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...

Subscribe HERE to learn how to get even closer to the action!
Get Top US Open tips with the latest email promo codes and fan prize giveaways.


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.


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

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.

Unlock Insider US Open Deals & NYC Tips!



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!

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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.
See Full Article
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BNP Paribas Open Map, Best Seats and Perks

BNP Paribas Open: Spring-time US Open

Interactive Campus Map - Best Seats (orange star)


Important Dates - Indian Wells, California (March 2025)
Live Music, Courtyard VIP Guests, Adirondack viewing chairs, plus sponsor booths!



2025 Visitor Notes
Day or Night (AM vs PM) Visits?
- Day sessions are best for walking the grounds
- Night sessions offer marque matches with big names

Grounds Pass vs Reserved Seat Tickets
- Qualifier grounds passes are just $10!
- Weekends or 2nd Week: get Stadium 1 tickets
- Stadium 2 is half the size with much closer seating.
Enjoy the Nobu viewing lounge inside.


Highlights for Indian Wells as "the 5th Slam"
Top Crowning Achievement: World's Best practice courts (and seat comfort) for tennis fan viewing

Travel Planning Options FAQ
Snack Highlights
  • Puesto's Passion Fruit Shrimp Ceviche was also healthy and tasty outside Stadium 2.
  • Dragon Lili Cafe for boba teas in the food village for a tasty beverage.
  • Sherman's Deli @ Stadium 1 (at the 200 level). Love the Salamai Ruben Pastrami!

See Full Article
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3 ways to buy US Open Tickets early this year


US Open Tennis Event Tickets
UPDATE
They are only allowing the purchase of up to 16 tickets (8 reserved and 8 ground passes) for any given date - it is best to check out and open a new session if you want to buy tickets for multiple days.


Amex Presale starts on May 27 - should you buy or wait?

If you have already booked your travel dates, buying early is good.
But if you're on the fence, waiting until later in the Summer is generally safe.

  • Almost every year, the face value of US Open tennis tickets does not run out before July.
  • August is the best-selling month because fans will know who is playing and who is not.

Price ranges for tickets (2024 Data Points under $100)

2024-09-03 Quarterfinal Men's/Women's 36.00
2024-08-27 1st Round Men's / Women's 64.00
2024-09-04 Quarterfinal Men's/Women's 69.00
2024-08-27 1st Round Men's / Women's 75.00
2024-09-05 Women's Singles Semifinals 80.00
2024-08-26 1st Round Men's / Women's 85.00

Early Access Methods via Resale from Season Ticket Holders

Looking for access to European tennis tournaments like Wimbledon? Stubhub is a great way to get ahead of the box office line when they are not listed on Ticketmaster!
**Heads up: this post contains affiliate links. If you purchase using our link, we’ll collect a share of sales or other compensation. We donate a portion of any ticket profits to tennis and relief charities.

American Express Preferred Seating: Code Required

Subscribe for our handy US Open access codes needed to unlock these discounts.



Amex members may use promo code to unlock.
Checkout and pay with an Amex card, using the passcode "INCENTUR"
(Or the 10-digit phone number on the back of the card as the passcode eg, "8772047996")

You must check out using an American Express Card.

3 BOGO Deals (Buy One, Get One) Session Tickets

For 2024, the BOGO sessions announced so far are:
  • Session 4 - Tuesday Evening (Aug. 27) - Louis Armstrong Stadium
  • Session 17 - Tuesday Day (Sept. 3) - Arthur Ashe Stadium
  • Session 19 - Wednesday Day (Sept. 4) - Arthur Ashe Stadium

In recent years, they have also offered four select sessions for the BOGO deal later in the summer.
The extra round of BOGO deals was released July 12-15 for Amex card holders.

Very limited in date choices, but at a fair price if you know you are going on those dates.
More session offers will become available *after* July 15th once the public sale starts.

Use promo code "INCENTUR" to view available seats:

Louis Armstrong - Night Sessions (Courtside) - ($15 each, now all gone)

  • Session 2 - Monday Evening (Aug. 30) - Louis Armstrong Stadium 
  • Session 4 - Tuesday Evening (Aug. 31) - Louis Armstrong Stadium

Arthur Ashe Stadium - 2nd Week (Promenade Level) - ($17.50 each)

  • Session 17 - Tuesday Day (Sept. 7) - Arthur Ashe Stadium 
  • Session 19 - Wednesday Day (Sept. 8) - Arthur Ashe Stadium


Should you wait for more options? I will explain how you could get a much better deal.

Letting some people buy tickets at the full retail price first can be smart. Then you can get them much cheaper later if they find they cannot attend. Discounted tickets are coming out all summer long.

Tickets for the first week inside Ashe are discounted quite a bit and only look to be selling out for a while. It is the Labor Day weekend and Finals Weekend tickets that are pricy.


 We have been monitoring ticket sales for over 15 years and have always found the best value on US Open tickets after the General Public Sale begins on July 15 @ 9AM EST.

There are usually more choices, so you will have a better idea of your travel plans to NYC by then, and the daily schedule of tennis events will be available by then.

Lock in your seats before the public sale in July! Useful for getting great seats on popular days.


US Open Resale Tickets - sold by Fans to Fans (TM)

So why wait if you know they will get sold out later? The Labor Day weekend or Finals Weekend are always popular, so you should consider buying these dates first.

For the weekday sessions, if you want to save some of your hard-earned money for the same tickets, read on! We want to help our fans get their US Open tickets for the dates they want at the best price possible. It pays to be patient this year, and we will explain.

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Here are 3 tips that I recommend during the pre-sale:
  • Want to go for a Night Match? - consider getting an Evening Loge or Court-side Seat.
    • Usually features some of the best matches of the Top Players, especially for the 2nd week.
    • With the main match featured @ 7PM, make your evening in NYC count!
Get our Free US Open Ticket Updates & Promo Codes (like Buy 1, Get 1 Free) as soon as they become available! No gimmicks! 

Join our US Open Insider Tips Email List Today!


Just having an Amex card in your wallet comes with many perks at the US Open as well (eg, FREE pedicab rides, US Open radios, Metro cards, etc*) - just show them your American Express Card.

Can't make it to NYC?  Try to visit the Cincinnati Open (in mid-August)

Big action and stars in a much smaller venue in the Midwest!

It is also a Masters 1000 event and very family-friendly, which means much cheaper costs for hotels and food. The 2023 Final was amazing with Alcaraz and Djokovic, so they will return to Mason, Ohio for 2024 and 2025!
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