Going to US Open tennis in NYC this summer? If that’s an enthusiastic “Yes!”, let me help you ace the itinerary.

Planning your trip to New York for the US Open Tennis doesn’t have to be hard. I am a regular at this amazing Grand Slam event each year and have put together this guide with everything you need to know.

Get ready for an amazing experience. The atmosphere at the US Open is unlike any other Grand Slam. It’s the polar opposite to Wimbledon which is also fun, but a very different vibe. Energy from the crowd is insane.

Let’s get loud, let’s get LOUD!

About 2026 US Open Tennis – where and when

The 2026 US Open Tennis Championship will take place from Sunday, August 30th to Sunday, September 13th in New York City (NYC).

In the NYC borough of Queens, specifically. 

I point this out as it is fairly common for anyone unfamiliar with New York to assume that NYC refers to Manhattan, its most famous borough. NYC actually consists of 5 boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island.

And even though its largest borough doesn’t get a shoutout from Alicia Keys and Jay-Z in the classic hip-hop song ‘Empire State of Mind’, Queens is definitely part of the “concrete jungle where dreams are made of”!

As summer draws to a close, Flushing, Queen is the place to be in NYC as big tennis dreams come true for both players and fans at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

About Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens. The complex is huge. It has 22 courts, including Louis Armstrong and Arthur Ashe stadium, the biggest tennis stadium in the world.

Most of us know these grounds for being the home of the US Open Tennis Championships. But did you know that outside of the big tournament, the courts are open to members of the public?

How to get tickets to 2026 US Open Tennis in New York

Wondering how you can buy tickets for the US Open Tennis in NYC this year?

Download the US Open tennis app. When you select ‘Buy Tickets’ it will redirect you to Ticketmaster. You will have the option to buy either Day or Evening sessions for either Arthur Ashe, Louis Armstrong, Grandstand, or Grounds admission.

Tickets typically go on sale in late May to the general public and become available on the US Open website and Ticketmaster.

Tips for first time going to US Open Tennis: Before it starts

If you’re here I’m guessing that this will be your first time going to US Open Tennis in New York. To prepare you for your visit, here are tips learnt through my own trial and error. Hope they help!

Tip #1: Sign up for US Open Tennis Fan Week tickets

If you will be in NYC in the days prior to the official start of the 2025 championship get a free pass to attend US Open Fan Week. Check out the official US Open website or app for the pass and get familiar with the daily schedule of activities.

Most of us wait until the official tournament start but in reality the thrill of participating in US Open activities starts well before.

Tip#2: Check out American Express Fan Experience

If you are an American Express cardholder be sure to look for their Fan Experience space. They have lots of fun immersive experiences inside which you can take part in for free.

Truthfully, the main reason I pop in is to beat the heat (it’s HOT in NYC in August). The a/c in here is on full blast – it’s so nice and cool to camp out here for 20 minutes and checking out the cool activities. Be sure to have your AMEX card on you and present it when you get inside to take advantage of any marketing offers they have on at the US Open!

Tip #3: Where you should stay for the US Open in NYC

“Should I stay in Manhattan for the US Open?” vs “Should I stay in Queens for the US Open?”

If it’s your first time in NYC for US Open tennis, chances are you are trying to decide whether it is best to stay in Manhattan and commute to the BJK National Tennis Center. Or, to stay near to the stadium in Queens and travel into Manhattan on your sightseeing days.

I recommend Option 1: stay in Manhattan. Hands down.

Manhattan is overall the better option if you want to live out the complete ‘Summer in NYC!’ holiday dream, with tennis headlining. Think about it: access to endless food and entertainment options coupled with an easy and fast mass transit connection to the tennis in Flushing, Queens.

Midtown Manhattan is the best area to focus on for your accommodation search.

Budget-wise, while ordinarily it would be cheaper to stay in Queens, during the tournament period it is not.

Tips for first time going to US Open tennis: Day of visit

Once the US Open officially starts you want to make sure you have all the angles covered so that you’re making the most of match days. Enjoy the days out just like a New Yorker would. Grand statement, I know, but with the right planning you’ve got this.

Tip #4: Take mass transit. Do not drive.

What’s the best way to get to the US Open in Queen’s? The subway or LIRR train are undeniably your best options for getting to and from the US Open. Trust me on this one.

Driving will be a hassle and you should avoid it unless really necessary. That includes car services. Entering or leaving the vicinity of the stadium will take forever due to all of the vehicle and people congestion in the area. Plus, the surcharge on that Uber or Lyft ride will be insane.

You have a couple of options compliments of the NYC MTA service. First, there’s the subway.

Take the #7 subway in the direction of Flushing, Queens to the Mets-Willets Point stop. Popular subway stations to pick up the #7 in Manhattan are Grand Central Station or the 34th Street-Hudson Yards subway station on10th Avenue.

The fastest mass transit option is to take the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) to the Mets-Willets Point station. It will be the Port Washington line.

