When rain makes a US Open court unsafe, play is suspended and the match later resumes from the same score. Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium have retractable roofs, so selected matches can continue indoors, but Grandstand and the field courts remain exposed to the weather.
A rain delay does not automatically create a refund, exchange or move to a covered court. Scheduling decisions belong to tournament officials, while ticket treatment depends on the exact ticket, seller, session and the inclement-weather policy for that edition.
US Open Rain Rules at a Glance
| Question | General rule |
|---|---|
| Who suspends play? | Match officials and the tournament referee decide when conditions are unsafe |
| What happens to the score? | It is retained, and play resumes from the point at which the match was suspended |
| Which courts have roofs? | Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium |
| Does every delayed match move under a roof? | No, covered-court space and the official schedule determine what can continue |
| Are rain-delayed tickets automatically refunded? | No |
| Can any ticket qualify for an exchange? | Only certain tickets and officially cancelled sessions under the current policy |
This guide explains the policy-level detail. The complete US Open guide covers the tournament format, venue and sessions more broadly.
Who Decides When Play Stops?
Players do not make the final decision to suspend a match. The chair umpire, court officials and tournament referee monitor the surface, rainfall and player safety, then apply the governing rules to stop or resume play.
The tournament referee has wider authority over court assignments and scheduling. The chair umpire controls the match on court, while the referee coordinates the consequences across the tournament. The guide to tennis umpires and referees explains those different responsibilities.
What Happens to a Suspended Match?
A rain suspension pauses the match rather than restarting it. The score, server, court end and point situation are recorded, and the players return to the same match state once officials determine that play can safely resume.
Players normally receive the permitted re-warm-up after a sufficiently long interruption. The exact resumption procedure is controlled by the officials, so spectators should not assume that the first ball will be struck as soon as the rain stops.
Which US Open Courts Have Retractable Roofs?
Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium are the only US Open competition courts with retractable roofs. Grandstand and the outside courts are uncovered, which means a large part of the day’s schedule can still be suspended even while a stadium match continues.
Arthur Ashe Stadium’s roof entered service for the 2016 US Open. Louis Armstrong Stadium reopened with its own retractable roof in 2018, giving the tournament a second covered show court.
How the Roof Decision Is Made
The tournament referee ultimately decides whether a roof should close. The decision considers current court conditions and credible near-term weather information rather than a spectator vote or a request from one player.
At Arthur Ashe Stadium, the physical closing movement takes roughly 6.5 minutes. Preparing the stadium environment and making the court ready can take longer, so a roof closure should not be treated as a guaranteed seven-minute interruption.
US Open roof guidance has generally kept the roof in the same position for the remainder of a match once it has been closed because of weather. That approach preserves consistent conditions for both players, although the referee retains authority under the applicable competition rules.
A match scheduled on an uncovered court is not automatically transferred to Ashe or Armstrong. Stadium schedules, ticketed sessions, available time, player rest and the matches already assigned to those courts all affect whether a move is possible.
Why Outer-Court Delays Can Last After Rain Stops
An outdoor hard court must be safe before play resumes. Stopping rainfall is only the first step because standing water, damp lines and moisture on the playing area may remain.
Court crews dry and inspect the surface, while officials consider whether more rain is imminent. A court can also need additional attention after players test the footing, so an announced restart time is best understood as an estimate.
How Rain Changes the Order of Play
The referee and tournament scheduling team decide where unfinished matches fit. A suspended match may resume later the same day, move to another suitable court or continue on a later day, depending on weather, court availability and player-rest requirements.
Completing every interrupted match first is not always possible. Singles, doubles, juniors and wheelchair competitions share the venue, and the organizers must preserve a workable path through all remaining rounds.
The US Open order-of-play guide explains how rest, television windows and court availability shape the published schedule. Rain adds another constraint, so the next day’s order may appear later than usual.
Long delays can also create late finishes and consecutive-day matches. The length of a resumed contest still depends on its score and competitiveness, as explained in the guide to how long tennis matches last.
Does a US Open Rain Delay Mean a Refund?
No. A delay, schedule change, shortened list of matches or court reassignment does not by itself create a refund or exchange. The official session must meet the current policy’s definition of a cancelled session, and the ticket must be in an eligible category.
