The 2026 US Open features 22 days of tennis and entertainment scheduled for August 23 through September 13 — eight of which include free grounds admission — making this year’s edition the largest event schedule and most competition days in the tournament’s near-150-year history. Held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York, it is the fourth and final Grand Slam of the tennis season. Whether you are planning your first visit or returning for another year, this guide covers when is US Open tennis 2026, its schedule, ticket types, the official bag policy, and exactly how to get to the venue.
US Open Tennis 2026 Dates and Tournament Overview
The 2026 US Open will be held from Sunday, August 23, 2026 to Sunday, September 13, 2026.
| Phase | Dates |
|---|---|
| Fan Week / Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day | Sunday 23 August |
| Mixed Doubles Championship | Tuesday 24 – Wednesday 25 August |
| Qualifying Rounds | Monday 24 – Thursday 27 August |
| Main Draw Begins (Week 2) | Sunday 30 August |
| Men’s and Women’s Singles | Sunday 30 August – Tuesday 8 September |
| Doubles Finals Weekend | Friday 11 – Sunday 13 September |
| Women’s Singles Final | Saturday 12 September |
| Men’s Singles Final | Sunday 13 September |
Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day kicks off Fan Week on Sunday, August 23 — the largest grassroots tennis event in the world and an annual US Open tradition. Admission is free, with family-friendly activities planned throughout the grounds.
Fan Week runs from Sunday 23 August to Saturday 29 August and opens up the grounds at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center for free activities, specialty food and drink, and exclusive ticketed events. Fan Week traditionally includes access to the US Open Qualifying Tournament, featured player practices, media day, and Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day.
When Is the US Open Tennis 2026?
The answer depends on what you want to see. The full tournament window runs 23 August to 13 September. The main draw begins on Monday 31 August, with the first round of men’s and women’s singles. Unlike Wimbledon or the French Open, the US Open does not hold a rest day — play occurs daily, making it the only Grand Slam with uninterrupted competition throughout.
The Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows
The US Open is held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, a 46.5-acre tennis campus within Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, New York. The 2026 edition marks the 56th consecutive year the tournament is played at Flushing Meadows. The venue has undergone $600 million in infrastructure upgrades since 2016, including retractable roofs over Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium, expanded fan plazas, and enhanced accessibility pathways.
Stadiums and Courts
| Stadium / Court | Notes |
|---|---|
| Arthur Ashe Stadium | Main show court; largest tennis stadium in the world (~23,700 seats) |
| Louis Armstrong Stadium | Second show court; retractable roof; ~14,000 seats |
| Grandstand | Third show court |
| Field Courts 4–17 | Outer courts open to Grounds Pass holders |
| Practice Courts | Six practice courts for pre-match warm-ups |
Arthur Ashe Stadium hosts all the marquee day and night session matches, including the Women’s and Men’s Singles Finals. Louis Armstrong Stadium carries the next tier of high-profile matches. Grounds Passes do not include access to Arthur Ashe Stadium — they cover Louis Armstrong, Grandstand, the Field Courts, and the rest of the grounds.
US Open Tennis 2026 Tickets: Types, Prices and How to Buy
Tickets for the 2026 US Open went on general sale on Thursday 28 May at noon ET, following an American Express Card Member presale on 26–27 May. Tickets are sold through Ticketmaster, the Official Fan Ticket Marketplace of the US Open.
