The US Open in New York
For two weeks at the end of August, the tennis world moves to Flushing Meadows in Queens. It is one of the easiest major events to attend in New York — a single subway line, a walkable site and a range of tickets — provided you understand the difference between a grounds pass and a stadium seat.
Checked 2 November 2026. Prices, opening hours and transport details were verified against official sources. Things change — confirm before you book. How we check.
A major event that is easy to reach
The US Open is a fortnight of tennis at Flushing Meadows, and it rewards a little planning: which session, which ticket, and how you will handle the heat.
The 2026 tournament runs from 30 August to 13 September at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. The 2027 dates are yet to be confirmed; the official schedule and ticket information are published at usopen.org. The week before the main draw, Fan Week and qualifying are largely free and much quieter — worth knowing if you are in the city in late August and want a taste of the site without a full ticket.
Getting there is straightforward: the 7 train runs to Mets–Willets Point, which puts you at the gates. That also makes the US Open a natural pair with a Queens day: arrive early, watch tennis through the afternoon, then eat in Flushing or Astoria on the way back. The site is walkable and the grounds are pleasant, but the sun is strong and the days are long, so treat it like a summer outdoor event rather than a seated indoor one.
Three ways to watch
Your ticket decides your day. A ground pass and a stadium seat are different experiences at very different prices.
A grounds pass
The most affordable way in. It gives you access to the outer courts, practice courts and the site itself, with big screens for the main matches. Best for a relaxed first visit rather than a specific match.
A stadium session
Day sessions start in the late morning and night sessions in the evening, with separate tickets. Night sessions have the atmosphere and the marquee names; day sessions are longer and better value per hour of tennis.
Fan Week
The week before the main draw is mostly free, with qualifying matches, practice sessions and a calmer site. If you are in New York in late August, it is the cheapest introduction to the tournament.
Planning a day at Flushing Meadows
Tickets go on sale months ahead and popular sessions sell out. Decide what you want to see before you book, then build the day around the heat.
- Choose a session type: grounds pass, day stadium session or night session. Check the official schedule for which players are likely to be on court — it is subject to change until the draw is made.
- Book through the official US Open site rather than resale sites, and check the ticket terms before you pay. Prices vary widely by session and by round.
- Take the 7 train to Mets–Willets Point. It is the simplest route and drops you at the site; allow extra time on the middle weekend and finals days.
- Arrive early enough to walk the grounds and see the outer courts before the session starts. The site is large, and the practice courts are often the best value of the day.
- Plan for heat: a hat, sunscreen, a refillable bottle and a break in the shade. Late August in Queens is hot, and the courts offer little cover.
How New Yorkers do the Open
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01
Go in week one
The first days are quieter, tickets are cheaper and the outer courts are full of matches. If you want to see a big name, check the order of play rather than assuming; early rounds scatter the stars across the site.
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Make it a Queens day
Locals pair the tennis with food: Flushing for Chinese, Astoria for Greek, Jackson Heights for South Asian. Take the 7 train, eat after the session and travel home against the crowd.
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Take Fan Week seriously
The free qualifying week is the best-value tennis in the city. If you are around in late August, spend an afternoon there before the main draw begins and decide whether you want to come back for a paid session.
Around the tournament
Queens deserves a day of its own, and the calendar covers the rest of the year.
US Open questions
When is the US Open in 2026?
The 2026 US Open runs from 30 August to 13 September at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens. The 2027 dates are TBA; check the official site for the confirmed schedule.
How do I get to Flushing Meadows?
Take the 7 train to Mets–Willets Point, which is at the tournament site. Allow extra time on the middle weekend and for finals, when trains and walkways are busiest.
Are cheap tickets available?
A grounds pass is the most affordable way in and gives access to the outer courts. The week before the main draw, Fan Week and qualifying are largely free. Stadium sessions cost more, and prices vary by round and session.
What is the difference between day and night sessions?
They are separate tickets. Day sessions start in the late morning and run through the afternoon; night sessions start in the evening and usually feature marquee matches. Night sessions have more atmosphere; day sessions give you more tennis for the ticket.
Can I bring food and drink?
The site has food and drink options, and the bag rules restrict what you can bring in. Check the official site's policy before you travel, especially if you are planning a long day in the heat.