The 2024 U.S. Open has returned to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The 2024 festivities kicked off Monday with Fan Week, free and open to the public, before the main tournament ramps up Aug. 26. Here’s a look at what’s happening at and around the stadium in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park this year.
While the onsite dining options at sporting arenas often leave much to be desired, the U.S. Open elevates its food scene through partnerships with celebrity chefs and by bringing many of the city’s beloved restaurants out to the stadium. This year’s dining options include dishes from Simon Kim’s buzzy fried chicken concept Coqodaq, Tatiana chef Kwame Onwuachi, David Burke, Pat LaFrieda, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto and more. Flavors of the Open, a public ticketed preview of the dining lineup presented by DOBEL Tequila, will held Thursday during Fan Week in anticipation of the tournament’s main draw.
Carnegie Deli is also hosting a pop-up at the stadium, with pastrami and corned beef sandwiches on the menu starting Monday.
Moët & Chandon is the official Champagne partner of the Open, and will be served up throughout the tournament at The Clubhouse bar. Courtside premier ticket holders will have access to limited-edition offerings including cobranded “Golden Goblets.”
DJ D-Nice will headline the inaugural U.S. Open Block Party on Friday. The evening, to be held at the center’s Fountain Plaza, kicks off at 8 p.m. with a set by DJ Millie.
An unexpected pairing: Marvel superheroes and tennis superstars. Marvel has collaborated with the U.S. Open on a comic book, which will be given away for free during Fan Week to U.S. Open Fan Pass holders starting Monday. Naomi Osaka and Carlos Alcaraz are among the players depicted in illustrated form. This year’s official art for the U.S. Open, a celebration of “The Power of Tennis,” was designed by St. Louis native Chelsey Farris, who is the first American woman to be tapped for the gig in 15 years. Her design is available on posters and other merch available for purchase.
Ultra-luxury hotel Aman is offering a U.S. Open Tennis Experience package. Guests will get a two-night stay, two courtside seats for the men’s final, and full-day car service, among other perks — including transportation to and from the tournament on a 48-foot Daychaser yacht. The view en route is sure to be interesting.
Crowne Plaza HY36, an official U.S. Open partner, is also offering a U.S. Open Package available to loyalty members. The package includes a welcome kit with game day essentials like sunscreen, snacks, a portable fan (aka the accessory of the summer), and portable charger. The hotel is hosting several players, upping the experiential factor. Located near Hudson Yards and a quick walk from Penn Station, the hotel is well-positioned to catch either the subway or Long Island Railroad for quick transportation out to the stadium.
The Queens Museum is a short walk from the USTA Billie Jean King Center in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Current exhibitions at the museum include Cameron A. Granger’s “9999” featuring video and sculptures, “Lyle Ashton Harris: Our first and last love,” and the museum’s Panorama of New York, a scaled model of the city’s five boroughs created for the 1964 World’s Fair.
Not heading out this year? Van Leeuwen is launching a limited tennis-inspired ice cream flavor in collaboration with Amex, Match Point Mint Chip x Amex. The flavor will be available at store locations throughout the city.
The U.S. Open Fan Week: What To Expect
Starting with Fan Week, a completely free event.
“This year we’re making it an entire week event, starting with Qualifiers one day early so it’s gonna end on Thursday, and it gives those players who make it to the Main Draw, a chance to rest a little bit,” Brian Hainline, chairman of the board and president of the USTA, said. “But it’s just the energy of Fan Week with the music, the food, the players, the established players, the up-and-coming players. I mean, there’s almost nothing like it.”
Fans can interact with some of the best in tennis, from Coco Gauff to Novak Djokovic, making Fan Week something unique.
“It really is a global spectacle, where fans and people from all over the world come here, in the greatest city in the world, to see the biggest stars in tennis,” Nicole Kankam, head of marketing, U.S. Open, said.
Here’s what fans can expect when they come to the National Tennis Center.
The Legends Exhibition Match kicks things off Monday night in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
On Tuesday, a mixed doubles competition starring A listers, such as Coco Gauff, Ben Shelton, Naomi Osaka and Taylor Fritz. For Wednesday, the Stars of the Open will shine “interactively” when Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Jessica Pegula and John McEnroe among others, talk participants through a match. Then on Thursday, it’s the food center stage with the “Flavors of the Open” event.
The week wraps Saturday with Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day.
While the U.S. Open is a global event, organizers say it inspires local kids who participate in youth tennis programs across the city.
“We have an incredible parks system in New York City. People think of New York City and Central Park, but walk around Queens. I mean, you have incredible parks. I play tennis at Kissena Park a lot, and then I’ll play tennis here. The youth programs in the city are great and the thing to understand is that the majority of tennis, for youth and adults, is actually played in public parks, not only in the city but across our country,” Hainline said.
Getting Around for Fan Week
For the last two days of US Open Fan Week, Saturday, Aug. 24 and Sunday, Aug. 25, there will be no direct trains between Manhattan and Queens due to track replacement. Trains will operate in two sections:
Fans traveling to and from Manhattan can take the N train, which is providing alternate service between Times Sq-42 St and Queensboro Plaza, where train service resumes; or take the LIRR to Mets-Willets Point via the Port Washington Branch from Grand Central or Penn Station. The LIRR will cross-honor NYCT fares during that weekend while trackwork is underway.
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This year's tournament starts Aug. 26 and ends Sept. 8.
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