By the third round the draw is down to thirty-two a side, so the day session in Ashe is where seeds finally collide instead of steamrolling qualifiers. It is also the last round played across the full site, so one ticket buys the marquee court plus the chance of stumbling onto a five-setter on Court 17. If you do one US Open day all year, take this one.
What to expect
You enter through the East Gate off the boardwalk, past the Unisphere, into a fairground of food stalls, sponsor activations and practice courts. Ashe seats fill in waves between matches, and the concourse never really empties. Expect two or three completed singles matches in the stadium and the ability to walk out and catch three more elsewhere.
Good to know
- Take the 7 train to Mets-Willets Point, or the LIRR Port Washington branch, which stops at Mets-Willets Point during the tournament.
- An Arthur Ashe ticket includes grounds access, so you can leave the stadium and watch the outer courts whenever the stadium match drags.
- The USTA runs a strict clear-bag-style security screening; travel light and leave large totes and umbrellas at home.
- Ashe has a retractable roof, so the day session plays through rain, but the outer courts do not.
- The upper bowl of Ashe is steep and very high; if heights or stairs are an issue, buy lower or choose a grounds pass instead.
- Sun exposure is real in the loge and upper levels early in the day. Hat, sunscreen, refillable water bottle.
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Common questions
Does an Arthur Ashe ticket let me watch matches on the other courts?
Yes. A stadium ticket includes access to the grounds, so you can watch Louis Armstrong Stadium standing room, the Grandstand and the outer courts around the Ashe schedule.
What happens if it rains?
Arthur Ashe Stadium has a retractable roof and the day session continues. Matches on uncovered outer courts are suspended until the courts dry.
How do I get there without driving?
The 7 train to Mets-Willets Point drops you at the boardwalk that leads straight to the East Gate. The LIRR Port Washington branch also stops there during the Open.
More this weekend
