Shaded Seats at the Mubadala DC Open

Washington, DC’s William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center is an outdoor tennis venue known for hosting the annual Mubadala DC Open. With a modest capacity of about 7,500, the main Stadium Court offers an intimate setting that brings fans close to the action. Washington, DC experiences brutally hot and humid summers, and the tournament takes place each July. Tennis fans can use this guide, along with the venue’s seating chart, to identify the relatively limited shaded seats at the Mubadala DC Open.

Where Are the Shaded Seats at the DC Open?

At the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center Stadium Court, shaded seats are:

• North Covered Box Seats: Covered seats are shaded all day
• Stadium Pavilion: Northwest corner seats are covered and shaded
• West Sideline: Shaded after 5:30pm for late afternoon and evening matches

DC Open matches begin at 11:00 AM, and the sun doesn’t set in Washington, DC until around 8:20 PM. That’s over nine hours of tennis action under the hot July sun! DC’s notorious summer heat and humidity are well-known, and unlike the baseball and soccer stadiums across town, the FitzGerald Tennis Center offers very little shade.

In the afternoon, finding a shaded seat may be challenging due to the limited number of shaded sections. However, choosing a seat with the sun at your back, rather than facing you, can still enhance your tennis watching experience.

FitzGerald Tennis Center Orientation to the Sun

All match courts, including Stadium Court, are oriented north-to-south. At Stadium Court this orientation results in the sun directly above the press box on the south side of the court around 1:00 PM. As the afternoon progresses, the sun curves and 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 last week in July.

See an interactive seating chart for the next event at DC Open Stadium Court

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Afternoon Mubadala DC Open Matches

Stadium Court features seating on all four sides. The stadium has two levels of seating in a U-shaped pattern on the east, west and south sides. In past years the upper level was general admission but now that the tournament is more popular even the upper-levels are sold as individual seats. If you are able to swing it, suites at the back of the lower level guarantee all-day shade due to their position beneath the upper level.

Early in the day, the only guaranteed shaded seats are those under cover. On the north side, the “North Covered Box Seats” (sections 13-17) are directly under a large awning. Similarly, the “Stadium Pavilion” located behind section 11-12 in the northwest corner of the stadium are also under a large awning. If you’re seeking shade, It’s crucial to ensure you’re purchasing “North Covered Box Seats” or “Stadium Pavilion” as rows in sections 11-17 closer to the court are not under the awning and remain exposed to the sun all day.

For most of the afternoon, the only shaded seats at the DC Open are under cover, like these North Covered Box seats.

For the majority of the afternoon, shade is scarce elsewhere at Stadium Court. By around 4:30 PM, the sun shifts enough that the last few rows on the west sideline begin to receive shade. Reserved sections 1-10 and corner sections 41-43 offer the best chance for late afternoon shade. Rows farthest from the court will become shaded first and over time shade will move closer to the court. Even if your seat isn’t completely shaded, fans in these sections have the sun at their back rather than in their eyes.

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Evening Mubadala DC Open Matches

Sunset in Washington DC in late July isn’t until well after 8:00 PM so shade consideration is important even for evening matches. North Covered Box Seats remain an excellent choice for shade seekers, with the west sideline also offering good shade options. Lower-level sections 1-10 and upper-level sections 11-14 are recommended, providing the added benefit of keeping the sun at your back. Around 5:30-6:00 PM the sun will dip low enough in the sky to fully shade all seats in these sections.

The east sideline is the sunniest. Around 7:00 PM the shade line will cross the court and lower-level sections 22-31 will start to experience shade. The sunniest seats are in upper-level sections 1-4, which face the sun the longest and directly into your eyes. Don’t forget your best pair of sunglasses if you choose to sit here!

In the 6:00 PM hour, shade will cross Stadium Court, placing seats on the west (left) side in the shade, while leaving seats on the east (right) sunny.

Shade at Mubadala DC Open Outer Courts

In addition to Stadium Court the Mubadala DC Open has four outer courts on the grounds. Harris Court is the secondary court, located north of Stadium Court. Grandstand, Court 4 and Court 5 are located south of Stadium Court. Unfortunately, shade is limited at these outer courts. At Harris Court, fans should bring sunscreen, hats, and sun protection and expect full sun until around 6:00PM when the west sideline bleachers will start becoming shaded. If you’re interested in a match at Court 4 you are lucky because it is surprisingly shaded with a large canopy covering the small amount of bleacher seats on the sideline.

Seats at the secondary John Harris Court are completely uncovered and exposed to the sun.

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Use the individual game links or click or tap here to see an upcoming list of sessions at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center.