Stadium 17

Stadium 17
Stadium 17, prior to a match at the 2025 US Open.
Interactive map of Stadium 17
LocationUSTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing, Queens, New York City
Coordinates40°44′57″N 73°50′40″W / 40.749189°N 73.844553°W / 40.749189; -73.844553
Capacity2,800
SurfaceDecoTurf (2011–2019)
Laykold (2020–)
Public transit Long Island Rail Road (LIRR):
  Port Washington Branch
 at Mets–Willets Point
New York City Subway: "7" train"7" express train​ trains at Mets–Willets Point
Bus transport New York City Bus: Q90
Construction
OpenedAugust 29th, 2011
Tenant
US Open (USTA) (2016–present)

Stadium 17, often referred to as "The Pit," is the fourth-largest court and the smallest show court at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The stadium was unveiled at the 2011 US Open as "Court 17" in the former location of two outer courts, which were combined to create a larger show court. The first match featured Richard Gasquet defeating Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-4, 6-4, 6-0.

During excavation for Stadium 17, officials say they encountered concrete footings from the 1939 and 1964 World's Fairs. The water table was also a foot or two higher than anticipated. This led[clarification needed] to the court sitting 8 feet (2.4 m) below ground level, giving rise to the court's nickname. The stadium has gained a reputation for more raucous crowds, becoming a favorite of spectators with grounds passes during the early rounds. The stadium remains the only show court at the US Open without reserved seating.

In 2025, officials opened "The Loft Bar @ 17," a shaded bar at the top of Stadium 17 with standing-room views of the court.

References

  1. ↑ Conti, Kristen (August 31, 2022). "How Many Courts Are at The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center?". NBC New York. NBCUniversal Media. Retrieved 18 May 2026.
  2. ↑ "Sport Group's Laykold selected as new US Open court surface". US Open. March 23, 2020. Retrieved August 27, 2020.
  3. ↑ Robson, Douglas (August 29, 2011). "New show court draws a crowd, quietly". USA Today. USA Today. Archived from the original on 12 July 2017. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  4. 1 2 Beck, Howard (September 4, 2011). "A Tiny New Stage for High-Energy Tennis". New York Times. New York Times. Retrieved 19 May 2026.
  5. ↑ Schaefer, Rob (August 29, 2025). "Getting a look at the U.S. Open's new Loft Bar". Sports Business Journal. Sports Business Journal. Retrieved 19 May 2026.