US Open 2026: What’s Happening on August 23?
August 23, 2026 marks the opening day of Fan Week at the US Open Tennis Championships in New York. It’s the public kickoff to the tournament, though no main-draw singles matches are scheduled yet. Instead, the day focuses on fan experiences, qualifying action, and family programming.
Fan Week Begins
Fan Week runs from Sunday, August 23 through Saturday, August 29 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens. Grounds admission is free with a Fan Access Pass, giving visitors access to outer courts, practice sessions, and a range of activations across the site.
Qualifying Tournament
The qualifying tournament for the main draw starts the next day, Monday, August 24. On August 23 itself, there are typically no official qualifying matches scheduled; the day serves as a lead-in with practice courts open and fan activities in full swing.
Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day
A key highlight on August 23 is the newly rescheduled Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, a family-focused event featuring on-court activities, player appearances, and entertainment tailored for younger fans. This has traditionally been one of the most popular events during Fan Week, blending tennis with music and interactive games.
What’s Not Yet On
- Main-draw singles matches: These begin on Sunday, August 30.
- Mixed doubles competition: Scheduled for August 25–26.
- Finals: The women’s singles final is set for Saturday, September 12, and the men’s final for Sunday, September 13.
How to Follow
In the United States, US Open coverage airs across ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNEWS, and ABC, with Spanish-language commentary on ESPN Deportes. Streaming is available via ESPN+, and live TV services such as Fubo carry the ESPN networks. Day sessions generally start at 11 a.m. ET on outer courts and noon ET in Arthur Ashe Stadium; night sessions begin at 7 p.m. ET.
In short, August 23, 2026 is the fan-focused opening of the US Open: free grounds access, Kids’ Day festivities, and the calm before the qualifying and main-draw storms later in the week.