse if people aren’t as excited about it; and it also depends on overall availability of tickets. Keep an eye out on total availability of tickets over the next couple days and if you see numbers going down substantially then that’s another variable to consider, as prices usually go up as inventory goes down. Also, keep in mind you won’t know until Tuesday whether your favorite player is on day or night session Wed (night… Read more »
Thanks P.J. How would I know the total availability of tickets for each website?
Hello again! Click on the seat map version in Ticketmaster for any session and then click any section until you see all the dots for individual seats still available.
Hi PJ, some more questions please to clear the air – 1) since Djokovic plays Djere tonight, he won’t play till Sunday and since Alcaraz plays Evans tomorrow he won’t play till Monday? Is that correct? 2) further based on current draws Alcaraz and Djokovic will be playing matches Sat and Sun with non top 10 ranked players – is that correct? 3) if above is true, so could you tell guide me as to winners from Sinner/Wawrinka and Zverev/Dimitrov will play Sunday and which stadium? I would like to watch any match that is super exciting against two tough… Read more »
Hi Malik, (1) Correct! (2) Correct! (3) No way to know for sure. Today I guessed that Wawrinka and Sinner would be put on Ashe for tomorrow, and they ended up getting scheduled on Armstrong…
Thank you PJ. With your guidance throughout I was able to wait it out and prepared myself to purchase Sundays tickets after the schedule was posted. Thank you.
Quick ?, Ashe tickets for 12pm are good for Shelton/Paul and Coco/Woz matches? Pls confirm.
Hi Malik, yes indeed – the one session (one ticket) will be for both those matches tomorrow!
Thank you PJ for all your guidance. All the best to you. Hope to run into you sometime in future at another US Open.
have a wonderful time.
Likewise Malik!
Hi PJ, I have a grounds pass for tomorrow and was planning to arrive around 1130ish (unfortunately going with a larger/more casual group). Given its already round 3 is their any chance in heck I’ll be able to get seating in the grandstand/armstrong for the 12/1pm matches? Without a stadium specific ticket am I just doomed to watching doubles all day unless i wait on a 2 hour line at 930 am?
Hey Matt, where there’s a will there’s a way! You can definitely get into Armstrong if you’re prepared to wait… Very unlikely you and your friends will be able to find more than 2 seats next to each other at any given time. If you want to get into the Stan/Sinner match, I’d recommend arriving before the start of the Madison Keys match. For Grandstand, the Mmoh match will likely draw a big big crowd, but definitely worth going up and trying to find spots as they open during changeovers (a LOT of people don’t stay for the full match!).… Read more »
have you bought tickets thru Tickpick? I wonder if this site is legit.
Yes, it’s reliable!
Hell, P.J., hope you’re doing well. I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I took your advice of buying a court-side grandstand reserved seat and had the most amazing experience. Saw two 5-setters(Tsitsipas and Ruud upsets), saw Coco and Pegula play doubles and got my hat signed by them because I was sitting one row from the court! Then popped over to Armstrong unreserved seating to watch Iga play a set and Shelton and Thiem duel it out for a set! I was able to get a grandstand seat right next to the court at… Read more »
Aakash! I cannot begin to tell you how much it warms my heart to read this. I am so so so happy to hear this and feel the passion and joy coming through. Thank you so much for taking time to let me know and for sharing these awesome details!! And so psyched you’ll be there for Tues QF (yes, they always put the biggest names at night for QF and Semis, unlike earlier in tournament where you can’t depend on that) so you’ll be in for an awesome night! And yeah, that was me during that Shelton-Dommi match on… Read more »
P.j. Thank you for taking the time to reply! It was indeed heartbreaking to see Thiem retire but Shelton is lighting it up again, maybe a future hardcourt specialist. Super excited for Tuesday, I wanted to catch some doubles and juniors games too. I have a night Ashe ticket, is there any chance I can watch games on outer courts or LA during the day or do I need to buy a day grounds pass? Also, planning to take a 4 AM bus/train from penn station back to DC that night, straight after the night session. Do you think that’s… Read more »
Hey Aakash! For Tuesday, yeah the earliest entry is 6pm – there are grounds admission tickets that aren’t too crazy on Ticketmaster if you want to get in earlier. You’ll definitely be fine with that 4am bus/train! I do think there’s a very strong chance they’ll put that Shelton-Tiafoe match on night (but as always, I say that with the caveat that I have guessed wrong many many times)!
Hey P.J., they just released the schedule and they’ve put Coco and Djokovic during the day session which was quite disappointing because I had hoped to see one if not both of them play. I went through the schedule of the quarterfinals for the past 5+ years and as you’ve mentioned they almost always put their biggest stars at night for it, unless Rafa and Roger/Novak are scheduled for same day. Yet another example of how hard it is to predict US Open sessions as you say! Regardless, extremely excited for Tiafoe -Shelton, I think it has the potential to… Read more »
Hey Aakash, yes the all-American QF definitely was too tempting for them not to put on night! Going to be an amazing match for sure. And wow about that Zverev/Sinner match last night… Good question about the 11am Ashe start. They actually used to start Ashe at 11 – in the days when they would schedule 3 matches on Day session – but they’ve always had Ashe evening start at 7 (and used to start late so often because Day with 3 matches would often go late). Enjoy tonight!
