The 2026 US Open Fan Week begins this Sunday, August 23, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens, delivering seven consecutive days of free grounds admission ahead of the main draw. The week features Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day in a new opening-day slot, free qualifying-round matches, daily player practices on show courts, and a one-night Roger Federer exhibition that sold out at face value within days of going on sale. A free Fan Access Pass, available through the US Open app, is required for all fans 18 and older.
Key Takeaways
- US Open Fan Week runs Sunday, August 23, through Saturday, August 29, with free grounds admission every day at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens
- Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day moves to the opening Sunday for the first time, running 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a Savannah Bananas Stadium Show inside Arthur Ashe Stadium from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Roger Federer returns to Flushing Meadows on Tuesday, August 25, for a one-night exhibition at 7 p.m. in Arthur Ashe Stadium alongside Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi, and John McEnroe; face-value tickets started around $238 and are sold out
- A free Fan Access Pass is required for entry for all attendees 18 and older; children under 18 enter with a registered adult
- The 2026 US Open spans 22 days of competition and entertainment, the longest schedule in the tournament’s nearly 150-year history
Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day Launches Fan Week for the First Time
For the first time in the event’s history, Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day will serve as the official opening of Fan Week. Previous editions placed Kids’ Day later in the schedule, but the 2026 restructuring positions the annual family celebration as the week’s lead-in, running from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 23. The extended hours represent an expansion from prior years, giving families a full day of programming on the grounds.
The centerpiece of Kids’ Day is the Stadium Show inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, which this year features the Savannah Bananas from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The Savannah Bananas, a baseball entertainment franchise that blends athletic performance with choreographed comedy and audience interaction, marks an unconventional booking for a tennis venue but aligns with the USTA’s push to make Fan Week appeal to families who might not otherwise attend a tennis event. Beyond the Stadium Show, the grounds will host tennis clinics, interactive games, art stations, face painting, balloon artists, storytelling, and roving entertainers spread across the 46.5-acre complex.
Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day honors the legacy of Arthur Ashe, the 1968 US Open champion who championed youth participation in tennis throughout his career. The event is billed as the largest free grassroots tennis event in the world, drawing families from across the five boroughs and the broader New York metro area each year.
Federer’s Return to Flushing Meadows Sold Out Immediately
The marquee ticketed event of Fan Week is the Roger Federer exhibition on Tuesday, August 25, inside Arthur Ashe Stadium at 7 p.m. Federer, a five-time consecutive US Open champion who retired from competitive tennis after the 2022 Laver Cup, returns to Flushing Meadows for a one-night-only event alongside three fellow US Open champions: Andy Roddick (2003), Andre Agassi (1994, 1999), and John McEnroe (1979, 1980, 1981, 1984).
Face-value tickets for the Federer exhibition started around $238 and sold out through official channels. The only remaining route for fans is the resale market, where prices have climbed. The USTA has cautioned fans against purchasing tickets from social media sellers or through private bank transfers, noting that ticket fraud around the US Open has been an ongoing concern.
The exhibition pairs Federer’s draw as a global tennis figure with the nostalgia factor of the other three participants. Roddick and Federer met in the 2006 and 2007 US Open finals. McEnroe won four of his seven Grand Slam singles titles at Flushing Meadows. Agassi completed a career Grand Slam at the US Open in 1999. The four names together represent a cross-generational snapshot of the tournament’s history, staged under the lights in a stadium that seats over 23,000.
Free Qualifying Matches and the Reimagined Mixed Doubles Championship
Men’s and women’s singles qualifying rounds run Monday, August 24, through Friday, August 28, giving Fan Week attendees free access to competitive tennis featuring players fighting for spots in the 128-player main draws. Qualifying matches play out on the outer courts and in Grandstand, offering closer proximity to the action than main-draw sessions in the larger venues typically allow.
