The US Open is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments and features some of the top tennis players in the world. It is held annually in late August and early September at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City. As one of the most prestigious and popular tennis events, tickets to the US Open are highly coveted. However, due to the high demand, tickets often sell out quickly through the primary market. This leads many fans to wonder if resale tickets are available for the US Open and how they can get their hands on them.
Getting US Open Tickets
There are a few primary ways to get US Open tickets when they first go on sale to the public:
– Apply through the US Open ticket lottery – Each year a limited number of tickets are made available through an online ticket lottery. Fans can enter for a chance to purchase tickets.
– Purchase through the US Open website – A set number of tickets are sold directly through the official US Open website. These tickets tend to sell out extremely quickly.
– Purchase through Ticketmaster – An additional allotment of tickets is sold through Ticketmaster. These also tend to sell out rapidly.
However, those who are unable to purchase tickets during the initial sale are not entirely out of luck. There are ample resale tickets available for the US Open each year.
Purchasing Resale US Open Tickets
Here are some of the main ways to purchase US Open tickets through the secondary ticket market:
Ticket Reseller Websites
There are many large secondary ticket marketplaces online that resell event tickets. Popular sites like StubHub, VividSeats, SeatGeek, and TicketNetwork have numerous US Open ticket listings across all sessions and courts. Fans can search for and purchase the tickets they desire and have them transferred digitally or shipped. Prices on these resale sites will generally be above face value, with the markup depending on factors like the seller, session, court, and seat location. Ticket delivery is guaranteed, providing peace of mind.
Ticket Resale Exchanges
Resale exchanges like Ticketmaster Verified Resale let season ticket holders and individual sellers list their extra US Open tickets for sale to the public in a secure environment. Buyers can browse available tickets while sellers can set their asking price. All tickets are verified as legitimate prior to listing. Ticketmaster’s delivery and buyer guarantee give confidence when purchasing. Prices are usually market rate.
Online Marketplaces
General marketplace websites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace may have US Open tickets for resale by individual sellers. Prices are negotiated directly between buyer and seller. While sometimes having heavily discounted tickets, there are risks buying here as there are less guarantees about fraudulent tickets. Use caution and common sense when purchasing through these platforms. Paying by credit card and meeting in person can help secure the transaction.
Scalpers in Person
In the days and hours leading up to US Open sessions, ticket scalpers and resellers will congregate around the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center looking to offload extra tickets. Patrons can negotiate prices in person and tickets can be exchanged on the spot. This option comes with some uncertainty around legitimacy of tickets and pricing negotiations. Cash payment is standard with scalpers.
US Open Ticket Exchange Facebook Group
The US Open Ticket Exchange is a popular Facebook group with several thousand members. Fans can post about buying or selling available US Open tickets. Rules require sellers to provide identity verification and ticket source. Strict admin oversight provides buyer protection. Transactions are handled privately between users. It’s a good source for discounted last minute tickets.
Affordability of Resale US Open Tickets
US Open resale tickets can vary widely in price, but are often more affordable than directly through the primary market during the initial sales. Here are some price ranges for different types of resale US Open tickets:
Session Type | Resale Price Range* |
---|---|
Early Round Day Session | $75 – $300 |
Early Round Night Session | $100 – $400 |
Quarterfinals Day Session | $200 – $650 |
Quarterfinals Night Session | $250 – $850 |
Semifinals Day Session | $350 – $1100 |
Semifinals Night Session | $450 – $1500 |
Finals | $500 – $2000+ |
*Price ranges are approximations and may vary year-to-year. Premium courtside or celebrity seating exceeds upper range.
While resale provides more ticket accessibility, patrons will generally pay more for the convenience than buying during the initial ticket sale. Less desirable sessions and court locations will fall on the lower end while high demand sessions and seats will be at the top of the range. But resale still gives opportunity to attend an event like the US Open at below face value compared to limited primary tickets.
Risks of Purchasing Resale US Open Tickets
When buying US Open tickets through non-primary sources, there are some risks to be aware of:
– Counterfeit or fake tickets – Scammers may duplicate or falsify tickets to sell. This will prevent entry to the US Open.
– Stolen tickets – Resellers may be illegally selling tickets not belonging to them, leading to canceled access.
– Price gouging – Resellers could charge unfairly inflated prices compared to face value.
– Mismatched seats – Listings may misrepresent seat locations compared to actual tickets.
– Non-transferable tickets – Some primary market tickets cannot be resold or transferred per terms.
– Seller fraud – Sellers take payment but fail to deliver valid tickets as promised.
While problems are less common on reputable resale marketplaces, buyers should still exercise caution when purchasing secondhand tickets. Consumer protections on sites like StubHub provide recourse if issues arise.
Tips for Buying Resale US Open Tickets
Here are some tips for safely buying resale US Open tickets:
– Purchase through trusted platforms – Use reputable ticket sites like StubHub or Ticketmaster to secure transactions. Avoid risky individual sellers when possible.
– Vet the seller – If buying directly from an individual seller, ensure they are legit by getting background info and contacting references.
– Confirm details – Verify seat location, ticket source, delivery method, and total pricing to align with listing.
– Use safe payment – Pay via credit card on sites that offer buyer guarantees. Avoid risky payments like cash, wire transfer, gift cards.
– Act fast – Early round sessions can have substantial last minute ticket drops as holders unload extras. Snap up deals when found.
– Know the terms – Review policies around ticket transfers, refunds, and reselling from original ticket source.
– Inspect tickets – Carefully examine tickets received to confirm barcode, section-row-seat, date accuracy before entering the venue.
– Have a backup – If purchasing right before an event, have a backup plan to watch or attend a different session in case issues arise with tickets.
Are Resale Worth It for the US Open?
While the initial US Open ticket sale provides the best opportunity to purchase tickets directly at face value, high demand leaves many tennis fans ticketless during the primary market phase. However, viable quantity of discounted resale tickets for the US Open are consistently available across a variety of reputable secondary markets.
Savvy buyers can often acquire these resale US Open tickets at substantial discounts compared to extremely limited primary tickets that pop up. Though some risk is involved, adhering to best practices around vetting sellers and marketplaces provides assurance. Ultimately resale presents the most feasible way for many fans to experience the incredible atmosphere and star power at the US Open.
As long as expectations around pricing and safety are set properly, purchasing resale can certainly be a worthwhile avenue for securing tickets to the sold out early rounds, coveted quarterfinals and semifinals, and the unparalleled experience of a US Open final. For diehard tennis fans fixated on getting into the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to see their favorite players up close, resale tickets deliver that access.
Conclusion
The US Open consistently lives up to its billing as an electric world class tennis event and spectacle. Huge fan demand places primary market tickets in short supply annually. Yet ample resale ticket availability gives fans reliable opportunities to buy verified tickets at market value prices. While some additional risk is introduced through resellers, buyers can mitigate issues by using trusted marketplaces, thoroughly vetting sellers, confirming order details, inspecting tickets, and having backup plans. Ultimately resale provides a viable pathway for most fans to experience the US Open, making it a worthwhile ticket acquisition option.