Arthur Ashe Stadium is the US Open’s main show court at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York. The official 2026 event guide lists its capacity as more than 23,000 spectators, including luxury suites, making it the largest tennis stadium in the world.
The stadium hosts the tournament’s most prominent day and night matches, including the men’s and women’s singles finals. It is only one part of the wider venue, so the complete guide to the US Open is a better starting point if you also need the tournament dates, format, surface and other courts.
Arthur Ashe Stadium at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens |
| Opened | 1997 |
| Current listed capacity | More than 23,000, including luxury suites |
| Historic capacity | 23,771 before the current reconfiguration |
| Court surface | Laykold hard court |
| Roof | Retractable, first used at the US Open in 2016 |
| Main use | Marquee US Open matches, night sessions and singles finals |
The current capacity wording matters because Arthur Ashe Stadium is being modernized in stages. A major 2026 change expanded the courtside bowl from approximately 3,000 to 5,000 seats, while the complete project is scheduled to continue through the 2027 US Open.
How Arthur Ashe Stadium Seating Works
Every regular Arthur Ashe Stadium ticket includes an assigned seat for a specific session. This differs from general-admission seating on some other courts, where entry and seat availability can depend on capacity.
| Seating area | What the view is like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Courtside and lower bowl | Closest to the players, with a lower viewing angle | Proximity, player detail and atmosphere |
| Loge or middle levels | Elevated enough to see patterns while remaining relatively close | A balanced view of the full court |
| Promenade or upper level | Highest and farthest from the court, with a complete overhead view | Lower-cost access and tactical viewing |
| Suites and premium areas | Varies by location and package, with hospitality benefits | Groups, dining and premium amenities |
Courtside seats provide the clearest sense of the ball’s speed, the players’ movement and the physical intensity of a professional match. The tradeoff is that a very low angle can make it harder to see spacing and patterns at the far end of the court.
The lower bowl was reconfigured for 2026, adding 2,000 courtside seats and expanding that area to approximately 5,000. At an intermediate height, loge seats balance proximity with a clear view of positioning, while promenade seats are farther away but show the geometry of the full court.
What Are the Best Seats in Arthur Ashe Stadium?
There is no single best section for every visitor. A seat behind either baseline at a middle elevation is usually the safest choice for watching tactics, while a lower sideline seat provides a closer look at speed, footwork and player reactions.
Choose a middle-level baseline view if seeing the whole point matters most, the lower bowl for proximity or the promenade for lower-cost stadium access. Check direct sun, stairs and height, then use the current 3D seat map because the layout is changing through 2027.
Ticket prices depend on the session, round, opponent and resale demand, not just the section. A seat for an early day session can cost considerably less than a similar seat for a semifinal, final or high-profile night match.
How the Arthur Ashe Stadium Roof Works
The retractable roof was completed for the 2016 US Open to reduce rain disruption on the tournament’s most important court. It covers 270,400ft² and leaves a 63,500ft² opening when retracted.
Two movable roof panels weigh approximately 2 million lb in total and can close in under seven minutes. Preparing the stadium’s air and humidity can take longer, so the operational decision involves more than simply moving the panels over the court.
Does the Roof Make Arthur Ashe an Indoor Stadium?
Arthur Ashe Stadium remains an open-air venue when the roof is retracted. When rain or unsuitable weather leads officials to close it, the match can continue under covered conditions while play on uncovered courts may be suspended.
The closed roof changes the environment. Wind is reduced, crowd noise can feel more concentrated and the stadium systems must manage temperature and humidity to limit condensation on the playing surface.
The tournament referee and operations team decide whether the roof should be closed. Spectators should not assume it will close simply because light rain is possible, nor should they expect every weather interruption to end immediately.
Only Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium have retractable roofs at the venue. Matches on Grandstand and the field courts remain exposed to the weather.
The History of Arthur Ashe Stadium
The US Open moved from Forest Hills to Flushing Meadows in 1978, with Louis Armstrong Stadium originally serving as its main arena. As attendance and the event’s scale grew, the USTA built a larger centerpiece stadium and opened Arthur Ashe Stadium in 1997.
Its original published capacity of 23,771 made it much larger than a typical tennis show court. The stadium has since hosted defining finals, long night matches and major moments covered in the broader guide to US Open history and records.
