A US Open grounds pass, officially sold as Grounds Admission, lets you enter the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and watch matches from first-come, first-served areas in Louis Armstrong Stadium, Grandstand, Stadium 17 and the field courts. It does not include entry to Arthur Ashe Stadium.
For 2026, regular Grounds Admission was advertised from August 30 through September 8, with prices starting at $65 before applicable fees. Prices, available dates and access rules change each year, and resale listings can cost much more than the original starting price.
What a US Open Grounds Pass Includes
| Access area | Included? | Seating type |
|---|---|---|
| National Tennis Center grounds | Yes | Open access within ticketed areas |
| Louis Armstrong Stadium | Yes | General admission areas only |
| Grandstand | Yes | General admission areas only |
| Stadium 17 | Yes | First come, first served |
| Field courts | Yes | First come, first served |
| Player practice courts | Viewing access when open | Standing or designated viewing areas |
| Arthur Ashe Stadium | No | Separate stadium ticket required |
| Reserved stadium sections | No | Separate ticket required |
The pass is designed for moving around rather than staying in one assigned seat. That can provide more live tennis than a stadium-only plan during the early rounds, but popular courts may fill and admission to a particular match is never guaranteed.
The complete US Open tennis guide explains the venue and tournament structure surrounding these ticket options.
What Is Not Included With Grounds Admission?
The biggest exclusion is Arthur Ashe Stadium. A grounds pass does not let you enter Ashe for either the day or evening session, even if empty seats appear to be available.
It also does not provide a reserved seat in Louis Armstrong Stadium or Grandstand. Those venues contain ticketed reserved areas as well as general admission areas, and grounds-pass holders must use the sections designated for general admission.
Hospitality clubs, suites and separately ticketed exhibitions are not included. During Fan Week or the main tournament, two events can take place at the tennis center at the same time under different access rules.
2026 Grounds Pass Dates and Session Types
The official 2026 ticket guide listed Grounds Admission from Sunday, August 30 through Tuesday, September 8. Both day and evening options appeared in the official ticket inventory.
A day grounds pass allowed entry from the day’s gate-opening time and continued through the active schedule. An evening grounds pass allowed entry from 6 p.m., but the number and location of evening matches outside Arthur Ashe varied by date.
This is important because “evening grounds admission” does not promise a specific stadium match. Check the schedule of play to see which courts will remain active after the evening entry time.
Gate times and inventory can change. Use the date and session printed on the mobile ticket rather than assuming that every grounds pass follows the same hours.
How Much Does a US Open Grounds Pass Cost?
The official ticketing partner advertised 2026 grounds tickets starting at $65. That was a starting price, not a fixed price for every date.
The amount can vary according to:
- The tournament day and round
- Day or evening entry
- Standard tickets remaining in the official sale
- Demand for the players scheduled that day
- Resale pricing
- Service and order fees
By the time the daily schedule is released, lower-priced standard inventory may be gone. A resale seller can list a pass above or below the original price, so always review the complete checkout total.
Do not assume Grounds Admission is automatically the cheapest way inside. An upper-level Arthur Ashe ticket includes a reserved Ashe seat plus access to the grounds and general admission areas on other courts. On some dates, an available Ashe ticket may cost the same or less than a high-demand resale grounds pass.
Grounds Pass vs Stadium Tickets
| Ticket type | Reserved seat | Arthur Ashe access | Other courts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grounds Admission | No | No | General admission access |
| Grandstand | Yes, in Grandstand | No | General admission access elsewhere |
| Louis Armstrong | Yes, in Armstrong | No | General admission access elsewhere |
| Arthur Ashe | Yes, in Ashe | Yes | General admission access elsewhere |
Choose Grounds Admission when your priority is variety and flexibility. Choose a stadium ticket when seeing a particular scheduled match matters more than moving between courts.
The daily match list is normally released much closer to play than the ticket sale. This explanation of how the US Open order of play is made shows why buying for a specific player far in advance always involves uncertainty.
What Are the Best Days for a Grounds Pass?
First Round: Best for Maximum Tennis
The first three main-draw days are usually the best overall value. In 2026, the singles first round ran from August 30 through September 1, spreading 128 men’s and women’s matches across three days.
Many seeded and unseeded players appear outside Arthur Ashe, while doubles and practice activity add more choices. If one match is one-sided or a court is full, another live match is normally close by.
