Your Guide to the US Open NYC Tournament- The Adventuring Millennial

Summer is here and that means it’s almost time for the US Open NYC Tennis Tournament.

Ok, I get it. Maybe this isn’t the highlight of your summer. But if you are in NYC during the tournament I suggest at least checking it out. I went for the first time last year and it was a great experience. I learned a lot about tennis and it was just fun to be part of such a major event.

So, if you are curious about the US Open or are currently making plans for your trip, keep reading. In this post, I will cover everything you need to know to enjoy the 2019 US Open Tennis Championships.

The Basics

The 2019 US Open will take place from August 26- September 8.
Over 25,000 people attend the tournament each day.
The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is 46.5 acres and contains 22 courts.

The US Open is a tennis tournament that takes place each summer in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, NYC. This is the fourth (and final) Grand Slam tournament.

The tournament first took place in 1881 with a men’s singles championships. Today, the US Open includes men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. The matches are played on hard courts.

Since 1978, the US Open has been played inside the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. This complex holds 22 courts including one of the world’s largest tennis stadiums, the Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Be aware, you can’t bring a backpack, cooler, laptop, or selfie stick into the tennis complex. Check here for a complete list of the prohibited items.

Ticket Options

You can enter the complex 1 hour before your ticket session.
9:30 am is the earliest anyone can enter.
If you have a day pass you must enter before 6:00 pm.

2019 US Open Tickets went on sale on June 3, 2019. Tickets are still available but do often sell out. If you are thinking about purchasing tickets you should grab some sooner rather than later. You can purchase tickets on Ticketmaster or through the US Open website.

There are a few different type of ticket options for the US Open NYC tournament.

Arthur Ashe Stadium Day– This ticket gives you an assigned seat for the day matches at the Arthur Ashe Stadium + general admission for matches at the Louis Armstrong Stadium and the Grandstand. You also have access to the grounds.
Arthur Ashe Stadium Evening– Basically this ticket gives you everything listed above except you can’t enter the grounds or stadiums until 6:00 pm.
Louis Armstrong Stadium– With this ticket you will have an assigned seat for matches at the Louis Armstrong Stadium (the 2nd largest in the complex) +general admission for the Grandstand and access to the grounds all day. You won’t have access to Arthur Ashe.
Grandstand– This is similar to the above ticket except you have an assigned seat at the Grandstand (3rd largest stadium) + general admission to Louis Armstrong + access to the grounds all day. You can’t access Arthur Ashe.
Grounds Admission– This ticket gives you first-come-first-serve seating for all of the stadiums (except Arthur Ashe) + access to the grounds.

Trust me, I agonized over the tickets to purchase. There are so many options and it is pretty confusing to decide which to pick. Think about what you want to get out of the tournament. Is it worth it to you to pay for an assigned seat? Do you want to see the matches inside Arthur Ashe?

If you are not a huge tennis fan, the Grounds Admission ticket is a great option. You still get the experience of attending the US Open and will likely still get a seat in the stadiums (except Arthur Ashe) without spending the extra money to have a reserved seat.

But, you should also compare tickets. Prices for the Arthur Ashe Day Pass are often not much more than the Grounds Admission tickets. If you pay the additional fee, you will be guaranteed a seat in the largest stadium, which is great if it starts to rain or gets too hot to enjoy the matches outside.

Schedule

For more information visit the US Open official website.

The tournament is held from August 26- September 8, 2019.

From August 26-September 4, there are main draw games at 11:00 am and 7:00 pm.
On September 5 there is a main draw match at 7:00 pm.
September 6 and 7 there are main draw matches at 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm.
On September 8, there are finals at 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm.

Check out the US Open website for a complete schedule.

How to Get Here

The US Open is held at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows/Corona Park in Queens, New York.

The easiest and cheapest way to reach the US Open is by taking the 7 train to Mets-Willets Point Station.

You can also take the Long Island Rail Road to the Mets-Willets Point Station.

It is less than half a mile from the Mets-Willets Point Station to the entrance of the stadium.

You could drive, but parking is limited, especially on dates when the Mets are also playing. If you decide to drive, take the Grand Central Parkway exit 9E or Whitestone Expressway Exit 13D or Long Island Expressway Exit 22B – College Point Blvd. From there, you will be directed to the parking lot.

Food + Drinks

There are plenty of food options inside the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Food Village– This food-court area is located on the grounds so anyone with a ticket can access these options. Here you will find some classic NYC eateries including Fuku and Neapolitan Express.
Backyard 17– At Backyard 17 you will find stadium-type food plus Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (which is one of the only dessert options in the tennis center).
Grandstand, Louis Armstrong Stadium, Arthur Ashe Stadium– Each stadium features regional food options + plenty of bars where you can purchase a Honey Deuce.
Cafe Spiaggia– Casual Italian eatery with a menu created by James Beard Award Winning Chef Tony Mantuano and winner of Top Chef Season 15, Joe Flamm
Heineken Red Star Patio Cafe– Outdoor bar where you can enjoy a beer, cocktail, and elevated pub food
Mojito Restaurant & Bar– Upscale eatery with a menu inspired by Chef Marcus Samuelsson
Emirates Sports Club– Relaxed spot to grab a drink and watch the matches from a TV (in case it gets too hot to actually watch the games live)

Of course, I have to mention the Honey Deuce. This is the signature drink of the US Open. You can find these for sale throughout the tennis complex. They are made with vodka, lemonade, raspberry liqueur, and garnished with green honey melon balls, which look like tennis balls. They are pricey, but they are an iconic part of the US Open.

My Experience

Honestly, I had more fun at the US Open than I was expecting. I am not a tennis fan, but I enjoyed being part of such a major sporting event. It was amazing to see athletes compete at such a high level. And I enjoyed trying the Honey Deuce cocktail.

It was very hot during the day and there isn’t a lot of shade on the grounds. So be sure to pack sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat (I know, I sound like a mom). But trust me, it gets pretty brutal.

Overall I had a great time and I am looking forward to attending the 2019 US Open NYC tournament!

I hope you enjoyed my guide to the US Open NYC tennis tournament. If you want more, check out these posts:

25 Free & Cheap Things to Do in Manhattan

How to Celebrate July 4 in NYC

Your Guide to the Best Ice Cream in NYC