- Aside from watching some of the world's best WTA tennis stars, there are lots of activities and activations for the family to enjoy
- This year will be the first time there is a wheelchair tennis tournament running alongside the main tournament and the Road to MADO.
- The first day of the event is the Family Day and is free entry for all.
ABU DHABI, UAE – 19 January 2025: The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is returning to the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, from 31 January to 7 February 2026 - offering one of the most family-friendly experiences on the sporting calendar. While the WTA 500 tournament will once again feature elite athletes and top-level competition, the event has grown into a fun day out for all ages, with activities and entertainment that go far beyond the court.
From wheelchair tennis and the Road to MADO programme to the vibrant Tennis Village and dedicated Family Day, the week-long tournament brings together sport, culture and community in a way that makes it the perfect outing for families - whether or not they're tennis fans. Discover all the key information below ahead of the tournament:
The first day is free!
On Saturday January 31, the very first day of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, the event is completely free to attend for all ages! This is an incredible way to get children excited by the sport and see some of the world's top players compete for a place in the next round. Saturday will also feature the Draw Ceremony, taking place live on the Village Stage, with a top WTA player in attendance as the first-round match-ups are announced.
Kids also go free from Monday 2nd through to Wednesday 4th February.
Expanded programme of activities at the Tennis Village
This year's Tennis Village will offer more to see and do than ever before, with a packed programme of activities for fans of all ages. Visitors can enjoy everything from the Ball in Your Court activation and Baseline Arts workshops, to a Community Art Wall inspired by renowned Emirati artist Mariam Al Obeidli.
The Village will also feature family favourites like Giant Jenga, 4 in a Row, traditional board games, Plinko and the Grand Slam Arcade. Younger fans can explore the dedicated Kids' Play Area, while sports enthusiasts can test their skills at the Serve n' Strike Wall, Tennis Swing Station, Skill Games, Basketball Clinics, and more - making it the most interactive Tennis Village to date. Collect stamps in the Mubadala Village passport to win prizes for completing all activities.
Wheelchair Tennis
This year's Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open will host a wheelchair tennis invitational tournament for the first time, featuring singles, doubles and mixed doubles competitions, with matches scheduled for Thursday (5 February) Friday (6 February) and Saturday (7 February) afternoon.
Beyond the on-court action, wheelchair tennis athletes will lead coaching clinics for both coaches and people of determination, encouraging wider participation in the sport.
Elite line-up of tennis stars
The 2026 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open field features a compelling blend of Grand Slam champions, Olympic medallists and the sport's most exciting emerging talent.
Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion and World No. 5, headlines a stacked field joined by defending champion Belinda Bencic and Spanish favourite Paula Badosa. Rising Canadian star Victoria Mboko and Filipino trailblazer Alexandra Eala add fresh excitement, while Grand Slam winners Barbora Krejcikova and Marketa Vondrousova bring proven major pedigree.
The line-up also includes Emma Navarro, Clara Tauson, Leylah Fernandez, and former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, alongside Qinwen Zheng, Dayana Yastremska, and 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin. With further depth from Ekaterina Alexandrova, Liudmila Samsonova, Elise Mertens, Beatriz Haddad Maia, McCartney Kessler, and Maya Joint, the draw promises world-class tennis from start to finish.
Road to MADO Playoffs
The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is celebrating the next generation of tennis talent through the Road to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, a Mubadala-supported grassroots programme giving young players across the UAE the chance to compete, develop, and earn a place in finals played alongside the pros.
Youngsters compete across multiple age groups in sanctioned events held in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah, with points contributing to both UAE Tennis Federation rankings and the Road to MADO leaderboard. Top performers advance through playoffs, with finalists taking to the courts during tournament week.
As a key pillar of the event's community and legacy efforts, the programme also offers standout juniors the chance to win all-expenses-paid training experiences at Ferrero Academy - the home of Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz.
A safe and welcoming environment
With thousands of fans expected across the week, the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open places a strong emphasis on overall fan experience. Alongside live music, food and beverage trucks, interactive fan activations and family entertainment across the Tennis Village, a dedicated medical and wellbeing tent area will be in place throughout the tournament.
Working behind the scenes and on the ground, Healthpoint - part of the M42 group - will support both players and fans with comprehensive medical services, while also engaging visitors through an on-site activation focused on injury prevention, performance and everyday wellbeing. Fans can also benefit from daily health tips shared throughout the event, helping to promote an active and informed lifestyle alongside the on-court action.
Nigel Gupta, Tournament Director at MARI, said: “The beauty of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is that it offers so much more than a world-class tennis tournament. Yes, fans can watch top-level tennis, but they can also enjoy watching the world's best wheelchair tennis players for the first time this year, explore the interactive Mubadala Tennis Village, watch talented young stars in the Road to MADO, and much more. It's an event built for the whole community - whether you follow tennis or you're simply looking for a great day out.”
Organised by MARI in partnership with Mubadala and the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open has quickly established itself as one of the WTA Tour's most compelling early-season events, combining world-class tennis with a strong focus on youth, community engagement and fan experience.
Further announcements for the 2026 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open will be revealed in the coming weeks before the tournament takes places from January 31 to February 07.
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