Season-Ending Tournament Relocates to Indian Wells
The WTA Finals will depart Saudi Arabia one year ahead of schedule and relocate to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California this November.
This premier season-ending event, featuring the top eight singles players and doubles teams, serves as the WTA’s flagship tournament. It has been hosted in Riyadh since 2024 under a three-year contract.
Instead, the tournament will take place at the venue of the Indian Wells Open, a prestigious ATP and WTA 1000 event, from 8-15 November 2026.
Joint Statement from WTA and Saudi Tennis Federation
In a joint announcement, the WTA and Saudi Tennis Federation stated:
“Following two impactful years of the WTA Finals in Riyadh, the WTA requested to move the 2026 WTA Finals to a new host location. The Saudi Tennis Federation accepted WTA’s proposal, and the two organizations mutually agreed on the conclusion of the hosting arrangement and remain proud of the achievements realized through their partnership.”
Historical Context and Controversy
Last year, the WTA Finals awarded the largest prize money payout in the history of women’s sports.
The WTA’s involvement in Saudi Arabia has been controversial, with critics accusing the tour of facilitating sportswashing by the kingdom, particularly as it was the first major annual women’s sporting event held there.
Both the WTA and Saudi Tennis Federation have emphasized the event’s role in promoting women’s sports and tennis development in the region. Although the WTA Finals is relocating, Saudi Arabia continues to expand its presence in men’s tennis, planning to host a new ATP Masters 1000 tournament likely starting in 2028.
Impact and Achievements of the Partnership
The joint statement further highlighted the partnership’s community impact:
“Together, the organizations reached more than 30,000 people through community programs, including workshops for women coaches, training for physical education teachers, and tennis clinics for breast cancer survivors and connected with girls and young women through participation initiatives designed to inspire future generations of players and fans.
“The partnership increased the visibility of women’s tennis across the Kingdom and globally, with the event delivering 20% year-on-year growth in attendance including sell-out crowds across the final days.”
Recent History of the WTA Finals
The WTA Finals has experienced a turbulent recent history. Originally, it was scheduled to be held in Shenzhen, China, under a 10-year contract starting in 2019. However, this agreement was terminated following the Covid-19 pandemic and the disappearance of Chinese player Peng Shuai.
Between 2021 and 2023, the tournament was hosted in various locations including Guadalajara, Fort Worth, and Cancún.
