Shaded Seats at US Open Grandstand

Grandstand, the third-largest venue at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, hosts early US Open day session matches. Unlike the nearby Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium, Grandstand lacks a retractable roof to shield players and fans from the sun. Instead, it features a small canopy that provides shade for some sections, leaving many others directly in the sun’s path. Tennis fans should use this guide to find Grandstand shaded seats.

Where are the seats in the shade at Grandstand?

Generally, shaded seats at Grandstand are located:

• Sideline, West Side: General admission upper-level seats receive shade first
• Sideline, West Side: Reserved lower-level seats receive shade later in the day

The design of Grandstand is asymmetrical, with more seating on the west sideline compared to the east. This design increases the number of seats shaded by the canopy. However, the reality is that most seats at Grandstand are in the sun, especially early in the day. It’s essential to prepare for this (bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, etc.).

Tennis fans have two ticket options for Grandstand: reserved seating, which is courtside, and general admission bleacher-style seating in the upper level. Reserved seating offers proximity to the action and theoretically nicer chairs, but in practice, fans may find the bleacher sections preferable for better access to shade.

Grandstand Orientation to the Sun

Grandstand is oriented northwest to southeast. By noon, the sun is high over the south stands, moving along the west side of the stadium throughout the afternoon, setting near the northwest corner. This orientation makes the west side of the stadium the “shade side” and the others the “sunny sides.”

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 Grandstand

Seats in the Sun and Shade at the First Grandstand Match of the Day

The morning match at Grandstand starts at 11:00 am. Fans seeking shade in the general admission section should arrive as early as possible, as shaded seats are very limited. The best spots to avoid morning sun are under the press booth or in the southwest corner under the canopy. All reserved seats will be sunny for the morning match.

Seats in the Sun and Shade at Afternoon Grandstand Matches

After the first match, shaded seats will gradually increase on the west sideline. Initially, only seats under the canopy will be shaded, expanding down rows from top to bottom as the day progresses. It won’t be until mid-afternoon that reserved seats begin to receive some shade.

For reserved seating, prefer west sideline sections 4-9. Despite experiencing the sun initially, these sections will eventually become shaded. East sideline sections 15-20 will be sun-soaked for most of the afternoon, receiving shade only as sunset approaches.

Around 3:00 pm seats on the west sideline (where the photo is taken) are shaded in the upper-level. Seats on the east sideline (across the court) stay sunny until nearly sunset.

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 Grandstand.

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.