New York in late August is a specific kind of vibe. The humidity sticks to you, the subway is a furnace, and suddenly, everyone is carrying a giant yellow tennis ball for autographs. If you're looking for the dates of US Open tennis 2025, you're basically planning for the loudest, highest-energy two weeks in the sport.
Forget the polite clapping of Wimbledon. This is Flushing Meadows.
The main event—the bit where the world’s best like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz actually start their run for the trophy—kicks off on Monday, August 25, 2025. It’s the final Grand Slam of the year, and it wraps up with the Men’s Singles Final on Sunday, September 7, 2025.
But there is a lot of nuance in between those two dates.
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The Prequel: Fan Week and Qualifiers
Most people think the tournament starts when the TV cameras turn on for the main draw. Honestly? You’re missing out if you skip the week before.
US Open Fan Week usually starts around August 18 or 19. It is essentially a free tennis festival. You can walk into the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, see the top seeds practicing on the outer courts, and watch the Qualifying Tournament.
The qualifiers are a dogfight. These are players ranked outside the top 100 literally playing for their livelihoods and a spot in the main draw. It’s gritty. It’s intense. And the best part is that it doesn't cost a dime to enter the grounds during this period.
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The Main Draw: Two Weeks of Chaos
Once Monday, August 25 hits, the schedule becomes a whirlwind. The first week is all about survival. You’ve got matches happening on 15+ courts simultaneously.
Round by Round Breakdown
- First and Second Rounds: August 25 through August 28. This is when the "Day Session" and "Evening Session" split becomes vital. Day sessions start at 11:00 AM, while the night sessions—where the real New York energy is—kick off at 7:00 PM.
- Third and Fourth Rounds: August 29 through September 1 (Labor Day Weekend). Labor Day is traditionally the busiest day at the tournament. If you’re going then, expect crowds.
- Quarterfinals: September 2 and September 3. This is when the field narrows to the elite eight. The matches move almost exclusively to Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong stadiums.
- Semifinals: September 4 (Women’s) and September 5 (Men’s). Thursday night is usually the Women’s Semis, while Friday is a marathon for the Men.
Championship Weekend: The Finals
This is what it all leads to. The tension in the air at Arthur Ashe Stadium during the second Sunday is something you can actually feel in your chest.
The Women’s Singles Final is scheduled for Saturday, September 6, 2025. Usually, this match happens in the afternoon, followed by the Men's Doubles final.
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The Men’s Singles Final happens on Sunday, September 7, 2025. It is the traditional closing act of the summer. By the time the trophy is lifted, the sun is usually setting over the Unisphere, and the 2025 tennis season has its final major champion.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Schedule
A common mistake is thinking the "Day Session" ticket gets you into the night match. It doesn't. At 6:00 PM, security starts clearing out the stadium to make room for the night owls. If you want to see the primetime matches under the lights, you need a separate ticket specifically for the evening.
Also, the weather is a factor. While Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong have retractable roofs, the outer courts do not. If a summer thunderstorm rolls through Queens, the schedule can shift rapidly. Matches might get pushed to 1:00 AM. In 2025, expect the unexpected.
Pro-Tips for the 2025 Calendar
- Labor Day is a trap: It’s great for the atmosphere, but the grounds are packed to capacity. If you want to actually move around, try the Tuesday or Wednesday of the first week.
- Check the Draw: The official draw—which determines who plays whom—happens just a few days before the tournament starts (likely August 21).
- The Middle Weekend: Saturday and Sunday of the first week (Aug 30-31) offer the best bang for your buck. You get high-quality third-round matches on the smaller courts where you can sit just a few feet away from the players.
Basically, if you're planning your trip, aim for the first week for the "festival" feel and the second week for the "high-stakes drama."
Actionable Next Steps:
Keep an eye on the official US Open website in early 2025—usually around March or April—because that's when the "Verified Fan" registration for tickets typically opens. If you wait until August to buy, you’ll be paying double on the resale market. Mark August 25 in your calendar now and start looking for hotels in Long Island City or Flushing, as Manhattan prices skyrocket during the tournament.