Prime time on the grounds at the U.S. Open is an experience that every tennis enthusiast should have. It’s one thing to turn on your TV and hear the epic crowd roars and see the impeccable player entrances, but being in the heart of Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is something else – and it’s 100% worth enjoying in person.
The U.S. Open is a must-do as the final Grand Slam of the calendar year, and it’s also the perfect opportunity to visit New York City between seasons. Fortunately, there are countless ways to make the most of your experience and to do so on your terms. Whether you enjoy a weekend in the city and prefer to venture towards Flushing Meadows only for the matches, or if you enjoy staying closer to Queens to make the tournament your main focus, you’re still guaranteed to make unforgettable tennis memories beyond the gates.
As an avid tennis player and enthusiast, I have made over 15 years worth of memories at the U.S. Open. I’ve seen the grounds from every angle, arrived via Subway and by car, and watched matches from almost every seat. Here are my top 15 tips from my annual visits to this New York-based Grand Slam:
- Quality vs. Quantity
- Plan your visit around which you prefer when it comes to matches. In the early rounds during the first week, there are matches on every court, and with a general admission grounds pass you can watch any match except for within Arthur Ashe Stadium, pending capacity on the respective court. In the middle weekend and second week, as the tournament progresses, there is less singles action on the outer courts, but there are more high-level match-ups as the seeded players start to collide.
- Neither way is the ‘correct way,’ but I ultimately prefer the chance to walk over to the outer courts and catch a battle in the fifth set as opposed to only having matches scheduled in the main stadiums.
- Plan your visit around which you prefer when it comes to matches. In the early rounds during the first week, there are matches on every court, and with a general admission grounds pass you can watch any match except for within Arthur Ashe Stadium, pending capacity on the respective court. In the middle weekend and second week, as the tournament progresses, there is less singles action on the outer courts, but there are more high-level match-ups as the seeded players start to collide.
- Going Solo
- While visiting the tournament is an incredible opportunity to make memories with friends or family, often being alone can afford you the best seats. While Arthur Ashe Stadium only has ticketed seats, all other courts have first-come, first-served sections.
- When I attended by myself for a day in 2019, I saw an incredible match in Louis Armstrong Stadium seated courtside! Most people seek out seats with their travel partner, but being solo allowed me to sneak into an empty single seat in between two groups and to catch an epic match that was otherwise standing-room only.
- While visiting the tournament is an incredible opportunity to make memories with friends or family, often being alone can afford you the best seats. While Arthur Ashe Stadium only has ticketed seats, all other courts have first-come, first-served sections.
- Fueling Up for the Day
- Many people assume that you’re not able to bring in food or drinks to the venue, however the U.S. Open does allow guests to bring their own snacks as well as empty, refillable water bottles. Doing so is a cost-effective way to enjoy the matches while staying fueled and hydrated.
- Many people assume that you’re not able to bring in food or drinks to the venue, however the U.S. Open does allow guests to bring their own snacks as well as empty, refillable water bottles. Doing so is a cost-effective way to enjoy the matches while staying fueled and hydrated.
- Dining Times and Options
- While it’s hard to time, I suggest dining during off-hours. Typically, the food court and other dining outlets are quieter right at the start of the day or when matches are being played in the two main stadiums. If you wait until a big match in Ashe or Armstrong concludes, you’ll likely be waiting in line to dine much longer than you’d like. Additionally, the grounds get extremely busy from 6pm onwards as those with a night session ticket can now enter, bringing in potentially another 25,000 tennis fans into the grounds.
- While it’s hard to time, I suggest dining during off-hours. Typically, the food court and other dining outlets are quieter right at the start of the day or when matches are being played in the two main stadiums. If you wait until a big match in Ashe or Armstrong concludes, you’ll likely be waiting in line to dine much longer than you’d like. Additionally, the grounds get extremely busy from 6pm onwards as those with a night session ticket can now enter, bringing in potentially another 25,000 tennis fans into the grounds.
- Ticket Preferences
- I’ve done it all—grounds passes during the day, Ashe tickets at night, Ashe tickets during the day, and more. My personal preference depends on when you’re choosing to visit the Open. Overall, I enjoy a Grounds Pass experience during the day and night tickets in Ashe as long as I attend before Labor Day. After Labor Day, the selection of matches diminishes as the singles draw starts to reach the round of 16 and beyond.
- I’ve done it all—grounds passes during the day, Ashe tickets at night, Ashe tickets during the day, and more. My personal preference depends on when you’re choosing to visit the Open. Overall, I enjoy a Grounds Pass experience during the day and night tickets in Ashe as long as I attend before Labor Day. After Labor Day, the selection of matches diminishes as the singles draw starts to reach the round of 16 and beyond.
- Scheduling Your Visit
- While it’s possible to attend both day and night sessions and enjoy the tournament on back-to-back days to maximize your time on-site, I prefer to attend one of the two sessions and schedule some downtime away from the tournament. Shopping in the city, catching a Broadway show, visiting Long Island or surrounding cities, or simply enjoying a peaceful morning stroll and coffee in the neighborhood of your choice are a few of my personal favorite ways to break up the week or weekend and ensure you aren’t overly exhausted.