Hello P.J.! Thanks once again for all your help! That’s good to know about the starts, I just wished they started sooner for everybody’s sake but as long as we get to see good tennis, I am not complaining. I watched the Cirstea-Muchova game from my mid section Loge seats and then just wandered down to courtside in between the men’s and women’s matches and the ushers didn’t seem to care. Found multiple empty seats and moved around empty seats courtside every changeover and nobody bothered me. I got super lucky and it was a surreal experience watching Tiafoe-Shelton up… Read more »
Had a similar experience to you – thanks so much for the great advice, P. J.!
Wonderful, Catherine, thank you!
Do you know where the players boxes are in Ashe? I’m trying to purchase tickets by Alcaraz’s for my wife’s tomorrow. Thanks for everything over the years!!
Hi Christopher! You’re most welcome. 29 and 9 — and Carlos’s team has been in 29 so far.
which reserved sections in grandstand are considered south and west (so hopefully the least sun)?
Hi Robin, all of grandstand reserved is in sun most of the entire day. Unreserved seats in SW get more shade because of an overhang in the design. Chair Umpire sits on the West side. 1 and 101 are due South, 109 is West.
QQ for Sept2 if I purchase day tickets for Louis Armstrong, then I can watch the evening match between Dmitrov and Zverev as well in first come first served general admission seating area? Not sure how good the seats are in general admission area in Louis Armstrong?
Hi! Yes – but you will have to get in line immediately after your day session ends because that match will likely be packed. There’s a lot of GA seating, but the upper parts in the sides are really really high up there…
Thanks for the quick reply. You are awesome. One more question, can I do vice versa as well? Meaning I purchase evening session reserved tickets for Louis Armstrong, but come early and sit in general admission for day match between Sinner and Wawrinka?
Sure thing! Unfortunately not… The evening session ticket only allows access when gates open for evening session at 6pm. 🙁
I’m super confused as off when you buy a ticket to a specific stadium like Armstrong, is that your assigned seat for the rest of the day?
Hi Carolina, this is a common point of confusion: any Day session ticket (of any kind, including a reserved seat in any stadium) gives you access to the entire US Open grounds (via the East or South Gate) — and once you’re in the grounds, you can move around, go anywhere you want, stay as late into the evening as you want and access general admission seating on a first-come basis at all non-Ashe stadiums including Armstrong evening (Ashe is the only stadium where every single seat is reserved). PJ
Hi P.J., thank you SO much for this page, it’s such a gift! I see some ticket resale sites listing Grandstand GA tickets– do you know what this means? I haven’t been able to find info. Is this essentially just a grounds pass? I thought Grandstand GA was unreserved seating. Thank you!!
Hey Noah, thanks for your thanks! It could be a seller using a misleading title to sell a grounds pass. There are some listings on Stubhub that say “Grandstand Only” and actually list section and row of a reserved seat, which are legitimate. But be very careful about anything like that which doesn’t list a precise section and row for a reserved seat! PJ
USO tickets seem to be selling out for day grounds. Prices never really tanked even by afternoon. Crazy. StubHub was sold out yesterday. Night sessions totally different with unsold seats everywhere
I was able to get 4 GA face value tickets for Sunday but looked over course of Wed-Fri and bought individual tickets as they came out. The only time that I saw face value tickets released was 9-10:30am, and I was checking sporadically throughout the day, so if you keep rechecking during that window, you may be able to find them!
I have Round of 16 tickets at Armstrong for Sunday and it looks like there’s technically no “evening” session available. Does that mean I can stay at my seat for all the matches that day/evening in Armstrong? Or would I need to get first come first serve tickets (also do you have to pay extra for first come first serve seating?).
Hi Vinny, you got a ticket on one of the two best days for Armstrong where you have access to ALL the matches on that court that day. Enjoy!
Wow, that’s great to hear! I’m even more excited for this weekend now than I already was! Glad I was able to grab them at face-value. Hope you have a great time if you’re going this weekend, if not, have fun at the semis!
Thank you!! I’ll be glued to the TV this weekend… Broke the bank for Day 1-3 + Semis this year 🙂 Probably the first year in 15 I haven’t been to Armstrong on either Sun or Mon, so I will be having serious withdrawal issues and living vicariously through you!
PJ, thanks again for this great resource! This will be my third US Open and I wanted to say thank you again. We have Armstrong tix for Saturday and Sunday so looking forward to that! The only wrench is that my wife was/is the biggest Woz fan. So if she ends up (fingers crossed) playing Coco on Sunday some Ashe tickets may be needed! No question, just wanted to say thanks!
Katie, THANK YOU for taking the time to share your thanks, means a lot!! Hope you guys have an awesome time this weekend!!
I found a ticket for Arthur Ash stadium that says Section GA2 for $34. Before I purchase, I want to make sure if this is a ticket? also, it says unrestricted view. What does unrestricted view mean?
