WTA ends Saudi Arabia deal early, moves Finals to Indian Wells

Shortly after the WTA and the Saudi Tennis Federation "mutually agreed" to end their three-year deal to hold the WTA Finals in Riyadh, the WTA announced on Wednesday that the 2026 WTA Finals would be held in Indian Wells, Calif.

The deal would have continued this year, but now the WTA Finals will take place at the site of the BNP Paribas Open, which is held annually in early March.

"From its world-class facilities and passionate fan base to its proven ability to deliver premier tennis events, the venue offers everything needed to showcase the very best of women's tennis," WTA chair Valerie Camillo said in a statement. "We are excited to bring the WTA Finals to Southern California and continue building one of the premier championships in global sport."

Per Front Office Sports, the WTA's deal with Indian Wells is only for one year.

Charlotte is the favorite to host the WTA Finals next year, although there is no deal in place.

The WTA was not expected to keep the finals in Saudi Arabia, as the event has struggled to draw fans and keep them engaged in the matches.

According to the site Bounces, the WTA ended the Saudi Arabia deal early due to "turmoil and uncertainty around war and geopolitical tension in the Middle East."

This past spring after the Dubai Tennis Championships, former U.S. Open champion Daniil Medvedev and several other players and tournament staff members were stuck in the Middle East because of the war between the U.S. and Iran.

The war also caused the cancellation of two Formula One races.

This year's WTA Finals will be held Nov. 8-15 and feature the eight top-ranked singles and doubles pairs.

The WTA Finals are typically the most lucrative for players, as last year's singles winner, Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, earned a record $5.2 million.

--Field Level Media