US Open 2025 | The 1968 Room: A Courtside Experience Rooted in History

As summer fades and New York readies itself for tennis’s grand finale, the US Open returns to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows. More than a location, this venue is a living monument to the sport’s evolution. At its heart lies one of the tournament’s most exclusive hospitality experiences: the 1968 Room—a space where guests enjoy both unrivaled courtside views and immersive, refined comfort inside Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Since the tournament’s move from Forest Hills in 1978, Flushing Meadows has become synonymous with tennis excellence. And while its courts and stadiums provide the stage for elite competition, it’s spaces like the 1968 Room that turn a day at the Open into something unforgettable.

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A Legendary Home for a New Era

By the mid-1970s, the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills had outgrown its role as host of the US Open. In 1978, the USTA found a new home at Flushing Meadows, converting the Singer Bowl—originally built for the 1964 World’s Fair—into Louis Armstrong Stadium. Along with the move came a switch to hard courts, signaling a modern chapter for the sport.

In 1997, Arthur Ashe Stadium opened as the new centerpiece of the US Open, named after the inaugural men’s champion of the Open Era. With a capacity of over 23,000 and a retractable roof added in 2016, the stadium now hosts the tournament’s biggest matches—where champions like Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal have etched their names into history.

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The Courtside Prestige of the 1968 Room

For fans who want to be steps from the action, the 1968 Room offers a courtside experience unlike any other. Named in honor of the year that marked the beginning of the Open Era—when professionals and amateurs were unified into a single competitive field—it is a hospitality space that celebrates both legacy and luxury.

Guests enjoy prime seating just a few rows from the court, placing them at eye level with tennis’s greatest players. But beyond the view, the experience is defined by access to an exclusive lounge that’s just as exceptional as the matches themselves.

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Elevated Dining and Lounge Experience

Inside the 1968 Room, guests are treated to a curated culinary journey. Whether attending a daytime or evening session, attendees enjoy full-service meals—featuring chef-led stations, seasonal dishes, and thoughtfully prepared plates designed for both quality and convenience. From fresh entrées to elegant small bites, the menu invites casual indulgence.

The open bar serves premium spirits, fine wines, and signature cocktails, perfect for toasting a victory or savoring a quiet moment between matches. Whether it’s champagne and hors d’oeuvres or a relaxed glass of wine, the offerings reflect the high standards of US Open hospitality.

The space itself includes both indoor lounges and outdoor seating, offering a comfortable and contemporary setting where guests can mingle or unwind. While seating is communal and unassigned, this encourages easy flow and discovery throughout the day. Located just a short walk from Ashe Stadium’s entrance, the 1968 Room offers both convenience and exclusivity.

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Designed for Every Fan’s Perspective

Arthur Ashe Stadium was constructed with optimal viewing in mind. Its tiered design ensures clear sightlines from every level, but nothing compares to being courtside. For 1968 Room guests, that means seeing every serve, sprint, and reaction in vivid detail.

Beyond Ashe, the reimagined Louis Armstrong Stadium offers seating for over 14,000 and a retractable roof, providing both scale and intimacy. The Grandstand, introduced in 2016, delivers close-up access and unique acoustics, making it a favorite for early-round drama.

The outer courts deliver the true spirit of the US Open: general admission seating, open-air benches, and a chance to witness the sport’s next stars before they hit the big stages. These courts, accessible to all fans, remind us that tennis history often starts in the margins.

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The Heritage Within the Modern

The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is more than a venue—it’s a living, breathing part of tennis’s past, present, and future. From the scale of Ashe Stadium to the intimate elegance of the 1968 Room, every detail is designed to honor the sport’s tradition while offering fans modern-day excellence.

For those seeking more than a seat—for those wanting an experience—the 1968 Room delivers the perfect blend of atmosphere, access, and historic prestige. It’s where hospitality meets legacy, and where every match becomes a memory in the making.