Ticket Types
The 2026 US Open ticket structure covers Week 2 (August 30 – September 8) and Week 3 (the final stages), with the following main ticket categories available:
| Ticket Type | Access | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Grounds Pass | Louis Armstrong (GA), Grandstand, Field Courts, Grounds | No Arthur Ashe Stadium access; first-come, first-served seating |
| Arthur Ashe Stadium – Day Session | Arthur Ashe Stadium + full Grounds | Assigned seating in Arthur Ashe; includes all other areas |
| Arthur Ashe Stadium – Evening Session | Arthur Ashe Stadium from 6pm + Grounds | Evening sessions from 6pm ET; includes top prime-time matches |
| Louis Armstrong Stadium – Day or Evening | Louis Armstrong Stadium + Grounds | Assigned seating at Louis Armstrong |
| Premium / Suite | Private suites with 22–35 seats | VIP parking, air-conditioned lounge, outdoor balcony |
| Fan Week (free) | Grounds, qualifying courts, practice areas | Free admission 23–29 August; select ticketed events within Fan Week |
Day Session Grounds Passes allow gate entry from opening (times vary by day). Evening Session passes are not permitted to enter the grounds until 6:00pm ET.
Tips for Buying US Open Tennis 2026 Tickets
Buying early is the most reliable way to secure tickets at face value. USTA membership ($95/year) provides access to member presale windows, which open before the general public sale. Joining before the pre-sale dates is non-negotiable if you want first access to popular sessions. Only buy through usopen.org or Ticketmaster — the official channel — to avoid fraudulent resellers.
US Open Bag Policy: What You Can and Cannot Bring
Understanding the US Open bag policy before you arrive is essential. Security lines move slowly when fans arrive with non-compliant bags, and there will be no bag storage services provided on the Grounds. However, for a nominal charge, there are bag storage facilities located outside the East Gate and the South Gate entrances.
Permitted Bag Size
Only one bag per guest is admitted onto the Grounds. Bags must not be larger than 12″ W x 12″ H x 16″ L. All bags are subject to search.
Backpacks are not permitted, with the exception of single-compartment drawstring bags that meet the size requirements. Clear bags are not mandatory but speed up the security screening process considerably.
Prohibited Items at the US Open
The list of prohibited items at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center includes:
| Prohibited | Exceptions / Notes |
|---|---|
| Bags larger than 12″ x 12″ x 16″ | One compliant bag per person |
| Backpacks (multi-compartment) | Single-compartment drawstring bags permitted if within size limit |
| Glass bottles and containers | Reusable metal or plastic water bottles up to 24oz permitted |
| Outside food and beverages | Medical or infant needs excepted |
| Professional camera equipment | Standard smartphones permitted; pre-approved media only for professional cameras |
| Tennis racquets | Permitted on Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day and for racquets purchased on the grounds |
| Alcohol | Available for purchase on the grounds |
| Drones | Not permitted anywhere on the grounds |
| Umbrellas with sharp tips | Standard umbrellas permitted; do not open during play |
| Weapons or dangerous items | No exceptions |
| Pets | Trained ADA service dogs only |
Aerosol cans, spray bottles, and personal care items of 3.4oz or less are permitted. Empty reusable metal or plastic water bottles can be refilled at water stations throughout the grounds.
Speed Entry Lines
For guests without bags, Speed Lines are available at the East Gate and the South Gate entrances. If you want the fastest possible entry, leave your bag at a nearby luggage storage location and go hands-free.
Luggage Storage Near the US Open
The US Open does not provide on-site bag check for non-compliant or oversized items. If you have luggage with you — arriving from JFK, LaGuardia, or Penn Station, or moving accommodations during the tournament — Radical Storage has secure luggage storage locations near the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and across New York City, available from $4.90 per bag per day. Store your bags, attend the matches hands-free, and collect everything when you are ready. Book at radicalstorage.com.
How to Get to US Open at Flushing Meadows
The USTA advises all attendees to use public transportation. Flushing Meadows is well served by the New York subway and the Long Island Rail Road.
By Subway
The 7 train provides service from Grand Central Terminal to Mets-Willets Point Station, with connections for all Metro-North trains from Westchester and Connecticut. Mets-Willets Point Station sits directly at the entrance of Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, a short walk from the USTA campus. The 7 train runs along 42nd Street in Manhattan and stops at Times Square, Grand Central, and Queens Boulevard stations before reaching the venue.
