Step Inside: Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York

Stadium History | Transportation & Parking | Seating Options | Rules & Guidelines | Food & Beverages

Arthur Ashe Stadium History

Arthur Ashe Stadium is named after legendary tennis player Arthur Robert Ashe, Jr. Born in Richmond, Virginia, Ashe was the winner of the inaugural 1968 US Open — the first in which professionals could compete. By 1975, he was ranked the No. 1 tennis player in the United States. He passed away in New York in February 1993.

Located at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, NY, Arthur Ashe Stadium opened in 1997 as part of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. When Arthur Ashe Stadium opened, it replaced Louis Armstrong Stadium as the main tennis facility in the park. The stadium opened by hosting the US Open and Grammy winner Whitney Houston, who sang “One Moment in Time” during the inauguration ceremonies as a tribute to the late Arthur Ashe. The first official tennis match that was played on the court was at the 1997 US Open, when Thailand’s Tamarine Tanasugarn beat Chanda Rubin from the United States in two sets.

 

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When it opened in 1997, the stadium was originally built without a roof, but after years of event delays due to weather, a lightweight retractable roof was completed in 2016. With a capacity of 23,771, Arthur Ashe Stadium is the largest Grand Slam venue — and the largest tennis stadium in the world. The stadium features a bronze statue of the tennis player Arthur Robert Ashe, Jr. sculpted by Eric Fischl. Titled “Soul in Flight” and sponsored by the USTA, the statue features Ashe standing tall with his left arm pointing up. It’s inscribed with a quote from Ashe that reads: “From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.”

Is Arthur Ashe Stadium used for anything other than US Open Tennis Championships?

Outside of the US Open, the indoor and outdoor courts of the stadium are open to the public during the rest of the year. Other annual events held at the center are rare, but include the Eastern Wheelchair Tennis Championships and the Mayor’s Cup high school tennis championships.

The stadium has also hosted the occasional event such as the first-ever outdoor regular season WNBA game in 2008, the Fortnite World Cup esports tournament in 2019, and All Elite Wrestling in 2021.

Getting to and Parking at Arthur Ashe Stadium

Getting There by Car

If you’re traveling by car to the US Open, putting USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center into your GPS will get you there. To save time, the USTA recommends using either the Grand Central Parkway Exit 9E, Whitestone Expressway Exit 13D or Long Island Expressway Exit 22B.

Parking

If you’re headed to the US Open, here’s what to know about Arthur Ashe Stadium parking:

• If there is a New York Mets home game, US Open attendees will be directed to park in the Blue Zone and Orange Zone parking lots. There will be NYPD and parking lot staff to direct you where to park.
• If there isn’t a Mets home game, US Open attendees can park in the Mets Stadium parking, also known as the Yellow Zone lot. There will be NYPD and parking lot staff to direct you where to park.

Parking information is subject to change, so make sure you check for any updates before leaving. To park at Arthur Ashe Stadium, it’s $40 for vehicles and $80 for buses.

Public Transportation

If you would rather take mass transit to the US Open, it can save you time and money. Here are a few ways to take public transportation when traveling to your Arthur Ashe Stadium visit.

• Subway: The 7 train offers service from Grand Central Terminal to Mets-Willets Point Station. It has connections for all Metro-North Trains from Westchester and Connecticut. You can also get service from the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

• Long Island Rail Road: The Long Island Rail Road provides easy service to Mets-Willets Point Station from Woodside. For New Jersey train customers, there are also convenient connections from Penn Station.

For more information on taking public transportation to Arthur Ashe Stadium, visit the MTA website at mta.info.

Arthur Ashe Stadium Seating Options and Capacity

Arthur Ashe Stadium can seat up to 23,771 fans, which makes it the largest tennis stadium in the world. There are a variety of seating options available for Day and Evening Sessions of the US Open. The levels of seating for the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium include the upper-level Promenade seating, mid-level Loge seating, Luxury Suites that sit just above courtside, and Courtside seats for that front-row view.

Arthur Ashe Stadium is a covered stadium. Due to several years of delays because of weather, Arthur Ashe Stadium added a lightweight retractable roof in 2016. More information about seating and US Open ticket options can be found at ticketmaster.com/usopen.

Arthur Ashe Stadium Rules & Guidelines

In an effort to keep everyone safe when attending the US Open, the USTA has implemented a number of important security measures in conjunction with local, state and federal law enforcement. Here are a couple important things to keep in mind when getting ready to attend a match at the US Open.

• All US Open attendees will go through a security screening process before passing through the gates. It’s recommended to arrive early to avoid delays.

