US Open - amazing seats, fun experience and the best pictures

Getting the Best US Open Experience

I have personally attended over a decade's worth of Grand Slam tennis. Been to NYC dozens of times in my life with family living there. I will help you explore NYC hot spots and tennis scenes like a local.

This is how we celebrate tennis in the Big Apple every Summer. From Central Park to the Upper West Side, Roosevelt Island to the Statue of Liberty - this is America. 

Whether for a solo trip or with friends/family, spend a vacation in one of the best cities in the USA. In 2026, we have our 250th birthday in DC. In 2028, we will host LA's Olympics, too.

Traveling with the pros on tour, I have a unique insider's view. I can directly compare ours to all the other Tennis Majors: Wimbledon, French Open, and Aussie Open...even the 2024 Paris Olympics.

I have been a tennis fan, coach, photographer, journalist, and player of this beautiful sport.

PRO TIP: I find great seats for even sold-out session tickets here. We always buy extra for annual giveaways, too!

Get notified with our instant email price alerts whenever the latest ticket deals pop up.

From past experience, I trust only verified "Instant Access" tickets from the Official Tickets for the US Open. If the price is too good to be true, it probably is! Generally, the better seats go fast, so the sooner you research the better. Be patient and check back for new batches to snag them fast!

The main goal is to share my best tips, pictures, and experiences with other US Open fans. We also guide a free Facebook group called US Open Fans and Friends. Great for planning tips plus NYC meetups with other sports fans in town.

As a USTA Organizational Member, we are committed to helping make your US Open Experience fun and affordable for ALL our fellow Americans. Please give a like, if you found this article helpful.

My dream is that you, too, can tell all your tennis buddies that your whole family gets to watch the US Championship in person and save money with our US Open ticket promo codes!

Timeline:

• April to May: Book travel dates (hotel and airfare)
• May to June: Secure popular presale tickets (Labor Day and Finals Weekend)
• July to Aug: Buy One, Get One deals (BOGO offers for 2nd week)
• Aug to Sept: RSVP for special events, lounges, and fan concerts to fill your calendar

US Open Tips & Discount Alerts

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US Open - Free Ticket Tips and Promo Codes

Get regular updates when new ticket deals pop up so you can watch tennis for less than the box office price. Plus, you can enter our annual prize giveaways for free to attend the US Open.

Tip #1: Get there early and run into Armstrong or the Grandstand stadiums *first*

To get close, sit in the front rows across from the umpire's side or along the center baseline.

If you're up for walking around to see more matches, get cheaper Grounds Pass Tickets for these outside courts and smaller stadium access during the 1st week of the tournament.

Being able to watch your favorite US Open Champion for an hour? That's every tennis fan's dream! Sometimes, you can even bump into the tennis players' box in the catty corners across from the umpire chair. More tips are below...

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Fan Review: Rafael Nadal Academy and Summer Camps

Road to Rafa Tour Guide and Summer Camps

Rafa Nadal Statue at Stadium Court

Travel with me on the "Camino of Clay" across Europe and visit Rafa's homeland.
A travel guide for Rafa fans with my own road map. To help every tennis pilgrim find their path.

Barcelona and Mallorca are perfect for young adults and families!

Can't make it to Europe? No worries.

Rafa's coaches stop by the USA this Summer!

Summer Camp Photos and Locations

Junior and Adult Summer Tennis Camps in the USA

Use promo code "JCTENNIS" to receive our latest bonus*

Very Limited Spaces Remaining for 2025.
Sign up for Junior Summer Camps today!
Use discount code "JCTENNIS"

*Juniors will have chances to win signed Rafa gear, plus a 1-week sponsored camp in Mallorca*

For fan vacations, I recommend a quick hop over to Palma (the capital) and his hometown of Manacor.

Before returning, fans should pick up Rafa swag (hats, shirts, merch) for friends and family.

ATP 250 Grass Tournament - Wimbledon Warm-up Event

Fans can also watch Tennis on Grass: ATP 250 Mallorca Championships near the end of June!

 

Marc Lopez joined the team in 2022. He is the most friendly coach and Rafa's doubles partner.
At Madrid, he and Feliciano Lopez were honored at their retirement ceremonies.

Spanish Legend David Ferrer had his farewell in Barcelona and is now tournament director!

Barcelona is one of the top vacation destinations and is well worth visiting.

How much are US Open tickets? 4 rules to buy or sell

US Open Tickets - key signals to buy

• Arthur Ashe
• Valued at ~$200 for weekdays
• < $150 for nights
• < $300 for weekends

• Armstrong
• Ashe price +/- $50 (good for closer tiered seats, smaller stadium)

• Grounds Passes
• Less than Ashe (should be less than any Ashe Tickets - otherwise, just wait)

• Grandstand
• Ashe +/- $20 (best for 2nd or 3rd rounds, depends on matchup)

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Are ticket prices too high? Should you sell? Ways to "trade" for another stadium?

• Stick to Ashe Stadium - if you want rain protection insurance with the roof or for a must-see player.
• If Armstrong or Grandstand are only slightly more expensive, get those instead.
• With similar prices, it's better to have a quality seat you can use than a cheap pass.
• Grounds Passes should always be cheaper than Ashe!

The later the purchase, the better the information - but risking higher prices!

• If buying before the draws come out, compare similar dates to last year's lineup to set your expectations.
• Most matches take 2-3 hours to complete. Usually 1 hour shorter for the women's best of 3 sets.
• You do not need to watch it from start to finish. I recommend watching more 5th setters and tiebreakers.
• Use the daily "Schedule of Play" guide to choose your favorite matches during the tournament.
  
  
• Patient buyers: the night before or hours before a match, a few people *may* sell at a loss
• After matches start or same-day tickets: fans may sell on StubHub (instant transfers only)
• SeatGeek: use our "TENNISBARGAINS" $20 OFF $100 Code

If you're not picky, I would get the cheapest ticket. Just being at the US Open is an experience.

Then just wander around the outer 17 courts from match to match!

1) Arthur Ashe Stadium

A "good price" range for 2024 was about $200-$225 for Day Session tickets.

Row Letters matter!

A-C row letters are always worth at least $50-$100 more.

Going from Upper Promenade to Lower Promenade upgrades your view as much (if not more) than going from Lower Promenade to the cheapest Loge seats.

The back rows (letters like W, X, Y, Z, or ZZ) often have empty seats as those people generally roam outside, take selfies of the NYC skyline, or lounge around at free perk booths.

Why Ashe Stadium tickets are the *safest* tickets to buy?
Short Answer:

• Ashe is the most flexible option
• You get Full Access to all the courts
• A reserved seat in the main stadium
• You also have a place to shelter inside if it rains
• Play will continue under its roof, even if outside play is suspended.

Unless there is a specific player and match you want to attend elsewhere, the Arthur Ashe tickets are the safest all-around bet when buying well in advance (before July).

Grounds Pass vs Ashe Ticket

The grounds pass becomes less valuable as more big matches get put on the main stadium. Usually, by week 2, you want access to reserved Ashe seats where most key matches are held.

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Ashe is typically slightly more expensive than Grounds Passes. Yet it grants you a reserved seat (very useful if it rains) and allows you into every stadium. Any of the Grounds Passes should cost less.

The strategy is to roam anywhere, knowing you have reserved your seat in Ashe when you want to see your favorite star player play.

The top-seeded fan-favorite players will almost always play there exclusively and often at night.

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The trick is if you decide to get the cheapest Arthur Ashe tickets up in the upper promenade, you DON'T have to stay all day in the nosebleeds section!  Instead, I recommend getting up and checking out the US Open campus outside!