WTA plans finals, relocation for Charlotte beginning in 2027
CHARLOTTE, NC (WWAY) — The WTA Finals, the season-ending championship of women’s professional tennis, will be held in Charlotte for three consecutive years beginning in 2027, the Charlotte Sports Foundation announced Wednesday.
The event will be held at Spectrum Center in uptown Charlotte from 2027 through 2029. Additional programming will take place at the Charlotte Convention Center.
The agreement between the Charlotte Sports Foundation and the Women’s Tennis Association also includes plans to relocate the WTA’s global headquarters to Charlotte.
The WTA Finals features the top singles players and doubles teams based on the PIF Race to the WTA Finals. The event is broadcast internationally to more than 190 countries.
Previous host cities have included New York City, Los Angeles, Madrid, Singapore and Riyadh.
The partnership is supported financially by the North Carolina Special Events Fund, the city of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority and members of Charlotte’s corporate community, according to the Charlotte Sports Foundation.
The agreement also provides a path for Charlotte to host a WTA 500 tournament after 2029. WTA 500 events are the second-highest tier of WTA tournaments.
The potential WTA 500 event is contingent on the development of a new tennis-specific facility in Charlotte and additional support.
The WTA said relocating its global headquarters to Charlotte will create a year-round presence for the organization in North Carolina.
Charlotte Sports Foundation CEO Will Pitts called the agreement a “transformational moment” for the organization and the city.
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said the WTA headquarters and Finals will bring visitors to the state and provide opportunities for local businesses.
Charlotte Mayor Rob Harrington said the agreement will increase the city’s international visibility and provide economic opportunities.
Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners Chair Mark Jerrell said the partnership could also create opportunities for youth programming, tennis access and mentorship.
A formal press conference and announcement event will be held in Charlotte at a later date, when additional details about the events are expected to be released.