Hi Nora, anything that cheap is not a real ticket. Doesn’t even sound like it could be a grounds admission ticket. Feel free to attach a screenshot in another comment (click lower right “attach an image” icon in the comment box).
Can I buy tickets for the ASHE night session on site? do they release tickets and will I able to get a good last minute deal this way?
Hi Eldad, Box office on site availability is exactly what you see online for standard tickets (blue dots on ticketmaster seat map) IF they are available. They do not sell resale tickets. So if you don’t see standard tickets available on Ticketmaster, they won’t have them at the onsite box office. If they release any new tickets, you’ll see them online. If you’re on Ticketmaster and only see tickets market “verified resale ticket” then it’s not worth trying to wait in line at the box office. Best way to get last-minute deals is usually online on either Ticketmaster or Stubhub… Read more »
PJ – thanks for maintaining this page, what a resource! I am confused about the Round of 16 match schedule on Sunday/Monday (men’s & women’s singles). If I understand correctly on each day, there are three ticketed sessions (Ashe day; Armstrong day; Ashe night), but eight matches when including both men’s/women’s sides. If the three ticketed sessions above allow for six total matches, on what court are the other two matches on both days played? And is that match all GA? Or am I missing something else?
Hi AJ, thanks! Armstrong features two men’s singles R16 matches on Sun and two on Monday (plus usually 2 women’s singles matches) — a total of 4 matches per day. Ashe only features 1 men’s singles and 1 women’s singles per session. It’s why those are especially great days to be in Armstrong 🙂
Hey PJ,
I was looking at 3rd round draws for Saturday. Looks like there are some amazing matches on Saturday. Who do you think will be scheduled on Arthur in men’s that day?
Carlos for sure will be in Arthur. Out of Sinner and Meddy, who should make it to Arthur? Sinner is playing Wawrika and Meddy will play either Baez or Alves.
I am surprised they put Meddy on LA for round 2 so I won’t be surprised if they put Sinner vs Wawrinka on Arthur. What do you think?
Hi RJ! I think they’ll almost certainly but Sinner and Stan on Ashe… but sometimes they do throw everyone for a loop so will be interesting to see how it plays out! As for Day/night – my hunch would be Carlos on day session, but for reasons I outline in this post, impossible to predict. PJ
Well, they put Medvedev on Ashe and Sinner/Wawrinka on Armstrong (got tickets for this one! But I’ll be on the lookout to go and support my countryman Jarry on 17).
Lol I know!! Just goes to show you how tricky it can be to guess. Que lo disfrutes!!
Driving is not that bad, I do it all the time. Park near 111th street.
By terrace on the park?
Yes, that area from 47 to 54 Ave and between 111th/108th street. Never had a problem finding street parking there
Thanks! I’ve tried on Mets days and had some issues, but really helpful to have your experience on this!
Why is it showing sinner scheduled for Friday on ESPN? Shouldn’t it be Sat?
Hey Jonathan, correct Sinner will play again on Sat not Friday.
Hi PJ. Does it make sense to get grounds passes for this Sunday. I feel like there won’t be many players on different courts as it’s a later round. What are the benefits of getting it this Sunday during the day. Thank you.
Hi Bradley, just depends on if you are into Doubles and would find watching the juniors interesting (they are amazing, and you may see a star in the making). If so, lots of great play to enjoy – and you can also try to get into Armstrong (though there will be heavy demand).
I love your idea of buying expensive seats and cheaper seat. When switching with friends/family, do you need to actually switch phones or is there another way to show proof of the mobile ticket? I would assume that you have to show an usher a ticket to get courtside. Thanks in advance. These tips are invaluable.
Hey David, thanks! You can probably just trade screenshots of the static wallet view (not the moving barcode version). Just be prepared possibly to have to meet and trade phones if an usher looks closely and insists on seeing the original (however I suspect if you explain that it’s family and you traded they should be understanding).
PJ, other than the 3 stadiums, which courts have seats with backs to them? Thank you, Peter
Hi Peter, only Ashe, Armstrong, and Grandstand have individual seats with backs to them. PJ
Got a small question. If I have a day ticket for Arthur Ashe, can I stick around on the grounds for the evening session and try to get into another first-come first-serve court?
Hi John, yes!
Used this guide extensively to plan our first ever trip to the US Open. Incredible – thank you so much! Especially for the shade diagrams 😎
Thrilled to hear it, Nick, thanks for letting me know! PJ
Thanks so much for the comments. We are traveling to the west coast to come see the semifinals on the 8th. I bought both the day and night match to make sure we can make one, and to hopefully choose which one to go to a few days before once the players are decided. Our flight doesn’t get in until around 2 pm, and I’m first wondering if you think we’d have time to make the first semifinal match, and also how easily I’d be able to sell either the day or night match if I wait until a few… Read more »
Hey Blake! I’ll be there that day as well for both day and night – can’t wait. First men’s semis match won’t start before 3 so you should get there in time. Reselling depends – if Nole and Carlitos make it, should be super easy. If not, may be harder. PJ