The WTA Finals, the season-ending championship for women's tennis, will be held at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina for at least three years starting in 2027. This announcement comes after the conclusion of WTA's partnership with Saudi Arabia. In July, the WTA decided to move the November 2026 finals to Indian Wells, California, and the agreement that was tied to the Saudi Public Investment Fund has ended.
Establishment of a public-private partnership for the event
The WTA is now working to fill the significant financial gap created by the end of its partnership with the Saudi Public Investment Fund. Valerie Camillo, WTA President, announced that the organization will take on the hosting of this event and will establish a public-private partnership in collaboration with the city, county, state, and local business community. Camillo added, "The WTA will take broader ownership and control of this event and will invest alongside its partners."
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Developing the championship experience in women's tennis
Camillo also referred to the tour's goal of turning the WTA Finals into the "Super Bowl of women's sports," stating, "Women's tennis has helped advance women's sports over generations, and now we have an opportunity to lead in creating a championship experience that reflects the advancements in women's sports and its future." Financial details of the Charlotte plan have not yet been announced and are pending a statement from local partners.
Will Pitts, CEO of the Charlotte Sports Foundation, considered this event a milestone for the city and his organization, saying, "Hosting the WTA Finals in our city is a testament to Charlotte's transformation into a global sports destination, and we are very grateful to the WTA for their trust and collaboration in realizing this vision. None of this would have been possible without the support of our partners at the state, city, and county levels, and we are very thankful for their commitment to developing Charlotte's sports vision."
The WTA Finals were held in Riyadh in 2024 as the first professional women's tennis event in the kingdom. Coco Gauff claimed the 2024 championship at the King Saud University indoor stadium in Riyadh and received a record-breaking prize of $4.8 million. Elena Rybakina also claimed $5.235 million, the largest single prize in tennis history, after winning the WTA Finals 2025.
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