When do US Open tennis tickets go on sale? (And how to get them cheap!)
When it comes to summer sporting events, there’s not much better than the US Open. Basketball is over, football hasn’t started, and baseball is in the dog days. But when the end of August arrives, so does the US Open. Fans descend on Arthur Ashe Stadium see the best tennis players in the world compete in one of the sport’s four major tournaments. If you live close enough to New York to visit, the US Open is an event every sports fan should experience at least once in their lifetime.
Of course, buying tickets to the US Open can be expensive and even a little confusing. There are countless matches played throughout the tournament across a dozen courts, as well as high demand to see the world’s elite players. Luckily, there are still ways to get your hands on cheap US Open tennis tickets if you know what you’re doing.
When do US Open tennis tickets go on sale?
The question of when do US Open tennis tickets go on sale doesn't have a straightforward answer, as new tickets are constantly released throughout the tournament. That's good news for you since there are frequently new tickets available. Tickets to certain matches and some ticket packages go on sale more than two months before the start of the US Open. But the USTA also continues to release more tickets in the weeks leading up to the tournament and sometimes after the tournament begins. This means that every ticket to every event has not yet been made available. It also means that not buying tickets when they first go on sale isn’t the end of the world – you'll likely have another chance.
For those who want to experience the US Open in person, it’s also important to keep in mind the scope of the tournament and the types of tickets available. Most people know that Arthur Ashe Stadium is the main court where the top athletes play during the US Open. However, there are 16 other courts in the US Open complex that host games. There are also both daytime and evening sessions that have separate admission, further complicating the process of finding tickets for the matches you want to see.
Tips for Getting Cheap US Open Tennis Tickets
There are plenty of ways you can enjoy the US Open in person without spending all of your savings. The week before the official tournament starts, lower-level players go through qualifying rounds to get into the US Open. Admission to these matches is free and gives you a feel for what it’s like at the real thing. The day before the tournament begins, top players also participate in practice sessions that are free and open to the public. It’s obviously not quite the same as an actual US Open match, but it can be a great way to see players up close without the high price tag.
If the qualifying rounds and practice sessions aren’t enough competition for you, you can get cheap tickets to the US Open by attending the early rounds. It goes without saying that tickets to the semi-finals and finals will be expensive, but there are plenty of deals to be found at the beginning of the tournament. This is the best time to see the top players at an affordable price, even if early-round matches aren’t always the most competitive.
You’re also more likely to find cheap US Open tennis tickets by going to matches on a weekday as opposed to the weekend. If you’re able to attend anytime before Labor Day weekend, you’ll stand a better chance of getting cheap tickets. Starting Labor Day weekend, the crowds get bigger, and the demand for tickets increases, causing prices to rise.
When to Buy US Open Tennis Tickets
Buying US Open tennis tickets at an affordable price is more of an art than a science. It requires both patience and a little bit of luck, but also a little know-how. Keep in mind that US Open tickets on the secondary market will almost always be high soon after tickets are officially released by the USTA. People will buy up tickets and then turn around and sell them on the secondary market in hopes of making a profit. Occasionally, you may find a great deal, but it’s usually best to wait until closer to the tournament to buy.
Waiting until a day or two before you plan to go is sometimes the best time to look for tickets on the secondary market, as ticket prices begin to drop below face value. Obviously, the longer you wait to buy, the more you risk not finding tickets in your price range. However, waiting longer also makes it easier to predict which players will be participating in a particular match. If you're flexible and willing to take the risk, waiting until the last minute can be a great way to get cheap US Open tennis tickets to see the players you love.