Shaded Seats at US Open Stadium 17

Stadium 17 at the US Open is one of the best kept secrets on the National Tennis Center campus. It is the fourth-largest stadium on the grounds and the largest court with exclusively general admission seating and zero reserved seats. Fans who arrive early can sit courtside in the front row, even with just a Grounds Pass. As a completely outdoor venue with limited cover, Stadium 17 can get quite toasty on a sunny day. Tennis fans should use this guide to find the best shaded seats at Stadium 17.

Where Are the Shaded Seats at Stadium 17?

At the US Open Stadium 17, shaded seats are generally:

• Baseline, South Side: A few seats adjacent to the press box are shaded
• Sideline, West Side: Shaded later in the afternoon

US Open matches at Stadium 17 begin at 11:00 am, and the sun doesn’t set in New York City until around 7:30 pm. That’s a lot of tennis action under the sun!

Stadium 17 Orientation to the Sun

All show courts at the US Open, including Stadium 17, are oriented in a northwest-to-southeast direction. By noon, the sun is high above the south stands and moves along the west side of the stadium throughout the afternoon, eventually setting near the northwest corner. This orientation makes the west side of the stadium the “shade side,” while the other sides remain mostly in the sun.

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

Seats in the Sun and Shade at US Open Stadium 17 Matches

Stadium 17 shares many design similarities with Grandstand Stadium at the US Open. It features fold-down chair-style seating along the sidelines closest to the court, and bleacher-style seating behind the baselines and in the upper levels of the sidelines. One key difference is that Grandstand has a canopy providing sun protection for fans, while Stadium 17 does not. Shade is limited at Stadium 17, so fans planning to spend significant time here should come prepared with personal sun protection, including sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses.

Another distinction is that courtside seats on the sidelines at Grandstand are reserved, whereas all seating at Stadium 17 is general admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis. During the early rounds of the US Open, major tennis stars are scheduled to play on Stadium 17. By Labor Day weekend, some of the best doubles matches are held here. This gives fans who plan ahead and arrive early the opportunity to sit courtside and watch top-ranked pros, regardless of their ticket type, even with just a Grounds Pass.

Early in the afternoon, the sun shines from the south, and the press box and video board on the south side of Stadium 17 cast a small shadow over the nearby seats. Those farthest from the court and closest to the press box are most likely to benefit from this shade. The rest of the stadium remains sun-drenched for most of the day.

Around 5:00 PM the sun dips low enough that seats on the west sideline begin to fall into shade. Shade moves from back to front, so bleacher seats farthest from the court will become shaded before those closest to it. The sunniest seats are on the east sideline, particularly in the upper-level sections, where fans will face the setting sun directly.

Shade is sparse at Stadium 17 early in the day. By late afternoon seats on the west (the side where the photo is taken) will become shaded.
Belga News Agency / Alamy Stock Photo

Ready to get your US Open tickets?

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

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.