The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has confirmed that the upcoming season-ending WTA Finals will be relocated to Indian Wells, California, following the premature conclusion of its hosting agreement with Saudi Arabia. This decision was reached mutually by the WTA and the Saudi Tennis Federation, ending their three-year contract after just two years.
The partnership, initially announced in April 2024, had seen Riyadh replace Cancun as the tournament’s host city, offering a record prize pool of $15 million. The event, which showcases the top eight singles players and doubles teams globally, is now scheduled to take place from November 8 to 15 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
WTA Chair Valerie Camillo highlighted Indian Wells as a premier venue, praised for its exceptional facilities and enthusiastic fan base, deeming it a fitting location for the prestigious season finale. Meanwhile, the Saudi Tennis Federation noted that the collaboration had contributed to the growth of women’s tennis in the kingdom through coaching programs, community outreach, and a 20 percent increase in tournament attendance year-over-year.
Notably, the initial hosting deal in Riyadh faced criticism from human rights advocates and former tennis professionals, who questioned the appropriateness of holding the flagship event in Saudi Arabia. Earlier this year, the WTA began exploring potential hosts for the tournament starting in 2027. While Indian Wells will serve as the host for the 2026 edition, the search for a long-term venue is expected to continue.
