The Charlotte Sports Foundation (CSF) announced today a landmark partnership with the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), that will bring the WTA Finals, the season-ending championship of women’s professional tennis, to Charlotte, North Carolina for three consecutive years beginning in 2027. 

In addition to hosting the WTA Finals from 2027-2029, the agreement includes the relocation of the WTA’s global headquarters to Charlotte, creating a year-round presence in the region. CSF and their partners will also have a path forward for bringing a WTA 500 event to the city after 2029, opening the door for Charlotte’s role in professional women’s tennis to extend well beyond the Finals. 

This is made possible through the financial support of the North Carolina Special Events Fund, the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, as well as strong investment from Charlotte’s corporate community. 

“There has never been a more exciting time to build a global championship in women’s sports,” said Valerie Camillo, Chair of the WTA. “The WTA Finals brings together the very best players in the world at the culmination of our season, showcasing women’s tennis at its highest level. We have an incredible opportunity to build an event that matches the scale, energy, and ambition of women’s sports today. In North Carolina, we found partners who believe just as strongly in what the Finals can become. We’re thrilled to bring the championship to Charlotte and build a global stage for women’s tennis that reaches far beyond the court.” 

“This is a transformational moment for Charlotte and for our organization,” said Will Pitts, CEO of the Charlotte Sports Foundation. “Bringing 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. None of this happens without the support of our partners at the state, city, and county levels, and we are deeply thankful for their commitment to growing Charlotte’s sports footprint. I also want to recognize our Board of Directors, whose leadership and belief in what this organization can accomplish made a deal of this magnitude possible.” 

The WTA Finals is the most prestigious event in women’s professional tennis, bringing together the top singles players and doubles teams in the world on the PIF Race to the WTA Finals. The season-ending championship showcases women’s tennis at its highest level, bringing the very best of the sport to a global television audience across more than 190 countries. The WTA Finals have been held in cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, Madrid, Singapore, and Riyadh. Beginning in 2027, the WTA Finals will be held at Spectrum Center in uptown Charlotte, giving the WTA an opportunity to build on the event’s global stature at a moment of extraordinary momentum for women’s sports. Other programming will occur at the Charlotte Convention Center. 

The relocation of the WTA’s global headquarters to Charlotte will establish one of the most recognized brands in international sports in the Queen City. Together with the WTA Finals, the headquarters will give North Carolina a year-round role in the continued growth of women’s tennis and women’s sports globally, bringing jobs, global business relationships, and year-round economic activity to the region. 

“North Carolina is proud to welcome the WTA headquarters and the WTA Finals to Charlotte. This premier international organization and event will bring visitors to our state, support local businesses, and give North Carolina an opportunity to showcase all that we have to offer to a global audience,” said North Carolina Governor Josh Stein. “I appreciate the Charlotte Sports Foundation and our local partners for their work to bring this event to our state. The WTA is game, the plans are set, and it’s going to be a perfect match.”   

WTA 500 events represent the second-highest tier of WTA tournaments, featuring many of the world’s top-ranked players competing for significant ranking points and prize money. A potential WTA 500 in Charlotte would provide an opportunity to extend the city’s presence on the global stage beyond the WTA Finals. This aspect of the agreement is contingent on the development of a new tennis-specific facility in Charlotte and additional support. 

“Charlotte is a global city and having the Women’s Tennis Association headquarters in Charlotte is not only an exciting addition to our roster of corporate headquarters but reflects our city’s growing international reputation. As we’ve seen, major sporting events give us an extraordinary platform to showcase our community, our culture and our capacity to the world as well as creating opportunities and benefits for our residents and our businesses,” said Rob Harrington, Charlotte’s Mayor. “As we welcome more visitors from across the globe, we are strengthening Charlotte’s international presence, creating economic opportunity locally, and establishing our city as a destination where the world comes to connect and experience what makes Charlotte special.” 

“Welcoming WTA brings global visibility and economic opportunity for Mecklenburg County, while also creating new avenues to invest in our young people through meaningful programming, greater access to tennis, mentorship and pathways that can inspire the next generation,” said Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners Chair Mark Jerrell. “Economic development is not simply about who comes to Mecklenburg County, it is more about what their presence creates for the people who already call this community home. We welcome this remarkable partnership with WTA and its potential to have a transformative impact in our community.” 

“Charlotte landing the WTA Finals is a defining moment for our community. The world’s best tennis players will be competing right here in the Queen City, showcasing Charlotte on a global stage. This will create an economic ripple effect, translating into real revenue for our hotels, restaurants, and small businesses in our region. It’s more than just the numbers, it’s about what Charlotte is becoming. What makes this community special is how our public sector, business, and sports communities come together to reach new heights and create opportunities,” said Tracy Dodson, Chief Operating Officer & Head of Economic Development, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance. “We build relationships and partnerships. Landing WTA is proof of exactly that.”  

A formal press conference and announcement event will be held in Charlotte at a later date, where additional details regarding the future of women’s tennis in the Queen City will be shared.  

For more information, visit wtafinals.com/charlotte.