Don't just drive there. Seriously. If you think you can just roll up to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on a whim during the first week of the tournament, you’re in for a massive reality check. Finding a US Open parking pass that doesn't cost more than your actual ticket is becoming an Olympic sport in its own right.
Look, New York City traffic is legendary for all the wrong reasons. But when you add twenty thousand tennis fans all trying to squeeze into the same corner of Queens at 11:00 AM, the Van Wyck Expressway turns into a literal parking lot. Most people assume they can just pay at the gate. Maybe ten years ago, sure. Now? If you don’t have a plan for your vehicle before you leave your driveway, you might spend the first two sets of the Alcaraz match staring at a bumper sticker in a line for Citi Field.
The Brutal Reality of the Yellow and Blue Lots
Parking at the US Open is basically a game of musical chairs played with SUVs. The primary spots are the Yellow and Blue lots, which are situated right near the grounds. But here is the kicker: during the tournament, the New York Mets are often playing right next door. When the Mets have a home game at Citi Field, the parking situation goes from "difficult" to "statistically impossible."
The United States Tennis Association (USTA) manages the parking situation in coordination with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Usually, they funnel fans into the Citi Field lots (specifically Lots A, B, C, D, E, and F). On "non-event" days—meaning days when the Mets are away—you can sometimes find drive-up parking. It’s expensive. You’re looking at $40 or $50 minimum, and that price has been creeping up every year. Honestly, it’s robbery, but what choice do you have if you’re coming from deep Long Island or Connecticut?
Pre-booking is the Only Way to Keep Your Sanity
You really need to use the official US Open website or Ticketmaster to hunt for a US Open parking pass well in advance. These passes are digital now. Don't expect to hand a crisp twenty-dollar bill to a guy in a vest and get a prime spot. If you haven't downloaded the pass to your digital wallet before you hit the Whitestone Bridge, you're going to be fumbling with your phone while a line of angry New Yorkers honks behind you.
Some veterans of the tournament swear by third-party apps like ParkWhiz or Spothero. Sometimes you can find a private garage in Flushing or a spot near the SkyView Center mall. It’s a bit of a hike. You’ll be walking fifteen to twenty minutes, but you’ll save thirty bucks and, more importantly, you won't be trapped in the Citi Field exit bottleneck for two hours after the night session ends.
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Why the "Mets Schedule" is Your Biggest Enemy
If the Mets are playing a night game and the US Open has a night session, just give up. I'm kidding, mostly. But truly, the overlap is a nightmare. The USTA usually posts a schedule showing "Conflict Days." On these days, parking is severely restricted.
- Check the MLB schedule before you buy your tennis tickets.
- If there's a conflict, the "Red Lot" or "Green Lot" might be your only options, and those are often reserved for VIPs, players, and media.
- Commuter lots near the 7 train are a sneaky alternative.
I once talked to a guy who spent three hours trying to park for a Federer quarterfinals match because he didn't realize the Mets were playing a doubleheader. He missed the entire first set. Don't be that guy. If you see the Mets are home, you should probably just take the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) or the 7 train. The LIRR drops you right at the Mets-Willets Point station. It’s fast. It’s clean-ish. It’s way better than sitting in your car questioning every life choice you’ve ever made.
Let’s Talk About the "Secret" Parking Spots
There aren't many secrets left in New York, but there are some "lesser-known" maneuvers. Some fans park at the Queens Museum or near the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. It’s a beautiful walk. You pass the Fountain of the Planets. It feels like you're actually in a park rather than a concrete wasteland.
However, be careful. NYC traffic enforcement is ruthless during the Open. If you park in a spot that looks too good to be true, it probably is. The "No Parking" signs in Queens are often written in a language that requires a law degree to decipher. If you're blocked in by a "Temporary No Parking" sign for the tournament, your car will be towed to a lot in the middle of nowhere, and your $150 tennis ticket will suddenly cost you $500.
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Rideshare vs. Driving Yourself
Is an Uber better? Maybe. There is a designated rideshare drop-off and pick-up area. It’s usually located near the Hall of Science or by the South Gate. But here’s the problem: surge pricing. When the night session lets out at 1:00 AM after a five-set thriller, every person in that stadium is opening the Uber app at the exact same time.
I’ve seen rideshare prices hit $150 for a ten-mile trip. If you have your own US Open parking pass, at least you have a guaranteed spot and a fixed cost. You just have to deal with the soul-crushing traffic on the Grand Central Parkway. It's a trade-off.
Pro-Tips for the 2026 Season
The 2026 tournament is expected to see record crowds. With the sport's popularity exploding again, the infrastructure is being pushed to its limit. If you are determined to drive, here is the actual, no-nonsense way to handle it:
- Buy the pass the moment you buy your tickets. Do not wait. They do sell out, especially for the middle weekend and the finals.
- Arrive early. If the gates open at 10:00 AM, try to be in the parking lot by 9:00 AM. Grab a coffee, walk around, soak in the atmosphere. Arriving at 11:30 AM is a recipe for a meltdown.
- Remember where you parked. The lots are massive and poorly lit at night. Take a photo of the nearest signpost.
- Have a backup. Keep the MTA app on your phone just in case the traffic reports look apocalyptic.
Actionable Steps for a Stress-Free Arrival
First, go to the official US Open website and look at the "Getting to the Open" section. It’s dry, but it has the most current maps of which lots are open. If the digital passes are sold out on the primary market, check reputable resale sites, but be prepared to pay a premium.
Second, if you’re staying in Manhattan, just don't drive. Seriously. Take the 7 train from Grand Central or the LIRR from Penn Station or Grand Central Madison. It takes 20 minutes. You can drink a honey deuce on the way back and not worry about a breathalyzer or a fender bender.
Finally, if you must drive, ensure your US Open parking pass is pulled up on your phone before you enter the tunnel or bridge. Cell service around the stadium can be spotty when 30,000 people are all trying to post Instagram stories at once. Having that QR code ready to scan will save you—and everyone behind you—a lot of grief.
Get your pass, get there early, and enjoy the tennis. The drama should be on the court, not in the parking lot.