If you have ever watched a five-set epic go past midnight in Flushing Meadows, you already know nothing touches the energy of the US Open Tennis. It is the final Grand Slam in the tennis year, and something about late summer in New York makes it popular. A cold Honey Deuce in hand and 23,000 screaming fans turning Arthur Ashe Stadium into an absolute pressure cooker.
The 2026 US Open Tennis is already underway with Fan Week running from August 23-29 and the main draw running from August 30-September 13. So, if you are also someone who is planning to attend the US Open Tennis in New York, then there are questions that actually matter. Which days are qualifying and which are the main draw? Do you need a visa or just an ESTA? How do you get from JFK to Flushing Meadows?
This guide answers all your questions, along with where an eSIM for international roaming fits into the plan. That’s why Maya Mobile eSIM comes in handy with unlimited data, 5G speed, and 24/7 customer service.
US Open Tennis 2026 At A Glance
- US Open Tennis dates: Fan week starts from August 23 to August 29, 2026. And the main draw starts from August 30 to September 13, 2026.
- US Open Tennis location: The US Open Tennis Championship is held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, New York.
- US Open Tennis Tickets: Ground passes for early rounds (Aug 30-Sept 5) start from $65 – $135. Arthur Ashe costs around $65. Men’s singles final-round tickets cost around $450.
- Entry to the US: Most European, UK, Australian, Japanese, South Korean, and Gulf-state travelers can use the Visa Waiver Program with an ESTA (costs $40.27 and is valid for 2 years) instead of a full visa.
US Open Tennis 2026 Schedule: What to Watch & When to Go
If you are planning to buy US Open Tennis tickets, you should know that the tournament is divided into 3 segments: Fan Week, Main Draw, and Finals. The US Open Tennis 2026 will take place from August 23rd to September 13th, 2026. Here is the full tournament schedule for you to plan your tickets accordingly:
1. Fan Week/ Qualifying – August 23 to August 29 –
Ground access is free with registration and is the best budget option, where you can see the players practice and qualifiers. There are selected tickets for marquee events as well.
| Date | Event/Matches | Entry Types |
| Aug 23 | Arthur Ashe Kid’s Day | Free ( w/ registration) |
| Aug 24-28 | Men’s & Women’s Single Qualifying | Free ( w/ registration) |
| Aug 25 | Mixed Doubles Qualifying | Free ( w/ registration) |
| Aug 25 | Roger Federer Exhibition Match | Ticketed. The event is in the evening |
| Aug 26-27 | Mixed Doubles Main Draw | Free (w/ registration) |
| Aug 27 | Stars of the Open Exhibition | Ticketed |
2. Main Draw Schedule – August 30 to September 13th
Main tournament action from opening rounds through to Championship Sunday. All these events are ticketed.
| Date | Round/ Stage |
| Aug 30 – Sep 1 | First Round ( Men’s & Women’s Singles) |
| Sept 2 – 3 | Second Round |
| Sept 4 -5 | Third round |
| Sept 6 -7 | Round of 16 |
| Sept 8-9 | Quarterfinals |
| Sept 10 | Women’s Semifinals ( Open for All Day, which is complimentary ground access for early-round courts) |
| Sept 11 | Men’s Semifinals |
| Sept 12 | Women’s Singles Final |
| Sept 13 | Men’s Singles Final |
How To Reach Flushing Meadows Without Overpaying
The US Open Tennis 2026 venues are the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, which is located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens. So, don’t make the mistake of booking a hotel deep in Manhattan, thinking that the venue is right next door. Your daily commute is going to dictate your schedule and your wallet as well if you don’t plan ahead. Here is how to get to the tennis court faster, keeping your costs down.
Riding the 7 Train Subway ( Classic NYC Route)
The 7 train is like the lifeline of the US Open Tennis in New York. It has both local and express trains to the Mets-Willets Point Station, located just a short, clear market walk from the main entry gates.
If you are coming from Midtown, then hop on at Grand Central Terminal or Times Square. It is the most affordable option at just $3.00 per ride using NYC’s Contactless OMNY tap-to-pay system and takes roughly 35 to 45 minutes. The best part is that the MTA runs extra late-night express trains back toward Manhattan, saving you from a local slow ride after a long day in the sun watching tennis. Moreover, you can check the MTA website, which provides complete schedules and information about the most convenient ways to reach the US Open.
