Your Guide to US Open Tickets

Getting your hands on US Open tickets can feel a bit like a final-set tiebreak, but with the right strategy, you'll be courtside in no time. For tennis fans in the UK, making the trip to Flushing Meadows is a proper bucket-list experience. We've helped countless fans navigate the process, so let’s walk through how to sort your tickets without any fuss. For a UK comparison, check out our guide on how to guarantee Wimbledon tickets.

Nailing Down Your US Open Tickets

Planning a trip across the pond for the US Open is a brilliant feeling. But before you start picturing yourself watching the world's best on those famous blue courts, you need to get your head around the ticketing system. Trust us, a little bit of prep work here makes a massive difference.

Everything is digital now, so all tickets are mobile e-tickets. This is great for international visitors as it's much simpler, but it does mean you can't just rock up to a box office on the day. Planning ahead is absolutely essential.

Reserved Seats vs. a Grounds Pass

Your first big decision is what kind of experience you're after. You can either lock in a specific seat in one of the main stadiums or grab a grounds pass and roam freely.

• Reserved Stadium Seats: This is your golden ticket. It guarantees you a numbered seat in Arthur Ashe, Louis Armstrong, or the Grandstand. If there are specific top-flight matches you're desperate to see, this is the way to go. No stress, no queues for a seat – just pure tennis.

• Grounds Pass: If you love the buzz of a Grand Slam and enjoy wandering from court to court, a grounds pass is perfect. It gets you into all the outer courts on a first-come, first-served basis, plus you can grab any unreserved seat in Louis Armstrong and the Grandstand. It's a fantastic way to discover up-and-coming players.

The popularity of the tournament, especially among UK fans, has seen prices climb. To give you an idea, the average resale price for a simple grounds pass for the 2024 tournament was a hefty $427. And if you wanted to see the semi-finals? You'd be looking at prices starting from over $8,900. It's become a real premium experience. 

Here's a top tip for UK fans: an Arthur Ashe day session ticket is often the best value for money. It not only gives you a reserved seat for the main action but also doubles as a grounds pass, letting you explore everything else the tournament has to offer.

Getting Your Hands on Tickets at the Right Time

When it comes to buying US Open tickets, timing really is everything. Forget the ballot system you might be used to for UK tournaments like Wimbledon; the US Open is a straight-up, first-come, first-served race. You need to have a plan.

From our experience, the most popular sessions—think Men’s Finals or evening matches at Arthur Ashe—can vanish just minutes after they go live. If you're travelling from the UK and want a comparison, have a look at our guide on how to guarantee Wimbledon tickets to see just how different the approach needs to be.

The main public sale usually kicks off in early June through Ticketmaster, the tournament's official ticket partner. This is your best shot at getting tickets at their original price. Keep an eye out for presale opportunities before this, though. They’re often available to groups like American Express cardholders or USTA members.

Official Sellers vs The Resale Market

So, where should you actually buy your US tennis open tickets? It comes down to a choice between the official channels and the big resale marketplaces.

• Official Vendor (Ticketmaster): This is the safest route. You’re guaranteed a legitimate ticket at face value. The catch? The competition is fierce. You have to be poised and ready to click the second they’re released.

• Verified Resale Markets (like StubHub): If you miss the initial rush, these sites give you a second chance. The trade-off is the price. It's all driven by demand, so expect to pay a premium for high-profile matches. Always shop around and compare before you commit.

For anyone planning the trip from the UK, the process can feel a bit daunting. All tickets are sold through verified online channels, so you can't just turn up at the venue and hope for the best. Signing up for email alerts is a smart move; it's the only way to get a jump on the sale dates, as the best sessions truly do sell out in a flash. A key thing for international fans to realise is that every ticket is now digital. The move to mobile e-ticketing has made entry smoother, but it's also made the online scramble for seats even more intense. Being organised is absolutely essential.

Choosing the Best Seats for Your Budget

Finding the right US Open tickets is all about striking a balance between what you want to spend and the kind of experience you're after. Where you sit and which session you pick can completely change your day, so it pays to understand the vibe of each court. Over at Mantis, we've found that a bit of insider knowledge goes a long way in snagging the perfect spot. If you're used to the UK scene, our guide on how to guarantee Wimbledon tickets gives a nice point of comparison.

