You think you know how the US Open works. Two weeks of tennis in the sweltering Queens humidity, culminating in a big trophy presentation on a Sunday afternoon. Well, for 2025, the USTA basically threw the old playbook out the window. If you show up on the wrong Monday expecting the "usual" start, you’re going to miss history.
Honestly, the biggest change is the duration. For the first time ever, the main draw is a 15-day event. That’s right—the 2025 US Open tennis schedule officially kicks off its main draw on Sunday, August 24, instead of the traditional Monday start. It's a move to align with the Australian Open and Roland Garros, giving players a bit more breathing room and fans an extra day of elite-level chaos.
Before the stars even hit the court for the "real" matches, there's Fan Week. This runs from August 18 to August 23. It’s the best-kept secret in New York. You get in for free. You watch world-class players grind through the qualifying rounds. You might even see Novak Djokovic or Coco Gauff sweating through a practice session on a side court while you're three feet away.
The New Mixed Doubles Twist
Usually, mixed doubles is the "side dish" of the second week. Not this year. The 2025 US Open tennis schedule has shifted the Mixed Doubles Championship right into the spotlight of Fan Week.
We are talking about a $1 million winner's purse. That is serious money for a format that often feels like an exhibition. These matches take place on Tuesday, August 19, and Wednesday, August 20. It’s a sprint. Top singles players are expected to pair up because, let's be real, a million bucks is a million bucks. If you want to see high-stakes tennis before the main tournament even starts, this is where you need to be.
Breaking Down the Main Draw
The logic of the schedule can get kinda messy once the 128-player draws start shrinking. Here is how the 15-day main draw actually flows:
The First Week (The Gauntlet)
- Sunday, Aug 24 - Tuesday, Aug 26: The first round is spread across three days now. It’s a lot of tennis. Matches start at 11:00 AM on most courts, but Arthur Ashe Stadium waits until 12:00 PM.
- Wednesday, Aug 27 - Thursday, Aug 28: Second round action. This is usually when the "upset bug" starts biting the big seeds.
- Friday, Aug 29 - Saturday, Aug 30: Third round. If you have Grounds Passes for these days, you've hit the jackpot. The outer courts are packed with top-20 talent fighting for a spot in the second week.
The Second Week (The Business End)
Labor Day weekend in Flushing Meadows is iconic. It's loud, it's crowded, and the matches are usually marathons.
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- Sunday, Aug 31 - Monday, Sept 1: Round of 16. The "Round of 16" starts Sunday morning. This is the transition point where the tournament feels less like a festival and more like a war.
- Tuesday, Sept 2 - Wednesday, Sept 3: Quarterfinals. These are split between day sessions (12:00 PM) and night sessions (7:00 PM).
- Thursday, Sept 4: Women’s Semifinals. These are the primetime "Night Session" tickets everyone wants.
Championship Weekend Logistics
By the time the final Friday rolls around, the energy at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is electric. The Men’s Semifinals are slated for Friday, September 5. One match starts at 3:00 PM, and the other follows at 7:00 PM.
Then comes the hardware. The Women’s Singles Final is on Saturday, September 6, at 4:00 PM. Interestingly, the Men’s Doubles Final often happens earlier that same day.
Finally, Championship Sunday on September 7 features the Men’s Singles Final at 2:00 PM. It’s the climax of three weeks of tennis. The gates open at 12:00 PM that day, giving you just enough time to grab a $22 Honey Deuce before the first serve.
A Note on Sessions and Gates
Don't just show up whenever. The US Open is a strictly ticketed operation. If you have a Day Session ticket, gates typically open at 9:30 AM. You can stay on the grounds all day, but you'll be cleared out of Arthur Ashe Stadium before the night session begins.
Night Session ticket holders can usually enter the grounds starting at 6:00 PM, even though the Ashe matches don't start until 7:00 PM. If you’re savvy, you’ll use that hour to catch the end of a thriller on Louis Armstrong Stadium, which often has first-come, first-served seating for anyone with a valid ticket for that day.
Actionable Tips for Navigating the Schedule
- Check the "Order of Play" late at night. The USTA doesn't release the specific match times for the following day until about 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM the night before.
- Download the US Open App. It sounds cliché, but the schedule changes constantly due to rain or five-set marathons. The app is the only way to know if your favorite player got moved from Court 17 to a stadium.
- The "Grounds Pass" hack. If you want the most bang for your buck, buy a Grounds Pass for the first Monday or Tuesday of the second week. You won't get into Ashe, but you'll see elite doubles and junior matches, plus the atmosphere is incredible.
- Plan for the 15th day. Remember, the 2025 schedule is different. That extra Sunday at the start means the rhythm of the tournament has shifted. Don't book your "early round" trip based on 2024 dates.
If you’re planning to attend, keep an eye on the official Ticketmaster portal. American Express early access usually starts in late May, with general sales following shortly after. Given the new 15-day format, those opening Sunday tickets are going to be a fascinating test of fan demand.