Go to the Moynihan Train Hall which is below the rather distinguished-looking James Farleigh post office, directly opposite of Madison Square Garden. The main entrance is on 8th Avenue between West 31st and 33rd Streets. Before you hop on the LIRR train, have a stroll around. Moynihan is spanking new with lots of cool retail spots.

The subway ride in particular will be packed with other fans headed to Queens for US Open Tennis. It’s the first moment of many moments that day that you will share in the special surge of group excitement that must be airbourne. Ahhhhh, I get goosebumps just thinking about it!

Travel Tip: Download the MTA TrainTime app. Check schedules for the LIRR Port Washington departures. Purchase your LIRR ticket on the app or at station. You can buy it on the train with the conductor too but it’ll be pricier. Buy the return ticket in order to avoid long queues at the station on the way back to Manhattan. If using the subway, you can tap in with contactless for entry so no worries there.

Tip #5: Enjoy a Honey Deuce cocktail at the US Open 

Honey Deuce is the official cocktail of the US Open, and it’s everyone’s favourite drink – including mine! Make sure to buy yourself one before going into watch the tennis. The lines can get pretty long but the wait is worth it!

Tip #6: Watch an evening match in Arthur Ashe stadium

Experiencing an evening game in Arthur Ashe stadium is a must-do if you will be attending the US Open tennis. The mood is electric. Nowhere in the world will you hear a tennis crowd roar like this.

This is Big Tennis Energy. I’ll go out on a limb and say – the vibe is unmatched vs any other Grand Slam. And lots of players do say this!

If this does not sound like how you enjoy watching your tennis I’d suggest going to the Wimbledon championships in the UK in July instead.

Also read: How to join the Wimbledon Queue

Tip #7: Enjoy sculpture art displays

Have a stroll around and take a moment to enjoy the amazing works of art proudly displayed across the grounds such as the Freedom of the Human Spirit Statue, the Arthur Ashe statue and the Althea Gibson statue.

Don’t fall into the trap of making a beeline for the courts upon arrival. Remember: the US Open Tennis tournament is an experience so be sure to make the most of your visit both during and beyond the tennis matches!

Tip #8: Watch US Open tennis on a big screen at Hudson Yards 

On the days when you do not have tickets to see the tennis live you can always head to The Backyard at Hudson Yards to enjoy US Open tennis in the urban outdoor space at 31st Street and 10th Avenue. (No need to restrict your first US Open to the stadium exclusively. Across NYC, many alternative viewing experiences will be curated for fans)

A massive 30-foot screen will be set up in front of The Vessel attraction. On the day of screenings, deck chairs are laid out in front, available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Check out the Hudson Yards big screen schedule here.

Oh, and did I mention that this outdoor viewing experience is totally free? Fist pump.

In 2022, I couldn’t get tickets to see Serena Williams in person for the final match of her career at the US Open. Alas, there was no time for a pity party. Instead, me and a couple hundred others sat / stood glued to the big screen in Hudson Yards, all visibly watching with nervous anticipation and excitement. Believe it or not, the crowd energy practically matched that of the stadium experience. It was incredible!

Tips for first time going to US Open tennis: Things to do nearby

Besides spending time at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, I’d recommend taking advantage of the location and seeing what else lies within / nearby to Flushing Meadows Corona Park.

Tip #9: See the Unisphere

The Unisphere is a large steel globe which was constructed for the 1964 World’s Fair. It became a major icon of the historic event and to this day its image remains a popular choice in media highlights of the borough of Queens.

From one angle, you can spot the Billie Jean King Tennis Center and from another you will directly face another great but lesser known attraction in the area: the Queens Museum. 

Tip#10: Visit the Queens Museum

Steps away from the Unisphere and the Billie Jean King Tennis Center is The Queen’s Museum. It is a little known, under-rated attraction that’s well worth a visit (but not on Mondays and Tuesdays – it’s closed!)

The Panorama of the City of New York is the big draw here. It is a giant scale model of NYC that leaves everyone in awe at its size. The display captures details of NYC exquisitely and it dazzles under alternate day and night lighting. If you’ve ever landed at LaGuardia Airport (LGA) you’ll especially appreciate the replica of planes arriving / departing from the renowned runway.

Connect with your inner child and play a game of identifying as many landmarks as you possibly can. It’s unimaginably fun. Tickets are free.

Tip #11: Catch a New York Mets game at Citi Field 

If your interest in sport extends beyond tennis, why not go see a baseball game at nearby Citi Field, home of the New York Mets? While there’s no telling how the Mets will perform on any given day, it’s sure to be a relaxing evening out against the backdrop of Citi Field which is a beautiful sportsground also in the Flushing neighbourhood. 

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That’s a wrap for a few tips that come to mind for anyone going to the US Open tennis for the first time. Let’s set all of the planning aside momentarily so we don’t forget to do the most important thing here…

GET EXCITED. Wrapping up summer watching tennis in NYC is going to be such a blast!