Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships has announced a two-phase redevelopment of its stadium and surrounding complex, with a new court planned for 2026 and further upgrades due in 2027.
The project will include a temporary 2,000-seat Court 1 for the 2026 event and later changes to Centre Court and the Tournament Village. Organisers said the expansion is the largest upgrade to the venue in 30 years.
The redevelopment covers the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium and the Aviation Club Tennis Complex. Initial changes will appear during the 2026 championships, with full completion scheduled before the 2027 edition.
Two-phase redevelopment announced for Dubai tennis venue
The design is being led by BDP Pattern, with Turner & Townsend acting as project managers.
The temporary Court 1 will be located next to the main stadium and will host matches from both the women’s WTA 1000 and men’s ATP 500 tournaments.
The second phase will increase Centre Court capacity by about 50 per cent, adding around 2,500 seats, along with changes to concourse areas, seating, and hospitality spaces.
Fan-zone upgrades will start in 2026, with a reworked northern and southern fan village planned for completion in 2027.
The 2026 championships will run from February 15 to 28, with the WTA 1000 event scheduled from February 15 to 21 and the ATP 500 event from February 22 to 28.
New Court 1 to debut during 2026 championships
“These redevelopment works, which are scheduled over two years, represent a defining moment for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and underline our commitment to delivering a world-class experience for players, fans, and partners alike,” Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free and Chair of the Tournament Organising Committee said.
“For more than three decades, this venue has been central to Dubai’s sporting identity, and these upgrades and expansions ensure we continue to raise the bar in line with the city’s global ambitions. The new Court 1 and expanded fan zones will be in place for the 2026 tournament, with the Centre Court expansion and upgrade available for the 2027 tournament. These changes will transform how our community engages with the event,” he added.
“This is an exciting new chapter for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, and we are proud to elevate every aspect of the tournament experience,” Salah Tahlak, Tournament Director and Deputy Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free explained.
“Our priority has always been to create an atmosphere where players feel at home and fans enjoy world-class entertainment both on and off the court. The upgraded facilities reflect our commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. These changes will enrich the energy and accessibility of the Championships, ensuring that everyone who walks through our gates in 2026 feels the unique spirit and hospitality that Dubai is known for,” he added.
Tickets for the 2026 championships are on sale from AED65.
The tournament is owned and organised by Dubai Duty Free and is held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
