The US Open is about to descend on Queens, bringing more than one million tennis fans to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center—and the MTA is making sure they have a way to get there without fighting traffic or circling Flushing Meadows for a parking spot.
Ahead of US Open Fan Week and the 2026 US Open, the MTA is adding extra service to the 7 train and Long Island Rail Road, including additional trains to Mets-Willets Point.
There will also be LIRR fares as low as $5 between Manhattan and Mets-Willets Point, while Billie Jean King and Patrick McEnroe will return with special recorded announcements in subway stations.
Basically, the MTA is saying leave the car at home and let us handle the trip. A sentiment we agree with, particularly if you plan on sipping on some Honey Deuces!
When is the 2026 US Open?
You don’t have long to wait: festivities kick off this weekend!
Here’s the important timeline to keep handy:
- Sunday, August 23: US Open Fan Week begins with Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day
- August 23–29: US Open Fan Week
- Sunday, August 30: US Open Main Draw begins
- Sunday, September 13: US Open concludes
How to get to the US Open by subway
The easiest subway stop for the US Open is Mets-Willets Point on the 7 train, which drops fans near the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Both local and express 7 trains serve Mets-Willets Point, and the MTA will add additional service throughout the tournament.
Here’s what’s changing on the 7 train:
- Starting Monday, August 24: Additional 7 trains will run after the final match at Arthur Ashe Stadium to help move crowds out of Flushing Meadows.
- Extra service will also operate during concurrent Mets home games
- Supplemental trains will run express from Mets-Willets Point to 74th St-Broadway, then make all local stops to 34 St-Hudson Yards
So, yes, there will be a few more trains running to whisk thousands of tennis fans home after the final ace.
How to get to the US Open on the LIRR
The Long Island Rail Road is another convenient option, especially for fans traveling from Manhattan or Long Island.
Fans can take a train directly to Mets-Willets Point from Grand Central Madison or Penn Station via the Port Washington Branch. The trip takes about 19 minutes.
And here’s the particularly nice part: CityTicket fares are as low as $5.
LIRR fares to Mets-Willets Point
- Off-peak: $5 with CityTicket
- Peak: $7 with CityTicket
- CityTicket can be purchased through the TrainTime app
Fans traveling from other LIRR branches can transfer at Woodside, which is only about a seven-minute ride to Mets-Willets Point.
Extra LIRR stops during the US Open
From Monday, August 24 through Friday, September 11, the LIRR will add a Mets-Willets Point stop to four morning and four evening peak Port Washington Branch trains.
All off-peak and weekend trains will continue making their regularly scheduled stops at Mets-Willets Point. The added stops include:
Morning trains:
- 8:13 am Port Washington → Grand Central: Mets-Willets Point at 8:37 am
- 8:17 am Great Neck → Penn Station: Mets-Willets Point at 8:34 am
- 8:32 am Port Washington → Grand Central: Mets-Willets Point at 9:00 am
- 9:07 am Port Washington → Grand Central: Mets-Willets Point at 9:31 am
Evening trains:
- 4:16 pm Penn Station → Port Washington: Mets-Willets Point at 4:35 pm
- 5:04 pm Penn Station → Port Washington: Mets-Willets Point at 5:23 pm
- 6:25 pm Penn Station → Port Washington: Mets-Willets Point at 6:43 pm
- 7:43 pm Grand Central → Port Washington: Mets-Willets Point at 8:03 pm
The LIRR will also add two additional Port Washington Branch trains during the US Open:
- 6:11 pm Grand Central → Port Washington
- 7:08 pm Port Washington → Grand Central
One service change to note: To make room for the new 6:11 pm train, the 6:06 pm train from Grand Central will skip Flushing Main St., Murray Hill, Broadway, and Auburndale.
Taking the bus to the US Open
Prefer wheels over rails? The Q90 bus also provides access to the tennis center.
- The Flushing-bound Q90 stops at Seaver Way and Roosevelt Avenue, near the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center
- The LaGuardia-bound Q90 stops at Seaver Way and 35th Avenue, also nearby
Fans can check real-time bus crowding and ridership information through the MTA app before boarding.
Can Access-A-Ride customers get to the US Open?
Yes! The MTA and USTA have designated a specific Access-A-Ride pick-up and drop-off location near the Champions’ Entry at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Customers traveling to or from the US Open should make reservations one to two days in advance by calling 877-337-2017 between 7 am and 5 pm. Riders should tell the agent they’re traveling to the US Open so the trip can be booked to the designated stop.
The Access-A-Ride Command Center is available 24/7 for day-of-trip assistance, including checking reservations and estimated vehicle arrival times.
Billie Jean King and Patrick McEnroe are making subway announcements
And because apparently even your subway ride needs a little tennis commentary, the MTA is once again teaming up with Billie Jean King and Patrick McEnroe for special recorded announcements.
Starting Sunday, August 23, the tennis legends’ voices will be heard throughout stations and platforms along the 7 line for the duration of the tournament.
The recordings will play at:
- Grand Central-42 St (4, 5, 6, 7, G, S)
- Times Square-42 St (1, 2, 3, 7, N, Q, R, W)
- Times Square Shuttle (G, S)
It’s a fitting partnership: King is one of the most influential figures in tennis history, while McEnroe is a Queens native and ESPN broadcaster who knows a thing or two about getting around the borough.
How to check for US Open subway and LIRR service changes
Transit schedules can change, so fans should check the MTA’s real-time information before heading to the tournament.
The MTA website and app provide real-time train and bus arrivals, service status updates and planned changes. Riders can also sign up for email and text alerts based on their usual routes.