Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg has reported that the WTA Finals will not remain in Saudi Arabia beyond 2026, with the tour now actively searching for a new host city for its prestigious season-ending tournament.
The decision comes as the WTA’s three-year partnership with the Saudi Tennis Federation (STF) reaches its conclusion and will not be renewed. While WTA chief executive Portia Archer signaled openness last year to extending the organization’s stay in Riyadh, plans have since shifted.
Breaking news on Bounces:
The WTA Finals are leaving Saudi Arabia, ending this year and closing a controversial chapter.
Read Bounces to learn which North American city has emerged as a leading contender to host the showcase event next.
Read here:https://t.co/qQHcfFrU6F
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) March 30, 2026
According to Bounces, the WTA Finals will conclude their run in the Saudi capital following the November 7–14, 2026 edition, bringing an end to what had been an ambitious expansion into the Middle Eastern country.
When Riyadh was announced as host in 2024, the STF positioned the tournament as a cornerstone of its broader vision to grow tennis in the country. The federation set a goal of inspiring one million people to take up the sport by 2030, with the WTA Finals serving as a flagship event to drive participation and visibility.
The partnership also aligned with Saudi Arabia’s wider Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to diversify the economy and invest heavily in sports and entertainment as a means of engaging the country’s young population.
With the end of the Riyadh chapter now confirmed, attention turns to where the WTA Finals will head next, likely somewhere in North America.
