Arthur Ashe StadiumSeating Guide: Where to Sit & Best Seats
Arthur Ashe Stadium, the main court at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens, is the world's largest tennis stadium with a capacity of around 23,771. It is arranged in four distinct tiers stacked from the floor upwards: the Courtside (lower) level, the Suite level, the Loge level and the large Promenade (upper) level, all sitting beneath a retractable roof completed in 2016. The best overall views are from the Courtside boxes and Loge sections behind the baselines and along the sidelines close to the umpire's chair, while the best value is found in the lower rows of the Promenade level, where prices fall sharply but sightlines remain reasonable. For day sessions, the west and south sides (broadly Sections 47-58 and the matching Promenade sections) move into shade by mid-afternoon, whereas the highest Promenade rows feel very distant from the court. The standout recommendation is to sit as low as possible on whichever tier your budget allows and to favour baseline or near-baseline sections over the extreme corners.
Configurations
US Open tennis (full-bowl day/night sessions)
The stadium's primary use is as the main show court of the US Open Grand Slam, hosting marquee singles and doubles matches and both finals. The full bowl is used across Courtside, Suite, Loge and Promenade levels. A single tennis court sits centrally, with the umpire's chair on the west side; baseline-on and side-court positions are the key viewing distinction.
US Open early-round / qualifying play
During early rounds the same single-court layout is used, but the upper Promenade tier is often less heavily sold, making lower-priced promenade and loge seats easier to obtain. Sightlines are identical to finals; only the calibre of match and pricing differ.
Concerts and special events (occasional)
The stadium has occasionally hosted concerts and special non-tennis events. In an end-stage concert configuration the court floor becomes a stage-and-floor area and seating behind or beside the stage is typically restricted or unused. Tennis is by far the dominant use; non-tennis events are rare and configurations vary by promoter.
Seating levels explained
Courtside (Lower) level
Sections approximately 1-67 (e.g. 14-25, 28-29, 48-63, 66-67)The lowest tier, ringing the court at floor level in boxed seating. Following recent reconfigurations the courtside level was expanded to around 5,000 seats, with boxes seating two rows per labelled row number. These are the closest and most expensive seats in the building.
Pros: Closest to the action; players are at eye level; unbeatable atmosphere and detail; often the most photographed positions.
Cons: By far the most expensive seats; lower rows have a flatter viewing angle across the court; the extreme corner boxes can require more head-turning to follow rallies.
Suite level
A dedicated suite tier (and, under recent premium expansions, additional suite levels) of private boxes positioned above the courtside seating, typically seating in the region of 22-35 guests per suite. Access is via hospitality packages rather than individual single-seat sale.
Pros: Private, climate-considerate space with catering and service; elevated yet central views of the court; ideal for groups and corporate hosting.
Cons: Only available through premium/hospitality purchase, not standard tickets; pricing is very high; some suites sit further from the baseline than others.
Loge level
Sections approximately 101-140, rows A onward (around four to seven rows)The mid-tier ring of seating above the suites, with relatively shallow rows that keep spectators reasonably close to the court. Loge centre sections behind the baselines and at mid-sideline near the umpire are the most sought-after on this level.
Pros: A strong balance of proximity and price below courtside; shallow rows mean even the back of loge stays close; good central baseline and sideline options.
Cons: More expensive than promenade; popular sections sell out early; corner loge sections share the angled-view drawback of any corner seat.
Promenade (Upper) level
Sections 301-340 (306-336 rows A-Z; 301-305 and 337-340 rows A-M)The large upper tier and the bulk of the stadium's capacity, divided informally into a lower promenade (front rows) and an upper promenade (higher rows up towards the roof). Sightlines remain unobstructed but the court is far below.
Pros: The most affordable seating and the best value, especially in the front (lower) rows; full view of the whole court and a sense of the stadium's scale; many sections fall into shade for day sessions.
Cons: The highest rows feel a long way from the court; the back of the upper promenade can feel like watching from a distance; a long climb up to the top rows.
Best seats at Arthur Ashe Stadium
| For | Sections | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best overall view | Courtside boxes behind the baselines, approximately Sections 1-9 and 26-45 | Baseline-on positions at the lowest level put you directly in line with the play, minimising side-to-side head movement and giving the clearest read of depth, spin and serve placement on a tennis court. |
| Best value | Lower (front) rows of the Promenade level, e.g. rows A-onwards in Sections 306-336 | Promenade is the cheapest tier, and the front rows of each upper section keep you close to the front of the level with an unobstructed full-court view, delivering the strongest price-to-sightline ratio in the stadium. |
| Best atmosphere | Courtside and lower Loge sections near the umpire's chair on the west side (sideline, around Sections 47-58 / matching loge) | Sideline seats near the chair umpire put you in the heart of the crowd noise and player energy, with the closest sense of pace and shot-making during big night-session matches. |
| Best for shade (day sessions) | West and south sides, courtside/loge Sections roughly 47-58, and Promenade Sections around 326-336 | By mid-afternoon the west and south sides move into shadow, and the upper promenade sections sit partly under the roof structure, making these the most comfortable choices for hot daytime sessions. |
| Best for baseline tennis viewing on a budget | Promenade sections behind the baselines, e.g. around Sections 301-303 and 319-321 | Sitting behind a baseline even high up keeps rallies travelling toward and away from you rather than side to side, giving an easier-to-follow view than corner seats at a much lower price than courtside. |
| Best premium / hospitality experience | Luxury suite level and courtside premium clubs | The suite tier and courtside clubs combine central elevated views with private catered space and service, ideal for hosting or for a marquee finals experience without the exposure of open seating. |
Seats to avoid & obstructed views
- Highest rows of the Upper Promenade (back rows of Sections 306-336 and the side sections 301-305, 337-340): Furthest seats from the court; the play feels very distant and small, and there is a long climb to reach them.
