The US Open tennis tournament, the final Grand Slam tournament of the year, takes place every year in New York City. This multi-week event is an amazing live sports experience, all accessible via public transit in NYC.

This quick guide is perfect if you're going to the US Open in person and want to ensure you have the best experience possible!

We will cover:

• How the ticket types work
• Tips for buying tickets
• Getting to & from the US Open grounds
• Food & drink options
• General tennis etiquette
• US Open packing guide - What to bring

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How the US Open Ticket Types Work

One often confusing part of going to the US Open is knowing what type of ticket to buy. Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where the US Open is held, has 22 courts and each ticket type gets you access to different aspects of the grounds.

You can think of it as a hierarchy, with Arthur Ashe, the world's largest tennis stadium which seats over 23,000 people, as the "main" stage of the US Open tournament.

Here are the ticket types, with #1 being the "highest" in the hierarchy.

1. Arthur Ashe
2. Louis Armstrong
3. Grandstand
4. Grounds Pass (only until the round of 16)

Buying US Open Tickets

This past year, tickets went on sale at the end of May. They had an Amex Presale a few days before the general sale where you just need to check out with any Amex card.

Regular sale has good options too and we've had success with both. Just sign up for the text alerts on the US Open Website to get alerted before tickets go on sale.

Note: We've always had great experiences with Vivid Seats, and you can earn free tickets through their loyalty program. 🙌

Getting To & From the US Open

• We usually do the day session and arrive 30 minutes before the first game starts. The closer you arrive to match start times, the busier it gets.
• Getting from Midtown Manhattan to the grounds & through security takes roughly 1 hour
• You can take the subway (7 train to the Mets-Willets Point stop) or the LIRR

Food & Drink Options

• You can bring food in!! No backpacks are allowed, but tote bags are ok. We recommend getting a bodega sandwich or Lenwich before you head to Queens and bringing that in

• Food is VERY expensive even by NYC standards, chicken tenders are the best value
• Yes, the honey deuce is worth it, even though it's $23

General Etiquette

You need to wait to go to your seat or leave your seat until between points. Do not block people's view by standing in aisles or stairwells, even to get pictures.

Do NOT make noise during play, wait for applause until after the point is finished.

There is no strict dress code at the US Open, but generally, you should dress nicer than you would for another sporting event. Consider the weather (it's usually extremely hot in late August/Early September) so pack something that is light and breathable.

US Open Packing List - Our Recommended Items to Bring

• Sandwiches, snacks
• Suncreen
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Lightweight clothing
• Reusable water bottle
• Portable phone charger
• Small handheld fan or collapsible fan
• Sweat towel or small towel

Additional Helpful Resources for the US Open

• https://www.usopen.org/en_US/tickets/tickets_faq.html (General FAQ)
• https://www.usopen.org/en_US/tickets/individual_tickets.html (Ticket-specific questions on what your ticket gets you, etc)
• https://www.roadto45tennis.com/a-serious-tennis-fans-tips-for-the-us-open-tickets-more (this guy's website has a ton of info and under FAQ#4, he talks about shaded seats)

You'll Have to Check It Out Segment - Revival Bar Restaurant

Revival Bar in Hell's Kitchen is an Argentinian soccer-themed bar with massive frozen drinks, amazing happy hour (daily until 7pm and all day Sun-Wed), and bar bites with an Argentinian twist.

Check out Revival Bar Restaurant in Hell's Kitchen here.