Look, let’s be real. If you’ve ever stepped foot inside the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center during the US Open, you know it’s basically a small city. And at the heart of that city sits a massive, 23,771-seat concrete beast. Getting your hands on an Arthur Ashe Stadium map isn't just about finding where you're sitting; it's about survival.
I’m talking about dodging the brutal afternoon sun, finding a bathroom that doesn’t have a thirty-person line, and figuring out how the heck to get from the 7 train to your seat without missing the first set.
It’s big. Like, "largest outdoor tennis stadium in the world" big.
If you just wing it, you’ll end up wandering the Promenade level like a lost tourist while Carlos Alcaraz is already mid-tiebreak. Don’t do that.
Decoding the Arthur Ashe Stadium Map Levels
The stadium is basically a giant cake with three main layers, but if you look at a seating chart, it feels way more complicated.
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Courtside (The 1-99s) These are the seats you see on TV. If you’re here, you’re close enough to hear the players grunting and the ball fuzz flying. Sections 1 through 67 wrap around the court. You’ve got the President’s Gate (Elevator A) specifically for these folks and suite holders.
Loge Level (The 100s) This is the middle tier. Honestly, it’s the sweet spot. You get the perspective of the whole court without feeling like you’re looking at ants. These sections run from 101 to 140.
Promenade (The 300s) Welcome to the nosebleeds. It’s high. Very high. But thanks to the massive retractable roof structure added a few years back, these seats actually have some of the best shade coverage in the whole building.
The Shade Secret Most People Miss
Nobody tells you this until you’re sitting there melting. The stadium isn't built on a perfect North-South axis; it’s tilted northwest to southeast. This means the sun doesn't hit every section equally.
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If you want to stay cool, look at your map and aim for the South and West sides.
Basically, the sun sets behind the West side. By about 2:00 PM, sections like 126-136 and 329-340 are starting to get relief. Meanwhile, if you’re over in the 108-122 range on the East side? You’re going to be baking. Bring the SPF 50.
A pro tip for the budget-conscious: the back rows of the Promenade (300 level) are tucked under the fixed portion of the roof. Even if the roof is "open," those top rows stay shaded almost all day.
Getting In: Gates and Elevators
The "front door" of the stadium is the South Entrance. That’s where you’ll find the massive escalators and Elevator B.
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- Gate 4: This is your landmark for the fancy stuff—Aces and Champions restaurants.
- The President’s Gate: Located on the West side. This is strictly for the high rollers (Courtside and Suites).
- Champion's Entry: This is the main gate for the entire grounds, located near the subway and LIRR. Once you're through here, you still have to walk over to Ashe.
Food and Drink Navigation
You don't want to be hiking down four flights of stairs for a Honey Deuce.
On the Promenade level, there are three "Franks & Sausages" locations. They’re basic, but they’re fast. If you want the "good" food—the Eataly, Fuku, or Pat LaFrieda stuff—you usually have to head down to the Food Village outside the stadium or the Fountain Plaza.
The Club Level is where the real sit-down dining happens. You’ve got Aces (seafood/sushi) and Champions (steakhouse). Just keep in mind, you usually need a specific ticket type or a reservation to even get into those areas.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
- Use the Chair Umpire as a Compass: On any digital map, look for the little gray square on the West sideline. That’s the umpire. It helps you orient which way is North/South instantly.
- Cashless is King: Don't bring rolls of 20s. The whole place is cashless. If you only have cash, you'll have to find a "Reverse ATM" (look near the Box Office or Food Village) to load it onto a card.
- Elevator C: This is tucked away and often used for restaurant access. If you have mobility issues, stick to Elevator B at the South entrance; it’s the workhorse for general fans.
- Download the App: The official US Open app has an interactive map that uses your GPS. It is a lifesaver when you're trying to find the nearest First Aid station (which, FYI, is on the Promenade level between Gates 30 and 31).
Before you head out, check your ticket session. If you have a day session ticket for Ashe, you can stay on the grounds all night to watch matches on the outer courts, but you'll have to vacate your actual seat in the stadium before the night session starts.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
Check the official 2026 US Open schedule the night before your session. Matches in Ashe usually start at 12:00 PM for the day session and 7:00 PM for the night session. Give yourself at least 45 minutes to get through security at the main grounds entrance before you even try to find your section in the stadium.