• There is an Arthur Ashe Stadium bag policy. The bag policy is a limit of one bag per guest, and all bags are subject to search and must not be larger than 12” W x 12 ”H x 16” L. You will not be able to store your bag on the grounds. For a fee, you can store your bags outside the Main Entry and Champions Entry.

What can I not bring to the US Open?

Prohibited items include:

• Backpacks
• Hard coolers or similar containers
• Sealed packages of any kind
• Glass bottles, containers or cans
• Aerosol cans or noise-making devices
• Alcohol
• Video cameras or recording devices
• Computers or laptops
• Weapons (regardless of permit)
• Animals (with the exception of serivce animals)
• Flags, banners or signs
• Any materials, items or apparel constituting unauthorized advertising or promotion
• Laser pointing devices
• Tennis racquets
• Drones (UAS-Unmanned Aircraft Systems) or other model aircraft
• Selfie-sticks or other telescopic devices
• Skateboards, hoverboards, scooters, bicycles or other personal recreational vehicles, with the exception of ADA-required devices
• Rollerblades
• Masks (other than health and safety masks)
• Fireworks, missile-like objects, Frisbees, or any other form of projectiles
• Balloons, beach balls and other inflatables
• Confetti or glitter
• Unapproved pamphlets, handouts, etc.
• Any devices that may interfere with and/or distract players, other guests or any technology-related services provided at the premises
• Visible indecent, inappropriate or offensive clothing or accessories
• Any other items deemed dangerous or inappropriate by US Open personnel, in their sole discretion

Can I bring a water bottle to the US Open?

Yes, 24 oz or less reusable water bottles made from metal or plastic are allowed at the US Open.

You can also bring:

• Single compartment drawstring bags
• Cell phones and SLR cameras, with lenses up to and not exceeding 300mm, with video or recording capabilities

Food and Beverage Options at Arthur Ashe Stadium

Tennis fans visiting Arthur Ashe Stadium for the US Open will find no shortage of exciting food and beverage options available throughout the stadium. Keep reading for a list of must-have Arthur Ashe Stadium food selections.

COQODAQ

Feast on signature dishes from this Korean-inspired fried chicken restaurant. Favorites include the Golden Set — 24 Karat, six-piece chicken nuggets with Petrossian caviar, crème fraîche, and chives.

Carnegie Deli

Located in the Food Village, Carnegie Deli features all the classic flavors of New York, including turkey, pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, classic hot dogs, plus sweet dishes like cheesecake.

The Migrant Kitchen

Taste a variety of bowls and salads at The Migrant Kitchen, including the Crispy Chicken Bowl, Falafel Bowl, Halloumi Fries and for dessert, donuts.

Fly Fish @ Oyster Bar

Located at Gate 4, you can feast on oysters, lobster rolls and crab cakes at Fly Fish @ Oyster Bar. Plus, you won’t go thirsty with a selection of beverages to go with your seafood.

Pat LaFrieda Meat Co.

Try out the signature filet mignon steak sandwich from Pat LaFrieda — known as the “King of Meat.” There’s also a chicken parmesan sandwich, a double patty burger and vanilla milkshakes. Menu items vary by location.

Van Leeuwen Ice Cream

When your sweet tooth is calling, head to Gate 35 to cool off with a delicious array of ice cream and milkshakes from NYC’s famous ice cream purveyor, Van Leeuwen. Be sure to try the US Open’s exclusive flavor: Honeycomb Fudge Ripple!

Franks & Sausages

You can try out New York Italian sausage, the Coney Island footlong frankfurter, a baked pretzel braid and more at Franks & Sausages, located at Gates 22, 23, and 27.

Fuku

Located at Gates 26 and 34, Fuku — from the owners of Momofuku — is known for their fried chicken sandwiches, plus a variety of chicken and seasonal offerings.

Grey Goose Bars

It wouldn’t be an Arthur Ashe Stadium visit without trying the signature drink of the US Open — the Honey Deuce. Try it out for yourself at the Grey Goose Bars located at Gates 24, 27, 33, and 36.

Eataly

Italy in NYC? If you’re craving Italian comfort food, look no further than Eataly. Located by Gates 7 and 8, here’s where you’ll find a variety of traditional pizzas, pastas, salads and desserts. Try the prosciutto crudo e parmigiano.

The Open Bar

Here’s where you’ll find US Open signature cocktails, plus wine by the glass and beer. There’s also snacks at The Open Bar — located at Gates 27, 33 and 38 — like wraps, sandwiches, kettle chips, baked pretzel braids, and crackerjacks.

Prime Burger

Located at Gate 31, at Prime Burger you can have the “World’s Greatest hot dog,” plus burgers, chicken breast sandwiches, and seasoned french fries.

For more information about the US Open, including Fan Week, visit ticketmaster.com/usopen.