WTA Finals set to leave Saudi Arabia after 2026 as the hunt commences for new location

For three years now the WTA Finals have found a home in Saudi Arabia. This chapter has now come to a close with the Middle Eastern country set to host the end of season event for the final time as the WTA look to re-home the tournament elsewhere.

The first tournament was hosted during Riyadh season, being hosted alongside numerous other huge sporting events. The WTA Finals was one of the bigger competitions going on in this time period, although there was huge controversy surrounding it.

The 2024 champion, Coco Gauff, had concerns about even competing at all, putting her doubts and reservations aside in the end as she along with seven other top tennis players made the trip for the first time. Two tournaments have been played out with Saudi Arabia set to host a Masters 1000 event from 2028 onwards.

While there was a lot of debacle surrounding the tournament, WTA chief executive Portia Archer indicated that they were interested in extending their three-year deal. With it running out in 2026, a decision needed to be made and for a while it looked like Riyadh would continue to host the showpiece event.

“We signed on for a three-year term; we’d actually enjoy being here for even longer than we have been, or than we are agreed to be here,” Porter told The Athletic last year, indicating a possible extension could be on the cards. However, Bounces have reported that this will not occur after failed talks with the Saudi Tennis Federation, with the WTA now with a task on their hands to find a new location for 2027 onwards.

Elena Rybakina will look to defend her title at the end of the year as long as she qualifies for the event. That is looking rather likely at this current rate with Aryna Sabalenka looking for revenge, as an intriguing rivalry continuing to this day was born. It will take place from November 9-15.