US Open tennis qualifying is a separate, single-elimination tournament that decides the final 16 places in both the men’s and women’s singles main draws. Each qualifying field contains 128 players, and a player must win three matches in a row to advance.
Qualifying is held during US Open Fan Week at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. In 2026, it was scheduled from Monday, August 24 through Thursday, August 27, with unfinished final-round matches completed on Friday, August 28. All qualifying matches were free to attend with a Fan Access Pass.
US Open Qualifying at a Glance
| Category | Men’s qualifying | Women’s qualifying |
|---|---|---|
| Starting field | 128 players | 128 players |
| Rounds required | 3 | 3 |
| Main-draw places | 16 | 16 |
| Match format | Best of 3 sets | Best of 3 sets |
| 2026 scheduled dates | August 24-27 | August 24-27 |
| 2026 spectator cost | Free with Fan Access Pass | Free with Fan Access Pass |
Qualifying is only one part of a much larger event. The complete US Open tennis guide explains the main draw, venue, courts, sessions and other competitions.
What Is US Open Qualifying?
Qualifying gives players outside the automatic main-draw cutoff another route into the tournament. It is not an early round of the main event. It has its own draw, seeds, results and prize-money structure.
The 128-player men’s draw and 128-player women’s draw are each divided into 16 sections of eight players. The winner of every section earns one of the 16 qualifying places in the corresponding 128-player main draw.
The path takes four steps:
- A player enters a qualifying section with seven other players.
- Winning the first match reduces the section from eight players to four.
- Winning the second match advances the player to the qualifying final.
- Winning the third match earns a place in the US Open main draw.
The qualifying winners are commonly marked with a “Q” beside their names in the main-draw bracket. They then start the main tournament in the first round, just like direct entrants and wild-card recipients.
How Players Enter US Open Qualifying
Most of the field is selected through the official singles rankings used for Grand Slam entries. The cutoff changes with withdrawals and the number of eligible entrants.
The US Open describes a typical field as including players ranked from roughly No. 100 to No. 250, but this is not a fixed range. Returning professionals, rising teenagers and wild-card recipients can all appear.
Understanding the tennis world ranking system makes the entry process clearer. Rankings determine much of the acceptance order and also help establish the qualifying seeds.
Direct Qualifying Acceptances
These players enter based mainly on the ranking list used for the tournament. They were not ranked high enough to receive direct entry into the main draw, but their position was sufficient for the qualifying field.
Qualifying Wild Cards
The USTA can award qualifying wild cards to players who would not otherwise enter by ranking. Recipients may include leading American juniors, college players, returning professionals and players selected through USTA competitions.
In 2026, a Qualifying Wild Card Challenge during Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day awarded one men’s and one women’s place. That pathway may not return in the same form every year.
Alternates
If an accepted player withdraws before qualifying begins, an eligible alternate can move into the draw. The replacement process follows the applicable Grand Slam entry rules rather than allowing the tournament to choose any available player.
These entry routes are examples of why professional events use several kinds of acceptance. This guide to tennis tournament types and formats provides broader context for draws, tours and competition levels.
How the Three Qualifying Rounds Work
First Qualifying Round
All 128 players begin in the first round, producing 64 winners in each draw. At the 2026 event, first-round matches were split across Monday and Tuesday.
This round offers the largest number of matches and players. It is often the best day for spectators who want variety because many field courts are active throughout the day.
Second Qualifying Round
The 64 remaining players compete for 32 places in the final round. In 2026, the second round was scheduled for Wednesday.
The field is smaller, but the average ranking and level tend to become more concentrated.
Final Qualifying Round
The 32 players left in each draw compete in 16 final-round matches. Each winner advances to the main draw, while the loser is eliminated unless later selected as a lucky loser.
The 2026 qualifying finals began on Thursday. Remaining matches were completed on Friday, showing why tournament dates can extend when weather or scheduling prevents the planned order from being completed.
The distinction between draw rounds, match sets and games can be confusing. The full explanation of how many rounds are in tennis tournaments separates those terms clearly.
What Happens After a Player Qualifies?
The 16 men’s qualifiers and 16 women’s qualifiers are placed into the main draw through a separate draw procedure. Winning a specific qualifying section does not guarantee a particular first-round opponent.
