How to sit front row at the US Open - 10 best free perks

Free VIP Reserve Seating - learn how to sit front-row for free and filmed on Netflix

Read our ticket-buying tips, articles, and credit card discount codes
  • Public Ticket Sales - June 3 @ 9AM EST
  • Buying early is most helpful in securing round 1 tickets.
  • Less stress if you have committed to travel dates and lodging.
  • For week 2 seats, plan for July to see any (BOGO) buy one, get one free promo.


Buying late or last minute? You risk paying a bit more for resell.
The trade-off by August after the draw is out. Everyone already knows who's likely playing when and where. There will be a mad dash for the best matches.

How long should you stay for the Open? 3 days or more if you are sightseeing in NYC.
Cover your tennis bases by attending at least 2 consecutive days (day and/or night sessions). That's the best way to see most players on the field. The dates 8/29-8/31 will be a good bet for Rounds 3 and 4.

US Open Fan Week - Week 1 Scouting Report

Tennis-Bargains has returned from NYC after spending the first 8 days of the US Open scouting. We recruited readers to share their stories. We post our real photos, seat shade maps, and impressions on the grounds for all the best goodies to experience.

Secret shoppers helped us sample all the food and shops this year, along with their honest feedback.


Our VIP Chase Lounge Guests on week 1 in 2023. Welcome to NYC!
We supply free VIP lounge passes to visiting fans and followers each year (perk #2).



During Fan Week, the Chase DNCE Soundcheck offered users an in-person experience at this sold-out concert.

We were among the first to sign up and tell the public about it.

The 2022 DNCE music concert was completely sold out in just hours! We gifted four very lucky fans a seat later. They were big fans of "Cake by the Ocean".

During the US Open, check Facebook and IG for our giveaways and extra ticket releases.

Sold-out 8/26 DNCE and Joe Jonas - Chase Sound Check concert tickets.
Our 4 lucky winners all got to go. Sent via Ticketmaster seat transfer emails!



Disclosure:
We are not sponsored by the US Open, USTA, JP Morgan, Amex, or any of their paid advertisers.
All opinions below are my own as a "Tennis super fan" for over 15 years.

I will not endorse any perks I haven't personally tested, and even then, only if I would use it myself.

To support USA Tennis and Charities:
We dedicate a small percentage of our ticket profits back to growing the game whenever fans buy tickets directly from our links. You help us continue to operate independently and contribute to charity work each year.

US Tennis is funded with each ticket you buy. Along with Humanitarian and Hurricane relief we donate each year. We also collect dollars from the ticket fees to put them back to support worthy causes responsibly.

Charities we have funded with tennis ticket fees: "Tennis Plays for Peace", "The American Red Cross",  "Aceing Autism," and "USTA with Tennis United."


Tennis travel fans can also follow us on Instagram or join our "US Open Fans and Friends" Facebook Group.

US Open Freebies: some luck, some skill - all good!

US Open Fans and Friends - advance info for savvy fans

Arriving at 9:30 each morning, I discovered some lesser-known perks that even US Open ushers and their supervisors needed to learn.

Our email VIP subscribers (anyone who regularly opens and clicks our links) will get priority access to our previews.

Last month, we revealed this fantastic, all-new 2022 feature called "Chase Pass," which offers only 100 daily bracelets for exclusive access and reserved seating.

Sponsor Faceoff: Chase vs. Amex Perks. Chase Wins 3-2

  1. Chase Pass gets you into Grandstand Reserve Seating @ Section 2, Rows M-O (front baseline seats with Chase Logos). Great shade after 4pm! I invited fans and fellow tennis coaches.

    Each day, lucky friends (new and old) joined me in watching players like Felix AA.
    These seats were so good that one guy even suggested I shouldn't tell anyone else!

  2. Chase Lounge - advance RSVP required. It gets you A/C, fruit cups, ice cream, and more. You can bring up to 3 guests. Enjoy! For a standby waitlist, register at the door at 10AM.

    Best Snacks: Free fruit cups, Kind Bars, popcorn, refreshments, ice cream, hat, and A/C!!

  3. Chase Terrance - Great Snacks and Views

    Elevated side-court viewing just behind the Grandstand


    Spreading the joys of tennis; Famous World's Fair globe background.

  4. Chase Pass for Reserve Seating at Grandstand
    I often sat here watching players like Matteo Berrettini and Felix Auger-Aliassime from the baseline. For Day 1, I had just paid over $180 for a similar grandstand seat just a few rows away. I discovered the specially-branded Chase logo seats in Section 2! Four daily single matches were played here during week 1.


    With our seats, you may get a cameo on Netflix while filming Break Point.

    Buying these seats separately will cost you a pretty penny.


    After some investigative research and asking around several US Open ushers and supervisors, I discovered the special Chase Pass (limit 100 per day) grants you a bracelet that allows you to sit in the first 3 rows (M-O) of the baseline at the Grandstand court for free!

    It was actually outlined on the usher's papers, but many were still learning about it. Most fans had no idea why these seats were all branded "Chase" on the front.

How to watch Serena and Rafa at the US Open 2022

US Open has just announced the first-round lineups for both Serena and Rafa!

