Will WTA Finals Saudi Arabia backlash see potential U-turn on plans? Charlotte mooted to host for multiple years starting in 2027

The WTA Finals could go back to having a permanent home but not until 2027, but the main interesting facet is the potential of a u-turn on plans to take the tournament to Saudi Arabia which have been a main storyline since Cancun in 2023.

Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert in particular have shown their disdain at rumours that the WTA Finals are planning to be staged in Saudi Arabia. This is despite laws on women and LGBTQ+ being questionable, the duo were hit back by the Saudi ambassador to the US this past week who told them to get their facts straight.

The WTA Finals could still end up in Saudi Arabia though at least for the time being with a move to Charlotte, North Carolina being mooted but not until 2027 for 'multiple years'. The site of the 2024 edition is still undecided and wherever the event is held next will likely be the home until at least 2026.

They are considering holding it at the Spectrum Center, but despite it being mooted to even be heading there from this year onwards, the renovations done to the home of NBA's Charlotte Hornets would make it a more attractive proposition in 2027. There will be words of warning though with the WTA previously signing a huge deal to host it in Shenzhen which after the boycott due to Peng Shuai and after COVID-19 seemed to have been scrubbed which has prompted multiple moves and the so-called Cancun chaos in November with barely finished stadiums and players revolting amid poor conditions and not knowing where it was held until late.