US Open's 3 keys to early seats and fun event experiences

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. Explore NYC hot spots and tennis scenes like a local.

We celebrate tennis in the Big Apple every Summer. From Central Park to the Upper West Side, Roosevelt Island to the Statue of Liberty - one of America's best Summer road trips. Whether for a solo trip or with friends/family, spend a vacation in one of the best cities in the USA.

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.
Prices are now listed "all-in," so fees are shown clearly upfront for easier comparison. Each year, when fans use our links, we even donate fees to charities that benefit local NY schools and classrooms.

Monthly To-dos:

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!

US Open Tips & Discount Alerts



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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Knowing who will be playing, when, and where is half the battle. So you can witness tennis glory live!

Tip #2:
The night before you go to the US Open, always check the Schedule / "Order of Play" page to plan out the next morning. Figure out which players and courts, in the order you want to hop to next.

Download the US Open app for updated scores to see when matches are about to start or end. Plus, try to arrive on time so you can get to the stadium entrance line before the odd-numbered games (so that they let you into the stadiums). Otherwise, you need to wait for another changeover.

Tip #3:
Find tickets to several popular dates, even if "sold out" on the US Open webpage...you can still find season ticket holders willing to sell verified seats. Don't get scammed by scalpers (*bookmark for the best prices*, which are updated daily)

More tips coming to my US Open Fans email subscribers! Re-subscribe if it's been a while.


2025 US Open tickets? 4 smart rules to know before buying

US Open Tickets - key signals to buy

  • Arthur Ashe
    • Valued at $200+ for weekdays
    • < $150 for nights; < $300 for weekends
  • Grounds Passes
    • Less than Ashe (should be less than any Ashe Tickets - otherwise, just wait)

  • Armstrong
    • Ashe price +/- $50 (good for closer tiered seats, smaller stadium)
  • Grandstand
    • Ashe +/- $40 (best for 2nd or 3rd rounds, depends on matchup)

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!

1) Arthur Ashe Stadium

A "good price" range for Ashe currently is about $200-$250 for Day Session tickets.

Select "BEST SEATS" and slide the Max price to $250 (or $300)

Ticketmaster tips for the best resale price for the closest seat

  • In the menu tab, select "Best Seats" (not lowest price)
  • Move the Max Price slider down ($250 or $300 to start)

Wonder how much better seats you'd get for $50 more?
Just shift the price bar up one notch to $300 or $350. Find the best incremental price and best views. Sometimes it's better to sit closer rather than at a corner angle. I prefer the baseline sides.

Unless you get the 100s mid-level or buy the Men's Final, never pay over $1000 for the promenade outer level!

Check out amazing Armstrong or Grandstand options in the $350-$550 range (below).

Row Letters matter more than Row Numbers!
A-C row letters are always worth at least $50-$100 more than bigger letter rows.

Going from Upper Promenade to Lower Promenade upgrade makes the biggest difference.

Almost as much as going from Lower Promenade to the cheapest Loge seats.
Think of the lower promenade as "economy plus", and Loge as business class.

The back rows (letters like W, X, Y, Z, or ZZ) often have empty seats during week 1.

Those people generally prefer to roam outside, take selfies of the NYC skyline, or lounge around at free perk booths. You might be watching a lot of the action on the giant TV screens.

Why Ashe Stadium tickets are the *safest* tickets to buy?
Short Answer:
  • Ashe is the most flexible option
  • Access to all the courts
  • A reserved seat in the main stadium

  • Rain insurance: a covered 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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Wait-and-see vs Pay-and-Pray? Before and after the official draw comes out.

The later the purchase, the more info about the draw - at the risk of higher prices!
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!

Most matches take about 2.5 hours to complete. Usually slightly shorter to watch the women's best of 3 sets.

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 will stop by the USA this Summer and Christmas!

Junior and Adult Tennis Camps in the USA


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

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



At their San Diego location, I watched players train at Rancho Valencia.. If arriving early, you may see rising ATP Pro and NextGen (under 21) Champion Brandon Nakashima training. An excellent Asian-American role model for kids in Southern California.


For Rafa Fans, I recommend a visit to Palma (the capital) and Manacor (his hometown).




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 the tournament director!

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