Preparing for Your US Open Visit
Tickets, heat, bag rules, and everything the USTA website buries — what to sort before you arrive
Tickets
The US Open has two types of ticket:
*Grounds passes* give access to the entire USTA grounds — outer courts 4 through 17, the practice facility, all food and retail areas — but not reserved seating in Arthur Ashe or Louis Armstrong stadiums during sessions. They are the right ticket for people who want to move around, watch multiple matches, and spend time on the outer courts. In the first week of the tournament, grounds passes run around $40–$60 (prices vary by day and fluctuate). They go on sale at usopen.org and through the US Open app, typically in the spring.
*Reserved session tickets* get you a specific seat in Arthur Ashe or Louis Armstrong for a specific session (day or night). These are the tickets for the main stadium experience. Night session tickets in the second week — when the quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals are scheduled — book out months in advance. Day session tickets in the first week are more accessible but still sell out for popular matchups.
Both are available at usopen.org. Do not use secondary market platforms during peak demand without checking the official site first.
Heat
August in Flushing is hot and humid. The USTA has an extreme heat policy that can pause outdoor play on outer courts, but the sun and temperature are present regardless. Non-negotiable items: - Sunscreen, applied before you arrive and carried to reapply - A hat with a brim — the courts are exposed with no natural shade - A refillable water bottle — free water stations are distributed throughout the grounds, and staying hydrated is practical, not optional - Loose, light-coloured clothing — the dress code is casual; there's no Wimbledon white requirement
Bag policy
The USTA enforces a strict bag policy. Bags must be soft-sided and no larger than 12 inches × 16 inches × 8 inches. Hard-sided bags, backpacks over that size, and large coolers are not permitted. Collapsible reusable bags and smaller daypacks are fine. Security lines are managed well but move slower with large bags — the correct approach is a small bag and no surprises.
What else to bring
Layers for the evening — if you're staying for a night session, temperatures in August can drop noticeably after dark, and the stadium air conditioning (when the roof is closed) is cold. A portable phone charger is useful for a full day. The US Open app (free, iOS and Android) has real-time match scores, court assignments, and delay notifications — worth downloading before you arrive.
Photography
Point-and-shoot cameras and mobile phones are permitted anywhere on the grounds. Professional equipment (detachable telephoto lenses longer than 6 inches) is not. Video recording during matches is limited to personal use.
Why it's special
The practical knowledge gap between a first US Open visit and a second one is significant. The first visit, people get the bag wrong at security, don't have sunscreen, buy overpriced water because they didn't bring a bottle, and find out the hard way that night session tickets sold out in February. The second visit, they have a grounds pass for the morning outer courts, reserved seats for the evening session, a hat, and a plan for the Honey Deuce.
This section exists to compress that learning. The US Open is a straightforward event to navigate once you know how it works — the USTA has invested heavily in the fan experience, the signage is clear, and the staff are helpful. The prep is the bit that most guides underweight.
