Stadium features and amenities
The court - The center court at Arthur Ashe Stadium is one of the most iconic tennis courts in the world, and you can take a tour of the stadium to see it up close. The stadium’s unique retractable roof means you can play tennis indoors or outdoors, and the stadium can be transformed from a tennis court to a football stadium in less than two hours.
The grounds - Arthur Ashe Stadium is surrounded by beautifully maintained landscaping and courts for a variety of sports. Visitors can watch world-leading athletes practice as they prepare for competitions.
The Museum and Hall of Fame - The USTA Billie Jeavons-Ficklin Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame is located on the grounds of Arthur Ashe Stadium, and the world’s largest tennis collection is on display. Visitors can see memorabilia from the sport’s greatest players, learn about the history of the game, and see iconic pieces of tennis equipment.
Stadium capacity and layout
The stadium has a capacity of 23,771. The main court has a seating capacity of 23,771, and additional seating can be added on the show courts. The stadium has a retractable roof that allows tennis to be played indoors or outdoors, although most matches are played outdoors. The stadium has four show courts, which can seat up to 10,377 people. The stadium has a variety of seating options available, including box seats, reserved seating, general admission, and premium seating. The box seats are the closest to the action, with VIP box seating located on Centre Court. Reserved seating is available on the lower and upper Bowls, with general admission seating available on the upper and lower terraces. The premium seating options include the VIP Village and VIP Courtside seating.
History of the stadium
The first US Open was held in 1890 at the Newport Casino Tennis Courts in Rhode Island, and the tournament was played every year until 1915. After World War I, the national Lawn Tennis Association wanted to move the tournament to New York. A temporary stadium was built to host the tournament at a site in Upper Manhattan from 1919 to 1925, but the move did not sit well with tennis fans. There were several attempts to build a permanent tennis stadium in New York, but all plans fell through. The National Tennis Center was finally completed in 1978 but was renamed after tennis legend and New York native Arthur Ashe in 1993. The US Open was held at its original home in New York from 1909 to 1975, with the semifinals and finals played at the original Madison Square Garden from 1924 to 1951 and 1962 to 1975. The tournament moved to Flushing Meadows in Queens in 1978 and has remained there ever since.
Major events held at the stadium
- The Tennis Hall of Fame inducted the stadium in 2018, and the stadium has hosted some of the greatest matches in tennis history. It has also been home to some of the top players in the world, including grand slam champions such as Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
- The first US Open was held at the Newport Casino Tennis Courts in Rhode Island in 1890, and the tournament was played every year until 1915. After World War I, the national Lawn Tennis Association wanted to move the tournament to New York. A temporary stadium was built in Upper Manhattan from 1919 to 1925, but the move did not sit well with tennis fans.
- There were several attempts to build a permanent tennis stadium in New York, but all plans fell through. The National Tennis Center was finally completed in 1978 but was renamed after tennis legend and New York native Arthur Ashe in 1993.
- The US Open was held at its original home in New York from 1909 to 1975, with the semifinals and finals being played at the original Madison Square Garden from 1924 to 1951 and 1962 to 1975. The tournament moved to Flushing Meadows in Queens in 1978 and has remained there ever since.
Notable tennis players who have played at the stadium
Arthur Ashe Stadium has hosted some of the best tennis players in the world, with some of the sport’s biggest names have played at the stadium. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are two of the biggest names to play at Arthur Ashe Stadium, and the stadium is often referred to as their home court during the US Open. Other notable tennis players who have played at Arthur Ashe Stadium include Novak Djokovic, Pete Sampras, and Serena Williams.
Visiting the stadium
Visiting Arthur Ashe Stadium is a must for any New York City visitor. You can purchase tickets online in advance or on the day of the event. For 22 years, the stadium has hosted the US Open Tennis Tournament, one of the world’s most prestigious sporting events. The US Open is held each year in late August and early September, so you can visit the stadium while the tournament is in progress. You can also visit the stadium when it is not hosting an event. Visiting the stadium when it is not in use allows you to see the stadium without crowds and get up close to the tennis courts. You can visit the USTA Billie Jeavons-Ficklin Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame located on the grounds of Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Visiting the stadium
Visiting Arthur Ashe Stadium is a must-see activity in New York City, and you can visit the stadium whenever it is not being used for events. Since the stadium is open to the public when it is not hosting an event, you can visit at any time. Visit the stadium during the day or in the evening to get the full experience, and make sure to wear comfortable shoes. The stadium is located in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens, so make sure to visit the attractions near the stadium as well. Visit the New York Hall of Science and the Queens Botanical Gardens, or take a walk through the beautiful Flushing Meadows Corona Park.
