The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) has announced Reggio Calabria (city in Italy) as the host city of the 2026 Next Gen ATP Finals thus marking a return to Italy where the event first began in 2017.
Italy boasts a deep-rooted tennis culture and is considered to be the ‘country of tennis’.
Top ATP Players
‘ATP’ stated that the tournament features the world’s top ATP singles players aged 20 and under with past champions including Jannik Sinner (Italian tennis player) and Carlos Alcaraz (Spanish tennis player). The event will offer $2 million in prize money and will take place at the PalaCalafiore Stadium over five days from December 9th-13th, 2026, marking a return to Italy since it was last held in Milan in 2022.
Florida (US)-based the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) is the governing body of the Men’s professional tennis circuits – the ATP Tour and the ATP Challenger Tour. It was formed in September 1972 by Donald Dell, Jack Kramer and Cliff Drysdale to protect the interests of the professional tennis players.
The ATP Tour (known as ATP World Tour between January 2009 and December 2018) is the sole worldwide top-tier tennis tour for men organized by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).
The ATP Challenger Tour (known until the end of 2008 as the ATP Challenger Series) is a series of international Men’s professional tennis tournaments.
The Next Gen ATP Finals is an annual Men’s professional exhibition tennis tournament organized by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) for the best players of the season aged 20 years old or younger.
The 8,500-seat PalaCalafiore Stadium (also known as the Palasport Pentimele) is the largest indoor sports arena in Southern Italy located in Reggio Calabria.
Established Tennis Market
‘ATP’ further stated that the ATP and the Federazione Italiana Tennis e Padel (FITP) will continue to drive the event’s progress capitalizing on Italy’s position as one of the world’s strongest and most established tennis markets and host to some of the ATP’s most prestigious events including the flagship season-ending Nitto ATP Finals.
Rome (Italy)-based the Federazione Italiana Tennis e Padel (FITP) is the national governing body for tennis, padel, beach tennis, and pickleball in Italy.
The Nitto ATP Finals is the prestigious season-ending championship of the Men’s professional tennis tour.
‘Deep-rooted Tennis Culture’
Averred Andre Silva, ATP Chief Tour Officer, “The Next Gen ATP Finals have proven to be a powerful platform in shaping the future of men’s professional tennis. The event offers a first glimpse of the sport’s next stars thus bringing the fans closer to the journeys and the personalities that will define the years ahead. Bringing the event back to Italy allows us to showcase this talent in a country with a deep-rooted tennis culture and a proven ability to deliver an outstanding experience for both the players and the fans.”
‘Country of Tennis’
Added Angelo Binaghi, FITP President, “If Italy is now the country of tennis it is because it had the courage to invest in the future before anyone else. The Next Gen ATP Finals represent the tournament of tomorrow: This is where the champions are born who, in the years to come, will conquer the world’s greatest stages. Bringing this event back to our country, following the pioneering experience in Milan, and choosing Reggio Calabria as the new venue confirms a clear vision: To make tennis a driving force for development across the whole country whilst also promoting areas that deserve to host the major international events. It is a sign of confidence in the South, in the young people and in an Italy that continues to prove itself as a global benchmark in organizing the most important tennis events. We are convinced that another chapter in the history of world tennis will be written in Reggio Calabria.”
Key Stepping Stone
Launched in 2017, the Next Gen ATP Finals has established itself as a key stepping stone for the world’s best 20-and-under players. Most recently, Learner Tien (American tennis player) lifted the 2025 trophy before climbing to a career high ranking of World No. 12.
Wearable Technology
Beyond nurturing the sport’s rising talent the event also drives innovation in tennis. The concepts first tested at the event including the Live Electronic Line Calling, the Video Review and the data integration through wearable technology (electronic devices worn on the body as accessories, clothing, or medical monitors to collect and process data in real time) have since been adopted across the ATP Tour. These advancements continue to reshape the fan and player experience while the event’s high-tempo, cutting-edge format attracts a new audience to the sport.
Further updates on the tournament’s location beyond 2026 will be provided in due course.
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