Shaded Seats at the Cincinnati Open Center Court

The Lindner Family Tennis Center is a top-tier tennis campus in Mason, Ohio. There are 16 total courts on the grounds but the biggest matches are always scheduled on Center Court. The Cincinnati Open takes place in August and Southwest Ohio has hot and humid summers with late sunsets. Fans planning to see their favorite tennis stars can use this guide along with the stadium seating chart to find the best shaded seats at the Cincinnati Open Center Court.

Where Are the Shaded Seats at the Cincinnati Open?

At the Lindner Family Tennis Center’s Center Court, shaded seats are generally located as follows:

• Baseline, North Side: Shaded in the covered “overlook box” seats
• Baseline, South Side: Shaded during early afternoon matches
• Sideline, West Side: Shaded for late afternoon and evening matches

Matches at the Cincinnati Open begin daily as early as 11:00 AM, and the sun doesn’t set in Southwest Ohio until approximately 8:30 PM in August. That’s over nine hours of tennis action in the summer heat! Whether attending a day or evening session, tennis fans should consider the availability of shade to avoid the peak Cincinnati sun.

This article focuses primarily on the main Center Court. The Lindner Family Tennis Center complex, one of the largest of its kind in the U.S., features four permanent stadiums that host matches throughout the tournament. While the biggest stars will likely be scheduled on Center Court, we have a dedicated article about shade availability at the Grandstand Court.

Cincinnati Open Center Court Orientation to the Sun

All tennis courts at the Lindner Family Tennis Center feature a slightly off-axis north to south orientation. For Center Court, this orientation means the sun is over the southeast corner of the stadium when the first match begins in the morning. It moves directly above the press box on the south side of the court around 2:00 PM and as the afternoon progresses, the sun dips behind the west side of the stadium and eventually sets near the northwest corner.

The graphic below shows the approximate location of the sun throughout the day during the third week in August.

Click or tap to see a seating chart for the next session at Center Court

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Afternoon Cincinnati Open Matches

Center Court at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, which opened in the 1980s, has undergone several major upgrades and expansions. As a result, seating charts have changed over the years. This article references the most up-to-date seating chart which you can find on the Ticketmaster website.

For matches scheduled in the morning or early afternoon, shade options are limited. One of the few shaded areas is the “overlook boxes” directly behind the north baseline, which are sections 306-309. Seats in these sections are covered by a large awning. However, it’s worth noting that the position of the sun in the early afternoon still allows some rays to splash on the first few rows. Shade seekers should prefer rows farther toward the back.

Seats behind the south baseline are generally the first to receive shade due to their position relative to the sun and a large awning extending from the press box. This side has been converted into premium seating, offering all-inclusive and club seats with additional perks like air-conditioned lounge access. It’s an excellent choice for shade seekers who can afford a seat in this area.

By mid-afternoon, additional shade appears on the west side of the stadium. Upper-level “pavilion” sections 401-404 under another large awning receive shade first. They are centrally located on the highest level of the west sideline. Sections on the 200-level and 100-level directly beneath these “pavilion” seats will also be shaded by later in the afternoon as the sun dips and the stadium blocks its rays.

The sunniest seats are on the east side of the stadium. Sections 105-111 and 210-216 are sun-soaked for the entire afternoon. On the 300-level, sections 314-318 have a very small awning that provides direct cover to the last 3 or 4 rows. Even though they’re the farthest from the court, shade seekers on a budget might still prefer them for the protection they provide.

By late-afternoon tennis fans can find shade on the west sideline (where the photo is taken) south baseline (right), and under cover behind the north baseline (left). Seats on the east sideline across the court stay sunny the longest.
Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Evening Cincinnati Open Matches

With the sunset in mid-August in Cincinnati around 8:30 PM, shade consideration remains important for evening sessions. North “overlook box” seats remain excellent for shade, with additional shade now available on the west sideline. From the northwest to the southwest corner, the 100-level and 200-level will find shade. As sunset nears, the lower two levels behind the north baseline also become shaded. Premium seats behind the south baseline are shielded from the sun. However, be careful in sections 111-115 as the position of the sun places them in the sun later in the afternoon.

The sunniest seats are on the east sideline. As the sun sets, shade moves up from seats closest to the court to those farthest away. The 100-level will be shaded first, followed by the 200-level, and finally the 300-level. A few covered seats at the back of the 300-level on this side offer some cover but are less ideal than the west sideline, as the setting sun is in your eyes.

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