USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center: The Complete Guide 2026

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is one of the most iconic sporting venues in the world — the home of the US Open, one of tennis’s four Grand Slam tournaments, and the largest public tennis facility on the planet. Located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park in Queens, New York, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center hosts millions of visitors each year — from Grand Slam fans watching the world’s best players compete on Arthur Ashe Stadium to recreational players booking public courts for a casual hit. Whether you’re planning to attend the US Open, visit the facility or simply want to learn more about this legendary venue, this complete guide covers everything you need to know.

What Is the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center?

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (BJK NTC) is a world-class tennis facility operated by the United States Tennis Association (USTA) in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, New York City. It is best known as the permanent home of the US Open — held every August and September — but outside of the tournament, the facility operates as the largest public tennis complex in the world, with courts available for public booking year-round.

History of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

The facility has a rich history that mirrors the growth of American tennis:

• 1978 — the National Tennis Center opens as the new home of the US Open, replacing the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, Queens
• 1997 — Arthur Ashe Stadium opens as the centrepiece of the facility, named after the legendary American tennis champion and activist
• 2006 — the facility is renamed the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in honour of Billie Jean King, one of the greatest champions in tennis history and a pioneering advocate for gender equality in sport
• 2016 — Arthur Ashe Stadium receives a retractable roof, allowing play to continue in rain and extreme heat
• 2018 — Louis Armstrong Stadium is rebuilt with a new retractable roof, giving the BJK NTC two covered show courts

The Courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

Arthur Ashe Stadium — The Centrepiece

Arthur Ashe Stadium is the largest tennis stadium in the world, with a seating capacity of approximately 23,771. Named after Arthur Ashe — the first Black man to win the US Open, Wimbledon and the Australian Open — the stadium is the centrepiece of the US Open and one of the most electric sporting venues on earth. The retractable roof, added in 2016, ensures that matches on the main show court are never rained off.

Louis Armstrong Stadium

Louis Armstrong Stadium is the second show court at the BJK NTC, with a seating capacity of approximately 14,053. Rebuilt in 2018 with a new retractable roof, Armstrong Stadium hosts second-round and later matches during the US Open and is known for its intimate, electric atmosphere.

Grandstand Stadium

The Grandstand Stadium is the third show court at the BJK NTC, with a seating capacity of approximately 8,125. It hosts first and second-round matches during the US Open and is a favourite among fans who want to watch top players in a more intimate setting.

Public Courts

Outside of the US Open period, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center operates as a public tennis facility with 22 outdoor hard courts and 12 indoor hard courts available for public booking. This makes it the largest public tennis facility in the world — open to players of all levels, from beginners to advanced competitors. Court booking is available through the USTA website.

The US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

The US Open is held at the BJK NTC every August and September, making it the final Grand Slam of the tennis calendar. Key facts about the US Open:

• Surface: DecoTurf hard courts — a medium-fast surface that favours aggressive baseliners and big servers
• Format: Best of 5 sets for men’s singles; best of 3 sets for women’s singles
• Prize money: The US Open offers the largest prize money of any Grand Slam tournament
• Night sessions: The US Open is famous for its electric night sessions on Arthur Ashe Stadium — some of the most atmospheric matches in tennis
• Notable champions: Serena Williams (6 titles), Roger Federer (5 titles), Pete Sampras (5 titles), Novak Djokovic (4 titles)

For a complete overview of Grand Slam champions, see our tennis Grand Slam winners guide.

Visiting the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center

Getting There

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is easily accessible by public transport from Manhattan:

• Subway: Take the 7 train to Mets-Willets Point station — a 30–40 minute journey from Midtown Manhattan; the BJK NTC is a short walk from the station
• LIRR: The Long Island Rail Road stops at Woodside, with connecting subway service to the facility
• Car: Parking is available at the facility but can be expensive and congested during the US Open; public transport is strongly recommended

US Open Tickets

US Open tickets are available through the official US Open website. Ticket options include:

• Grounds passes — access to all outer courts; the best value option for experiencing the US Open atmosphere without a reserved seat
• Arthur Ashe Stadium tickets — reserved seats for day or night sessions on the main show court
• Louis Armstrong Stadium tickets — reserved seats for the second show court
• Session packages — multi-session packages for fans who want to attend multiple days

Tickets for popular sessions — particularly night sessions on Arthur Ashe Stadium — sell out quickly. Book early for the best availability and prices.

Playing on the Public Courts

Outside of the US Open period (typically late August to early September), the public courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center are available for booking. Court fees vary by season and time of day. Booking is available online through the USTA website. Playing on the same courts used by US Open players is a unique experience — bring your best tennis racket, fresh tennis balls and proper tennis shoes for the hard court surface.

Billie Jean King: The Woman Behind the Name

Billie Jean King is one of the most important figures in the history of tennis and sport. A 39-time Grand Slam champion (singles, doubles and mixed doubles), King was a dominant force in women’s tennis throughout the 1960s and 1970s. She is perhaps best known for the Battle of the Sexes — a 1973 exhibition match against Bobby Riggs that drew 90 million television viewers worldwide and became a defining moment in the fight for gender equality in sport. King was also a founding member of the WTA Tour and a lifelong advocate for equal prize money in tennis. The renaming of the National Tennis Center in her honour in 2006 was a fitting tribute to her extraordinary legacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center?

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is located in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, Queens, New York City. It is easily accessible by subway (7 train to Mets-Willets Point) from Midtown Manhattan.

Can the public play at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center?

Yes — outside of the US Open period, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center operates as a public tennis facility with 22 outdoor and 12 indoor hard courts available for booking. Court fees apply. Booking is available through the USTA website.

How many courts does the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center have?

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center has 3 show courts (Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium and Grandstand Stadium) plus 22 outdoor and 12 indoor public courts — making it the largest public tennis facility in the world.

Why is it called the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center?

The facility was renamed the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in 2006 in honour of Billie Jean King — a 39-time Grand Slam champion, founder of the WTA Tour and one of the most important advocates for gender equality in sport history.

When is the US Open held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center?

The US Open is held at the BJK NTC every year in late August and early September — the final Grand Slam of the tennis calendar. The tournament runs for approximately two weeks.

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• Best Beginner Tennis Rackets: Top Picks for New Players
• Universal Tennis Rating (UTR): The Complete Guide 2026

Official Tennis Associations

• United States Tennis Association (USTA) — the national governing body for tennis in the USA and operator of the BJK NTC
• US Open — the official website of the US Open; tickets, schedule and player information
• International Tennis Federation (ITF) — the world governing body of tennis
• ATP Tour — the official men's professional tennis circuit
• WTA Tour — the official women's professional tennis circuit

Facility information is accurate as of August 2026. Court availability and fees are subject to change. Product recommendations are based on quality, value, and player feedback. Affiliate links help support Tennis Mindset at no extra cost to you.