Saudi Arabia selected as WTA Finals host through 2026

The GIST: It turns out all the rumors are true. After much deliberation, the WTA Finals will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 2024 to 2026. Despite human rights concerns from women’s tennis athletes and journalists, the WTA ultimately followed the money. However, this does allow the tournament to offer a record $15.25M tournament prize, up from $9M last year.

The details: According to the WTA, the selection process took several months and involved multiple bids and “engagement with players.” The tennis tour primarily considered if prospective sites would be able to host a world-class event, could increase prize money, and were committed to growing the Finals and the women’s game.

The context: A lot has changed in Riyadh since it forbade women from participating in WWE events during 2014 to 2019. Saudi Arabia’s vision for itself as a global power player has meant investing billions in moves to transform men’s sports, along with the WTA, women’s golf’s Ladies European Tour, and soccer’s Saudi Women’s Premier League.

• Plus, the reversal of laws restricting women and girls from being student-athletes and fans has seemed to have had a pronounced effect — sports participation levels have more than tripled since 2015.

The concerns: Despite these changes, sportswashing concerns have increased as the spotlight on the country intensifies. In addition to Saudi Arabia’s persecution of feminists, atheists, and LGBTQIA+ citizens (but apparently not visitors), a recent report illustrates the legal persecution endured by Shia fans who, despite belonging to the largest religious minority, are treated as “second-class citizens.”

Zooming out: After last month’s news of a proposed PIF–backed Tour that would change tennis as we know it, the WTA’s decision makes an eventual Saudi acquisition of both tennis tours seem even more likely. Holding its prestigious season-culminating event in Riyadh signals a critical shift in WTA precedent. Watch this ace.