Updated 5:22 p.m.
The cover charge for one day at the U.S. Open will be love — or, in other words, free.
NYC & Company, the city’s official marketing, tourism and partnership organization, announced Tuesday that the 2015 U.S. Open — which will take place from Aug. 31 through Sept. 13 – will hold a free day for fans on Sept. 10.
During this day, tennis enthusiasts will be able to enter the grounds free of charge and watch the best doubles teams — men’s, women’s and mixed — play on the courts at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. During the day, there will be no games played in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Fans are then invited to stay and watch that evening’s women’s singles semifinals on the video screens throughout the grounds. A purchased ticket is needed to get into Arthur Ashe Stadium for the women’s semifinals.
“The U.S. Open is one of the most exciting times to be in New York City, where people come to the Big Apple to see the best tennis players in the world compete at one of the world’s greatest venues, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing,” said Marty Markowitz, vice president of borough engagement and promotion at NYC & Company. “While in Queens, we encourage all U.S. Open guests to experience the wonders of New York’s largest borough, which has so many diverse neighborhoods offering authentic cuisines and cultural attractions that send visitors on a journey around the world without ever leaving the borough.”
The 2015 U.S. Open will begin on Aug. 31 with a performance by multiplatinum-selling artist Josh Groban and appearance by tennis legend Billie Jean King, who will be on the court to welcome fans to the opening night along with USTA Chairman of the Board and President Katrina Adams.
The opening ceremony will be shown live on ESPN2 as part of the network’s tournament coverage.
The announcement of the free day was joined by NYC & Company’s highlights of “must-see activities and destinations to explore throughout Queens during the 2015 U.S. Open.”
Some highlights include crossing Roosevelt Avenue and catching a New York Mets game at Citi Field, surfing at Rockaway Beach, visiting Queens’ largest Park Flushing Meadows Corona Park — where guests can enjoy the New York Hall of Science, Queens Zoo and Queens Museum —and also heading down to Long Island City and enjoying cultural centers like MoMA PS1 and the Museum of the Moving Image.
“We urge visitors to see and experience for yourselves just why Queens has been named the country’s top tourist destination,” Queens Borough President Melinda Katz said. “When you’re not watching the exciting action at the Open, we urge you to take advantage of the unparalleled array of culinary, cultural and shopping attractions that befit the ‘World’s Borough.'”
NYC & Company also highlighted the variety of hotel offerings in the borough which include locations in Flushing and Long Island City such as the Z New York Hotel, Wyndham Garden Long Island City and The Parc Hotel.
For more information visit nycgo.com/queens or nycgo.com.
