TENN360 | THE FAN'S GUIDE TO THE TOUR
tennis is more than the score.
NINGBO OPEN
Tour
WTA
Date of event
19-25 Oct 2026
Location
Ningbo
Surface
Hard outdoor
Singles Title
E Rybakina
Doubles Title
N Melichar-Martinez/L Samsonova
Level
500
TENN360 INSIGHT:
Ningbo is one of those tournaments that quietly sneaked onto the calendar and then decided it belonged there.
It began as a much smaller event, returned to the WTA calendar in 2023 and was promoted to WTA 500 status the following year. So while it doesn't have the history of some of the grand old tournaments, the level of tennis is now considerably bigger than its relatively young age might suggest.
And I rather like that.
The Ningbo Tennis Center is compact enough to feel like a proper tennis venue rather than a giant entertainment complex, while Ningbo itself gives you the chance to experience a part of China that isn't Shanghai or Beijing.
Big tennis, without quite such a big-city fuss.
For the headline matches, I'd choose a side-on seat in Centre Court, as close to court level as possible.
The Centre Court holds around 4,000 spectators, which is a lovely size for tennis. Big enough for atmosphere, but not so enormous that the players start looking like tiny figures at the other end of the world.
I'd particularly favour the side rather than directly behind the baseline. You get a much better appreciation of the movement, angles and court positioning.
But here's the thing:
Don't spend your entire day in Centre Court.
The smaller courts are where Ningbo can really reward the curious fan. If you can get close to the court for a good match, you'll have the sort of view that would be considerably harder to find at a huge WTA event.
My ideal day?
One big match in Centre Court, one unexpected gem somewhere else.
Very good.
The relatively compact venue is a big advantage here.
There are multiple courts around the main stadium, including additional match courts and practice facilities, so players aren't disappearing into an enormous maze of buildings every time they leave Centre Court.
I'd arrive early and find out where the practice sessions are happening.
The smaller the tournament environment, the more rewarding this can be.
Don't expect guaranteed selfies with the world's biggest stars. But if player access matters to you, Ningbo gives you a much better opportunity to get close to the action than simply sitting in the main stadium all day.
And yes, I'd still bring the autograph pen.
I'd go if you like discovering tournaments before they've become completely familiar.
Ningbo has only recently stepped up to WTA 500 level, so it still has that feeling of a tournament establishing its personality rather than one that has been doing exactly the same thing for fifty years.
I'd also go if you enjoy the Asian swing and want something a little different from the huge Shanghai experience.
The smaller scale is part of the charm.
And if you're travelling with someone who isn't quite as obsessed with tennis as you are, Ningbo could work rather well. You can have your tennis day and still have a city to explore afterwards.
Everyone gets something.
I'd make a point of exploring beyond Centre Court.
The venue has a large number of courts, and the smaller playing courts are where you can get much closer to the action. If you're going to a WTA 500, there is a good chance that the match you stumble across on a smaller court ends up being the one you talk about afterwards.
That's exactly the sort of thing I'd look for.
I'd also give yourself time to explore Ningbo rather than treating it simply as the place where your hotel happens to be.
Come for the tennis.
Stay curious about the city.
Yes.
Ningbo is outdoor hard-court tennis in October, and although the worst of the summer heat has passed, you can still get warm, sunny conditions.
The main problem isn't necessarily the temperature. It's sitting in direct sunshine for several hours and discovering, rather too late, that your shoulders have been quietly turning into toast.
Bring sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
And water.
If you're moving between courts throughout the day, you'll get plenty of exposure even if your main seat happens to be reasonably shaded.
Personally, I'd be tempted by a later session if the choice is available.
Less sun, cooler air and tennis under the lights.
Sounds good to me.
The Ningbo Tennis Center is in Yinzhou District, so it isn't a venue I'd describe as being right in the heart of the city.
I'd plan the journey rather than assuming you'll simply wander there from your hotel.
Taxi or ride-hailing is likely to be the easiest option for many visitors, particularly if you're unfamiliar with Ningbo. Public transport can also get you around the city, but I'd check the final connection to the tennis centre before setting off.
The good news is that once you arrive, the venue itself is straightforward.
You're going to one dedicated tennis centre rather than a sprawling collection of venues.
Which means more time watching tennis and less time asking yourself where Court 4 has disappeared to.
I'd skip it if you need history and tradition to make a tournament feel special.
Ningbo simply doesn't have decades of famous matches and legendary stories behind it yet.
I'd also skip it if you're expecting the sheer scale of a Grand Slam or a Masters 1000. This is a WTA 500, and the experience is much more contained.
And if you're travelling halfway around the world solely because you absolutely must see one particular player, I'd wait until the draw is known.
Tennis players do occasionally change their plans.
Usually at the least convenient moment.
Power in Numbers
28
Single Draws
4,000
Centre court seat
11
Courts