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Known as the final Grand Slam of the season, the US Open takes place in New York. But where is Flushing Meadows, and when does the US Open start in 2026? Last year was the 145th edition of the Open, and it delivered some historic moments on its hard courts, with Carlos Alcaraz picking up his second US Open title by defeating Jannik Sinner in a thrilling final. On the women's side, we saw Aryna Sabalenka successfully defend her crown, becoming the first woman since Serena Williams to win back-to-back US Open titles. The tournament also featured a record-breaking total attendance of over one million fans across the three weeks of festivities. Here is all the info you need to know about Flushing Meadows. 1. When Does the US Open 2026 Start? 2. Where Is the US Open Played? A Look at Flushing Meadows 3. What Is the US Open? History and Significance 4. How to get to the US Open 5. Key Dates for the 2026 US Open 6. Who Are the Defending Champions? 7. How to Get Tickets for the US Open 2026 8. How to Watch the US Open Live: TV and Streaming Info 9. What Makes the US Open (Flushing Meadows) Unique? 10. Why could the US Open 2026 be special? 1. When does the US Open 2026 start? The US Open will officially begin on Sunday, August 30, 2026, with the men’s final concluding on Sunday, September 13. This follows the permanent shift to a 15-day main draw schedule that begins on a Sunday, a format that has quickly become a fan favorite for opening weekend action. Before the main draw, qualifying rounds will take place on Sunday, August 23, during what is known as 'Fan Week.' This allows fans to enter the grounds for free and watch rising stars battle for a spot on the main stage. Fan Week 2026 will also feature the re-imagined Mixed Doubles Championship and the popular 'Stars of the Open' exhibition matches. 2. Where is the US Open played? A look at Flushing Meadows The US Open is held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre, nestled in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, New York. The venue consists of three show courts: - Arthur Ashe Stadium- The centre court with a capacity of 23,771, the largest tennis stadium in the world, which features a retractable roof. - Louis Armstrong Stadium: Seats 14,000 fans and typically hosts high-profile early round matches. - The Grandstand: A small, intense venue that seats 8,125 fans and is known for its atmosphere. There are numerous other outer courts and practice areas that make up the US Open, including fan zones that make the US Open more than just a tournament. 3. What is the US Open? History and Significance The US Open was founded in 1881 and originally known as the US National Championships and has since become the US Open. The Open is one of four Grand Slams, alongside the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon. The tournament moved to its historic venue, Flushing Meadows, in 1978 and has been there ever since. This saw the Open transition to a Hard-court surface, favouring big servers and aggressive baseliners. It was also the first Grand Slam to offer equal prize money in 1973. It is also the final Grand Slam of the year, which often adds drama as players seem to chase history, rankings and redemption. 4. How to get to the US Open Getting to the US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens, is relatively easy, whether you're coming from within New York City, elsewhere in the United States, or internationally from Europe. From within New York City, the most convenient way is by public transportation. You can take the 7 subway line directly to Mets-Willets Point Station, which is just a short walk from the stadium. Alternatively, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) also stops at Mets-Willets Point on the Port Washington Branch, offering a faster ride from Penn Station. While buses are available, the subway and LIRR are typically faster during the tournament. Taxis and rideshares are an option too, but traffic around the venue can be congested, especially during peak hours, and parking is limited. If you're travelling from other parts of the United States, the most common approach is to fly into one of New York City’s major airports. LaGuardia (the closest), JFK, or Newark. From any of these, you can reach Flushing by taxi, rideshare, or a combination of airport trains and