Shaded Seats at Arthur Ashe Stadium

Located in Queens and just a stone’s throw from the home of the Mets, Arthur Ashe Stadium is named after the American tennis legend. It serves as the main stage for the US Open. As the world’s largest tennis venue, it offers top-notch facilities and a great atmosphere for fans. One thing to note about New York City is that late August can be brutally hot, with summer heat expected during the tournament. Fortunately, this article, along with the seating chart, can help you find shaded seats at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Where are the seats in the shade at Arthur Ashe Stadium?

Shaded seating areas at Arthur Ashe Stadium generally include:

• Baseline, South Side: Shaded the entire day, except the first few rows
• Sideline, West Side: Shaded on the upper levels early in the day, and shaded on all levels later in the day
• Promenade Level, Back Rows: Uppermost seats are under the non-retractable portion of the roof, providing consistent shade

US Open matches at Arthur Ashe begin daily at noon, and the sun doesn’t set in New York City until around 7:30 pm. That’s seven and a half hours of tennis action under the sun.

In 2016, a retractable roof was added to Arthur Ashe Stadium. However, this addition did not transform the venue into a climate-controlled stadium like those used in MLB and NFL. The roof’s primary function is to allow play to continue during rain. Therefore, if rain is not in the forecast, expect the roof to be open with the sun shining through.

Arthur Ashe Stadium Orientation to the Sun

Arthur Ashe Stadium is oriented in a northwest to southeast direction. By noon, the sun is high over the south stands. Throughout the afternoon, it moves downward behind the west side of the stadium, setting near the northwest corner.

The graphic below shows the approximate sun location on September 1st.

Click or tap here to see the full seating chart at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Where to Buy Tickets

Ticketmaster is the official ticketing site for the US Open and also serves as the official resale site. It is usually the best place to start your search for available seats. However, if you’re looking to purchase tickets in August or September, consider checking both StubHub and SeatGeek as well. People who bought during the presale and changed their mind or can’t attend may list on these resale sites.

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Early Afternoon Arthur Ashe Stadium Matches

If you’re attending the first match of the day, approximately half of the seats at Arthur Ashe will be in the sun and half in the shade when you arrive. As the afternoon progresses, the percentage of shaded seats increases. To avoid the sun, choose seats in sections 126-136, 101-103, 329-340, or 301-303. For courtside seating, consider sections 1-7 or 60-67. Be aware that sections 47-58 are on the west side but will still be sunny at the start of the day. These courtside seats will gradually receive shade as the afternoon progresses.

Sections on the north and east sides are likely to receive sun for the first several hours, if not the entire afternoon. Seats in sections 108-122 will be sun-soaked. Courtside sections 14-24 will also face direct sunlight. If you don’t mind higher seats, many 300-level promenade sections remain shaded, though the first few rows, especially on the north and east sides, may still receive sun.

In the late afternoon, shadows cover sections on the south and west side of the stadium, plus upper-level sections directly under the roof.

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Late Afternoon Arthur Ashe Stadium Matches

Later in the day, there are more shaded seating options. For night sessions, sections 1-47, 101-122, and 301-325 offer sun protection. Avoid sections 13-28, 108-115, and 310-317, as they receive the most sunlight for the longest time. Also, be cautious with seats in the southeast corner, like sections 104-107 and 305-309, as some may be in the path of the setting sun.

Ready to get your US Open tickets?

Use the individual session links or click or tap here to see the upcoming US Open sessions at Arthur Ashe Stadium.