WTA reportedly shopping around for new WTA Finals location

Per Ben Rothenberg , the WTA is reportedly making a change to a controversial decision it made in 2024. That decision was to move the end-of-year WTA Finals event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The WTA Finals is an annual event each November where the eight top ranked singles and doubles women’s tennis players compete for the elite end of year title.

Elena Rybakina is the defending singles champion, and Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens are the doubles champions. MORE: 3 ways Aryna Sabalenka is rewriting tennis history with Sunshine Double win Where is the WTA Finals headed in 2027? In 2026, the WTA Finals will be in Riyadh for the third year of its three year contract, and then, it will move to a new location yet to be disclosed.

Many speculate it is headed to a North American location, and The Sports Business Journal is reporting that Charlotte, North Carolina is a leading contender. The idea behind a long term deal in Riyadh was to avoid what happened in 2023 when the event was held in Cancun , a decision that was made two months in advance of the event. Hurricane-like rains and temporary tennis courts did not make for a successful event.

Nov 6, 2023; Cancun, Mexico; The Billie Jean King Trophy on day nine of the GNP Saguaros WTA Finals Cancun. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images However, the decision to go to Saudi Arabia was hotly debated among tennis legends and Hall of Famers Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. Their opinions were based on how Saudi Arabian women are treated in their culture.