US Open Tennis: extra 7 train, LIRR, and LGA tips

Published on Aug 24, 2025, 4:14 pm CDT

6 min read

The 2025 US Open main draw runs from August 24 to September 7, bringing peak crowds to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens. The MTA is running extra 7 trains and additional Long Island Rail Road stops at Mets-Willets Point to move fans, and the CityTicket fare can keep costs low. With night sessions stretching late, travelers should plan stadium entry carefully, then use added overnight rail options for the return. Expect heavier traffic at LaGuardia Airport (LGA), especially around evening session start and end times.

Key Points

Why it matters: Extra trains and smart timing can save 30 to 60 minutes on match days.
Travel impact: Added 7 trains after the last match and LIRR stops at Mets-Willets Point support late-night returns.
What's next: Peak demand continues through the finals on September 6 and 7, so plan arrivals and returns with buffer time.
CityTicket pricing from Manhattan to Mets-Willets Point starts at $5.00 off-peak.
Bags are limited to one per guest, 12 x 12 x 16 inches, no backpacks except drawstring.

Snapshot

The MTA will run five additional 7 trains after nightly finishes at Arthur Ashe Stadium, plus four Port Washington Branch LIRR trains adding Mets-Willets Point stops during morning peaks. CityTicket keeps off-peak LIRR rides between Manhattan and Mets-Willets Point as low as $5.00. Gates typically open at 930 a.m. for day sessions and 600 p.m. for night sessions, with outer courts starting earlier than Ashe. Stadium entry is fastest if you arrive 45 to 60 minutes before your session, use mobile tickets, and skip bags when possible. For airport trips, the Q70 LaGuardia Link connects LGA to the 7 at 74 St-Broadway and Woodside, which is ideal after late matches.

Background

The US Open's 15-day format debuts this year, spreading the first round over three days and keeping evening sessions central to the fan experience. The tennis center sits beside Citi Field, served directly by the 7 subway and the LIRR Port Washington Branch at Mets-Willets Point, both a short walk to the gates. The venue's security rules are strict, with a one-bag limit, a compact size cap, and a prohibition on most backpacks. The MTA operates the subway 24 hours a day, so late-night returns are viable when matches push past midnight. Travelers connecting to flights should budget generous buffers, since post-session surges can slow the walk back to platforms and stretch queue times on stairs and ramps.

Latest Developments

Extra 7 trains and added LIRR stops for US Open Tennis

New York City Transit will run five additional 7 trains after the final match at Arthur Ashe Stadium each night, moving crowds from Mets-Willets Point toward Manhattan. On the Port Washington Branch, four morning peak trains add Mets-Willets Point stops during the tournament window to support early arrivals, and regular service already includes the station after 9:30 a.m. and on weekends. Off-peak CityTicket fares between Manhattan and Mets-Willets Point start at $5.00, which is typically faster and cheaper than rideshare at peak times. The LIRR ride to or from Penn Station is as quick as about 19 minutes in normal conditions, with easy transfers at Woodside if you are coming from Long Island.

Stadium entry timing, bag rules, and faster lines

Aim to arrive 45 to 60 minutes before your session to clear security and reach your seat without rush. For day sessions, plan for gates opening around 930 a.m., and for night sessions, gates generally open at 600 p.m. Mobile tickets speed entry, and the venue is strict on bags, one per person with a maximum size of 12 inches by 12 inches by 16 inches, no traditional backpacks permitted except drawstring styles. Using the no-bag line, if available, and having phones ready for scanning will shorten waits. Re-entry is limited, so consolidate any mid-session errands to avoid missing key points.

Late-night returns, LGA connections, and contingencies

When matches end late, follow crowd control to either the 7 platform or the LIRR boardwalk. If the 7 platform is densely packed, consider waiting one or two trains, since frequency increases immediately after the last match. The subway runs 24 hours a day, but headways widen after midnight, so expect longer intervals once the surge clears. For airport trips, the Q70 LaGuardia Link provides a nonstop, fare-free connection between LGA and the 7 at 74 St-Broadway and the LIRR at Woodside. If you are catching an early flight, budget extra time for lines leaving the grounds, then use the 7 or LIRR to connect with the Q70 for the final hop to LaGuardia Airport (LGA).

Analysis

The MTA's add-ons target exactly when fans need capacity, the post-Ashe surge and morning arrivals for practice courts and early matches. Choosing between the 7 and the LIRR depends on your destination and crowd tolerance. If you are staying near Midtown West or Penn Station, the LIRR's Port Washington Branch is often the fastest, and CityTicket keeps the price competitive with rideshare. If you are bound for Times Square, Hudson Yards, or the East Side, the 7 is typically the most direct. For LGA travelers, Q70 is the lowest-stress option after late sessions, since it bypasses road congestion that can snarl ground transport on Grand Central Parkway. Inside the venue, the tight bag rules and staggered gate times are the biggest gatekeepers of queue length. Arriving with no bag, mobile ticket in wallet, and a water bottle cap removed, then departing ten minutes after the first wave, generally beats the rush in both directions.

Final Thoughts

The US Open Tennis is a high-energy, late-night event, so your plan should match the pace. Use CityTicket on the LIRR when it aligns with your hotel, default to the 7 for Midtown or Times Square, and count on the Q70 for LaGuardia connections. Arrive early with no bag, then leave with patience and a backup train in mind. With a little timing, you will spend more of your night courtside and less of it in lines, which is the point of traveling for US Open Tennis.