The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships will undergo the biggest upgrade in its history, with a two-phase expansion planned across the next two years.
Organisers confirmed a temporary 2,000-seat Court 1 will be in place for the 2026 tournament, which begins on February 15. A wider redevelopment, including a major expansion of Centre Court and a rebuilt Tournament Village, will follow in time for the 2027 edition.
The project covers the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium and the surrounding Aviation Club Tennis Complex in Al Garhoud. Centre Court capacity will increase by about 50 per cent, adding around 2,500 seats. Plans also include upgrades to seating, concourses and hospitality areas.
Court 1, located next to the main stadium, will host high-profile matches from both the WTA 1000 and ATP 500 events in 2026. Access to the new court will be free with registration through Ticketmaster, as will entry to other outside courts.
Work on fan areas will begin this year, starting with improvements on the southern side of the venue. A redesigned Northern and Southern Fan Village, with more shaded seating and expanded food and drink options, is scheduled for completion in 2027.
The women’s WTA 1000 tournament runs from February 15 to 21, followed by the men’s ATP 500 event from February 22 to 28. The 2026 edition is expected to feature 18 of the world’s top 20 players on the women’s side, including defending champion Mirra Andreeva, world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Świątek.
The Championships have been staged at the Aviation Club site for more than three decades and are owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
Tickets for the 2026 tournament are on sale, starting from Dh65.