Long Island Rail Road
Usually, most travelers coming to the US Open Tennis in New York tend to overlook the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR). However, it is the fastest and most comfortable way to reach Flushing Meadows if you are staying in Midtown. Board the Port Washington Branch out of Penn Station or the new Grand Central Madison terminal. And you will reach Mets-Willets Point station in just 19 minutes. You can download the LIRR TrainTime app to easily book tickets with a CityTicket.
Rideshare / Taxis
All rideshare apps like Uber, Lyft, yellow cab, and black cab services will drop and pick you up from the parking lot within the NY Hall of Science. But expect high traffic near Flushing Meadows. Also, booking a rideshare after a late-night match gets difficult.
Airport Proximity
If you are flying specifically for the tournament, then:
- LaGuardia (LGA): This airport is your best option because it is closest to the US Open 2026 venue. It takes roughly 7 min by car to reach the tennis center, which is about 3.3 miles away.
- JFK Airport: The JFK Airport is 19 minutes away from the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center by car and is easily manageable.
- Newark (EWR): This airport is the furthest out of 3 airports as it takes 47 minutes to reach Flushing Meadows, where you have to cross Manhattan from New Jersey.
US Open Tennis 2026 Tickets: How To Buy
Buying tickets for the US Open 2026 can feel like trying to win a five-set match in the Queens heat. It can get stressful if you are not prepared, but it is completely manageable if you know the system.
Ticketmaster is the official primary partner for the tournament tickets, which are accessible through USOpen.org. It is the only place to grab face-value tickets when releases drop, and it’s built-in resale marketplace is the safest route if you want verified secondary tickets. If you are looking for a seamless trip package that bundles hotel stays with guaranteed court seats, official USTA partners like Steve Furgal’s International Tennis Tours handle authorized travel packages.
What are The Different US Open ticket types?
Before buying, make sure that you have figured out how you want to experience the day so that you can buy US Open Tickets accordingly. The US Open Tennis offers 3 main ticket tiers:
| Ticket | Access | Seating | Separate ticket needed? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fan Access Pass | Grounds, outer courts, and GA areas on free days | First-come, first-served | Free, but everyone 18+ must register (own email each) |
| Grounds Pass | Louis Armstrong GA, Grandstand, all field courts — no Arthur Ashe | First-come, first-served | Yes — sold for Aug 30–Sep 8 only |
| Louis Armstrong | Reserved lower-bowl seat + all outer courts | Reserved + some GA | Yes |
| Arthur Ashe | Reserved main-stadium seat + full grounds access | Reserved | Yes |
The Grounds Pass offers first-come, first-served access to the general admission areas of Louis Armstrong Stadium, the Grandstand, and every field court, with no reserved seats or Arthur Ashe access, and is sold only for August 30 to September 8. A free Fan Access Pass is required for anyone 18 or older who is registered at fanpass.usopen.org or in the official US Open app.
How Much Do US Open Tennis Tickets Cost in 2026?
Prices of the US Open Tennis tickets vary based on the court, session type, and how close you get to the Finals on Sunday.
| Tournament Phase | Seat Tier / Location | Official Face Value Range | Expected Resale Range |
| Fan Week (Aug 23-29) | General Grounds Access | $0 ( Free w/ registration) | $0 |
| Evening Exhibition Matches (Stars of the Open) | $60 – $125 | $100 – $250 | |
| Early Rounds ( Aug 30 – Sept 5) | General Admission Grounds Pass | $65 – $135 | $200 – $450 |
| Arthur Ashe (Upper Promenade) | $43 – $150 | $150 – $350 | |
| Arthur Ashe (Courtside & Lower Bowl) | $500 – $2,100 | $1,200 – $2,500+ | |
| Quarters & Semis ( Sep 8 -11) | Arthur Ashe (Upper Promenade) | $180 – $350 | $350 – $800 |
| Arthur Ashe (Courtside & Lower Bowl) | $800 – $2,000 | $2,000 – $9,000 | |
| Women’s Final (Sat, Sep 12) | Arthur Ashe (Upper Promenade) | $250 – $450 | $350 – $800 |
| Arthur Ashe (Courtside & Lower Bowl) | $1,200 – $3,500 | $3,000 – $12,000+ | |
| Men’s Final ( Sep 13) | Arthur Ashe (Upper Promenade) | $450 – $750 | $650 – $1,500 |
| Arthur Ashe (Courtside & Lower Bowl) | $1,500 – $5,000 | $10,000 – $25,000+ |
Price anchor: Grounds from $65, Arthur Ashe from $43, Louis Armstrong from $139, Grandstand from $180. Finals start around $320 (women’s) and $686 (men’s). Ticketmaster event-page prices include fees before taxes.
