TENN360 | THE FAN'S GUIDE TO THE TOUR
tennis is more than the score.
CHARLESTON OPEN
Tour
WTA
Date of event
27 Mar-4 Apr 2027
Location
Charleston
Surface
Clay
Singles Title
J Pegula
Doubles Title
D Krawczyk/C McNally
Level
500
TENN360 INSIGHT:
Charleston has history. The event dates back to 1973 and has been won by some of the biggest names in women's tennis, but it still feels wonderfully approachable. And then there's the rather unusual green clay — the only WTA tournament played on this surface, giving Charleston its own little place in the tennis universe.
Credit One Stadium has three seating levels, but you don't necessarily need to spend big. A good side-on seat in the 200 level gives you a strong view without feeling too removed from the court. And don't ignore the outside courts: seats are first-come, first-served and the proximity to the players is exactly the sort of thing that makes a WTA 500 memorable.
Excellent. This is one of Charleston's biggest attractions for fans. Stadium tickets give access to the outside match courts and select practice courts, while general admission lets you move around the grounds and use the stadium's 300-level seating. Early rounds are the time to take advantage of it: fewer people, more courts and plenty of chances to get close to the action.
You want proper tennis history without the Grand Slam circus. Charleston has a lovely combination of serious WTA tennis, Southern hospitality, a distinctive surface and a compact enough atmosphere to actually feel like you're at a tennis tournament rather than attending a giant sporting festival.
I'd make a proper day of it, but without trying to conquer the entire place. Watch some early matches on the outside courts, wander around Daniel Island, find a shady spot for lunch and then settle in for your main Stadium match. If you're staying in Charleston, the ferry from downtown is an especially nice way to arrive.
April in Charleston is usually made for outdoor tennis: warm, bright and considerably more forgiving than midsummer in the American South. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat, but keep a light layer handy for an evening session. The green clay and surrounding greenery make this one of the prettier tournaments to sit outside and watch.
The tournament is on Daniel Island rather than in central Charleston, but the organisers make getting there relatively painless. General parking is free with continuous shuttle service, rideshare has dedicated drop-off arrangements, and — my favourite option — a Daniel Island Ferry runs from downtown Charleston directly towards the tournament, turning the journey into part of the day.
You want hard courts, giant stadiums and the non-stop entertainment of Miami or Indian Wells. Charleston is much more about the tennis and the atmosphere — although the tournament has been adding more food, live entertainment and hospitality, so it isn't exactly short of things to do.
Power in Numbers
48
Single Draws
11,000
Centre court seat
17
Courts