The 2026 Cincinnati Open will be one of the biggest events on the global tennis calendar, bringing together the world’s top ATP and WTA players for two weeks of elite competition at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.

Located just north of Cincinnati, the tournament remains one of the most prestigious stops on the professional tennis schedule and is classified as an ATP Masters 1000 event on the men’s tour and a WTA 1000 event on the women’s tour.

Played on outdoor hard courts, the Cincinnati Open serves as the final major hard-court championship before the US Open, giving players one of their last opportunities to test their game against the world’s best before the year’s final Grand Slam tournament.

The 2026 edition will be historic as the tournament continues its transition into a larger, expanded event featuring bigger draws, more matches, and an enhanced fan experience following the completion of a major renovation project.

Tournament Format

Singles Draw

The 2026 Cincinnati Open will feature expanded singles fields on both the ATP and WTA Tours.

Men’s Singles

• 96-player draw
• 32 seeded players
• Top 32 seeds receive first-round byes
• Unseeded players compete in the opening round
• Winners advance to face seeded players in Round 2
• Single-elimination format throughout the tournament

Women’s Singles

• 96-player draw
• 32 seeded players
• Top 32 seeds receive first-round byes
• Opening-round matches feature unseeded players
• Single-elimination format throughout the tournament

The expanded 96-player format creates additional opportunities for rising stars, qualifiers, and lower-ranked players to compete against the biggest names in tennis.

Doubles Draw

The Cincinnati Open will also feature world-class doubles competition.

Men’s Doubles

• 32-team draw
• Single-elimination format

Women’s Doubles

• 32-team draw
• Single-elimination format

The doubles tournaments provide fans with another opportunity to see some of the sport’s best athletes compete in a fast-paced and strategic format.

Tournament Length Expansion

The Cincinnati Open has evolved into a two-week championship event following the expansion from traditional 56-player draws to 96-player fields.

Previously known as a nine-day tournament, the expanded format allows for:

• More players competing
• More matches throughout the week
• More opportunities for fans to attend
• Additional entertainment and activities across the grounds

The 2026 tournament will represent a new era for one of tennis’ most historic hard-court events.

2026 Cincinnati Open Schedule

Community Weekend

August 8-9

The tournament officially begins with Community Weekend, featuring:

• Fan activities
• Community events
• Special experiences for tennis fans
• Entertainment throughout the grounds

Community Weekend provides fans with an opportunity to experience the Cincinnati Open atmosphere before official tournament play begins.

Qualifying Rounds

Tuesday, August 11

Wednesday, August 12

Qualifying matches will determine the final players entering the main draw.

Schedule:

• August 11: Qualifying begins at 10:30 AM ET
• August 12: Final qualifying matches

Main Draw Schedule

Date Round August 13-14

First Round August 15-16

First & Second Round August 17-18

Third Round August 19

Round of 16 August 20-21

Quarterfinals August 22

Semifinals August 23Finals

Daily Session Schedule

Day Sessions

Most day sessions will begin at:

11:00 AM ET

Exception:

• Qualifying begins at 10:30 AM ET on August 11

Day sessions will feature a mixture of singles and doubles action across multiple courts.

Night Sessions

Most night sessions will begin at:

7:00 PM ET

Exception:

• Semifinal night session begins at 6:00 PM ET on August 22

Night sessions provide fans with the opportunity to watch marquee matchups under the lights.

Championship Sunday

Sunday, August 23

The 2026 Cincinnati Open will conclude with championship matches on Sunday afternoon.

Finals Session:

• Start Time: 2:00 PM ET

The tournament will crown ATP and WTA singles champions as well as doubles champions.

This marks the first Cincinnati Open in recent years to conclude with a traditional Sunday singles final instead of a Monday championship match.

What’s New at the 2026 Cincinnati Open?

The 2026 tournament introduces several major changes designed to elevate the fan and player experience.

Expanded Tournament Campus

Following a $260 million renovation project, the Cincinnati Open will feature an upgraded venue experience, including:

• Improved facilities
• Expanded fan areas
• More viewing opportunities
• Enhanced player amenities

Larger Fields

The move to 96-player singles draws means:

• More matches
• More players
• More competitive depth
• More chances to see future stars

Enhanced Fan Experience

Fans can expect:

• New entertainment areas
• Expanded dining options
• Live music
• Interactive experiences
• Additional activities throughout the grounds

Key Dates to Remember

📅 August 8-9 — Community Weekend 🎾

August 11-12 — Qualifying Matches 🎾

August 13 — Main Draw Begins 🎾

August 19 — Round of 16 🎾

August 20-21 — Quarterfinals 🎾

August 22 — Semifinals 🏆

August 23 — Finals

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Cincinnati Open represents a major milestone for one of tennis’ premier tournaments. With expanded ATP and WTA fields, a two-week schedule, a renovated tournament campus, and the expectation that nearly every top player in the world will compete, the event is positioned to deliver its biggest championship in history.

As the final major hard-court event before the US Open, Cincinnati will once again become the center of the tennis world as champions chase another Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 title while fans experience a completely upgraded tournament atmosphere.

The 2026 Cincinnati Open is not just a tennis tournament — it is a major sporting event and a showcase for Cincinnati’s growing presence on the international sports stage.