US Open Grounds Pass: How it works, what’s included and what tennis you can see

If you looked up US Open tickets and then clicked over to Arthur Ashe Stadium, you probably noticed the same thing most fans do: the main stadium gets expensive in a hurry.

That is where the Grounds Pass comes in. It costs less, lets you move around and works especially well during the first week, when matches are happening all over the grounds.

If you want one reserved seat for a marquee match in Arthur Ashe, this probably is not your ticket. If you want to spend the day bouncing between courts and watching as much tennis as possible, it might be.

Your guide to the US Open Grounds Pass

The 2026 US Open runs from Aug. 30 through Sept. 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows. Fan Week runs from Aug. 23 through Aug. 29.

A Grounds Pass makes the most sense once you understand how spread out the tournament is, especially early in the draw. The US Open is a full campus of stadiums and courts, and on a busy day, a Grounds Pass gives you the freedom to move among them instead of spending the entire session in one seat.

What a US Open Grounds Pass is

A Grounds Pass is a general admission ticket for the tournament grounds, not a reserved seat for one specific match.

On SeatGeek, these tickets are typically listed as Grounds Admission Only, making them easy to distinguish from Arthur Ashe Stadium tickets and other stadium-specific options.

For the 2026 tournament, Grounds Admission is available for day sessions from Aug. 30 through Sept. 8. It includes first-come, first-served access to Louis Armstrong Stadium, Grandstand, Stadium 17 and the field courts. It does not include Arthur Ashe Stadium.

What a Grounds Pass includes

A Grounds Pass gives you access to a large part of the tennis happening outside Arthur Ashe.

That includes first-come, first-served admission to:

• Louis Armstrong Stadium

• Grandstand

• Stadium 17

• the field courts

You can also explore the rest of the grounds, including food stands, shops, big screens and practice areas.

That freedom is the main appeal. You can watch a set on an outer court, head to Armstrong for another match and change plans again if something interesting starts nearby.

What a Grounds Pass does not include

A Grounds Pass does not include entry to Arthur Ashe Stadium.

If you want to watch a match inside Ashe, you need a dedicated Arthur Ashe Stadium ticket.

Access to the other courts also does not guarantee you a seat. Grounds Pass seating is first come, first served, so popular matches can fill up. If that happens, you may need to wait or head to another court.

Grounds Pass vs. Arthur Ashe, Louis Armstrong and Grandstand tickets

The best ticket depends on whether you care more about having a reserved seat or being able to move around.

A Grounds Pass gives you first-come, first-served access around the eligible courts but no reserved stadium seat and no entry to Arthur Ashe.

A Grandstand ticket gives you an assigned seat in Grandstand along with access to the field courts. A Louis Armstrong Stadium ticket gives you a reserved seat in Armstrong, with additional access depending on the session.

An Arthur Ashe Stadium ticket gives you an assigned seat inside Ashe plus first-come, first-served access to Louis Armstrong Stadium, Grandstand and the field courts. In other words, an Ashe ticket does not lock you inside Ashe all day. You can still leave and explore the rest of the tournament.

If you mainly want to roam and keep the ticket price down, start with Grounds Admission. If there is a match or stadium you know you want guaranteed access to, a reserved ticket may make more sense.

When a Grounds Pass makes the most sense

Grounds Passes are usually best during the first week of the US Open, when the draw is spread across the full campus and more matches are being played outside the main stadiums.

As the tournament moves deeper into the second week, more play shifts into the bigger venues. Paid Grounds Admission also ends Sept. 8. If your goal is to see as much tennis as possible for your money, earlier in the tournament is usually better.

There is also a special Open for All Day on Sept. 10, when daytime grounds admission is free and fans can watch competition outside Arthur Ashe Stadium. The schedule includes men's doubles semifinals, wheelchair competition and junior matches, along with other activities around the site. Arthur Ashe access is separate.

How Fan Week fits in

There is also a free way to experience the grounds before the main draw begins.

Fan Week runs Aug. 23 through Aug. 29 in 2026 and includes qualifying matches, player activities and other events around the grounds. Grounds admission is free, but adults need a free Fan Access Pass to enter, and certain premium events require separate paid tickets.

For some fans, Fan Week is enough. For others, it is a preview before coming back with a Grounds Pass once the main draw begins.

What to bring with a US Open Grounds Pass

A Grounds Pass can turn into a long day, so pack for spending plenty of time outside and walking between courts.

Start with comfortable shoes. Sunscreen and a hat are also useful for daytime matches, especially if you expect to spend much of the day on the outer courts.

Pay attention to the bag rules before heading out. For 2026, each guest can bring one bag no larger than 12 by 12 by 16 inches. Backpacks are prohibited except for certain drawstring or medical bags. Reusable metal or plastic water bottles up to 24 ounces are allowed, while glass bottles and cans are not.

Checking the policy before leaving for Flushing Meadows can save you from finding out at security that something you brought cannot enter.

How to make the most of a Grounds Pass

Get there early. During paid Grounds Admission dates in 2026, day-session gates are scheduled to open at 9:30 a.m.

Check the order of play before you arrive and pick a few players or matches you would like to see, but keep the plan loose enough to change course once you are inside.

If a match on Armstrong or one of the smaller courts is high on your list, getting there before it starts can help. General admission areas are first come, first served, and you should expect popular matches to draw crowds.

Most importantly, be willing to move on. If one court is packed, another match is usually not far away. One of the advantages of buying Grounds Admission is that your day does not have to depend on getting into one particular court.

How to buy US Open Grounds Passes on SeatGeek

Ready to spend a day bouncing between courts at Flushing Meadows? Buying a Grounds Pass on SeatGeek is straightforward, and comparing your options before checkout can help you find the right day and ticket for the experience you want.

1. Browse US Open tickets. Head to US Open tickets on SeatGeek and select the date you want to attend.

2. Find Grounds Admission Only listings. Look for this label to identify Grounds Passes for your selected date.

3. Compare your options. Check Grounds Admission against Arthur Ashe Stadium tickets and other available sessions to see which experience fits your plans.

4. Check prices and Deal Score. Compare listings across your preferred dates and use Deal Score to help find the best option for your budget.

5. Choose your Grounds Pass. Pick the listing that works for you, complete your purchase and start getting ready for a day of tennis at Flushing Meadows.

Then comes the fun part. Check the order of play, grab something to eat and start making your way around the grounds. One match may turn into three, and the player you end up talking about on the ride home might not be the one you came to see.

That unpredictability is a big part of the fun of spending a day at the US Open.