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THE EDITOR'S GUIDE
New York Beyond the Baseline
The US Open, Fan Week and the tennis events shaping New York from August 23 through September 13, 2026.
Late August in New York has always carried a particular electricity as the world’s best tennis players gather in Queens. Before the main draw begins, US Open Fan Week brings qualifying matches, player practices, entertainment and special events to the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
From Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day and the US Open Silent Disco to Roger Federer’s return to New York and Serena Williams joining Carlos Alcaraz in mixed doubles, this guide looks at the players, events and experiences leading into the 2026 US Open.
The US Open Begins Before the Main Draw
us open fan week
US OPEN SILENT DISCO
US OPEN SILENT DISCO
US Open Fan Week runs August 23 through August 29 and now functions as a festival in its own right. Admission to the grounds is free with a Fan Access Pass, but the week is far more substantial than a casual glimpse of players practicing. Players will be playing to qualify from August 24 through August 28, placing real tournament stakes on the outer courts, while player appearances, music, family programming and evening events animate the grounds before the main draw begins August 30.
Arthur Ashe Kids Day now opens the celebration for the first time, beginning on Sunday morning, August 23rd with practices, performances, interactive games and opportunities for young players to step onto a court themselves. This year's performance will be none other than the Savannah Bananas featuring Banana-Ball inspired showmanship. The stadium show is scheduled from 11 AM - 12:30 PM inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. The meet-and-greet is from 1-3 PM with members of the team.
Image courtesy of the US Open.
US OPEN SILENT DISCO
US OPEN SILENT DISCO
US OPEN SILENT DISCO
The Silent Disco follows on Monday, August 24th, while the US Open Block Party closes out the working week on August 28.
Monday, August 24, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Fountain Plaza Stage during US Open Fan Week. The event is free to attend, but requires registering for a digital Fan Access Pass.
TENNIS ICONS RETURN TO THE US OPEN
ROGER FEDERER: AN ICON RETURNS TO NEW YORK
The first major paid events arrives Tuesday, August 25 with Roger Federer: An Icon Returns to New York. Federer shares Arthur Ashe Stadium with Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick, and John McEnroe, with additional celebrity guests promised. It is part tribute, part exhibition and a rare opportunity to see one of tennis' defining figures with grace on the court back beneath the lights in New York.
Image courtesy of the US Open.
ALCARAZ & WILLIAMS A MIXED DOUBLES WILD CARD
One Monday, August 24, 2026, Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz will become a duo superstar team at the 2026 US Open Mixed Doubles Championship presented by Vital Proteins, with the pair receiving a wild card into the event.
They join a field of marquee teams including Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokobic, returning finalists Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, and defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori.
It will certainly be an amazing night with a combination of extraordinary players battling it out to win this. It's not only about the US Open finals, the fan week doubles is a new chapter in tennis!!!