A qualifier can face a seed, another qualifier, a wild card or an unseeded direct entrant. Once main-draw play begins, the qualifier receives the same result-based prize money and ranking opportunities as any other player who reaches that round.
Qualifiers are not limited in how far they can advance. Emma Raducanu provided the most famous US Open example in 2021, winning three qualifying matches and seven main-draw matches without dropping a set to become the women’s singles champion.
What Is a Lucky Loser?
A lucky loser is a player who loses in qualifying but enters the main draw after an accepted main-draw player withdraws. Once qualifying has begun, Grand Slam rules reserve later main-draw vacancies for eligible qualifiers and lucky losers.
The replacement is not chosen by the closest score. Rankings and the Grand Slam’s lucky-loser draw procedure determine the eligible order.
A lucky loser is marked “LL” in the draw. The player receives a new main-draw opportunity, but the qualifying loss still remains in the official record.
What Scoring Format Is Used in Qualifying?
Men’s and women’s qualifying singles matches are best of three sets. That differs from the men’s singles main draw, where matches are best of five sets.
If a qualifying match reaches 6-6 in the deciding set, a 10-point tiebreak is used. A player must reach at least 10 points and lead by two. Other set tiebreaks use the standard format under the current Grand Slam rules.
The same basic rules involving serves, lets, line calls and code violations apply. Readers who need a refresher can use the complete guide to tennis rules.
How Much Do Players Earn in Qualifying?
Qualifying has its own round-based payments, and the amounts change annually. In 2026, a first-round qualifying loss paid $32,000, a second-round loss paid $48,000 and a final-round loss paid $66,000.
A player who qualified and then lost in the first round of the main draw received the main-draw first-round amount of $140,000. These amounts describe the player’s finishing stage rather than separate bonuses added together after every win.
Prize money is one reason qualifying matters so much to players outside the top tier. Travel, coaching, accommodation, training and equipment create costs throughout the season, even when a player does not advance deep into a tournament.
Can Fans Attend US Open Qualifying?
Yes. In 2026, all singles qualifying matches were free to attend as part of Fan Week, but adults needed the free digital Fan Access Pass to enter the grounds. Registration rules, age requirements and access areas can change, so check the current Fan Week information before traveling.
Matches are played across the National Tennis Center’s field courts. Fans can move between courts, watch from close range and also see main-draw players practicing before the tournament begins.
Qualifying does not automatically include separately ticketed exhibitions or events inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. A Fan Access Pass provides grounds entry for the listed free programming, not admission to every event taking place during the week.
Outside the tournament period, access works differently. The guide to playing tennis at the US Open venue explains when the center’s courts are available to the public.
Which Qualifying Day Is Best to Attend?
Choose Monday or Tuesday if you want the most matches and the widest range of players. The first round fills many courts and gives visitors more options when one match ends quickly.
Choose Wednesday for a balance between quantity and importance. There are fewer matches than in the first round, but everyone is within two victories of the main draw.
Choose the final qualifying day for the highest stakes. Every completed match creates a main-draw qualifier, so the celebrations and disappointment can feel more intense than in the earlier rounds.
Always check the daily schedule before leaving. The US Open order-of-play process explains why court assignments and start times are not finalized far in advance.
How to Watch US Open Qualifying From Home
Broadcast and streaming coverage varies by country and year. In 2026, ESPN’s US Open coverage included qualifying, while the official tournament platforms provided scores, draws, schedules and highlights.
Check the current rights holder and daily listing rather than assuming every field court will have the same coverage. The guide to watching the US Open covers the main options for television and streaming.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many players qualify for the US Open?
Sixteen men and 16 women qualify for the singles main draws, creating 32 qualifiers in total.
How many matches must a player win?
A player must win three consecutive qualifying matches. The player then begins the main tournament in the first round.
Is US Open qualifying free?
It was free during 2026 Fan Week with a Fan Access Pass. The tournament can change registration and access requirements in future years.
Do qualifying matches count as main-draw Grand Slam matches?
No. Qualifying results are recorded separately from main-draw results. A player who wins three qualifying matches and loses in the first main-draw round has a 3-1 overall event result but a 0-1 main-draw record.
Can a player lose in qualifying and still enter the main draw?
Yes. An eligible qualifying loser can enter as a lucky loser if a main-draw vacancy opens under the Grand Slam replacement rules.