The following details summarize the confirmed 2026 US Open Inclement Weather Policy. The USTA states that the policy is subject to change, so ticket holders should check the version attached to their own edition and purchase.
Tickets Covered by the 2026 Exchange Policy
The 2026 policy covers certain Grandstand single-session tickets and mini-plans, plus single-session Grounds Admission tickets. They must have been purchased directly through Ticketmaster, USOpen.org or the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Box Office.
Coverage does not mean an exchange is automatic after any rain. The relevant session must be officially considered cancelled under the policy’s cancellation provisions.
Tickets Excluded From the 2026 Exchange Policy
The 2026 inclement-weather exchange policy does not apply to:
- Arthur Ashe Stadium tickets, including single sessions, mini-plans and full series
- Louis Armstrong Stadium tickets, including single sessions, mini-plans and full series
- Arthur Ashe Stadium luxury-suite tickets
- Complimentary tickets
- Tickets bought through auctions, exchanges, resale or secondary outlets
- Tickets received through Ticketmaster Ticket Transfer
The resale exclusion is especially important because a ticket visible in a Ticketmaster account was not necessarily bought as a direct primary ticket. Purchase source and transfer history can affect eligibility.
When a 2026 Day Session Counts as Cancelled
For the listed Grandstand and Grounds Admission sessions, the official chart uses both the amount of tennis played and the number of completed matches. An eligible day session can be treated as cancelled if weather alone prevents play from beginning by 5:00pm, ends play before 60 minutes, or ends play before 90 minutes with no completed match.
A session is treated as completed if at least 60 minutes but fewer than 90 minutes are played and at least one match is completed. It is also treated as completed after 90 or more minutes of play, even if no match finishes.
Evening Grounds Admission has separate outer-court timing measured from the evening gate opening, including a 9:45pm threshold in the 2026 chart. Because the table distinguishes session type, minutes and completed matches, ticket holders should use the official chart rather than applying the day-session summary to an evening ticket.
What an Eligible Exchange Provides
For an officially cancelled eligible session, the 2026 policy permits a one-for-one exchange, not a cash refund. A same-year exchange is available only if the USTA chooses to offer it, only through the box office, for selected sessions and subject to availability.
Alternatively, the policy provides a process to request the same session for the 2027 US Open. The ticket holder must submit written proof of an eligible purchase within 30 days after the final day of the 2026 tournament.
The USTA does not guarantee availability, equal value or a comparable seat location. All exchanges are final, and the 2026 policy states that no refunds or credits are provided.
What Ticket Holders Should Do During a Delay
Keep the mobile ticket and original purchase confirmation. Do not rely on a screenshot of a social-media post for policy information, particularly when session status can change after play resumes.
Check the official US Open app, website and venue announcements for the updated order of play. If you leave the grounds, confirm the current re-entry rule before passing the exit because ticket terms and gate procedures can restrict return.
If you cannot remain at the venue, live coverage may help you follow a resumed match. The guide to where to watch the US Open explains the main viewing options, but broadcast placement can also change when several matches resume together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do US Open matches continue in rain?
Matches can continue under the closed roofs in Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium. Play on uncovered courts is suspended when officials determine that rain has made conditions unsafe.
Does the score reset after a rain delay?
No. The match resumes from the recorded score and match position at the time of suspension.
Can an outer-court match move under a roof?
It can happen only if tournament officials reassign it, but there is no automatic right to a covered court. Existing stadium matches, session commitments, court availability and the overall schedule all matter.
Will a roof close before rain starts?
The referee can act using weather information and court conditions, but there is no fixed spectator-facing trigger that guarantees closure at a particular forecast percentage. The aim is to protect safe, fair play while managing the session.
Can I get a refund if my session is delayed?
A delay alone does not create a refund. Under the confirmed 2026 policy, only specified directly purchased Grandstand and Grounds Admission tickets may qualify for an exchange when the session is officially cancelled, and no refunds or credits are promised.
Is Grandstand covered by a roof?
No. Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium are the two roofed competition courts; Grandstand remains uncovered.
Can rain change the next day’s schedule?
Yes. Suspended matches, player rest and court availability can alter start times, court assignments and the order of play. Always recheck the current schedule instead of relying on an earlier screenshot.