The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), the organizer of the elite women’s tour, has announced that Charlotte, North Carolina, will become the new home of the WTA Finals for three years.
The season-ending event will be staged at Spectrum Center, home of the NBA's Charlotte Hornets, from 2027 through 2029.
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The WTA said the multi-year partnership will give the organisation “greater opportunity to shape the experience and identity of one of its most important assets, deepen relationships with fans and commercial partners, and build a championship platform designed to grow alongside women’s sport.”
Valerie Camillo, chair of the WTA, said: “Women’s tennis has spent generations helping push women’s sports forward, and we have an opportunity now to lead again by building a championship experience that reflects just how far women’s sport has come and where it is going next.
“In Charlotte, we found more than a host city. We found partners who share that ambition and a place where we can build a true home for the finals and for the WTA.”
The WTA was looking for a new permanent host city after ending its hosting contract with the Saudi Tennis Federation (STF) one year early.
The tournament, which features the top eight singles players and doubles teams, has been staged in Riyadh since 2024 as part of a three-year contract between the WTA and the STF that was due to run through 2027.
It was announced by the WTA in July that Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Los Angeles will host this year’s edition from November 8 to 15.
The contract with the STF proved controversial when first announced, given it was the first major annual women’s event to be held in the kingdom.
At the time, critics accused the WTA Tour of being complicit with the kingdom’s attempts to use its sports investments to shield the kingdom from public criticism of its environmental and human rights record.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is still the official naming partner of the WTA rankings.
The WTA stated that Charlotte was selected following a “competitive global process” and due to the city’s sports infrastructure, business community, hospitality, and history of successful public-private partnerships.
The Charlotte Sports Foundation served as the WTA’s lead local partner throughout the process, working alongside state and local leaders and the region’s business community to develop the long-term partnership.
Notably, the partnership will extend beyond the WTA Finals, with the WTA to relocate its global headquarters to Charlotte. The organisation is currently headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Will Pitts, CEO of the Charlotte Sports Foundation, said: “This is a transformational moment for Charlotte and for our organization.
“Bringing the WTA Finals to our city is a testament to what Charlotte has become as a world-class sports destination, and we are incredibly grateful to the WTA for their trust and partnership in making this vision a reality.”
