For anyone thinking of traveling to New York to watch the last Grand Slam of the year, we put together our best tips to know before attending the US Open tennis event.
- Official Name and Website: The US Open.
- Dates: Qualifying from 19th to 22nd Aug. Main draw from August 26th – September 8th, 2024.
- Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, USA.
The history of the US Open tournament goes all the way back to 1881 and today it’s by far the best event to visit in USA if you want to watch the top players in the world.
At the U.S. Open you can watch the men’s and women’s singles events, men’s and women’s doubles as well as mixed doubles. The usual wheelchair event has been cancelled in 2024 as they were clashing with the Paris Paralympic Games.
Venue and Grounds
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is one of the biggest tennis facilities in the world and the main arena is called the Arthur Ashe Stadium. This is one of the biggest tennis venues in the world with over 23,000 fans watching the big matches. A great feature is the retractable roof which means the weather won’t spoil the fun.
Make sure you check out the whole area around the grounds as there are a lot of activities and happenings not to miss! There are usually chances to see the top players and get autographs and photos.
There are plenty of food stalls and shops around the courts. Even though most of the foods are quite expensive, it’s still nice to try something else than packed food, we recommend trying the crepes for example!
Location and Travel Tips
The courts are located in Flushing Meadows, Queens, east of Manhattan and very close to the LaGuardia airport.
The best way to travel the area and getting to the courts are definitely by train and subway. Heavy traffic and expensive parking can really ruin the day at these big events.
There are affordable places to stay in the Queens area for sure. However, those who are visiting New York, maybe for the first time, might want to consider Manhattan or Long Island for a more enjoyable stay to experience more than tennis. The public transport is very good in these parts so it’s not a problem getting into the court area. Use the subway (7 train towards Main St.) or you can use the Long Island Rail Road from Penn Station (Manhattan) to Mets-Willets Point.
Another option if you stay quite near, is to use the Citibike, which is the bike sharing system in New York.
Make sure you arrive early to the grounds as it can take around 30 min to get through the gates. The matches usually start around 11am.
Tickets for US Open
As always, there are different types of tickets available for sale, including day and night passes. The recommended way of purchasing tickets is via the official site where you can choose preferred ticket type such as Individual Tickets or VIP/Travel packages. They go on sale from around June each year. Even the more expensive tickets sell out fairly quickly so it’s best to be early to the action!
One popular option is the Ashe day session ticket which gets you into all of the courts throughout the day and night sessions as well as additional access to Ashe Stadium matches during the day.
Or why not try a night pass for a few days in, when matches become really competitive and you can see the best players in a great atmosphere.
In short, if you want to be near the action on the smaller courts, try Louis Armstrong Stadium and Grandstand Stadium. To watch the worlds best players, buy tickets for the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Another tip; in the outer courts, there are no reserved seating so make sure you arrive early and sit near the players to get the best experience.
What to bring?
You can bring a bag with you (note: backpack or cooler-bag not allowed), not bigger than 12”W x 12”H x 16”L, however remember that this is subject to search and it might mean the security check to go in might be longer.
You can also bring your own food and drink in smaller quantities, no glass allowed. A good idea is to bring a plastic water bottle as you can fill it up in the many water fountains around the area.
The weather in NY in August can be very hot and humid so make sure to plan your clothing according to the weather and bring sunglasses, a hat, suncream and comfortable shoes.
Some of the things you are NOT allowed to bring into the courts area; glass bottles, flags, video cameras, laptops, alcohol and tennis racquets (!).
More Tips for Visiting US Open
- If you’re going with kids, choose the Arthur Ashe Day when there are additional activities for kids, concerts and practice matches.
- If you have an Amex card, bring it to get some extra perks.
- Don’t stand up and cheer wildly until the match is over, learn the basic tennis fan etiquette before entering the matches.
- Check the daily schedule and make a plan every morning so get the most out of the day.
- Try the traditional US Open signature cocktail, Grey Goose vodka, lemonade and Chambord.
- Download the official US Open Everywhere App to stay updated on all happenings.
Should I visit the US Open?
It’s a Grand Slam, so the answer has to be yes. If you have the chance to go to the US Open, don’t miss it. There are not many events where you get to see such world-class live tennis. Overall, it’s a very well organised event, and even though a bit expensive, for the most part it’s surely worth the pennies.