Second Round: Best Balance of Quality and Quantity
The second round was scheduled for September 2 and 3 in 2026. There are fewer singles matches than in the opening round, but recognizable players still appear across Armstrong, Grandstand and the field courts.
This is often the strongest compromise for a first visit. The grounds remain busy without the schedule shrinking as sharply as it does later in the tournament.
Third Round: Better Matchups, Larger Crowds
The third round fell on September 4 and 5 in 2026. Matchups are more likely to feature two established players, but the number of active singles courts is lower and weekend demand can increase lines and prices.
A grounds pass can still be excellent, especially if strong matches are assigned to Armstrong or Grandstand. Arriving early becomes more important because general admission sections may reach capacity.
Round of 16 and Quarterfinal Stage: Fewer Singles Options
The fourth round was scheduled for September 6 and 7, followed by the start of the quarterfinals on September 8. By this point, many leading singles matches move to Arthur Ashe, where a grounds pass has no access.
Doubles, juniors and other competitions may still provide substantial tennis around the grounds. However, anyone buying primarily for men’s or women’s singles will usually find better grounds-pass value earlier in the tournament.
How to Get the Most From a Grounds Pass
Check the Schedule Before Traveling
Mark one or two preferred matches, a backup court and any practice sessions you want to see.
Arrive Before the First Matches
Early arrival improves the chance of entering a general admission section before it fills and gives you time for security.
Start With Your Highest-Priority Court
If an Armstrong or Grandstand match is your priority, go there first. A morning seat may disappear as the crowd grows.
Use Changeovers Carefully
Court staff may restrict movement while games are in progress. Leaving a general admission seat can mean losing it, so coordinate food and restroom breaks rather than assuming you can return to the same place.
Keep a Weather Backup
Louis Armstrong Stadium has a retractable roof, making its general admission area especially valuable during rain. Grandstand and most field courts are exposed, and covered seating can fill quickly when outdoor play stops.
Grounds Pass, Fan Week and Free Admission Are Different
Fan Week took place from August 23 through August 29 in 2026. Grounds entry was free with a digital Fan Access Pass, giving visitors access to qualifying, practices and listed free events. That Fan Access Pass was not the same product as paid Grounds Admission for the singles main draw.
The 2026 schedule also included a free Open for All Day on September 10. Separately, Finals Fan Fest offered a $30 grounds ticket for September 12 and 13 with final watch parties in Louis Armstrong Stadium and Fountain Plaza.
Those special days did not provide a seat inside Arthur Ashe for the singles finals. Always read the event description instead of assuming every ticket using the word “grounds” includes the same live matches.
What Else Can You See Around the Grounds?
A flexible pass gives you time to explore tournament features between matches. The US Open Court of Champions recognizes important champions from the event’s history, while practice courts can offer a closer look at players preparing.
Food and sponsor areas are part of the experience, although purchases are not included with admission. The tournament’s signature drink is explained in the guide to the Honey Deuce cocktail and its history.
The National Tennis Center also operates beyond the tournament, but a grounds pass does not give you the right to play. Public court access is covered separately in the guide to playing tennis at the US Open venue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a grounds pass enter Arthur Ashe Stadium?
No. Arthur Ashe Stadium requires a separate Ashe ticket for the relevant session.
Can I watch Louis Armstrong Stadium matches?
Yes, from the designated general admission areas on a first-come, first-served basis. Entry can pause when those areas reach capacity.
Does Grounds Admission include an assigned seat?
No. Seating is general admission. A Grandstand, Louis Armstrong or Arthur Ashe stadium ticket is the better choice if you need a reserved seat.
Is a day pass valid for evening tennis?
A day grounds pass generally allows the holder to remain on the grounds while the day’s accessible courts continue operating. It still does not provide entry to a separately ticketed Arthur Ashe evening session. Check the terms printed for the specific ticket.
Is a grounds pass worth it?
It is usually strongest during the first and second rounds, when many singles matches are played outside Ashe. Its value drops for a singles-focused visitor as the draw becomes smaller and major matches move into the main stadium.
What if tickets sell out?
Official resale inventory may appear, but the price is set by the seller. If the cost becomes unreasonable, the guide to watching the US Open covers television and streaming alternatives.