Performers during Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day at the 2023 US Open, Saturday, Aug. 26, 2023, in Flushing, NY. | Photo by Jeff Dean/USTA
FLUSHING, NY—In preparation for this year’s US Open, the USTA has announced the fan-friendly events and activities taking place at US Open Fan Week, which will begin on August 19 and end on August 25 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The US Open Main Draw will begin on August 26.
US Open Fan Week will feature free grounds admissions and separately ticketed signature events – something for everyone at the first, full-weeklong tennis and entertainment festival preceding the US Open.
“This is the biggest and most exciting year yet for US Open Fan Week, and we hope everyone comes to enjoy a full week of world-class tennis and entertainment, all with free grounds admission to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center,” said US Open Tournament Director Stacey Allaster. “With a lineup of unique signature events starring tennis icons and headlining entertainers, up-close access to the sport at its pinnacle and a variety of fun activities available every day, the US Open is truly open and accessible for all as we welcome all fans and families alike to experience this one-of-a-kind festival the week before the US Open Main Draw.”
Fan Week’s lineup of premier signature events will be headlined by a unique, new mixed doubles competition – US Open Mixed Madness presented by IHG Hotels & Resorts – where four mixed doubles teams of current stars will compete inside Arthur Ashe Stadium for $500,000 in prize compensation. The participating teams include defending US Open Champion Coco Gauff and Ben Shelton, two-time US Open champion Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Paula Badosa and Taylor Fritz and Aryna Sabalenka, with the winning team taking home $250,000.
Other premier, separately ticketed events scheduled throughout Fan Week offering unforgettable experiences include:
- The Sounds of the Open concert, headlined by Dierks Bentley and featuring Chase Rice, kicks off the US Open on Sunday, August 18, the night before Fan Week.
- Stars of the Open presented by Chase exhibition on Wednesday, August 21, featuring stars such as four-time and defending US Open Champion Novak Djokovic, two-time US Open champion Venus Williams, 2022 US Open champion Carlos Alcaraz, Jessica Pegula, Frances Tiafoe, Caroline Wozniacki, and former US Open Champions Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Gabriela Sabatini, Andy Roddick, and more.
- Flavors of the Open, presented by Dobel Tequila, is a food event on Thursday, August 22, featuring hundreds of delectable bites and sips and celebrity chef participants, including Ed Brown, Josh Capon, Alex Guarnaschelli, Pat LaFrieda, Kwame Onwuachi, Benjamin Steakhouse, and more.
Tickets for Mixed Madness and Stars of the Open start at just $30 and are available via USOpen.org/FanWeek. A portion of the ticket proceeds from Stars of the Open and Flavors of the Open (also on sale at the link above) will go to the USTA Foundation, the national charitable arm of the USTA, which utilizes the powerful combination of tennis and education to enhance the lives of under-resourced youth through its support of the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network.
See Iconic Players Practice and Watch Exciting Talents Qualify for the US Open – For Free!
Fan Week’s free signature events include the Legends of the Open presented by FAGE exhibition, featuring New York hometown favorite and former world No. 4 James Blake, former world No. 1 Garbine Muguruza and former world No. 2 Tommy Haas (August 19), Media Day (August 23), where fans can hear from top players directly, as part of their interview circuit inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, the annual Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day (August 24), the largest grassroots tennis event in the world, and the US Open Block Party (August 23), a new nighttime festival-style celebration on the Fountain Plaza featuring music from a variety of well-known DJs, player appearances and much more. Heineken Happy Hour will also take place on the grounds from Monday, August 19, through Friday, August 23, for friends and colleagues to enjoy music, tennis, and special drink offers.
US Open Fan Week’s anchor competition — the US Open Qualifying Tournament — will run from Monday, August 19, to Thursday, August 22, and is free to attend. Played on the field courts of the US Open, the 128-draw men’s and women’s tournaments determine the final 16 players to gain entry into each of the US Open Men’s and Women’s Singles Main Draws, which begin on Monday, August 26.
Fans can also enjoy free access to see the biggest stars in tennis practice on the US Open’s practice courts and stadiums throughout Fan Week, including featured practices in Louis Armstrong Stadium and Grandstand, as well as inside Arthur Ashe Stadium via the Arthur Ashe Stadium Experience, accessible with Fan Access Pass.
Fans can download the free Fan Access Pass – a digital pass that grants special access to certain areas and events during Fan Week, including the Arthur Ashe Stadium Experience, the Media Day Fan Event inside Arthur Ashe Stadium; VIP seats to featured practices inside Louis Armstrong and Grandstand stadiums and Monday’s Legends of the Open presented by FAGE exhibition. Registration is available at fanpass.usopen.org, and download your pass to your mobile wallet for easy access.
Many US Open concessions will be open during Fan Week, as well as several on-site sponsor booths and activities, including the dynamic, indoor American Express Fan Experience to ensure all those attending US Open Fan Week can enjoy a true US Open experience.
Last year, Fan Week set a record with nearly 160,000 fans attending, including a record 40,868 on Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day.
–With Ricky Rillera/PDM