Why Is the Stadium Named After Arthur Ashe?
Arthur Ashe won the inaugural US Open men’s singles title in 1968, becoming the first Black man to win the American national singles championship. He also won the Australian Open and Wimbledon, but his influence extended far beyond his results through his work for civil rights, education and public health.
Ashe died in 1993, and the new stadium was named in his honor when it opened four years later. His connection to the tournament is also reflected elsewhere at the venue, while the nearby US Open Court of Champions recognizes a wider group of significant champions.
The 2026 and 2027 Stadium Transformation
The USTA announced an $800 million investment covering the reimagining of Arthur Ashe Stadium and a new Player Performance Center. The project was designed to proceed without interrupting scheduled US Open play or general fan access during the 2025 and 2026 tournaments.
Changes visible for 2026 included the expanded 5,000-seat courtside bowl and two new dedicated suite levels. Work planned for completion by the 2027 US Open includes further concourse modernization, more food and retail space, additional restrooms, new escalators and elevators, premium clubs and a redesigned entrance.
This phased work is the reason older seating guides can become inaccurate. Capacity, section labels, amenities and circulation routes should all be checked against the current tournament map before each visit.
What Matches Are Played in Arthur Ashe Stadium?
Arthur Ashe receives the most commercially prominent and highly anticipated matches, but the exact lineup changes every day. Top seeds often appear there, although their ranking does not guarantee a particular court or a night session.
The day and evening sessions are separately ticketed. The daily schedule is produced using player rest, television requirements, competitive interest and operational constraints, as explained in the guide to how the US Open order of play is made.
The stadium normally hosts both singles finals. It can also be used for mixed doubles, exhibitions, ceremonies and Fan Week events, depending on that year’s program.
Practical Tips for Visiting Arthur Ashe Stadium
Arrive with enough time for transportation, security and the walk to your section. The Mets-Willets Point station serves the venue through the 7 subway line and Long Island Rail Road, and public transportation is generally more predictable than trying to park close to the grounds.
The following details make the visit easier:
- Save the mobile ticket to your phone before reaching the gate.
- Check the current bag and prohibited-items rules before leaving.
- Use the official map to identify your entrance, level and nearest elevator or escalator.
- Expect significant walking, even if most of the session will be spent inside Ashe.
- Bring weather protection suitable for the outer grounds because the stadium roof does not cover the rest of the venue.
- Plan food and drink stops around changeovers and match breaks.
Arthur Ashe tickets also provide access to the wider grounds during the valid session, subject to that year’s entry rules and capacity limits elsewhere. Visitors interested in the venue outside the tournament can learn whether they can play tennis at the US Open venue during its public operating periods.
Food and beverage choices are available around the stadium and the wider grounds. One event-specific option is the Honey Deuce US Open cocktail, although menus, prices and service locations can change annually.
Arthur Ashe Stadium FAQ
What is the capacity of Arthur Ashe Stadium?
The official 2026 US Open guide describes the stadium as holding more than 23,000 spectators, including luxury suites. The frequently quoted 23,771 capacity refers to its earlier configuration, before the lower bowl and suite levels were reworked.
Is every seat in Arthur Ashe Stadium reserved?
Yes. Regular Arthur Ashe Stadium tickets provide an assigned seat for the session shown on the ticket. A separate ticket is required to use an Ashe seat during a separately ticketed session.
Does an Arthur Ashe ticket include the US Open grounds?
An Arthur Ashe ticket normally includes access to the tournament grounds during its valid session, plus eligible general-admission areas on other courts. Access remains subject to the current ticket terms and venue capacity.
Does Arthur Ashe Stadium have a roof?
Yes. Its retractable roof became operational for the 2016 US Open and can close in under seven minutes. Operational preparation and humidity control may take longer.
Is Arthur Ashe Stadium air-conditioned?
It should not be treated like a fully climate-controlled indoor arena. Environmental systems are used when the roof is closed, partly to control heat, humidity and condensation, but spectators can still experience warm and humid conditions.
Are accessible seats available?
Accessible and companion seating is available through the official ticketing system. Visitors should select the correct seating type when buying and contact the US Open ticket office in advance if they need help with an accommodation.