Flushing Meadows Corona Park in northern Queens contains two of the most significant sports venues in the United States within a few hundred yards of each other. Citi Field opened in 2009 as the home of the New York Mets. The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center has hosted the US Open since 1978, when the tournament moved from Forest Hills. Both are accessible by the 7 train, both are genuinely worth attending, and understanding how they work makes the visit significantly better.
The US Open: The Tennis
The US Open runs for two weeks in late August and early September at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The tournament is the final Grand Slam of the year and the only one played in the United States. Arthur Ashe Stadium, the main show court, holds 23,771 people — the largest tennis stadium in the world. Louis Armstrong Stadium and the Grandstand are the mid-size courts. The outer courts have no assigned seating and are included with the grounds pass.
The grounds pass ($40-90 depending on the day and round) is the best way to experience the US Open without committing to a specific match or spending significant money. The outer courts during the first week of the tournament feature top players in practice or early rounds at close range — some of the best live tennis viewing available anywhere in the world.
The US Open: Practical Notes
The 7 train to Mets-Willets Point is the correct transportation. Arrive 30-45 minutes before your first match to navigate security and the grounds. The food options inside the complex are significantly overpriced (this is consistent with every major sporting event in New York); consider eating in Flushing before or after. Bring sunscreen; the outer courts are exposed.
Citi Field: The Mets
Citi Field is one of the better baseball stadiums in the National League — the sightlines from most seats are good, the food options have improved significantly since opening, and the rotunda entrance area (designed to evoke Ebbets Field, the former Brooklyn Dodgers stadium) is well-done. Tickets start around $20 for upper-deck seats and rise to several hundred for premium field-level seats. The 7 train to Mets-Willets Point deposits you directly at the stadium entrance.
Combining Both in One Visit
During late August and early September, it’s possible to attend a US Open session and a Mets game on the same day — the venues are literally adjacent. Both have late afternoon starts. Check the Mets schedule against the US Open schedule; combined days exist during the tournament’s two weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the US Open at Flushing Meadows?
Yes — the US Open Tennis Championships are held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, Queens. The tournament runs for two weeks in late August and early September.
Where is Citi Field in Queens?
Citi Field is at 41 Seaver Way in Flushing, Queens, adjacent to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. Take the 7 train to Mets-Willets Point.
How do I get tickets to the US Open?
Tickets are available at usopen.org. Early rounds tickets ($40-90) are more accessible than the finals ($150-500+). The grounds pass allows access to all outer courts without assigned seats and is the best value for experiencing the tournament atmosphere.
What other sports venues are in Queens?
Citi Field (New York Mets baseball), the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (US Open), and the New York Racing Association’s Aqueduct Racetrack in South Ozone Park. The Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge near the Rockaways is a destination for birdwatching rather than traditional sports.
Also see: our Queens transportation guide
