It might surprise some, but tennis’ U.S. Open is the most attended annual sporting event in the world. Over 700,000 fans went to the event in 2012, and that number may increase this year. If you’re heading out to Flushing over the next two weeks, here’s all you need to know:
Tickets
The easiest way to purchase tickets is online through Ticketmaster or StubHub. The day sessions begin at 11 a.m., and the night sessions begin at 7 p.m. By purchasing tickets to Arthur Ashe Stadium, you are entitled to a reserved seat and also can go into Louis Armstrong Stadium, the Grandstand or any of the side courts. Grounds passes allow you to watch any match except ones in Ashe and are an especially a good buy during the first week, when there are excellent matches occurring outside of the main stadium.
Getting there
Parking will cost around $20, but avoid driving there if possible. Cheaper and faster ways to get there include busses, the Long Island Rail Road (to Mets-Willets Point) and the subway (7 train).
What to bring
Pack very light. There will be metal detectors at the entrances. Small bags are allowed, so bring water and an umbrella if the forecast calls for rain. Alcohol, glass bottles and cans are not allowed to be brought onto the grounds. Neither are banners or signs. There is no bag check on the grounds. Be sure to bring some dough — a day at the Open isn’t cheap, especially if you are going for both sessions.
Where to watch
Prior to going, print out the schedule of play, which is available a day in advance. Also, picking up a free copy of a map of the grounds is extremely helpful — it is a large venue to navigate. If you don’t have tickets to the matches in Ashe Stadium, check out the Grandstand and Louis Armstrong Stadium. They fill up quickly because most of the top players will play there, but offer a cozier experience than the grandiose Ashe. If the lines are too long to get into either of those two, there are plenty of side courts to view matches, and the large screens outside of Ashe televise matches.
Fan Experience
Just inside the East Gate at the American Express Fan Experience, there is a full-size tennis court where fans can work on their games and receive tips from tennis pros. For those fans who prefer their tennis in digital form, they can play virtual tennis through Xbox Kinect. To brush up on tennis history, visit the International Tennis Hall of Fame Exhibit.
There will also be information available about the WTA, player autograph sessions and a display by IBM, which will have extensive statistics.
While anyone can partake, having an American Express card will allow access to a club with refreshments and additional entertainment. Complimentary radios featuring live play-by-play will be available for AMEX card members every day. In addition, 20,000 radios will be available on the grounds for non-card members on Monday, Sept. 2.
Autograph seekers should head to the practice courts near the West Gate. Almost every player practices there shortly before their matches. This is where having the day’s schedule comes in handy.
For a break from on-court action, there will be different musical acts each day near the Presidents Gate or in the South Plaza. The full schedule of performers can be seen at USOpen.org
Food
How about a serving of world-class food with your world-class tennis? The new additions this year include food stands by Hill Country Barbecue and Fresca Mexicana as well as a new Oyster Bar. The Village Market will offer healthier alternatives including salads, sandwiches and vegetarian and vegan options.
There are several sit-down restaurants including Aces, Champions and Patio Café, but be sure to make a reservation. For those wanting stadium fare, there are plenty of burgers, hot dogs and adult beverages to go around.
Mobile App
The free 2013 U.S. Open app is worth downloading. You can use it to check scores and highlights, listen to live matches, shop and more. Also new this year is a Social Wall on the grounds showing fan photos and reactions from Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag “usopen”
david.satriano@nypost.com