Next Gen Finals announce major change after three-year spell in Saudi Arabia

Tuesday, 15 September 2026 at 06:30

The Next Gen ATP Finals are heading back to Italy after three editions in Saudi Arabia, with the ATP's showcase event for the best young players set to enter a new chapter in Reggio Calabria. The tournament will be staged at the PalaCalafiore from December 9 to 13, returning to the country where the event was first created in 2017.

The move marks the end of the tournament's three-year spell in Jeddah, where Saudi Arabia hosted the event from 2023 through 2025. Hamad Medjedovic, Joao Fonseca and Learner Tien lifted the trophy during that period, continuing a tradition that has already seen future Grand Slam champions such as Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz win the title.

Italy's relationship with the Next Gen Finals goes back to the beginning. The first five editions were held in Milan, producing champions including Sinner, Alcaraz and Brandon Nakashima before the event moved to Saudi Arabia. Now, rather than simply returning to Milan, the ATP and FITP are taking the tournament further south for its first edition in Calabria.

The decision also gives Italian tennis another major international event alongside the ATP Finals in Turin, the Italian Open in Rome and the Davis Cup Finals in Bologna. With the Next Gen Finals designed to showcase the players who could shape the sport's future, Reggio Calabria will have the opportunity to place itself on that increasingly important tennis map.

Next stop: Reggio Calabria ✈️

The 2026 #NextGenATPFinals will be returning to Italy where the event first began in 2017 pic.twitter.com/luRXuK5x9i
— Next Gen ATP Finals (@nextgenfinals) September 9, 2026

Binaghi welcomes new chapter for Next Gen Finals

FITP president Angelo Binaghi sees the move as part of Italy's broader investment in tennis and the country's next generation of players. “If Italy is today the nation of tennis, it is because it had the courage to invest in the future before anyone else," Binaghi said speaking after the announcement, according to UbiTennis.

“Choosing Reggio Calabria as the new host confirms a clear vision: making tennis an engine of development for the whole country," the FITP president added. “Another chapter in the history of world tennis will pass through Reggio Calabria.”

The tournament will feature eight of the world's best singles players aged 20 or under, with the event continuing its role as a testing ground for both young talent and new innovations. The 2026 edition will also carry $2 million in prize money and be played on indoor hard courts at the PalaCalafiore.

Jodar leads the race as young stars fight for Reggio Calabria

Rafael Jodar currently leads the Next Gen Finals race with 2,509 points, well clear of Joao Fonseca on 1,200. However, both players could ultimately opt against competing in Reggio Calabria as they continue to establish themselves at the highest level of the ATP Tour.

That would not be unprecedented, with Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune, Jakub Mensik and Fonseca himself among those who have previously declined to play after becoming increasingly established on the main tour and climbing into the higher reaches of the rankings.

#	Player	Age	Country	Points
1	Rafael Jódar	19	Spain	2,509
2	João Fonseca	20	Brazil	1,200
3	Martin Landaluce	20	Spain	748
4	Rei Sakamoto	20	Japan	321
5	Federico Cina	19	Italy	312
6	Joel Schwärzler	20	Austria	305
7	Jan Kumstát	19	Czech Republic	283
8	Diego Dedura	18	Germany	279
9	Nicolai Budkov Kjaer	20	Norway	275
10	Moïse Kouamé	17	France	273
11	Felix Balshaw	20	France	271
12	Henry Searle	20	Great Britain	226
13	Maxim Mrva	19	Czech Republic	216
14	Darwin Blanch	18	United States	183
15	Max Schönhaus	19	Germany	143

Behind them, Martin Landaluce, Rei Sakamoto and Federico Cina currently occupy the next three positions, while Diego Dedura and 17-year-old Moise Kouame are also among the young names in contention. Kouame has already made his mark at Grand Slam level this season, reaching the third round of Roland Garros.

With the race still open and potential withdrawals from the top two adding another layer of uncertainty, several of the game's most promising young players remain in contention for a place in Reggio Calabria. The Next Gen Finals will now offer another group of emerging stars the chance to follow in the footsteps of its previous champions.

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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