subways. Train travel is also viable; Amtrak serves Penn Station from cities like Boston, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., from where you can transfer to the subway or LIRR. Long-distance bus services will also get you into Manhattan, and from there, local transit can take you to the venue. For international visitors from Europe, direct flights to New York’s JFK or Newark airports are available from most major cities with simple connections from there to the city and in particular, Flushing Meadows. Jessica Pegula, despite being lauded as a billionaire tennis player, was seen taking the subway to the grounds last year. 5. Key Dates for the 2026 US Open - August 23: Start of US Open Fan Week & Qualifiers - August 30: Start of the Main Draw (Day 1) - September 7: Labor Day matches (Round of 16) - September 10: Women's Singles Semifinals - September 11: Men's Singles Semifinals - September 12: Women's Singles Final - September 13: Men's Singles Final Every day features two sessions, one in the day and one at night. 6. Who are the defending champions? In the men's singles, Carlos Alcaraz will enter as the reigning champion. He reclaimed the title in 2025 with a dominant four-set victory over Jannik Sinner. Aryna Sabalenka returns as the two-time defending women's singles champion. In the mixed doubles, the Italian duo Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori are the team to beat after securing consecutive titles in New York. US Open – Men’s Singles Winners (2000–2025) | Year | Winner | Runner-up | Result | | 2000 | Marat Safin (RUS) | Pete Sampras (USA) | 6–4, 6–3, 6–3 | | 2001 | Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) | Pete Sampras (USA) | 7–6(4), 6–1, 6–1 | | 2002 | Pete Sampras (USA) | Andre Agassi (USA) | 6–3, 6–4, 5–7, 6–4 | | 2003 | Andy Roddick (USA) | Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) | 6–3, 7–6(2), 6–3 | | 2004 | Roger Federer (SUI) | Lleyton Hewitt (AUS) | 6–0, 7–6(3), 6–0 | | 2005 | Roger Federer (SUI) | Andre Agassi (USA) | 6–3, 2–6, 7–6(1), 6–1 | | 2006 | Roger Federer (SUI) | Andy Roddick (USA) | 6–2, 4–6, 7–5, 6–1 | | 2007 | Roger Federer (SUI) | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | 7–6(4), 7–6(2), 6–4 | | 2008 | Roger Federer (SUI) | Andy Murray (GBR) | 6–2, 7–5, 6–2 | | 2009 | Juan Martín del Potro (ARG) | Roger Federer (SUI) | 3–6, 7–6(5), 4–6, 7–6(4), 6–2 | | 2010 | Rafael Nadal (ESP) | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | 6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–2 | | 2011 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | Rafael Nadal (ESP) | 6–2, 6–4, 6–7(3), 6–1 | | 2012 | Andy Murray (GBR) | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | 7–6(10), 7–5, 2–6, 3–6, 6–2 | | 2013 | Rafael Nadal (ESP) | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | 6–2, 3–6, 6–4, 6–1 | | 2014 | Marin Čilić (CRO) | Kei Nishikori (JPN) | 6–3, 6–3, 6–3 | | 2015 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | Roger Federer (SUI) | 6–4, 5–7, 6–4, 6–4 | | 2016 | Stan Wawrinka (SUI) | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | 6–7(1), 6–4, 7–5, 6–3 | | 2017 | Rafael Nadal (ESP) | Kevin Anderson (RSA) | 6–3, 6–3, 6–4 | | 2018 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | Juan Martín del Potro (ARG) | 6–3, 7–6(4), 6–3 | | 2019 | Rafael Nadal (ESP) | Daniil Medvedev (RUS) | 7–5, 6–3, 5–7, 4–6, 6–4 | | 2020 | Dominic Thiem (AUT) | Alexander Zverev (GER) | 2–6, 4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 7–6(6) | | 2021 | Daniil Medvedev (RUS) | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | 6–4, 6–4, 6–4 | | 2022 | Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) | Casper Ruud (NOR) | 6–4, 2–6, 7–6(1), 6–3 | | 2023 | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | Daniil Medvedev (RUS) | 6–3, 7–6(5), 6–3 | | 2024 | Jannik Sinner (ITA) | Taylor Fritz (USA) | 6–3, 6–4, 7–5 | | 2025 | Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) | Jannik Sinner (ITA) | 6–2, 3–6, 6–1, 6–4 | US Open – Women’s Singles Winners (2000–2025) | Year | Winner | Runner-up | Finals Result | | 2000 | Venus Williams (USA) | Lindsay Davenport (USA) | 6–4, 7–5 | | 2001 | Venus Williams (USA) | Serena Williams (USA) | 6–2, 6–4 | | 2002 | Serena Williams (USA) | Venus Williams (USA) | 6–4, 6–3 | | 2003 | Justine Henin (BEL) | Kim Clijsters (BEL) | 7–5, 6–1 | | 2004 | Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) | Elena Dementieva (RUS) | 6–3, 7–5 | | 2005 | Kim Clijsters (BEL) | Mary Pierce (FRA) | 6–3, 6–1 | | 2006 | Maria Sharapova (RUS) | Justine Henin (BEL) | 6–4, 6–4 | | 2007 | Justine Henin (BEL) | Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) | 6–1, 6–3 | | 2008 | Serena Williams (USA) | Jelena Janković (SRB) | 6–4, 7–5 | | 2009 | Kim Clijsters (BEL) | Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) | 7–5, 6–3 | | 2010 | Kim Clijsters (BEL) | Vera Zvonareva (RUS) | 6–2, 6–1 | | 2011 | Samantha Stosur (AUS) | Serena Williams (USA) | 6–2, 6–3 | | 2012 | Serena Williams (USA) | Victoria Azarenka (BLR) | 6–2, 2–6, 7–5 | | 2013 | Serena Williams (USA) | Victoria Azarenka (BLR) | 7–5, 6–7(6), 6–1 | | 2014 | Serena Williams (USA) | Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) | 6–3, 6–3 | | 2015 | Flavia Pennetta (ITA) | Roberta Vinci (ITA) | 7–6(4), 6–2 | | 2016 | Angelique Kerber (GER) | Karolína Plíšková (CZE) | 6–3, 4–6, 6–4 | | 2017 | Sloane Stephens (USA) | Madison Keys (USA) | 6–3, 6–0 | | 2018 | Naomi Osaka (JPN) | Serena Williams (USA) | 6–2, 6–4 | | 2019 | Bianca Andreescu (CAN) | Serena Williams (USA) | 6–3, 7–5 | | 2020 | Naomi Osaka (JPN) | Victoria Azarenka (BLR) | 1–6, 6–3, 6–3 | | 2021 | Emma Raducanu (GBR) | Leylah Fernandez (CAN) | 6–4, 6–3 | | 2022 | Iga Świątek (POL) | Ons Jabeur (TUN) | 6–2, 7–6(5) | | 2023 | Coco Gauff (USA) | Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) | 2–6, 6–3, 6–2 | | 2024 | Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) | Jessica Pegula (USA) | 7–5, 7–5 | | 2025 | Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) | Amanda Anisimova (USA) | 6–3, 7–6(3) | 7. How to get tickets for the US Open 2026 Tickets are available through Ticketmaster as the official ticketing partner of the US Open. Standard ground passes range from $60-$150, has access to outer courts and practice areas. Reserved stadium seating in the Louis Armstrong and Grandstand range from $120-$300, and finally, the Arthur Ashe Stadium have early round seats available for $70, but as the tournament goes on, tickets for big matches and finals can be $300 and up. 8. How to watch the US Open live: TV and Streaming Info - In the United Kingdom, coverage will be shown on Sky Sports, covering games in all 3 stadiums. - In the United States, coverage will be on ESPN and ESPN+, with subscriptions costing around $11.99 a month. - TSN holds the rights in Canada. - For those in Australia, the tournament can be followed on Stand Sport and in New Zealand, it will be streamed via TVNZ+. 9. What makes the US Open (Flushing Meadows) Unique? Many elements set the US Open apart from the rest: - Having the largest stadium in Tennis, it offers a unique atmosphere that is loud, energetic and constant support for players. - Diversity and Inclusion, which is provided by events such as Open Pride Day and a strong wheelchair tournament. - Its electronic line calls and 15-day schedule show how the Open leads the way in modernisation. 10. Why could the US Open 2026 be special? Several factors point to the 2026 edition being particularly memorable: - The 146th Edition: As one of the oldest sports championships in the world, the 2026 tournament continues a storied legacy that dates back to 1881, offering a unique blend of modern spectacle and historic tradition. - Alcaraz and Sabalenka Defending Titles: Both Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka will be looking to cement their hard-court dominance. Sabalenka, in particular, will be chasing a historic "three-peat" after her back-to-back victories in 2024 and 2025. - The "Reimagined" Arthur Ashe Stadium: 2026 marks the first year fans will experience the initial phase of the massive $800 million venue transformation. This includes a restructured courtside bowl with 2,000 additional seats and modernized concourses designed by world-renowned architects. - Sunday Start Maturation: Entering its second year, the 15-day main draw format (starting on Sunday, August 30) is expected to shatter attendance records once again, following the million-fan milestone reached in previous seasons. - Elite Player Milestones: With Jannik Sinner hungry to reclaim his throne and Iga Swiatek looking to return to the top of the podium in New York, the battle for the World No. 1 ranking could reach its peak under the lights of Flushing Meadows.