US Open Schedule: Dates, Rounds, and How to Follow the Action

The US Open is the final Grand Slam tennis tournament on the annual calendar, and its schedule draws global attention every late summer. Whether you intend to watch from your living room or walk through the gates of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York, knowing how the tournament is structured will help you follow the matches that matter to you.
When the US Open Takes Place
The main draw of the US Open traditionally begins on the last Monday of August. From there, the event spans two weeks. The women’s singles final is usually staged on the Saturday of the second week, with the men’s singles final on the Sunday immediately following. This places the tournament in the late August to early September window, with exact dates moving slightly each year based on the weekday calendar.
A lesser-known part of the US Open schedule is the qualifying tournament. Held during the week prior to the main draw, qualifying gives lower-ranked professionals a chance to earn one of the limited spots in the 128-player fields. Qualifying matches are played on the same grounds but often with smaller crowds, offering an affordable and relaxed way to see future stars.
How the Tournament Is Organized
The US Open runs several competitions at once. The headline events are the men’s and women’s singles, but doubles, mixed doubles, junior championships, and wheelchair tennis all share the calendar. Because of this overlap, the daily schedule lists matches across more than a dozen courts.
The first week focuses on the early rounds. In singles, 128 players mean seven rounds of elimination. The first four rounds are compressed into about five or six days, producing a rapid pace. By the second Monday, only the quarterfinalists remain, and the atmosphere shifts toward the biggest names.
Reading the Draw and Round Names
The US Open schedule uses standard tennis terminology that can confuse newcomers. The first round is called the Round of 128. After one win, players enter the Round of 64, then the Round of 32, the Round of 16 (also called the fourth round), the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final. Doubles draws are smaller, often starting at 64 teams, so their rounds progress faster and may not align perfectly with the singles timeline.
Day vs. Night Sessions
Understanding session times is key to reading the US Open schedule. Day sessions on most courts begin around 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest venue, often opens its day session at noon, while the evening session there typically starts at 7:00 p.m.
Night matches are a signature of the US Open. The bright lights of Flushing Meadows and the energy of New York crowds create a distinct environment. However, a 7:00 p.m. listing is not a guarantee of start time. If an afternoon match extends, the night session may begin later than planned.
The Order of Play
Each evening, the tournament publishes the Order of Play for the next day. This sheet shows which players are assigned to which court and approximately when they will play. It is the closest thing to a fixed US Open schedule, but it remains subject to change.
Weather is the most common disruptor. The main stadium has a retractable roof, but many outer courts do not. Rain can suspend play for hours. The tournament tries to clear backlogs the following day, which may push originally scheduled matches later.
Following Along from Anywhere
For remote viewers, the US Open schedule is accessible through the official website and mobile application. These tools provide live scoring, notifications, and court assignments. Streaming platforms often carry multiple courts simultaneously, which is useful because television broadcasts usually feature only one or two marquee matches.
International fans must account for time zones. A 7:00 p.m. match in New York corresponds to 12:00 a.m. UTC, 1:00 a.m. Central European Time, and 8:00 a.m. in Sydney the next day. Setting automatic reminders through the app can prevent missed matches.
A Practical Scenario
Imagine you have only one free evening during the tournament. You check the Order of Play the night before and see a top-10 player scheduled on Ashe at 7:00 p.m. You plan to watch at home. At 7:15, the broadcast still shows the previous match. Rather than assume a mistake, you open the live update and see the delay. By knowing this is normal, you avoid frustration and simply wait for the coverage to switch.
Attending in Person
If you attend, the printed schedule is a starting point, not a contract. Show court tickets have assigned seats, but outer courts are general admission. This allows you to watch a set on one court, then move to another. Give yourself extra time for security screening and walking, as the site is large.
Tickets for the finals sell out quickly, but early-round tickets are usually available. The qualifying week is often free or inexpensive and follows its own published US Open schedule.
Practice Courts and Unlisted Activity
Not everything appears on the official US Open schedule. Players use practice courts in the morning before their matches. These sessions are usually open to fans with ground passes and provide a chance to watch athletes up close without the pressure of competition. Times are informal and not published in the Order of Play, but many fans build their early arrival around seeing a favorite hit from the sidelines.
Accessibility and Planning for Families
The tournament grounds include family-friendly areas and viewing decks. If you attend with children, the schedule allows for flexible movement between outer courts where matches are shorter and crowds thinner in the first week. Planning a half-day visit around the 11:00 a.m. start can be less overwhelming than a full evening session.
How the US Open Differs from Other Slams
Compared to Wimbledon or the French Open, the US Open keeps later hours. The hard-court surface plays fast, and the tiebreak rule applies in every set, including the deciding one. This rule limits endless final sets and helps the schedule recover from delays.
The tournament previously bundled the women’s semifinals and men’s semifinals into a single Super Saturday, but modern formatting separates the finals across the weekend. This gives players more rest and creates two distinct championship events.
Common Reader Questions
When does the US Open qualifying start?
Usually seven days before the main draw, with the official dates posted on the tournament site each spring.
What time do gates open?
For day sessions, gates generally open 90 minutes before the first match, though this can vary by year.
Are match times exact?
No. The Order of Play uses approximation. Television guides may show a fixed hour, but actual play depends on prior matches.
Where can I see the junior schedule?
Junior events appear on the same Order of Play once the main draw is underway, typically in the second week.
Making the Most of the Calendar
The best approach is to decide what you want from the event. If you follow a specific player, track their match days and plan around potential weather delays. If you enjoy the overall spectacle, the first week offers the most matches per ticket or per viewing hour.
The US Open schedule is busy by design. With a little preparation—checking the nightly Order of Play, using the app for live changes, and understanding session structures—you can watch the world’s top tennis without confusion.