Opening day is when 128 men and 128 women start a Grand Slam, and the grounds are packed with simultaneous matches on courts you can stand three rows from. It is the best value day of the tournament: one ticket buys access to dozens of first-round matches rather than the two or three you get in the second week. If you want to see a top seed and still stumble onto an unknown five-setter, this is the day.
What to expect
A grounds pass or stadium ticket gets you onto a 46-acre campus with play running simultaneously across Arthur Ashe, Louis Armstrong, the Grandstand and the field courts. Expect airport-style security, long food-village lines at midday, and the freedom to wander between outside courts where seating is first-come.
Good to know
- The 7 train to Mets-Willets Point drops you at the gate; the LIRR Port Washington branch also stops there
- Bags are limited in size and there is a clear-bag style security screening, so travel light
- A grounds pass covers the outside courts but not Arthur Ashe Stadium, which needs its own ticket
- Outside courts are first-come seating and the best matchups fill within minutes
- Bring sunscreen and a refillable bottle; most seating is uncovered
- Sessions run day and night and are sold separately, so check which one your ticket covers
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Common questions
When does the 2026 US Open main draw start?
Singles main-draw play begins Sunday, August 30 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Play across the grounds starts at 11am, with Arthur Ashe Stadium beginning at noon and an evening session from 7pm.
What is the difference between a grounds pass and a stadium ticket?
A grounds admission ticket covers the field courts on a first-come basis but carries no Arthur Ashe Stadium access. Ashe, Louis Armstrong and the Grandstand are sold as separate reserved tickets.
How do I get to Flushing Meadows?
Take the 7 train to Mets-Willets Point, which lets out on the boardwalk leading to the gates. The LIRR Port Washington branch serves the same station, though that platform is not accessible.
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