- While it’s possible to attend both day and night sessions and enjoy the tournament on back-to-back days to maximize your time on-site, I prefer to attend one of the two sessions and schedule some downtime away from the tournament. Shopping in the city, catching a Broadway show, visiting Long Island or surrounding cities, or simply enjoying a peaceful morning stroll and coffee in the neighborhood of your choice are a few of my personal favorite ways to break up the week or weekend and ensure you aren’t overly exhausted.
- Where to Stay
- I’ve stayed in Manhattan, Queens, and around Long Island during my visits to the Open, and they all have their perks. In Manhattan, you experience city life and can dine and shop to your liking. However, navigating to the U.S. Open is a bit trickier, as you must catch the 7 Train on the Subway, or ensure you allow plenty of time to get into a cab or a bus.
- Queens has hotels just minutes from the site, some offering free transportation to the grounds. If your trip is about tennis, this option is ideal for you.
- Long Island is a fun way to switch up the trip and to have the best of both worlds. It’s a bit more of a suburban experience, but it’s a great way to break up the hustle of the tournament and have a retreat near the water, and it typically doesn’t take more than 20-30 mins to commute to and from the venue. I’ve personally stayed in Roslyn and thoroughly enjoyed exploring this quaint area.
- I’ve stayed in Manhattan, Queens, and around Long Island during my visits to the Open, and they all have their perks. In Manhattan, you experience city life and can dine and shop to your liking. However, navigating to the U.S. Open is a bit trickier, as you must catch the 7 Train on the Subway, or ensure you allow plenty of time to get into a cab or a bus.
- Timing & Transportation
- My first experience with the U.S. Open involved renting a car and driving to and from the city every day; since then, I have opted for public transportation. From picking up the car at LaGuardia, driving into Manhattan, and returning to Queens daily to find parking before the matches, having a car was not my favorite memory. However, having a car when staying on Long Island is an excellent option as I enjoy navigating the area via car. A car is unnecessary if you intend to stay in Manhattan or Queens. If you’re in Manhattan, the 7 Train will become a very familiar place for you as it’s an easy, direct journey to the Mets-Willets Point Station, just a short walk from the U.S. Open gates.
- My first experience with the U.S. Open involved renting a car and driving to and from the city every day; since then, I have opted for public transportation. From picking up the car at LaGuardia, driving into Manhattan, and returning to Queens daily to find parking before the matches, having a car was not my favorite memory. However, having a car when staying on Long Island is an excellent option as I enjoy navigating the area via car. A car is unnecessary if you intend to stay in Manhattan or Queens. If you’re in Manhattan, the 7 Train will become a very familiar place for you as it’s an easy, direct journey to the Mets-Willets Point Station, just a short walk from the U.S. Open gates.
- Now Entering the Court: Shade
- The U.S. Open can be extremely hot during the day, but there are several ways to combat the sun. If you enjoy a day in Arthur Ashe Stadium, I suggest getting tickets in the South and West sections. Avoid the stadium’s East side, which will have the most direct sun during the day. Thanks to the new roofs on Ashe, and Armstrong and renovations to the Grandstand Court, there are many more seats with shade than in previous years. There are also many drinking fountains around the grounds to refill your water bottle, and if it does get to be too much, head indoors for retail therapy and the air-conditioned comfort that the shops offer.
- The U.S. Open can be extremely hot during the day, but there are several ways to combat the sun. If you enjoy a day in Arthur Ashe Stadium, I suggest getting tickets in the South and West sections. Avoid the stadium’s East side, which will have the most direct sun during the day. Thanks to the new roofs on Ashe, and Armstrong and renovations to the Grandstand Court, there are many more seats with shade than in previous years. There are also many drinking fountains around the grounds to refill your water bottle, and if it does get to be too much, head indoors for retail therapy and the air-conditioned comfort that the shops offer.
- Don’t Overlook Doubles or the Juniors
- Some of the most exciting points I have seen have been during doubles matches, especially when Americans are taking the court. Seeing the ball’s speed and watching the crowds back the ‘home’ team is always thrilling. Seeing the doubles matches around the site, especially on outer courts when you can sit closer to the players, is a fun way to mix up your day and catch some of the top players in the world in a much more relaxed yet high-energy setting.
- Some of the most exciting points I have seen have been during doubles matches, especially when Americans are taking the court. Seeing the ball’s speed and watching the crowds back the ‘home’ team is always thrilling. Seeing the doubles matches around the site, especially on outer courts when you can sit closer to the players, is a fun way to mix up your day and catch some of the top players in the world in a much more relaxed yet high-energy setting.
- Day and/or Night
- When the gates first open, there will always be a rush of crowds, especially for guests who may only have Grounds Passes and are trying to claim their seats on the courts without reserved seating. I have found it best and less busy to arrive closer to 10a.m. for the day session or right after the first matches have started. Around 12pm is typically incredibly busy.