- Extreme corner sections at any level (corners of the courtside and loge rings): Sharp viewing angle across the court means more head-turning to follow rallies and a less natural read of the play than baseline or sideline seats.
- North and east side sections during day sessions: These sides catch sun for much of the afternoon, so day-session spectators here can face prolonged direct sunlight and glare.
- Lowest courtside rows in the extreme corners: Very flat sightline across the court combined with a corner angle can leave the far side of the court partly screened by play in the foreground.
Premium & hospitality
Luxury Suites
Private boxes on the dedicated suite level(s), generally seating around 22-35 guests, with catering and hospitality service; sold as packages rather than individual seats and among the most exclusive options in the stadium.
American Express Center Court Club
A premium club experience associated with the US Open hospitality programme, offering an upscale lounge and dining environment with access tied to eligible packages or cardholder/hospitality benefits.
Premier courtside clubs and hospitality lounges
The US Open Premier hospitality programme includes courtside-level clubs and lounges (with the venue expanding to multiple premium courtside clubs and an enlarged dining promenade in its redevelopment), combining close seating with catered, climate-comfortable hosting space.
Full-tournament / Premier Packages
All-tournament and multi-session premium packages bundle prime Ashe seating with hospitality access; these sit at the top of the pricing structure and are aimed at corporate and high-end guests.
Accessibility & companion seating
As a modern, fully covered stadium the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and Arthur Ashe Stadium provide wheelchair-accessible and companion seating across the tiers, with accessible restrooms, concessions and lift/ramp access within the grounds. Accessible seating typically includes spaces for a wheelchair user plus an adjacent companion seat. Because availability and exact locations vary by session and can change with the venue's ongoing redevelopment, accessible tickets should be arranged directly through the official US Open / Ticketmaster channels or the USTA accessibility services team rather than the general resale market.
Where: Wheelchair and companion spaces are distributed across levels (including promenade and lower-tier locations) to suit different budgets; the venue advises booking through official channels and contacting US Open accessibility services in advance to confirm placement, transport and any specific requirements.
Upcoming events at Arthur Ashe Stadium
Mixed Doubles Championship - Day Session
Tue, 25 Aug 2026 · US Open (tennis – Grand Slam)
Stars of the Open
Thu, 27 Aug 2026 · US Open (tennis – Grand Slam)
Men’s / Women’s 1st Round: Session 1 – Arthur Ashe
Sun, 30 Aug 2026 · US Open (tennis – Grand Slam)
Men’s / Women’s 1st Round: Session 2 – Arthur Ashe
Sun, 30 Aug 2026 · US Open (tennis – Grand Slam)
Men’s / Women’s 1st Round: Session 3 – Arthur Ashe
Mon, 31 Aug 2026 · US Open (tennis – Grand Slam)
Men’s / Women’s 1st Round: Session 4 – Arthur Ashe
Mon, 31 Aug 2026 · US Open (tennis – Grand Slam)
Men’s / Women’s 1st Round: Session 6 – Arthur Ashe
Tue, 1 Sept 2026 · US Open (tennis – Grand Slam)
Men’s / Women’s 1st Round: Session 5 – Arthur Ashe
Tue, 1 Sept 2026 · US Open (tennis – Grand Slam)
Frequently asked questions
What are the best seats at Arthur Ashe Stadium?
The best overall seats are the Courtside boxes behind the baselines (roughly Sections 1-9 and 26-45), where you sit lowest and most in line with the play. If those are out of budget, the central Loge sections behind the baselines or near the umpire's chair offer an excellent balance of proximity and price. As a rule, sit as low as your budget allows and favour baseline or near-baseline sections over the extreme corners.
What are the cheapest seats at Arthur Ashe Stadium?
The cheapest seats are in the Promenade (upper) level, Sections 301-340. For the best value, target the front (lower) rows of a promenade section, which keep the price low while still giving an unobstructed full-court view. US Open Ashe ticket prices vary widely by session, broadly from the mid double-digits up into the hundreds of dollars per seat.
Is Arthur Ashe Stadium accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes. The stadium and the wider USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center provide wheelchair-accessible and companion seating across the tiers, plus accessible restrooms, concessions and lift/ramp access. Accessible tickets should be booked through the official US Open / Ticketmaster channels or the USTA accessibility team to confirm location and any specific needs.
Does Arthur Ashe Stadium have a roof, and which seats are in the shade?
Yes, Arthur Ashe Stadium has had a retractable roof since 2016, so play continues in rain when it is closed. For day sessions with the roof open, the west and south sides (broadly Sections 47-58 and matching promenade sections) move into shade by mid-afternoon, while the upper Promenade sections nearest the roof structure also offer shade; the north and east sides tend to stay sunny longer.
What is the difference between the Courtside, Suite, Loge and Promenade levels?
Courtside is the lowest tier of boxes closest to the court and the most expensive. The Suite level is private hospitality boxes above it. The Loge level is the mid-tier of seating with shallow rows that stay relatively close. The Promenade is the large upper tier and the most affordable, holding most of the stadium's capacity but sitting furthest from the court.
How big is Arthur Ashe Stadium?
With a capacity of around 23,771, Arthur Ashe Stadium is the largest tennis stadium in the world. It opened in 1997 at Flushing Meadows and gained its 150 million dollar retractable roof in 2016.
Where should I sit to follow tennis most easily at Arthur Ashe?
Sit behind one of the baselines rather than in the corners. Baseline-on seats keep rallies travelling toward and away from you, which is far easier to follow than the side-to-side angle of corner seats. This holds at every level, so even a baseline promenade seat can watch better than a pricier corner one.