While we ride out the last few months of summer in NYC, we say hello to one of the city’s favorite end of summer sporting events, the U.S. Open! Welcoming all of tennis’ brightest superstars, this Grand Slam tournament gives fans an opportunity to get up close and personal with their favorite athletes! If you’re thinking about attending this year, or want to be in the know about this year’s tournament, we’ve gathered all the info you could possibly need!
What is the U.S. Open Tennis Championships?
The U.S. Open (United States Open Championship) is the most famous international tennis tournament that concludes the annual Grand Slam of tennis. It is the final gaming event, taking place after the Australian Open, the French Open, and the Wimbledon Championships.
There are championships in five main categories: men’s singles and doubles, women’s singles and doubles, and mixed doubles.
When is the 2023 U.S. Open?
This year, it is taking place from Monday, August 28th through Sunday, September 10th. It typically takes place for two full weeks in late summer, bringing the season to a close.
Where is the 2023 U.S. Open?
The U.S. Open is held every year at the U.S. Tennis Association Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens.
Why is the U.S. Open held in NYC?
The U.S. Open has been played in NYC since 1968, starting at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, Queens and then moving to the USTA courts in Flushing in 1978, where it has taken place every year since. It was held at the West Side Tennis Club in order have a centralized spot to bring together the five different tennis championships, which were all held at different locations prior to that year (according to Encyclopedia Britannica).
How can I get tickets to the U.S. Open?
Head to the U.S. Open website (usopen.org) to grab your tickets. You can sign up for ticket alerts and tournament info, or search around for the best seats you can find at the Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium, or the Grandstand Stadium.
Some tips they’ve shared include:
- First week day session tickets are the best deal for the action: first four days of the tournament (so Aug 28-31), feature first- and second-round play. Tickets start at just $70 for grounds passes, which get you into every court and stadium except for Arthur Ashe Stadium.
- For early round evening sessions on Ashe, featuring many of the game’s greats, Promenade tickets start at just $35.
- Quarterfinals allow you to get massive bargains: The second Tuesday and Wednesday day sessions (Sep. 6 & 7) in Ashe are host to incredible matches, and tickets start at just $35 for those days.
- Read more ticketing advice on USOpen.org here.
What is U.S. Open Fan Week?
US Open Fan Week is a predominately free week of tennis activities during the week leading up to the tournament! From August 22-27, fans can enjoy various events and activations that allow them to get up close and personal with athletes and the sport! Check out this year’s event schedule below:
- August 22: Legends of the Open presented by Moderna (Free)
- A free-to-attend exhibition match featuring tennis legends like James Blake, Kim Clijsters and Caroline Wozniaki.
- 7-9 pm at Louis Armstrong Stadium
- August 23: Stars of the Open Exhibition Match to Benefit Ukraine Relief (Ticketed Event)
- A ticketed exhibition match featuring some of the biggest names in tennis to benefit Ukraine relief. Participants include Carlos Alcaraz, Elina Svitolina, Frances Tiafoe, John McEnroe, Chris Eubanks and additional players to be announced.
- 7-9 pm at Louis Armstrong Stadium
- August 24: Flavors of the Open (Ticketed event to Benefit USTA Foundation)
- Returning for a second year in 2023, “Flavors of the Open” is a chance to experience the US Open’s wide-ranging culinary offerings. Attendees can interact with a record-number of celebrity chefs and food offerings.
- 6:30-8:30 pm at Louis Armstrong Stadium Concourse
- August 25: US Open Media Day (Free)
- The game’s biggest stars will participate in US Open Media Day inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. For the second straight year, a portion of the event will be completely focused on the fans, with those inside Arthur Ashe Stadium hearing directly from the players. Particupating players include Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek, Frances Tiafoe, Coco Gauff, and more to be announced.
- 12-2 pm at Arthur Ashe Staidum
- August 25: Sounds of the Open presented by CHASE (Free)
- A free concert (artist TBA) on the Fan Week Center Stage as the Qualifying Tournament concludes, turning the South Plaza into an open-air concert venue. LANY, Leon Bridges and DNCE have performed in past years.
- 8-9 pm at South Plaza
- August 26: Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day (Free)
- The long-running Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, which honors Arthur Ashe’s legacy of instilling the values of humanitarianism, leadership and academic excellence alongside promoting the sport of tennis to young people, will feature kids and family activities all throughout the grounds.
- 9:30 am – 4 pm at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Grounds
- August 27: Open Practice Day (Free)
- Watch players practice as they prepare for the US Open main draws throughout the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
- All day around the grounds
Who’s playing in this year’s U.S. Open?
Though there are, of course, many players over the course of the two weeks, some to have your eye on include:
- 20 year old phenom and 2022 men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz will return to Queens to defend his title!
- Defending champion Iga Swiatek is back — the number one ranked women’s player and defending champion for Women’s Singles. She also won the French Open earlier this year.
- And, there are 20+ players representing the USA this season, including two Americans ranked in the world’s Top 10 (mens’s and women’s): (4) Jessica Pegula, (7) Coco Gauff, (9) Taylor Fritz, and (10) Frances Tiafoe.
Where can I watch the U.S. Open in NYC?
For those who don’t get the chance to catch the game courtside, many spots around NYC stream the matches for all those sans tournament tickets. So, while watching from a TV may not be exactly what you were hoping for, the drink and food specials that come along with it make it not so bad after all.
Some spots throwing U.S. Open watch parties include:
- Recreation at The Moxy Downtown, FiDi
- Gab’s, West Village
- Hotel Barrière Fouquet’s New York, Tribeca
The full list can be found here.