- For the evening session, I suggest avoiding the rush of the ‘gates open’ time unless you’re eagerly trying to grab a first come, first serve seat in Louis Armstrong, meaning waiting until later to enter instead of right at the first moments. I prefer to arrive closer to the time that matches are set to begin so that you won’t be waiting in line outside the entrance to the Stadium. The posted times don’t account for warm-up, the National Anthem, and perhaps other daily celebrations before the first match of that specific session begins, so you’ll have a bit of leeway should you arrive right before the scheduled start time.
- As mentioned before, I also prefer to attend only day or night session, as being there all day can be pretty exhausting, however, if you’re pressed for time, enjoying both sessions is undoubtedly a guaranteed way to see a lot of high-level tennis in an epic setting.
- When the gates first open, there will always be a rush of crowds, especially for guests who may only have Grounds Passes and are trying to claim their seats on the courts without reserved seating. I have found it best and less busy to arrive closer to 10a.m. for the day session or right after the first matches have started. Around 12pm is typically incredibly busy.
- American Express Cardholders Unite
- Year after year, the American Express Card Member Lounge has truly impressed me, and I admit that I haven’t taken advantage of the access as much as I should – or that I am suggesting you to! Within the Lounge, cardholders can find time away from the sun and enjoy exclusive benefits, such as a tennis ball customization station, opportunities to play TopSpin 2K25 and an interactive mixed-reality game called Glow Tennis, an interactive live mural experience designed by Yay Abe, and so much more. Food and drinks are also available for purchase, and cardholders can typically bring up to two guests, capacity permitting.
- Typically, I don’t bring luggage with me, or I plan my ticketed days around my flights, but in 2024 I actually had to check a bag, and I was pleasantly surprised when I only had to pay $5 as opposed to the standard rate of typically around $20.
- There are also other benefits on-site, such as free radios which gives you live commentating right in your ear even while you’re not in front of a screen. Be sure to capitalize on all of the benefits if you’re visiting the Open!
- Year after year, the American Express Card Member Lounge has truly impressed me, and I admit that I haven’t taken advantage of the access as much as I should – or that I am suggesting you to! Within the Lounge, cardholders can find time away from the sun and enjoy exclusive benefits, such as a tennis ball customization station, opportunities to play TopSpin 2K25 and an interactive mixed-reality game called Glow Tennis, an interactive live mural experience designed by Yay Abe, and so much more. Food and drinks are also available for purchase, and cardholders can typically bring up to two guests, capacity permitting.
- Control the Uncontrollable: The Weather
- While we can’t actually control the weather during this two-week event (unfortunately), I do suggest at some point having tickets for either Louis Armstrong Stadium, the second largest on-site, or for Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest, as both of these courts have retractable roofs. That means you’re guaranteed to see matches regardless of the outside elements. If you have grounds passes or even reserved seating in the Grandstand, your day will be weather-dependent, including rain, sun, wind, and all of the other elements in September in New York.
- While we can’t actually control the weather during this two-week event (unfortunately), I do suggest at some point having tickets for either Louis Armstrong Stadium, the second largest on-site, or for Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest, as both of these courts have retractable roofs. That means you’re guaranteed to see matches regardless of the outside elements. If you have grounds passes or even reserved seating in the Grandstand, your day will be weather-dependent, including rain, sun, wind, and all of the other elements in September in New York.
- Traveling With or Without Your Racquet
- While only the players can carry racquets on site, aside from Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, there’s still plenty of opportunity to fine tune your strokes during your trip to New York. Kids’ Day powered by Net Generation typically takes place early on in the tournament, and there are always fun and light-hearted activations on this special day. If you’re interested in a family-friendly event to attend, keep an eye on the details for the upcoming year.
- If you’re more interested in an off-site hit, there are several TRO properties in New York that you can explore – both from a resort and hotel perspective as well as Academy or clinic options. Personally, I have always left my racquets behind for visits to the U.S. Open, but I know it’s incredibly common to combine a spectator trip with on-court experiences intertwined.
- There are also plenty of indoor and unique courts in and around the city, such as Court 16. Find a full list of other New York locations as curated by TRO by visiting this link to see more racquet sports options.
- While only the players can carry racquets on site, aside from Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, there’s still plenty of opportunity to fine tune your strokes during your trip to New York. Kids’ Day powered by Net Generation typically takes place early on in the tournament, and there are always fun and light-hearted activations on this special day. If you’re interested in a family-friendly event to attend, keep an eye on the details for the upcoming year.
- Watch Like a Coach – or as a Player
- This tip may sound strange, but I truly come back home after the U.S. Open more passionate about tennis than any other time throughout the year! The atmosphere, the energy, and seeing the world’s best players, coaches, and juniors up close is simply unique and can’t be explained.
- As a former junior and collegiate player, I always took away strategies and tactics by watching one side of the court at a time, taking note of a player’s demeanor, monitoring the player’s movements, and more. If you have time to set aside to truly watch the matches from a perspective that’s different from simply a fan, then I highly suggest taking note of the dynamic in and around the court.
- This tip may sound strange, but I truly come back home after the U.S. Open more passionate about tennis than any other time throughout the year! The atmosphere, the energy, and seeing the world’s best players, coaches, and juniors up close is simply unique and can’t be explained.
