Honestly, if you're planning your late summer around Flushing Meadows, you’ve probably noticed things look a little different this time around. The US Open isn't just a two-week sprint anymore. It’s basically a three-week marathon of traffic, overpriced (but delicious) honey deuces, and some of the most electric tennis on the planet.
Most people think the tournament starts on a Monday.
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Wrong.
For the first time in the Open Era, the main draw actually kicks off on a Sunday. Specifically, Sunday, August 24, 2025. This shift to a 15-day main draw is a massive deal, following in the footsteps of the Australian Open and Roland Garros. It’s more tennis, sure, but it also changes how you have to budget your time and your PTO.
The Big Dates You Actually Need to Know
If you just show up on Labor Day, you’ve missed half the magic. The 2025 calendar is packed from mid-August through the first week of September.
- Fan Week & Qualifying: August 18 – August 23.
- The Main Event (Main Draw): August 24 – September 7.
- Labor Day Weekend: August 30 – September 1 (The "Round of 16" chaos).
- The Finals: September 6 (Women's) and September 7 (Men's).
The qualifying tournament is low-key the best part if you’re a real fan. It's free. You get to sit inches away from players ranked 100 in the world who are fighting for their lives to make the main draw. This year, qualifying starts Monday, August 18.
That New Mixed Doubles Twist
There’s a weird, cool thing happening during Fan Week this year. The USTA moved the Mixed Doubles Championship to the first week. We’re talking a $1 million winner’s prize. It’s being played Tuesday, August 19 and Wednesday, August 20. It’s a genius move because it gives those specialized doubles players the spotlight before the singles stars suck all the air out of the room.
us open tennis dates 2025: Breaking Down the Rounds
You can't just pick a random day and hope for the best. Well, you can, but you might end up watching juniors when you wanted to see Alcaraz or Sabalenka.
The first round is a beast. It’s spread over three days now—Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday (August 24-26). If you want to see the most players possible, these are your days. The grounds are packed, every court has a match, and the energy is just stupidly high.
By the time we hit the second and third rounds (August 27-30), the "tourists" start showing up. This is when the night sessions in Arthur Ashe Stadium become the hottest ticket in New York.
Sunday, August 31 starts the Round of 16. This is usually when the "Cinderella stories" hit a wall and the top seeds start playing for real. It's also when the grounds passes become a bit less valuable because most of the action moves into the big stadiums: Ashe and Louis Armstrong.
The Business End of the Tournament
Quarterfinals happen on Wednesday, September 3 and Thursday, September 4. If you’re a purist, these are the best days. You get high-stakes tennis without the absolute madness of the final weekend.
Then come the semifinals. The women take the stage Thursday night, September 4. The men follow on Friday, September 5.
The Women’s Final is Saturday afternoon, September 6, and the Men’s Final wraps it all up on Sunday, September 7.
Why the Sunday Start Matters
Starting on Sunday isn't just a random tweak. It’s about recovery. In the past, players often got screwed by the schedule, especially if rain delayed things. By starting a day early, the USTA gives the players—and the grounds crew—a bit of breathing room.
It also means that if you’re traveling from out of town, you can catch opening day without taking Monday off work. Kinda smart, right?
Ticket Strategies for the 2025 Dates
Look, tickets are a nightmare if you wait. The general public sale usually happens in late May. If you have an American Express card, you typically get a head start a few days before everyone else.
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- Grounds Passes: Great for the first week (Aug 24-29). You can't get into Ashe, but you can see almost everything else.
- Louis Armstrong Reserved: A solid middle ground. You get a dedicated seat and shade, which is huge when it's 95 degrees in Queens.
- Evening Sessions: These start at 7:00 PM. But here is a pro tip: your evening ticket usually lets you onto the grounds as early as 4:00 PM. Use those three hours to catch the end of the day matches on the outer courts.
Practical Steps for Your Trip
If you’re serious about going, stop "thinking about it" and actually book your stuff.
- Lock in your hotel now. Long Island City is a better bet than Manhattan if you want to save money and stay on the 7-train line.
- Check the practice schedule. During Fan Week (Aug 18-23), the big names practice on the P-courts. It’s the only time you’ll see them that close for free.
- Download the US Open App. They update the "Order of Play" every evening for the next day. You won't know who is playing when until about 12-18 hours beforehand.
The 2025 US Open is going to be a grind, but a fun one. With the new Sunday start and the revamped mixed doubles, the flow of the tournament has definitely shifted. Just make sure you’re looking at the right calendar before you book that flight to JFK.