Who to watch at the US Open Tennis 2026?
All eyes are on Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka as they step back onto the hard courts as defending champions. They both captured their second Flushing Meadows titles in 2025. Apart from this, other top contenders are Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Casper Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Hubert Hurkacz. Some of the top American entries that you can see at the US Open 2026 are Taylor Fritz, Ben Shelton, Tommy Paul, etc.
In Women’s, the top contenders are Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, Jasmine Paolini, Mirra Andreeva, Linda Noskova, Barbora Krejcikova, and Jelena Ostapenko. Some of the top American entries in women’s entries are Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, etc.
Things To Keep In Mind At The Venue
Bag Policy
- One bag per guest, no larger than 12″ W × 12″ H × 16″ L.
- All bags are searched at the entry.
- Multi-compartment backpacks are not allowed, whatever their size — a single-compartment drawstring bag within the size limit is the exception.
- Clear bags aren’t required. But they speed up screening; traveling with no bag at all gets you the fastest “Speed Line” entry.
Other Important Things
- Water is free. There are refill stations across the grounds. Bring an empty reusable bottle (metal or plastic, not glass).
- No re-entry once you leave the grounds.
- If you’re heading straight from the airport, sort storage before you reach the gates; security will turn away suitcases and oversized bags.
What Not To Bring
The official prohibited list commonly includes glass containers, hard coolers, oversized or multi-compartment bags, and other restricted items. It changes year to year, so check the official US Open bag policy and the prohibited items page before you travel, rather than relying on last year’s list.
Stay Connected With a USA eSIM For The US Open Tennis 2026
International roaming is a cost most first-time US Open Tennis visitors forget to consider. Between navigating the subway, checking the day’s order of play on the US Open App, hailing rides between matches, and posting real-time stories, you will burn your data fast. A dedicated Maya Mobile USA eSIM is the ultimate solution for staying connected without worrying about data.
All you have to do is download the Maya mobile app and choose a USA data plan as per your trip length. Maya’s current USA options run from a 3-day plan at $9.99. When your flight lands at the airport, turn on the “Travel Mode” toggle. The eSIM includes unlimited data with no caps or throttling, 4G LTE and 5G where available, Wi-Fi hotspot, tethering, and more. The best part about Maya Mobile eSIM is that it covers +165 destinations worldwide, so you can travel anywhere with the same eSIM. Check the Maya eSIM store to find the best suitable eSIM for your next trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 2026 US Open runs August 23–September 13. Fan Week is August 23–29, the main draw begins Sunday, August 30, and the finals are September 12 (women’s) and September 13 (men’s).
Buy through usopen.org or Ticketmaster, the tournament’s official ticketing partner. Official Verified Resale tickets appear on the same Ticketmaster page as standard ones. Sessions are sold by stadium, not by individual match.
As a rough guide, grounds passes from around $65, Arthur Ashe from around $43 in early rounds, rising steeply for finals sessions.
Fan Week grounds admission is free. However, everyone 18 and over needs a free Fan Access Pass, which can be registered at fanpass.usopen.org or in the US Open app.
Public transit is the smart choice, since parking at the venue is limited. The 7 train runs directly to Mets–Willets Point from Manhattan ($3.00 per ride via OMNY), and the LIRR is often fastest from Penn Station or Grand Central Madison. Check the MTA site for live schedules on the day.
Flushing or nearby Queens puts you closest to the grounds for easy event-day transportation; Long Island City balances a Queens base with quick access to Manhattan.
Djokovic entered as the No. 4 seed and a four-time US Open champion. However, he was knocked out in the first round on August 30, losing in five sets to Argentina’s Mariano Navone.
Also Read: Visa-Free, Visa-on-Arrival and eVisa Destinations for Weak Passports in 2026
