European Open sparks fan backlash as €46 tickets offer obstructed views after venue change

Saturday, 24 October 2026 at 06:30

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The European Open Brussels has come under fire after spectators complained about obstructed views at the tournament’s new center court, with some fans questioning why ticket prices remained unchanged despite the restricted sightlines.

The controversy emerged on Friday, when the ATP 250 moved its center court from the ING Arena to Palais 5 at the Brussels Expo complex. While the relocation had been announced in September, the setup has drawn criticism from spectators who say certain seats offer a severely limited view of the action.

As reported by Tennis Temple, one fan shared a photograph on social media showing a heavily obstructed view of the court, claiming to have paid €46 for the ticket. The post fueled criticism of the tournament’s decision to maintain its pricing despite the conditions in parts of the stands.

The venue switch comes during the closing stages of the tournament, with the quarterfinals, semifinals and final scheduled to take place at Palais 5. The move was planned to free up the ING Arena for concerts over the weekend.

Brussels Open venue change draws criticism

The tournament’s two-venue format was announced ahead of this year’s edition. The opening four days were held at the ING Arena, while the final three days were assigned to Palais 5, located just a short distance away within the same exhibition complex.

The scheduling conflict stems from concerts at the ING Arena, including performances by PLK on Saturday and Djadja & Dinaz on Sunday, the day of the final. The change of venue itself was therefore not a last-minute decision, although the visibility complaints have put the arrangements under scrutiny.

Reactions to the new setup have been mixed. Some spectators reportedly praised the court configuration, while others raised concerns about seats from which large portions of the playing area are difficult to see. The lack of a price adjustment for affected tickets has been a particular source of frustration.

Ne pas mettre ce genre de places en prix visibilité réduite c'est malhonnête🫤 @BNPPFEUOpen https://t.co/PR8niI69HR
— acrylo_🇧🇪🇩🇪🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇹🇷 (@acrylo_2) October 23, 2026

Semifinal line-up takes shape in Brussels

The controversy surrounding the venue change comes as the Brussels Open reaches its decisive stage, with four players remaining in contention for the ATP 250 title. The semifinal line-up features top seed Arthur Fils, Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff, third seed Francisco Cerundolo and Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor.

Fils will face Struff for a place in the final after the Frenchman advanced past Alex Michelsen in a tight quarterfinal, winning 6-4, 7-6(12). The result also strengthened Fils’ position in the race for the ATP Finals in Turin, making his progress in Brussels particularly significant as the season approaches its conclusion.

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In the other semifinal, Cerundolo will take on Griekspoor in a matchup between two players looking to finish the week with a title. With the final scheduled for Sunday, both matches will be played at Palais 5, keeping the relocated venue at the center of attention throughout the tournament’s final weekend.

The on-court action will now share the spotlight with the questions raised by spectators over the viewing conditions. While the venue change was planned to accommodate the concerts at ING Arena, complaints about obstructed sightlines and unchanged ticket prices have created an additional issue for organizers to address as the tournament concludes.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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