US Open Fan Week is the free pre-main-draw period at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. Fans can watch qualifying and player practices, explore the grounds and attend family activities, while selected stadium shows and premium experiences may require separate tickets.
The latest completed edition ran from Sunday, August 23 through Saturday, August 29, 2026. The 2027 dates and access requirements had not been announced as of September 1, 2026, so visitors should recheck the official schedule and registration rules before planning a trip.
What Is US Open Fan Week?
Fan Week takes place immediately before the singles main draw. It opens much of the US Open venue to the public while players compete for qualifying places, practice for the tournament and participate in selected events.
It is part of the wider championship rather than a separate tennis tournament. The complete US Open guide explains where Fan Week sits within the full event schedule, which also includes the main singles, doubles, juniors and wheelchair competitions.
Fan Week lets visitors see professional tennis without buying a regular main-draw ticket. Smaller match and practice courts can also provide a much closer view than Arthur Ashe Stadium.
When Is US Open Fan Week?
The dates change each year, but Fan Week is normally held in late August before the main singles draw begins. The official 2026 schedule was:
| Event | 2026 dates | General access |
|---|---|---|
| US Open Fan Week | August 23 to 29 | Free grounds admission with the required Fan Access Pass |
| Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day | August 23 | Free with the required pass, subject to capacity |
| Singles qualifying | August 24 to 27 | Free on the qualifying courts with the required pass |
| Mixed doubles competition | August 24 to 26 | Access varied by court and session |
| Main singles draw begins | August 30 | Regular US Open tickets required |
This table should be treated as a record of the 2026 edition, not a permanent calendar. Qualifying dates, featured events, gate times and pass rules can all move from one year to the next.
Is US Open Fan Week Free?
Grounds admission was free throughout Fan Week in 2026, but free did not mean that visitors could simply walk through the gates without registration. Every guest aged 18 or older needed a free digital Fan Access Pass, and an adult registration could include accompanying minors.
The pass provided entry to the grounds and access to eligible activities, activations and giveaways. It did not create a reserved seat, guarantee admission to a space that had reached capacity or replace a ticket for a separately ticketed event.
Fan Access Pass vs a Paid Ticket
The difference is simple:
- A Fan Access Pass covers general Fan Week entry under that year’s rules.
- A paid ticket covers a specific reserved seat, show, session or premium package.
- Some events may offer free general-admission viewing on one court and ticketed seating on another.
- Capacity controls can apply even when an event is free.
For example, mixed doubles access in 2026 differed by stadium and session. Some action in Louis Armstrong Stadium could be attended with the Fan Access Pass, while seats for Arthur Ashe Stadium sessions were sold separately.
Do not buy a paid ticket merely because Fan Week appears on a ticketing website. First identify whether the ticket is for general grounds access, a particular stadium event, a concert, an exhibition or hospitality.
What Can You See During Fan Week?
US Open Qualifying
Players outside the main-draw acceptance list compete for the remaining places in the men’s and women’s singles fields. The qualifying draws usually begin with 128 men and 128 women, and a player generally needs three consecutive wins to claim one of 16 places in each main draw.
Matches are spread across several courts, so one admission can provide hours of tennis. Seating is commonly unreserved and subject to availability, making it sensible to arrive early for a player or matchup you particularly want to watch.
Player Practices
Leading players often practice at the venue before their first main-draw match, offering a close view of technique and movement. Schedules are provisional, so a player can change court, start later, finish early or cancel.
The official US Open app and on-site schedule are the best tools for checking changes. The same uncertainty affects match assignments, and the guide to how the US Open order of play is made explains why court schedules can evolve.
Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day
Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day is the event’s main family celebration, combining tennis activities with entertainment and player appearances. In 2026 it moved to the opening Sunday of Fan Week, August 23, rather than its former place later in the week.
The event was free, but adults still needed the 2026 Fan Access Pass and popular activities remained subject to space. Families should check the next edition’s date rather than assuming it will always fall on the same day.
Featured Events and Entertainment
Fan Week can include mixed doubles, legends exhibitions, live music, stage programming and sponsor experiences. These change annually, so confirm the admission method for each one before paying for travel.
