The US Open is the final Grand Slam tournament of the tennis season, held annually at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens, New York. The 2026 edition runs from 31 August to 13 September. Played on DecoTurf hard courts under the lights of the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium, the US Open is one of the largest and most atmospheric sporting events in North America.
What is the US Open?
The US Open is one of four Grand Slam tournaments in professional tennis, alongside the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon. It is the season-closing major and the only Grand Slam to have been played every year since its inception in 1881, when it was known as the U.S. National Championship. The tournament features men’s and women’s singles, doubles, mixed doubles, wheelchair events, and junior competitions.
The main draw features 128 players in both the men’s and women’s singles, with seven rounds from the first round through to the final. The US Open is distinctive for its night sessions under floodlights at Arthur Ashe Stadium, which create a uniquely electric atmosphere. The DecoTurf hard court surface provides a medium-paced game that generally favours aggressive baseliners with powerful serves.
When is the US Open?
The 2026 US Open main draw runs from Sunday 31 August to Sunday 13 September. Fan Week begins on 23 August and includes Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, the qualifying tournament, and the re-imagined Mixed Doubles Championship. Qualifying rounds take place from approximately 25 to 30 August, with the main draw starting on 31 August.
The women’s singles final is typically held on the second Saturday, with the men’s singles final on the second Sunday. Night sessions at Arthur Ashe Stadium, which begin at 7:00 PM local time (ET), are among the most sought-after tickets in tennis.
Where is the US Open?
The US Open is held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, New York City. The complex spans 46.5 acres and features 22 courts, including three major show courts: Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium, and the Grandstand.
Arthur Ashe Stadium is the centrepiece, seating 23,771 spectators, making it the largest tennis-specific stadium in the world. Named after Arthur Ashe, who won the inaugural US Open in 1968, the stadium received a retractable roof in 2016. Louis Armstrong Stadium (capacity 14,053) also has a retractable roof, installed when the court was rebuilt in 2018. The venue is accessible via the 7 train to Mets-Willets Point station, a short walk from the grounds.
Key Contenders
Carlos Alcaraz is the defending men’s singles champion, having defeated Jannik Sinner 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 in the 2025 final to claim his second US Open title and sixth major overall. The Spaniard’s aggressive all-court game is perfectly suited to the hard courts of Flushing Meadows, and he will enter the 2026 tournament as one of the favourites.
Jannik Sinner won the 2024 US Open and will be eager to reclaim the title. Novak Djokovic, who has won three US Open titles, remains a threat despite his advancing years. Alexander Zverev and Daniil Medvedev (the 2021 champion) are among the other leading contenders.
In the women’s draw, Coco Gauff (the 2023 champion) will have strong home support. Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Elena Rybakina are all expected to feature prominently. The American crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium provides one of the most partisan atmospheres in tennis.
How to Watch the US Open
In the United States, ESPN holds exclusive broadcast rights under an 11-year deal with the USTA running through 2037. Coverage airs across ESPN, ESPN2, and ABC, with the women’s singles final on ESPN and the men’s singles final on ABC. ESPN+ streams all courts live throughout the tournament. Streaming alternatives include Fubo (from $45.99/month) and Hulu + Live TV (from $82.99/month).
In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports holds the broadcast rights. Across Europe, Warner Bros. Discovery provides coverage through Eurosport and its streaming platforms. In Australia, Channel 9 and Stan Sport carry the tournament. beIN Sports covers the Middle East and North Africa, and TSN broadcasts in Canada. Coverage is available across Asia through various regional broadcasters.
History and Records
The US Open traces its origins to 1881, when the first U.S. National Championship was held on grass courts at the Newport Casino in Rhode Island. The tournament moved to the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, Queens, in 1915, and then to its current Flushing Meadows location in 1978, switching from grass to clay and then to hard courts.
In the men’s singles, Roger Federer, Pete Sampras, and Jimmy Connors share the Open Era record with five titles each. Serena Williams and Chris Evert hold the women’s record with six titles apiece. The US Open was the first Grand Slam to introduce a tiebreak (1970), the first to offer equal prize money to men and women (1973), and the first to use Hawk-Eye instant replay (2006).
The tournament has produced many iconic moments, including Jimmy Connors’ 1991 run to the semi-finals at age 39, Serena Williams’ pursuit of the calendar Grand Slam in 2015, and Coco Gauff’s emotional home triumph in 2023.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the US Open are sold through Ticketmaster, the official ticketing partner. Single-session and multi-session ticket plans are available. Grounds Pass tickets for the early rounds typically start from around USD $30 to $50, while reserved seats in Louis Armstrong Stadium range from $100 to $300. Arthur Ashe Stadium tickets start from approximately $200 for early rounds and can exceed $1,500 for the finals, with courtside seats commanding premium prices.
Night session tickets for Arthur Ashe Stadium are particularly popular and tend to sell out quickly. The tournament regularly attracts over 900,000 spectators across the fortnight, making it one of the best-attended annual sporting events in the world. Hospitality and corporate packages are available through official partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the US Open start?
The 2026 US Open main draw begins on Sunday 31 August, with Fan Week and qualifying starting from 23 August. The tournament concludes on Sunday 13 September with the men’s singles final.
Where is the US Open held?
The US Open is held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, New York City.
How can I watch the US Open?
In the US, ESPN has exclusive rights across ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and ESPN+. In the UK, Sky Sports broadcasts the tournament. Eurosport covers Europe, with Channel 9/Stan Sport in Australia and beIN Sports in the Middle East.
Who won the US Open in 2025?
Carlos Alcaraz won the men’s singles title, defeating Jannik Sinner in the final. He claimed his second US Open title and sixth Grand Slam overall.
What surface is the US Open played on?
The US Open is played on DecoTurf hard courts. The surface provides a medium-paced game and has been used at Flushing Meadows since 1978, when the tournament switched from clay.