The MTA extends 7 train service until 2:00am nightly during the tournament to accommodate late-finishing evening sessions.
By Long Island Rail Road
The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) serves Mets-Willets Point Station on the Port Washington Branch. From Penn Station, the journey takes approximately 20–25 minutes. Guests with disabilities using the LIRR are advised to transfer to the 7 train from the 61st Street-Woodside Station for step-free access to the grounds.
By Rideshare or Car
Rideshares should be directed to the New York Hall of Science parking lot, where a complimentary shuttle is available to and from the Champion’s Gate. Driving to the venue during peak sessions — particularly evening sessions — involves significant traffic congestion on the Van Wyck Expressway and Grand Central Parkway. The subway and LIRR are considerably faster and more predictable.
Getting There from Major New York Airports
| Airport | Recommended Route | Approx. Journey Time |
|---|---|---|
| JFK | AirTrain to Jamaica station → LIRR to Mets-Willets Point | 35–45 minutes |
| LaGuardia | Taxi/rideshare to 74th St–Jackson Hts (7 train) → 7 train | 30–40 minutes |
| Newark (EWR) | NJ Transit to Penn Station → LIRR to Mets-Willets Point | 50–65 minutes |
US Open Tennis 2026: Practical Tips for Attending
Arrive early for day sessions. Arrive early, especially for day sessions, and use the South Gate to avoid long lines. Day session gates open at 11am ET; arriving at or before gate opening gives you time to pick seats on the outer courts before the most popular matches begin.
Evening sessions are worth the price. Arthur Ashe Stadium under the lights during a prime-time singles match in the second or third week is one of the great live sporting experiences in New York. The night atmosphere is different from the day — louder, more charged, and more memorable.
Free grounds admission is available on eight days. Eight days during the 2026 US Open feature free grounds admission. These include Fan Week days, Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, and select qualifying days. Check usopen.org for the confirmed list of free admission dates.
Use a compliant bag or go hands-free. A bag no larger than 12″ x 12″ x 16″ covers the basics comfortably. A clear tote or small drawstring bag speeds up the security check. If you have luggage, drop it at a Radical Storage location near Flushing Meadows or in Midtown before heading to the venue.
Water is free on the grounds. Refill water at stations throughout the grounds and avoid glass bottles, which are prohibited. Bring an empty reusable metal or plastic bottle no larger than 24oz.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 2026 US Open runs from Sunday 23 August to Sunday 13 September 2026. The main draw begins on Sunday 30 August. Fan Week, including free grounds admission, runs 23–29 August.
At the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center within Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, New York. The nearest station is Mets-Willets Point, served by the 7 train and the Long Island Rail Road.
Through usopen.org or Ticketmaster, the official ticket marketplace. USTA members had presale access from 26 May. General sale opened on 28 May 2026. For best availability, buy as early as possible.
One bag per person, maximum 12″ W x 12″ H x 16″ L. Backpacks with multiple compartments are not permitted. Clear bags are not required but speed up entry. No on-site bag check is available for non-compliant items — use bag storage outside the East Gate or South Gate entrances, or Radical Storage nearby.
Yes. Eight days of the tournament offer free grounds admission, including Fan Week and Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on 23 August. Free admission covers the Grounds, outer courts, and Louis Armstrong Stadium on those days, but not Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Final Thoughts
The US Open tennis 2026 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is the largest edition in the tournament’s history — 22 days, 104 matches across all disciplines, and eight days of free grounds access. The confirmed US Open Tennis 2026 schedule is 23 August to 13 September, with the main draw starting 30 August and the Men’s Final on 13 September. Know your bag dimensions before you leave (12″ x 12″ x 16″, one per person), take the 7 train directly to Mets-Willets Point, buy tickets only through official channels, and use Radical Storage if you have luggage to manage on your visit day. The tennis at Flushing Meadows does the rest.
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