The US Open Mixed Doubles Championship, reimagined in 2025 with a new format that made it an immediate fan favorite, returns with an added day of qualifying on Monday, August 24, in Grandstand. The qualifying round is free to attend. Novak Djokovic and World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka are among the confirmed participants in the Mixed Doubles draw, adding star power to a format designed to showcase doubles tennis in a more accessible and energetic setting. The Mixed Doubles semifinals and final require a separate ticket.
Top players will also hold featured practice sessions throughout the week inside Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium, both free with a Fan Access Pass. These sessions give fans a chance to watch main-draw competitors prepare at close range, a level of access that disappears once the tournament’s ticketed sessions begin on August 30.
The Fan Access Pass Changes the Entry Process for 2026
For the first time, all fans 18 and older must register for a free Fan Access Pass before arriving at the grounds. Registration is available through the US Open app and takes under a minute to complete. The pass can be added to a phone or mobile wallet and is valid for the entire week. Children under 18 do not need their own pass and can enter with a registered adult.
The Fan Access Pass serves a dual purpose. It functions as the entry credential for the grounds while also connecting fans to activations and giveaways across the complex. The US Open app has been updated for 2026 to integrate the pass with a personalized itinerary feature, allowing fans to view the full Fan Week calendar, set reminders for specific events, and receive notifications throughout the day. A Fan Week Instant Win booth on the grounds lets pass holders scan their credentials for a chance at prizes during each visit.
The shift to a pass-based system reflects the USTA’s effort to manage crowd flow across seven days of free admission while also building a direct communication channel with attendees. Previous Fan Weeks operated on an open-gate model, which occasionally led to capacity concerns on high-traffic days, particularly during Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day and popular practice sessions.
The Longest US Open in Tournament History
The 2026 US Open stretches across 22 days of competition and entertainment, the longest schedule in the tournament’s nearly 150-year history. Fan Week runs August 23 through 29, the main draw begins Sunday, August 30, and the men’s singles final closes the tournament on Sunday, September 13. The expanded calendar reflects the addition of Fan Week’s new opening-day structure, the extra Mixed Doubles qualifying round, and the continued growth of programming surrounding the competition itself.
The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center spans 46.5 acres within Flushing Meadows-Corona Park and hosts three main show courts, including Arthur Ashe Stadium and Louis Armstrong Stadium, both equipped with retractable roofs. The facility has received more than $600 million in infrastructure upgrades since 2016. The 2026 edition marks the 56th consecutive year the tournament has been played at the Flushing Meadows site.
This year’s US Open also carries a Marvel Comics partnership, with a series of comic book covers featuring Spider-Man. The design concept ties into a broader theme of celebrating New York City, with one classic cover and five limited-edition covers representing each of the five boroughs.
For fans traveling from Manhattan, the LIRR from Penn Station or Grand Central Madison reaches the grounds in 19 to 25 minutes. The 7 subway line offers a more budget-friendly alternative at 35 to 45 minutes from Midtown.
FAQs
Is US Open Fan Week free to attend?
Grounds admission during Fan Week (August 23-29) is free, but all fans 18 and older must register for a free Fan Access Pass through the US Open app before arriving. Children under 18 can enter with a registered adult without their own pass. Several premium events, including the Roger Federer exhibition and Mixed Doubles Finals, require a separate ticket.
When is the Roger Federer exhibition at the US Open?
The Federer exhibition takes place on Tuesday, August 25, at 7 p.m. inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. He will play alongside Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi, and John McEnroe. Face-value tickets are sold out; resale is the only remaining option.
What time does Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day start?
Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day runs from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 23, with a Savannah Bananas Stadium Show inside Arthur Ashe Stadium from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event is free with a Fan Access Pass.
How do fans get to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center?
The LIRR from Penn Station or Grand Central Madison reaches the grounds in 19 to 25 minutes. The 7 subway line runs from Midtown to Mets-Willets Point station in 35 to 45 minutes and is the more budget-friendly option.