The massive Arthur Ashe Stadium has an unbelievable atmosphere, but we'll be honest, the upper tiers can feel a million miles from the court. If you want high-stakes tennis in a more intimate setting, we'd strongly recommend Louis Armstrong Stadium or the Grandstand. You'll often see some of the most competitive, thrilling matches of the tournament on these courts, and you feel much closer to every shot.

Day Sessions Versus Night Sessions

One of the biggest decisions you'll make is whether to go during the day or at night. Each has its own distinct flavour.

• Day Sessions: These are often the best bang for your buck. A day session ticket for Arthur Ashe, for example, gives you that reserved seat in the main stadium but also doubles as a grounds pass. This is fantastic because you can watch a marquee match and then spend the rest of the day wandering the outer courts, discovering new players and soaking up the festival atmosphere.
• Night Sessions: There's just something magical about tennis under the lights at Ashe. The energy is electric. You'll almost certainly pay a premium for these prime-time evening matches, but for many fans, it's a bucket-list experience that's worth every penny.

This decision tree gives you a clear look at the two main routes for buying your tickets.

It really just shows that whether you buy direct from the source or dip into the resale market, having a plan is key.

Picking your seats isn't just about the view; think about the practicalities too. Sun exposure is a big one. A long day session spent roasting in direct sunlight can be absolutely draining. Seats with even a little bit of shade become incredibly valuable. For more deep dives into the business side of tennis events, the folks at racketbusiness.com always have some great analysis.

Our Pro Tip: For our money, an Ashe day session ticket during the first week is the best of both worlds. You get the big-stadium thrill, complete access to all the other courts to explore, and a full day of incredible tennis without breaking the bank.

To help you visualise the options, here's a quick breakdown of the main ticket types and what they get you.

Comparing US Open Ticket and Session Types

Ultimately, deciding on the "best" ticket is a personal choice. Whether you prefer the festival-like buzz of a grounds pass or the drama of a night session final, planning ahead will ensure you have an unforgettable time at Flushing Meadows.

A Few Pointers for UK Fans in New York

Making the trip from the UK for the US Open is an incredible experience, but a little bit of forward planning can make all the difference between a good trip and a great one. We’ve learned that a well-prepared trip is a smooth one, especially when you're dealing with a city as busy as New York and a venue as massive as the tennis centre. And if you want to get fully up to speed before you fly, it's worth checking our guide on how to watch ATP tennis on TV.

Unlike Wimbledon's ballot, the US Open is a straight-up first-come, first-served affair online. This levels the playing field, but it also means you’re competing with fans from all over the world, with no special allocation for different countries.

Once you land, getting from the airport to your hotel can be a hassle. For UK visitors especially, sorting out a reliable NYC airport limo rental ahead of time can take a huge weight off your shoulders.

Getting Around the Grounds and Managing Your Budget

First things first: the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is enormous. Trust us on this—comfortable shoes are absolutely essential. You’ll be doing a lot of walking.

It’s also smart to figure out your travel from Manhattan well in advance. Your best bets are the subway’s 7 train or the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), both of which drop you right at the Mets-Willets Point station, just a short walk from the entrance.

Don't forget to budget for your days on-site. Food, drinks, and souvenirs can really add up. A great way to keep costs down is to bring your own food and a reusable water bottle (it must be empty and 24 oz. or smaller). You'll find plenty of filling stations scattered around the grounds to stay hydrated.

Here's a tip we always give to friends travelling from the UK: aim for the first week or the qualifying 'Fan Week'. The buzz is still fantastic, but the ticket prices are much more manageable than the finals weekend. You get the full Grand Slam experience without the eye-watering cost.

This strategy is brilliant because you can wander the outer courts and see a huge range of top players up close. It offers unbelievable value and, honestly, a more laid-back way to enjoy the tournament.

