When does the US Open 2026 in New York start and where is Flushing Meadows?

Known as the final Grand Slam of the season, the US Open takes place in New York. But where is Flushing Meadows, and when does the US Open start in 2025?

Last year, was the 144th edition of the Open and it delivered some historic moments its hard courts, with Jannik Sinner picking up his first US Open title. On the women’s side we saw Aryna Sabalenka win her US Open title with a win in straight sets. The tournament also featured a record length match that saw Dan Evans and Karen Khachanov battle it out on court for five hours and 35 minutes.

The US Open will officially begin on Sunday 30th of August, with the men’s final concluding on Sunday, the 13th of September. This will be the first time that the tournament will span over 15 days, after a record-breaking attendance in 2025 and an increase in demand.

This start date is a day earlier than previous years with the tournament traditionally starting on the Monday, so make sure to have it on your calendars.

Before the main draw, qualifying rounds will take place on Monday, 18th of August, allowing those rising starts and seasoned veterans a shot at the main stage. This will also allow fans to enter the grounds for free during these qualifiers in what is known as ‘Fan Week’. It will consist of notable events such as a ‘Starts of the Open’ exhibition and a Mixed Doubles Championship on August 19th and 20th.

The US Open is held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, nestled in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens New York. The venue consists if three show courts:
- Arthur Ashe Stadium- The centre court with a capacity of 23,771, the largest tennis stadium in the world that features a retractable roof.
- Louis Armstrong Stadium: Seats 14,000 fans and typically hosts high-profile early round matches.
- The Grandstand: A small intense venue that seats 8,125 fans and is known for its atmosphere.

There are numerous other outer courts and practice areas that make up the US Open, including fan zones that make the US Open more than just a tournament.

The US Open was founded in 1881 and originally known as the US National Championships and has since become the US Open. The Open is one of four Grand Slams, alongside the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon.

The tournament moved to its historic venue, Flushing Meadows in 1978 and has been there ever since. This saw the Open transition to a Hard-court surface, favouring big servers and aggressive baseliners. It was also the first Grand Slam to offer equal prize money In 1973. It is also the final Grand Slam of the year, which often adds drama as players seem to chase history, rankings and redemption.

Getting to the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens, is relatively easy whether you're coming from within New York City, elsewhere in the United States, or internationally from Europe. From within New York City, the most convenient way is by public transportation.

You can take the 7 subway line directly to Mets-Willets Point Station, which is just a short walk from the stadium. Alternatively, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) also stops at Mets-Willets Point on the Port Washington Branch, offering a faster ride from Penn Station. While buses are available, the subway and LIRR are typically faster during the tournament. Taxis and rideshares are an option too, but traffic around the venue can be congested, especially during peak hours, and parking is limited.

If you're traveling from other parts of the United States, the most common approach is to fly into one of New York City’s major airports. LaGuardia (the closest), JFK, or Newark. From any of these, you can reach Flushing by taxi, rideshare, or a combination of airport trains and subways. Train travel is also viable; Amtrak serves Penn Station from cities like Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., from where you can transfer to the subway or LIRR. Long-distance bus services will also get you into Manhattan, and from there, local transit can take you to the venue.

For international visitors from Europe, direct flights to New York’s JFK or Newark airports are available from most major cities with simple connections from there to the city and in particular Flushing Meadows. Jessica Pegula despite being lauded as a billionaire tennis player was seen taking the subway to the grounds last year.

- August 31st: Start of the main draw
- September 11th: Women’s semifinals
- September 12th: Men’s semifinals
- September 13th: Women’s final
- September 13th: Men’s final

Everyday features two session, one in the day and one at night.

In the men’s singles, Carlos Alcaraz will be entering as the reigning champion. He defeated Jannik Sinner in this year's final.

Aryna Sabalenka, the women’s world No.1 returns as the women’s singles champion and will be looking to compete more than she did at Wimbledon as she exited the tournament in the semi-finals. The mixed doubles champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori are back to defend their title this year and will headline the event that is held during Fan Week.

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster as the official ticketing partner of the US Open. Standard ground passes range from $60-$150, has access to outer courts and practice areas. Reserved stadium seating in the Louis Armstrong and Grandstand range from $120-$300 and finally the Arthur Ashe Stadium have early round seats available for $70, but as the tournament goes on, tickets for big matches and finals can be $300 and up.

- In the United Kingdom, coverage will be shown on Sky Sports, covering games in all 3 stadiums.
- The United states, coverage will be on ESPN and ESPN+, with subscriptions costing around $11.99 a month.
- TSN holds the writes in Canada
- For those in Australia, the tournament can be followed on Stand Sport and in New Zealand it will be streamed via TVNZ+

There are many elements that set the US Open apart from the rest:
- Having the largest stadium in Tennis, it offers a unique atmosphere that is loud energetic and constant support for players.
- Diversity and Inclusion which is provided by events such as Open Pride Day and a strong wheelchair tournament.
- It’s electronic line calls and 15-day schedule shows how the Open leads the way in modernisation.

- Jannik Sinner: The World No.2 will be a strong favourite
- Carlos Alcaraz: The young Spaniard will be seeking to the put things right after his loss at Wimbledon and with his athleticism and court craft, a deep run is expected.
- Ben Shelton: After an impressive Wimbledon run, Shelton’s grit and extreme passion will sure help him compete with some of the biggest names.
- Aryna Sabalenka: The defending women’s champion, known for her power and confidence is always a dangerous favourite.
- Iga Swiatek: Will be looking to follow up her outstanding win at Wimbledon.
- Coco Gauff: With a growing resume and electrifying game, the fan favourite is sure to be a contender.
- In the mixed doubles, Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz. The duo will debut as partners in the event and are a major headline in Fan Week.

To conclude, the US Open as always will be an actioned pact 15 days of high-quality tennis, and ground-breaking play. With top players returning to defend titles and new challenges looking to make their mark in new areas such as the mixed doubles. Whether you’re watching from the stands or streaming from home, the road to glory at Flushing Meadows will end with some unforgettable tennis.