The Finals will be played at Spectrum Centre, home of the NBA\u2019s Charlotte Hornets, from 2027-29, the WTA said on Wednesday. The tournament features the top singles players and doubles teams on the WTA Tour competing for the season-ending titles.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The move marks a new chapter for the WTA Finals, which have been held in a number of cities across the globe during the past two decades. The WTA said the long-term partnership will help it continue to shape the identity and experience of the championship and also strengthen relationships with fans and commercial partners.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe WTA Finals represents everything that makes women\u2019s tennis extraordinary: the world\u2019s best athletes, competing at the highest level, on a stage worthy of what they have accomplished,\u201d WTA Chair Valerie Camillo said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWomen\u2019s tennis has spent generations helping push women\u2019s sports forward, and we have an opportunity now to lead again by building a championship experience that reflects just how far women\u2019s sport has come and where it is going next. In Charlotte, we found more than a host city. We found partners who share that ambition and a place where we can build a true home for the Finals and for the WTA,\u201d she added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Charlotte was chosen after a global bidding process. The city\u2019s sports infrastructure, business community, hospitality sector and experience with public-private partnerships all helped the city shine,\u201d she added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Charlotte Sports Foundation was the WTA\u2019s lead local partner throughout the process, working with state and local officials as well as the region\u2019s business community to develop the partnership.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Pitts also thanked the state, city and county partners and the organisation\u2019s Board of Directors for their support, noting that their backing and leadership helped make the agreement possible.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThis is a transformational moment for Charlotte and for our organisation,\u201d Charlotte Sports Foundation CEO Will Pitts said. \u201cBringing the WTA Finals to our city is a testament to what Charlotte has become as a world-class sports destination, and we are incredibly grateful to the WTA for their trust and partnership in making this vision a reality.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The partnership will continue after the tournament ends, and the WTA plans to relocate its global headquarters to Charlotte. The move is expected to strengthen the organisation\u2019s links with business, civic, sports and community leaders in the region.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The WTA Finals are the culmination of the WTA Tour season, with qualification determined by performances throughout the year on the PIF Race to the WTA Finals. Only the leading singles players and doubles teams earn places at the prestigious season-ending event.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The singles champion receives the WTA Finals Billie Jean King Trophy, while the doubles winners lift the WTA Finals Martina Navratilova Trophy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The WTA Finals are the culmination of the WTA Tour season, with qualification determined by performances throughout the year on the PIF Race to the WTA Finals. Only the leading singles players and doubles teams earn places at the prestigious season-ending event.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The WTA said the Charlotte move from 2027 is intended to build on that global foundation and establish Finals week as a major fixture on the international women\u2019s sports calendar.<\/p>\r\n\r\n