Making Your US Open Experience Unforgettable

So, you've got your US Tennis Open tickets sorted. Excellent. Now the real planning begins to make sure your trip is one for the books.

At Mantis, we're firm believers that a bit of prep goes a long way. For any UK fans heading across the pond, it’s a great idea to get into the swing of things beforehand. Our guide on how to watch ATP tennis on TV can help you get fully immersed before you even pack your bags.

One of the best-kept secrets of the Open? The practice courts. Your ticket gets you access, and it's an incredible opportunity to watch the biggest names in tennis warm up in a much more relaxed environment. Check the daily schedule as soon as you arrive to see who’s playing and when – you might just catch your favourite player from only a few feet away.

Beyond the Baseline Action

The US Open is so much more than just what happens on the court; it’s a massive festival celebrating everything tennis. The grounds are buzzing with interactive fan zones, pop-up shops overflowing with merchandise, and some truly great spots to eat and drink. Make sure you leave time to just wander and explore between matches – it’s a huge part of the experience.

Our top tip is to arrive early. Gates typically open at 9:30 AM for day sessions, giving you plenty of time to soak up the atmosphere, watch players practice, and navigate the grounds before the main crowds arrive.

Finally, a quick word on the practical side of things. New York weather at the end of summer can be all over the place, veering from blazing sun to sudden downpours. Dressing in layers is the smart play, and we can't stress this enough: comfortable shoes are absolutely non-negotiable. You'll be doing a lot of walking.

Your US Open Ticket Questions Answered

Figuring out the best way to get your US Open tickets can feel a bit tricky, especially if you're making the trip from the UK. We get a lot of the same questions year after year, so we've put together some straightforward answers to help you get everything sorted for Flushing Meadows.

If you’re curious about how this compares to other big tournaments, our guide on how to guarantee Wimbledon tickets is a good place to start.

When Is the Best Time to Buy US Open Tickets?

The sweet spot for buying tickets is right when the official public sale starts, which is usually in early June. Your best bet is to sign up for the official US Open newsletter; they'll ping you an email the second the sale goes live. This is your chance to get tickets at face value before they hit the resale market.

Once tickets land on resale sites, prices for the big matches can really jump.

For the best bang for your buck, aim for the first week of the tournament. The grounds are buzzing with energy, and you'll catch a massive number of top players across all the courts for a much more reasonable price.

What’s the Difference Between a Grounds Pass and a Reserved Seat?

Think of a Grounds Pass as your key to the festival of tennis. It lets you wander the entire grounds and grab any available seat at the Grandstand stadium and all the smaller, outer courts on a first-come, first-served basis. What it doesn't include is entry to the two main show courts: Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong stadiums.

A reserved seat ticket, on the other hand, gives you an assigned spot for a specific session in one of those main stadiums. The real bonus? It also includes full grounds admission, so you get the best of both worlds.

Quick heads-up: The US Open has gone fully digital. All tickets are now mobile e-tickets, which actually makes life much easier for international fans from the UK – no waiting for paper tickets to arrive in the post!

Can I See Top Players with Just a Grounds Pass?

Absolutely! While the biggest names will have their main matches scheduled on Ashe or Armstrong, a Grounds Pass still offers plenty of star-gazing opportunities.

You can often watch the top seeds up close on the practice courts, which are open to everyone. Plus, especially during that first week, you'll find plenty of high-stakes, brilliant matches with well-known pros playing on the Grandstand and outer courts.

At Mantis, we focus on creating expertly crafted tennis equipment for players who live for the game. From precision-engineered rackets to tournament-grade tennis balls, our gear is designed with one goal in mind: performance without compromise. Discover the difference at https://mantissport.com.

Mantis Journal Editor

The Mantis Journal is written and curated by the Mantis Journal Editor, whose lifelong love of tennis began at the age of four. A passionate amateur player, they now dedicate time each week to training and match play at their local club, alongside regular coaching to continue refining their game. Drawing on personal experience both on and off the court, the editor brings thoughtful insights, engaging stories, and a player’s perspective to every article, making the Journal a space for tennis enthusiasts to learn, connect, and share in the joy of the sport.