Cincinnati Open 2026: world-class tennis in the Queen City

From Saturday August 8 to Sunday August 23, 2026, the world’s best tennis players gather in Mason, Ohio, for the Cincinnati Open — the last ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 event before the US Open. With the finals weekend landing on August 22–23, this is the perfect moment to plan a short trip that pairs big-stadium tennis with the calm riverfront walks of Cincinnati, known as the Queen City. For a quieter, crowd-free take on the same tournament, see our Cincinnati Open 2026 — silent walks at the Lindner Center, and if you are building a wider trip, our London guide and the best weekend trips from London are great starting points.

Where is the Cincinnati Open 2026?

The Cincinnati Open is played at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, 5460 Courseview Drive, Mason, Ohio — about 30 minutes northeast of downtown Cincinnati on Interstate 71, directly opposite the Kings Island amusement park.

When are the finals?

The finals weekend is Saturday August 22 to Sunday August 23, 2026: the WTA singles final on Saturday evening, the ATP singles final on Sunday at midday, with two sessions a day (11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.) all week.

The event: one of the oldest tournaments in the world

The Cincinnati Open has been played since 1899, making it one of the longest-running tournaments in tennis history. Today it is a combined ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 event, one of the most prestigious outside the Grand Slams, and the last big tune-up before the US Open in New York.

Its roll of honour reads like a hall of fame: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors have all lifted the trophy. In 2026 the field includes Alexander Zverev, Jessica Pegula, Aryna Sabalenka and Jasmine Paolini, Cincinnati-born Caty McNally playing at home, and Serena and Venus Williams pairing up in doubles — a headline act in its own right. Whatever the draw, the atmosphere on the outside courts in week one is one of the friendliest in tennis.

What’s on: the road to the finals

The tournament builds through the first week into a spectacular finals weekend:

Sessions run twice a day all week — an 11:00 a.m. day session and a 7:00 p.m. night session, with matches on up to eight courts at once. The official website keeps the schedule and scores updated in real time, so you can jump between stadiums and follow your favourite players from the grounds.

The venue: the Lindner Family Tennis Center

The Lindner Family Tennis Center is one of the best-designed venues in the world: alongside the four Grand Slams, it is the only venue with more than two permanent stadiums. Center Court seats 11,435, the Grandstand 5,000, Court 3 3,500 and Court 9 2,500 — and all 16 courts are lit for night play.

What makes it special for fans is proximity: with up to eight courts in action, you can watch a match on Center Court in the morning and be courtside for a qualifier two minutes later. Practice courts are a real favourite — players warm up right in front of the crowds, and an electronic board by the player entrance tells you who is training where. Arrive early for the most popular sessions: gates open about an hour before play, and the grounds fill quickly on the weekend.

Getting there: Mason and the Queen City

The venue sits at 5460 Courseview Drive, Mason, Ohio, about 30 minutes northeast of downtown Cincinnati on Interstate 71 — you can spot the stadium directly across from the Kings Island amusement park. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) is roughly 40 minutes away, with Dayton about 30 minutes and Columbus an hour.

Driving is straightforward with on-site parking, but the smart play is to split your stay: hotel near the venue for match days, and a base downtown for the evenings and rest days. Cincinnati’s compact centre makes walking between Fountain Square, Over-the-Rhine and the riverfront easy — the same kind of pedestrian city that inspired our list of Europe’s best walking cities.

Beyond the courts: Cincinnati at its best

Kings Island sits right across I-71 from the tennis center — one of America’s largest amusement parks, perfect for a rest day after a long week of matches.

Downtown, start at Fountain Square and wander north into Over-the-Rhine, the largest historic district in the United States. Findlay Market, open since 1852, is one of the country’s oldest public markets — grab a coffee, sample local produce and watch the city go by. Follow the streetcar line (the Connector) down to the Ohio riverfront: Smale Riverfront Park runs along the water beneath the Roebling Suspension Bridge, the 1866 precursor to the Brooklyn Bridge, and is one of the most peaceful sunset walks in the Midwest. Eden Park, high above the river, adds museums, fountains and skyline views.

Practical info: tickets, transport, accommodation and weather

• Tickets: at cincinnatiopen.com. Single sessions from early rounds to the finals; book the weekend sessions first. Grounds passes are sold once reserved seats are gone.
• Transport: the venue is off I-71 with parking on site; CVG airport is about 40 minutes away. Downtown, the Connector streetcar links Over-the-Rhine to the riverfront for $1.
• Accommodation: book early for finals weekend — rooms across Mason and downtown Cincinnati fill fast. Staying on the streetcar line keeps every museum and market within walking distance.
• Weather: hot and humid August, highs around 30-32°C with afternoon storms. Evening sessions are the comfortable option.

What to pack for a tennis weekend

A tennis weekend is a mix of stadium hours, courtside walks and city strolling. Pack light and layered:

• Foldable Travel Daypack (16,90 €) — for the days you explore Over-the-Rhine and come back with souvenirs.
• Collapsible Silicone Water Bottle (13,90 €) — stay hydrated through long sessions in the Ohio heat.
• Universal Travel Adapter (15,90 €) — keep phones and power banks charged for the official app and tickets.
• Anti-Theft Crossbody Bag (24,90 €) — hands-free security in busy stadium grounds.
• Lightweight Walking Sandals (19,90 €) — easy feet between courts and along the riverfront.
• Noise-Cancelling Earplugs (12,90 €) — for a calm hotel sleep after a roaring night session.

Extend the trip

Cincinnati is the perfect launching point for an American summer: the US Open starts the week after the Cincinnati Open (August 24 to September 13 in New York), so you can follow the stars from Ohio straight to Flushing Meadows. Closer to hand, Dayton and Columbus are an hour away, and Kentucky’s horse country lies just across the river. For another great sport-and-destination trip, see how we planned the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, or plan ahead for the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

External resources

• Cincinnati Open official site — schedule, tickets and live scores
• ATP Tour — men’s tour news and rankings
• WTA Tour — women’s tour news and rankings
• Visit Cincy — Cincinnati travel, events and dining