WTA Finals set to move to Indian Wells at end of 2026 as Saudi Arabia deal cut short

The WTA Finals are set for a change of location sooner than anticipated. While it was set to move away from Riyadh following this year's event, this has been moved forward with Indian Wells now the new hosts of the prestigious tournament.

The tournament involves eight of the best players in the world who earned the most points in the year. The WTA Race rankings then decide who competes in the event with two groups of four making up the lineup.

Riyadh hosted the last two editions with a lot of controversy surrounding it amid Women's Right restrictions in Saudi Arabia. Coco Gauff won the inaugural event with Elena Rybakina taking down Aryna Sabalenka last year for a maiden triumph. She collected a whopping $5.23 million for winning all five matches competed in.

There was still a third year left on the contract, but by request this has been terminated mutual consent after the STF accepted the WTA's request to stage this year's finals elsewhere amid conflict in the area, specifically Iran which makes organising the final trickier.

The WTA and Saudi Tennis Federation released a joint statement confirming the news. "Following two impactful years of the WTA Finals in Riyadh, the WTA requested to move the 2026 WTA Finals to a new host location," it read. "The Saudi Tennis Federation accepted WTA’s proposal, and the two organizations mutually agreed on the conclusion of the hosting arrangement and remain proud of the achievements realized through their partnership.

"The WTA thanks the Saudi Tennis Federation, players, fans, volunteers, and partners whose commitment and support contributed to the success of the WTA Finals in Riyadh.

"The Saudi Tennis Federation remains committed to expanding opportunities for girls and women in sports and building on the momentum created through different country-wide efforts and avenues, such as the WTA Finals.

"The legacy of the partnership will continue through the communities reached, the opportunities created for women and girls, and the increased engagement with tennis generated over the past two years."

Indian Wells hosts a WTA 1000 event as part of the Sunshine swing early in the year. It doubles up with Miami and is one of the fiercely competed tournaments on the calendar. Aryna Sabalenka extracted her revenge against Rybakina enroute to winning the Sunshine double.

“The Indian Wells Tennis Garden provides an exceptional stage for the WTA Finals,” WTA chair Valerie Camillo said. “From its world-class facilities and passionate fan base to its proven ability to deliver premier tennis events, the venue offers everything needed to showcase the very best of women’s tennis.”

The tournament will take place from November 8-15, thus ending the WTA tennis program for 2026 with a bang in the States.