Work is underway on a two-phase redevelopment and expansion that will transform the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium and surrounding Aviation Club Tennis Complex.
Turner & Townsend said that the 2026 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (DDFTC) has ushered in the start of a new era for one of the Middle East’s most iconic sporting events.
Initial enhancements debuted in 2026, with the full transformation to be completed ahead of the 2027 Championships.
Designed to elevate the player experience and enhance fan engagement, the expansion marks the most significant upgrade to the Al Garhoud venue in its 30-year history.
The redesign, which is being led by specialist stadium design consultancy BDP Pattern and with Turner & Townsend as project managers, positions the Championships as a tournament reflective of Dubai’s global reputation as a world-class host city for international sporting events.
The 2026 Championships have introduced a temporary 2,000-seat Court 1 alongside initial enhancements to public areas, offering fans a first glimpse of the redevelopment.
The permanent Tournament Village layout and wider spectator upgrades are planned for delivery for the 2027 edition, with the redevelopment second phase also seeing the capacity of Centre Court increasing by approximately 50%, with an additional 2,500 seats, alongside upgrades to the concourse, seating and hospitality areas.
The venue has already this year welcomed the sport’s biggest stars for two weeks of elite action in 2026. The 26th edition of the women’s WTA 1000 event ran from 15-21 February, followed by the 34th men’s ATP 500 tournament from 22-28 February.
Ramesh Cidambi, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free and Chair of the Tournament Organising Committee, said: “These redevelopment works, which are scheduled over two years, represent a defining moment for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and underline our commitment to delivering a world-class experience for players, fans and partners alike.
“For more than three decades, this venue has been central to Dubai’s sporting identity and these upgrades and expansions ensure we continue to raise the bar in line with the city’s global ambitions.
“The new Court 1 and expanded fan zones will be in place for the 2026 tournament, with the Centre Court expansion and upgrade available for the 2027 tournament. These changes will transform how our community engages with the event.”
A centrepiece of the redevelopment for 2026 is the new temporary Court 1, located adjacent to the main stadium.
Fan-zone upgrades will begin in 2026 with selected enhancements introduced in the southern side initially.
The fully reimagined Northern and Southern Fan Village, including activation areas, shaded seating zones and expanded food and beverage (F&B) offerings, is scheduled for rollout as part of the 2027 completion.
Salah Tahlak, Tournament Director and Deputy Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free, said:
“This is an exciting new chapter for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, and we are proud to elevate every aspect of the tournament experience.”
“Our priority has always been to create an atmosphere where players feel at home and fans enjoy world-class entertainment both on and off the court. The upgraded facilities reflect our commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.”
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