Best Prices for each US Open Stadium

Check these 4 links before buying, to get the best prices of the day!
Grounds | Armstrong | Grandstand | Ashe


Labor Day tickets are still on-sale around $200+ for Ashe!

Nadal's next match is Monday, Sept 5 in the Day Session

Carlos Alcaraz plays in the Monday Night Session

Fact: Rafael Nadal has been playing night sessions for his first 3 rounds. Our research suggests he will play an Ashe Day session soon this week. Check back to see our updates!


Fan Tip: Our 3-step Ticketmaster Trick for a great budget seat!

The quickest way to find the best seats on Ticketmaster within budget

  1. Click the Best Seats tab
  2. Adjust your Max Price slider (and move up the Min Price)
  3. Scroll down the list to pick a decent seat at a reasonable price!

General Seat Picking Tips for Tennis

  • Usually, baseline seats or near the players' boxes are very good.
  • If you are going during the day, please refer to our shade map!
  • It doesn't make much of a difference at night beside the bright LED signs.

Serena's last match was Fri Night, Sept 2 @ 7PM

Serena has been chosen to play on the odd days of the tournament (Aug 29, 31, etc). The exact play schedule will be announced 1-2 days before and updated here! She has made it to the 3rd round so far!

Price Spike Alert:

If you want to go during the day (and not watch Serena play but hope to see just her practice), I would recommend buying a Monday Grounds Pass if the lowest Ashe ticket is over $90.

How many days to spend at the US Open?

Planning ahead for your US Open Tennis Trip

The 2022 US Open Entry List has officially been posted! See who's playing.
View the Men's Singles and Women's Singles lists from the US Open webpage.

Although Novak Djokovic (Serbia) is technically listed as ranked #7 on the entry list, his participation is unlikely due to the current US entry regulations.


In January, he was deported from Australia on the eve of his Australian Open run for being unvaccinated.

2022's Most Popular Weekend 1-Day Sessions


Best 2-day combos for US Open Tennis?

Spending more time in NYC will let you enjoy more tennis! Give yourself at least 1-2 days in the city.

Fans favorites - Labor Day Weekend:

Serena Sighting - Early Opportunities:

How to see the most (seeded) players in 2 days?

  • Wed 8/31 and Thurs 9/1 often have the most action on the outside courts
    Top-seeded players start playing in the 2nd Round, receiving their 1st Round Bye

  • Alternative late weekend option: go for the 4th Round (Round of 16) 
    Sunday 9/4 and Monday 9/5 (Labor Day)

    We can get what is called "Manic Monday" when weekend matches pile up. After any rainout, the following day, any lucky ticketholders get treated to more tennis than usual.

Most Popular Night Sessions at the US Open - for night owls


Pros and Cons of going at night:
  • For the city that never sleeps - entry to the grounds starts at 6pm.
  • Allows you to roam outside courts.
  • Ensures you see the top players by adding one or two evening session tickets

  • Frees up your day to enjoy the city indoors during the hot afternoon.
  • The temperatures are cooler after the sun sets. But be sure to bring a jacket or extra layer.

  • Crowds usually dwindle by midnight. Sometimes upon exiting, fans at Ashe may be generous and gift their seat ticket! Eager fans get the chance to sit much closer to the front.

US Open: Best Deals and Special Events

 

Fan Favorite and Best Value tickets for the US Open

Hottest Tickets for the US Open

Fans are quickly buying up the weekend sessions the fastest.
Discounts are priced with our savings tips from Chase (5% Cash Back) and American Express ($20 off $100). Tennis starts in a few weeks, in late August!

Top Tennis-Bargain deals:

  1. Arthur Ashe Stadium Tickets - Access to All Courts (as low as $60 Day, $35 Eve tickets)

  2. Grounds Passes starting at $70 - First come, first serve access to all Courts *except Ashe*
    Buy these if Ashe is $80+ and you prefer to stay outside the big stadium.

  3. 50% OFF Tickets as low as $33.75 for Round 2 matches on Wed Aug 31 and Thurs Sept 1

  4. Tennis Plays for Peace: Ukraine Relief Exhibition - Aug 24 @ 7PM. $25 Tickets for Charity!
    Watch Rafael Nadal and Iga Swiatek live on Aug 24 to raise charity money for Ukraine.


1) Weekend Prime-Time Matches

2) Weekday Deals for Great Value

US Open Amex Offers - Get 2 rides on MTA and $10 off $100 from on-site merchants

US Open Amex $10 OFF $100 Offer is back for 2024!

Here are some other offers (must be activated on the American Express Offers page):

  • Card Member Offers and Perks (terms apply):  
    • When the tournament begins, Card Members can pick up an iconic American Express Radio to help keep them tuned in to all the match action no matter where they are on the grounds, and can access a $5 bag check discount at the Main Entry and Champions’ Entry when they show and pay with their Card.

    • Select Amex Offers are available for enrollment to eligible US Card Members. All offers are available for enrollment through the US Open app and at Amex branded locations across the grounds; additional enrollment channels available as listed.

  • Spend $100 or more at participating on-site merchants between August 26, 2024 and September 8, 2024, get a one-time $10 statement credit.

  • Spend $2 or more with the MTA by tapping to pay, get $2 back, up to two times (total of $4)


Facebook Updates