TENN360 | THE FAN'S GUIDE TO THE TOUR
tennis is more than the score.
RIO OPEN
Tour
ATP
Date of event
13-21 Feb 2027
Location
Rio de Janeiro
Surface
Clay
Website
Singles Title
T Etcheverry
Doubles Title
M Melo/J Fonseca
Level
500
TENN360 INSIGHT:
Some tournaments have atmosphere.
Rio has Rio.
The Rio Open brings ATP 500 clay-court tennis to the Jockey Club Brasileiro, where the backdrop is almost unfairly beautiful and the crowd brings its own energy to the occasion.
It is serious tennis, but it doesn't take itself too seriously.
Expect samba, sunshine, clay, Brazilian flags and a crowd that knows exactly when to make itself heard.
And somewhere beyond the tennis complex, Rio is doing what Rio does best.
Not a bad place to spend a week.
For the Guga Kuerten Court, I'd choose a side-on seat fairly close to the court.
The main arena holds around 6,200 people, so even though this is an ATP 500, it still feels relatively intimate compared with the giant stadiums at the biggest tournaments.
Side-on gives you the best view of the whole clay court and lets you appreciate the movement and shape of the rallies.
But here's my real advice:
Don't spend the entire day in the main stadium.
The smaller courts are where Rio can become special.
You can get much closer to the players, watch a match you didn't plan for and suddenly find yourself cheering for someone you've never heard of.
That's tennis.
Excellent.
This is one of Rio's biggest attractions.
The tournament has multiple competition courts and practice courts within the same complex, and the organisers specifically highlight the opportunity for fans to watch training sessions, matches and player interactions.
I'd make practice part of the day.
Arrive early.
Find out who's practising.
Watch a smaller match.
Move around.
The Guga Kuerten Court may be where the biggest match is happening, but it isn't necessarily where you'll have your most memorable encounter with a player.
At Rio, you have a very good chance of getting close enough to feel like you're actually at a tennis tournament rather than watching one from behind a wall of VIP hospitality.
Oh, absolutely.
This is Rio in February.
The combination of summer heat, sunshine and clay means you should come prepared for a proper outdoor day.
Sunscreen.
Hat.
Sunglasses.
Water.
All non-negotiable.
I'd particularly recommend an evening session if you have the choice.
The temperature is kinder, the lights come on and the atmosphere gets another little boost.
And don't make the classic mistake of thinking that because there is a breeze you're not getting much sun.
Rio will happily fool you.
I'd go early and stay late.
The temptation is to arrive for the match you really want to see, but you'd be missing half the fun.
There are several competition and practice courts, so wander around and see what you find. The tournament specifically encourages fans to watch practices and matches across the complex.
Then there's Leblon Boulevard, with food, shops, sponsor activities and places to sit between matches.
I'd also leave some energy for the evening.
Watch tennis.
Have a caipirinha.
Watch more tennis.
This is Rio.
You are not required to go home at sensible o'clock.
Oh, absolutely.
This is Rio in February.
The combination of summer heat, sunshine and clay means you should come prepared for a proper outdoor day.
Sunscreen.
Hat.
Sunglasses.
Water.
All non-negotiable.
I'd particularly recommend an evening session if you have the choice.
The temperature is kinder, the lights come on and the atmosphere gets another little boost.
And don't make the classic mistake of thinking that because there is a breeze you're not getting much sun.
Rio will happily fool you.
Very good.
The Rio Open is held at the Jockey Club Brasileiro in Lagoa, with the entrance on Avenida Mario Ribeiro.
The easiest option for many visitors is taxi or rideshare.
But public transport works too: Antero de Quental station on Metro Line 4 is about 1km from the entrance, roughly a 12-minute walk.
I'd avoid driving if you can.
Rio traffic has enough personality without adding your own car to the story.
And one of the best things about the location is that you are not stranded at an out-of-town tennis complex.
You are in Lagoa, with the rest of Rio waiting outside the gates.
I'd skip it if you want a perfectly controlled tennis environment where the weather, schedule and atmosphere behave themselves.
This is Rio.
Things happen.
The 2026 semi-finals were actually moved because of persistent rain — a useful reminder that even a tournament with a packed schedule cannot negotiate with Brazilian weather.
I'd also skip it if you don't like clay.
There is nowhere to hide.
And if you are travelling solely to see one particular player, wait for the draw before booking everything.
Even when the entry list looks spectacular, players can withdraw.
Tennis remains stubbornly committed to ruining our plans.
Power in Numbers
32
Single Draws
6,200
Centre court seat
9
Courts