Shaded Seats at Louis Armstrong Stadium

Louis Armstrong Stadium serves as a secondary stage for the US Open, complementing the larger Arthur Ashe Stadium. New York City can experience sweltering late summer heat, with high temperatures and humidity common during the tournament. Fortunately, this article, along with the seating chart, can help you identify the best shaded seats at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Where are the seats in the shade at Louis Armstrong Stadium?

Generally, the shaded seats at Louis Armstrong Stadium are located:

• Baseline, South Side: Shaded the entire day
• Sideline, West Side: Shaded starting around 1:00 in the afternoon
• Upper Level, Back Rows: Seats directly under the non-retractable portion of the roof provide additional shade

Louis Armstrong Stadium opened in 2018, replacing an older venue with the same name. A major improvement is that the current stadium added a retractable roof. The roof’s primary function is more akin to an umbrella to allow play to continue during rain. Since sun is more common than rain during tournament, fans should expect the roof open and tennis under the sun.

Louis Armstrong Stadium Orientation to the Sun

Louis Armstrong Stadium is oriented northwest to southeast. By noon, the sun is above and behind the south stands. Throughout the afternoon, the sun moves along the west side of the stadium, setting near the northwest corner. This orientation makes the south and west sides of the stadium the “shade sides” and the north and east sides of the stadium the “sunny sides” (with one major exception described below).

The graphic below shows the approximate hour-by-hour position of the sun throughout the day during the US Open.

Click or tap to see a seating chart for the next session at Louis Armstrong Stadium

Seats in the Sun and Shade at the First Louis Armstrong Match of the Day

The morning match at Louis Armstrong Stadium starts at 11:00 am. Fans arriving early to claim upper-level general admission seats should note that the sun’s position is “flipped” during the morning hours. This means seats on the east sideline will be shaded, while those on the west will be sunny.

For those attending multiple matches during the daytime session, sitting on the west sideline for approximately the first hour and a half is advisable, as these seats will then become shaded for the rest of the afternoon. If attending only the first match, east side seating might be preferable.

As fans start filling in general admission seats at 10:00 AM, seats on the west sideline (right) are in the sun while all seats on the east sideline (left) are shaded. The sun position will “flip” over the course of the first match.

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Early Afternoon Louis Armstrong Stadium Matches

After the first match, focus on the south baseline and west sideline for shade. For sun avoidance, choose sections 1-7 for reserved seats or 101-109 for general admission. By 12:30 pm most rows in sections 1-7 will have moved into the shade; by 1:00 pm all rows on the west sideline will be shaded.

Seats in the back half of general admission sections 116-122 get early shade due to the roof overhead. However, seats closer to the court in these sections will not be shaded, and more rows will become sunny as the afternoon progresses. Courtside sections 9-16 will be sunny all afternoon, except for the last 4 or 5 rows under the upper deck overhang.

By the end of the first match, reserved and general admission seats on the west sideline (right) have shifted into the shade. All reserved seats on the east sideline (left) and a growing number of general admission seats are in the sun.

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Late Afternoon Louis Armstrong Stadium Matches

Late in the day, there are more shaded seating options. For day session matches that stretch into the early evening, sections 1-10 for reserved seating and 101-113 for general admission offer sun protection. Avoid sections 12-16 for reserved seating and 117-121 for general admission, as they are sunny for the longest.

Night session matches start as early as 7:00 PM, about a half hour before sunset. By that hour, most seats are shaded, and those still in the sun will quickly become shaded once the sun is completely blocked by the stadium structure. Realistically, fans with night session tickets shouldn’t stress too much about the sun and shade. Pick the best seat you can afford and enjoy the match!

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 Louis Armstrong Stadium.

US Open Ticketing Guide

The US Open is an event with a complex array of ticketing options and tickets are always in high demand. Our Essential Shade Seekers’ Seating Guide to the US Open helps you navigate the stadiums and and understand the ticketing options, with a specific focus on finding shaded seats.