The National Bank Open is set to become a two-week event next summer!
Fans will enjoy a redefined National Bank Open presented by Rogers in 2025 and beyond after Canada's premier tennis tournament confirmed the schedule for its first 12-day edition.
Tennis Canada is set to expand its showcase tournament next summer in Toronto and Montreal. With a tournament as rich in history as the NBO, the change feels fitting.
In fact, the National Bank Open is the third oldest active tennis tournament in the world, only behind Wimbledon and the US Open.
Read more for details of the major change below:
What does this mean for fans?
Ultimately, the key aspect of this and what it means – more tennis over more days, with more opportunity for fans to get up close to their favourite players. Canadian fans will have the chance to catch the best tennis players in the world in Toronto and Montreal with seven new sessions, one additional round of action, and a Thursday night final.
A prospect that Canada's best players believe, can only serve tennis positively moving forward.
"We’re sure the sport will continue to grow, and even more Canadians will be inspired to pick up a racquet as a result,” said Felix Auger-Aliassime.
The deeper field also means more wild card availability for players, particularly young and fast-rising Canadians. The doubles field is also set to grow from 28 to 32 players. The National Bank Open now becomes one of six premier events on the schedule to feature an expanded format, taking it closer to that true Grand Slam feel.
The tournament joins the BNP Paribas Open, Miami Open, Internazionali BNL d’Italia, and Mutua Madrid Open who have all extended their action to two weeks.
The Cincinnati Open is also set to expand as of 2025, and lands right after the NBO on the tennis calendar as two key 1000 level events prior to the U.S Open in New York.
"It’s great to see our home event getting even bigger and better," said former US Open finalist Leylah Annie Fernandez.
The tournament joins the BNP Paribas Open, Miami Open, Internazionali BNL d’Italia, and Mutua Madrid Open who have all extended their action to two weeks.
Read more: National Bank Open to be 'redefined' starting in 2025
The Cincinnati Open is also set to expand as of 2025, and lands right after the NBO on the tennis calendar as two key 1000 level events prior to the U.S Open in New York.
Key Dates to Follow
The tournament makeover will see a major change in scheduling.
Action will kick off on Saturday, July 26, 2025 with a loaded one-day qualifying format, with 16 players advancing to the main draw play beginning Sunday, July 27. The staple 407 ETR and IGA Family Weekend remains in both Toronto and Montreal, providing a showcase for fans of all ages.
Each round will be played over two days, giving players proper recovery in between matches, and providing the tournament flexibility in case of any weather disruptions. Quarter-final action will be held on the Monday, August 4th and Tuesday, August 5th, while single-night sessions will feature at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto and Stade IGA in Montreal for the semifinals on Wednesday, August 6th.
Moving from its traditional Sunday afternoon, fans will be treated to a Thursday night final set for August 7th.
The tournament will revert back to its original seven-day format on Olympic years.
Future Changes
The tournament expansion is just the tip of the iceberg in major changes coming to the National Bank Open.
Equal prize money is slated for the WTA field beginning in 2027, and the women will receive an incremental increase each year until then.
Until then, fans can also anticipate even more on-site activities and an elevated experience at their marquee events.
As Canada continues to grow as a tennis nation, making the NBO stronger than ever couldn't come at a better time.
The WTA's best return to Toronto this summer for the National Bank Open August 4 to 12 at Sobeys Stadium. Tickets are on sale. Get your tickets today!