What Is Included With Free Grounds Admission?
A standard visit can include qualifying courts, scheduled practices, public plazas, sponsor activities, shops, dining areas and landmarks such as the US Open Court of Champions. Stadium seats, media events, hospitality areas and special performances may have separate access, and free admission never guarantees a particular player.
Which Fan Week Day Is Best?
| Priority | Best part of the week to consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum live competition | Early or middle qualifying days | More matches and players remain in the draws |
| Biggest-name practices | Later in Fan Week | More main-draw players have arrived in New York |
| Family activities | Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day | The program is designed around children and families |
| Lower crowds | A weekday morning | Workday attendance can be lighter than headline evenings |
| Featured entertainment | The date of the chosen event | Many shows happen only once and may be ticketed |
Later qualifying rounds have fewer but higher-stakes matches. Earlier rounds provide more choice, while the final days may offer more main-draw practices.
A Practical Fan Week Day Plan
Trying to see everything usually creates more walking than useful viewing. A simple plan keeps enough flexibility for schedule changes.
- Arrive near the published gate-opening time. Allow time for transit, security and digital-pass checks.
- Check qualifying and practice schedules immediately. Save alternatives in case a court changes.
- Watch an early qualifying match. Smaller-court seating can fill as the day develops.
- Visit the practice courts between matches. Recheck times rather than relying on the morning schedule.
- Take a midday break. Late August can be hot and humid, and the grounds require substantial walking.
If you are more interested in the location than the tournament, the National Tennis Center operates beyond the US Open. The guide to whether you can play tennis at the US Open venue explains the distinction between tournament access and public court bookings.
How to Get to Fan Week
The venue is beside Citi Field in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. The Mets-Willets Point station is served by the 7 subway line and Long Island Rail Road, making public transportation the simplest option for most visitors.
What to Bring
Bring as little as practical because all guests pass through security and bag rules are enforced. The precise policy can change annually, so verify the current size limit and prohibited-items list before traveling.
Useful items may include:
- A phone with the Fan Access Pass saved and enough battery for the day
- A portable charger that meets the current venue rules
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sun protection and light, breathable clothing
- An approved empty refillable water bottle
- A compact rain layer for uncovered courts and outdoor areas
Food and drinks are sold around the grounds, although operating locations may differ during Fan Week. Visitors curious about the event’s signature drink can read how the Honey Deuce cocktail became associated with the tournament.
What to Expect at Qualifying Matches
Qualifying courts feel less formal than Arthur Ashe Stadium, but normal tennis etiquette still applies. Wait for a changeover before moving, silence the phone and remember that leaving a full court may mean giving up the seat.
What Happens If It Rains?
Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium have retractable roofs, but most qualifying and practice courts do not. Rain can delay, move or cancel outdoor activity even if a covered featured event continues.
The schedule may be revised throughout the day. A flexible plan and live schedule are more useful than a rigid court-by-court itinerary.
If travel is impossible, broadcast availability for qualifying and special events varies by year and country. The guide to where to watch the US Open should be checked for the latest confirmed coverage.
US Open Fan Week FAQ
Do you need tickets for US Open Fan Week?
General grounds admission was free in 2026, but guests aged 18 and older needed a free Fan Access Pass. Selected stadium events, concerts, exhibitions and premium experiences required separate paid tickets.
Is US Open qualifying free?
Qualifying was included with free Fan Week grounds admission in 2026. Individual courts remained subject to capacity, and a Fan Access Pass was required for adult entry to the grounds.
Can you enter Arthur Ashe Stadium during Fan Week?
Only when the event and access type allow it. Some Fan Week experiences may admit pass holders, while reserved matches, exhibitions or shows inside Arthur Ashe can require a separate ticket.
Are player practices guaranteed?
No. Practice schedules can change without notice, and a listed appearance does not guarantee that a player will practice for a particular length of time.
When will the next Fan Week schedule be released?
There is no permanent release date. The US Open publishes dates, passes and the detailed event schedule closer to the tournament, so verify all three before booking travel.