Thursday, July 30, 2026
The 2026 Mubadala DC Open — the world’s only combined ATP/WTA 500 tournament — is back in full force at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center in Northwest Washington. Having kicked off on July 25, the tournament runs all week, with the finals on Aug. 2. This year brings new fan activations, one of the strongest players’ fields yet and unmatched summertime vibes.
Tennis first: Featuring four Grand Slam champions, seven top-10 players, 17 top-20 players and five former DC Open champions, this year’s field is simply stacked. Top players (both in ranking and in fandom) include Taylor Fritz, Jessica Pegula, Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton, Naomi Osaka, Madison Keys, Alex de Minaur and finally Venus Williams, who received a wild card and played both singles and doubles.
Rising Star Alexandra Eala, making waves with a win against defending champion Leylah Fernandez, has drawn massive crowds and passionate support to the Open, driven by her historic rise as the highest-ranked Filipino player in WTA history and the large local Filipino community.
Williams’s return is also compelling for longtime tennis fans. Last year, she came back to professional tennis after more than a year off. This year, she was back in action in both singles and doubles.
Speaking last weekend before play started, Williams stated about the tournament, “It feels very much like home.” In doubles, she played with Diana Shnaider. Another player to watch is Cruz Hewitt, son of Australian star Lleyton Hewitt, who powered through qualifying rounds to then earn his first career ATP Tour win.
Bringing fans closer to the court, the Open will again be the only professional tennis tournament to mic up players during select doubles matches. Tournament social channels are showing clips and highlights that let fans listen in on what the players are saying to each other.
Matches are available to watch on Tennis TV. The total prize money is nearly $2.5 million.
While the heat sizzles on the court, the off-court action is more expansive than ever this year. “We have worked hard to build the Mubadala DC Open into much more than a tennis tournament,” said tournament owner Mark Ein. “Every year we try to elevate it, both the player experience and for the fans.”
One of most prominent ways that Ein is transforming that fan experience is the new turf-lined Front Porch, in the northern reaches of the tournament grounds. Making its debut, this fan-centered spot has taken little-used practice courts and turned them into an inviting open-air space. One side is entirely taken up by a giant LED screen streaming live matches and scores. Umbrella-covered picnic tables and benches and comfortable canvas chairs are scattered across the space.
The Front Porch also plays home to live music and fan activations. On Monday, Naomi Osaka held a popup “BBQ,” announced on her Instagram page, at which she snapped photos, chatted with fans and handed out sliders.
Rounding out the edges of the Front Porch are activations from Silver and Sons BBQ, Balos Estiatorio and Ice Cream Jubilee, plus a lemonade stand and a full bar.
Silver and Sons BBQ founder and owner Jarrad Silver, who grew up in the D.C. area, has been attending the tournament since it was called Legg Mason. “Being able to blend what I’m doing in my career and bringing that to the tournament is exciting. The staff is having a great time.” Silver and Sons is really leaning in: the Maryland-based BBQ spot drove its own food truck right onto the grounds and parked it directly onsite. “It means a lot to be here, a local kid,” said Silver.
Market Square, on the other end of the stadium grounds, is back in action, bringing in some of the District’s favorite relaxed eating establishments. Many of the same vendors have returned from last year, including Duke’s Grocery, King Street Oyster Bar and Roaming Rooster.
Taco innovator Taco Bamba, run by tennis fan Victor Albisu, is sharing a tent with El Toro tequila. Taco Bamba is one of the longest-running local vendors at the tournament. “The DC Open is one of the events of the year,” said Albisu. “There’s always been a culinary focus, and it’s only become even more fun to be a part of.” Kim Crawford, the wine sponsor, occupies a separate tent with a ping-pong table.
For VIP guests, this year’s culinary program features an ever-growing group of Michelin-starred chefs: Jeremiah Langhorne (The Dabney), Patrick O’Connell (The Inn at Little Washington), Miguel Guerra and Tatiana Mora (Mita), Ryan Ratino (Bresca, Jônt, Ox and Olive), José Andrés (Jaleo, Zaytina) and Nicholas Stefanelli (Masseria). In addition, for the first time, fans had the opportunity to purchase single-day VIP Lounge passes to escape into the AC and sip craft drinks.
New this year, the Mubadala Investment Company of Abu Dhabi became the exclusive title sponsor of the historic tennis tournament. The new five-year agreement, running through 2030, builds on Mubadala as co-title sponsor from 2023 to 2025.
The District Council recently approved just under $10 million to go toward renovations and infrastructure upgrades at the tennis center. During a midweek discussion, owner Ein demurred discussing project specifics or involvement, but praised the mayor and Council for supporting the future of the tournament and grounds, with the aim of becoming a year-round destination.
Limited tickets are still available. A portion of the proceeds benefits the Washington Tennis & Education Foundation.