Forest Hills Stadium is the horseshoe-shaped outdoor venue tucked inside the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, Queens — a former U.S. Open home that the Beatles turned into rock history in August 1964 and that now runs a full summer concert season.
This guide covers everything you need before you go: current capacity and seating layout, how to actually get there (hint: don’t drive), tickets and the box office, the bag policy, and the tennis-to-rock’n’roll history that makes this one of New York’s most distinctive stages.
Quick Answer
Forest Hills Stadium is an open-air concert venue in Forest Hills, Queens, holding roughly 13,000-14,000 people depending on the show’s configuration. Built in 1923 as a tennis stadium (it hosted the U.S. National Championships into the late 1970s), it reopened as a concert venue in August 2013 and is best reached by subway or LIRR, since there is no parking at the venue.
🎤 Coming Up at Forest Hills Stadium
From Tennis Cathedral to Concert Stage
The stadium’s horseshoe design and Tudor-influenced clubhouse date to 1923, when it was built by the West Side Tennis Club to accommodate the crowds drawn by stars like Bill Tilden. The club had hosted the U.S. National Championships on its grounds since 1915, and once the new stadium opened it carried the tournament from 1924 through 1977 (following a 1921-1923 hiatus when the championships were played at the Germantown Cricket Club in Philadelphia), along with ten Davis Cup finals, and introduced innovations such as tournament seedings, tiebreakers, and equal prize money for men and women.
Once the U.S. Open relocated to Flushing Meadows in 1978, the stadium’s tennis prominence faded and the structure fell into disrepair, at one point described as a crumbling ruin. A comprehensive renovation beginning in 2013 preserved the venue’s Neoclassical facade and its row of eagle statues while modernizing seating, staging, and infrastructure, and the venue reopened for concerts that August with a show by Mumford & Sons.
A Landmark Concert Venue — and the Beatles
Forest Hills Stadium’s concert history stretches back to the 1960s and 70s, when it hosted the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and the Rolling Stones. The Beatles’ August 28-29, 1964 shows drew more than 31,000 fans over two nights — their first-ever concerts at a stadium — and remain the venue’s single most celebrated moment.
Since its 2013 relaunch under promoters Mike Luba and Jon McMillan (through Tiebreaker Productions), the open-air stadium has again become a sought-after New York stop for major touring artists, pairing its historic architecture with a permanent stage designed by Mark Fisher, known for his work on tours for Pink Floyd and U2.
Capacity & Seating Chart
Concert capacity runs roughly 13,000-14,000, varying by show configuration, and the venue has three main seating tiers. Floor is standing or seated directly in front of the stage depending on the event. Club seating sits in bowl sections 401, 501, 601, and 701 and offers backed seats. The rest of the bowl is bench-style grandstand seating without backs, though portable seat backs are available to rent on-site.
Because Forest Hills Stadium hosts touring acts rather than a single resident team, exact section maps and pricing tiers shift show to show — check the seating chart on your ticket vendor’s event page before you buy.
Getting There: Subway, LIRR & Parking
The venue sits at 1 Tennis Place, Forest Hills, NY 11375, with guest entry via Burns Street near 69th Avenue. There is no parking at the venue or on surrounding residential streets, and the venue itself discourages driving — the walk-up is part of the experience.
The E, F, M, and R subway lines stop at the 71st Avenue-Forest Hills station, a short walk from the stadium. The Long Island Rail Road also stops at Forest Hills station, just steps away; if you’re taking the LIRR, board one of the first four cars so you can exit onto the platform there. Rideshare pickups and drop-offs are directed to the corner of Continental Avenue and Queens Boulevard, since streets near the venue close to traffic on event days.
Tickets & Box Office
AXS is the official ticketing partner for Forest Hills Stadium, and tickets are distributed and scanned through the AXS mobile app. The on-site box office operates only on show days, opening about two and a half hours before doors, at the corner of Burns Street and Tennis Place near the main entrance.
For current show dates, pricing, and seating availability, check the official Forest Hills Stadium site, which links directly to AXS listings for each event.
How Many Concerts Does Forest Hills Stadium Host Each Year?
In October 2026, the West Side Tennis Club, Forest Hills Gardens Corporation, and promoter Tiebreaker Productions settled a years-long legal dispute with local residents over concert noise, agreeing to cap the venue at 28 concerts per season going forward and to direct some event revenue back into the neighborhood. It’s a notable shift for a venue that had drawn repeated noise complaints since reopening in 2013, and it means the summer lineup will likely stay tighter and more curated than in past years.
Bag Policy
Forest Hills Stadium allows small soft-sided bags and purses up to 16 x 16 x 8 inches; hard-sided containers like coolers, briefcases, and ice chests are prohibited, as are large backpacks and duffel bags. There is no clear-bag requirement. A paid bag check ($5 per item), located just past the main entrance gate at Burns & 69th Ave, is available for suitcases and large bags that don’t meet the size limit, and all bags are subject to security screening on arrival.
Size limit: 16 x 16 x 8 in. Source: Official bag policy (foresthillsstadium.com), checked November 2026. Policies change, so confirm before you go. Bags that fit these rules: Water-Resistant Festival Belt Bag, Two-Way Zipper Belt Bag. As an Amazon Associate, ThrillZing earns from qualifying purchases.
Photos
Phone, cards and keys in front of you all night, hands free for the encore.
Packs smaller than a water bottle — a real seat for lawn shows and festival sets.
Protects little ears at concerts, fireworks and loud race days.
Forest Hills Stadium FAQs
When was Forest Hills Stadium built?
The stadium was built in 1923 by the West Side Tennis Club to host tennis championships, and it later became a major concert venue after reopening for shows in August 2013.
What is the capacity of Forest Hills Stadium?
It holds roughly 13,000 to 14,000 people for concerts, depending on the show’s floor, club, and bowl configuration.
Did the Beatles really play at Forest Hills Stadium?
Yes, the Beatles performed two sold-out shows there on August 28-29, 1964, drawing more than 31,000 fans combined — their first-ever stadium concerts.
Is there parking at Forest Hills Stadium?
No, there is no parking at the venue or on nearby residential streets. The venue recommends taking the subway (E, F, M, or R to 71st Avenue-Forest Hills) or the LIRR to Forest Hills station instead.
Where do you buy tickets for Forest Hills Stadium?
AXS is the venue’s official ticketing partner, and tickets are managed through the AXS mobile app. The on-site box office is open on show days only, about 2.5 hours before doors.
How many concerts does Forest Hills Stadium host per year?
Following an October 2026 legal settlement with local residents over noise, the venue agreed to cap its season at 28 concerts going forward, down from the more freewheeling schedules of prior summers.
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