Cincinnati Open to get total site overhaul, complete with new sunken stadium, by 2025

The Cincinnati Open will get a brand new look next year, with the entire Lindner Family Tennis Center campus set for an “extensive renovation”—complete with a brand new sunken stadium court and a two-story player center—prior to the expanded 2025 tournament.

The Cincinnati Open, previously named for sponsor Western & Southern, is one of the longest-running tennis tournaments in the U.S. and a fan-favorite combined ATP and WTA Tour stop during the buildup to the US Open. The tournament will be celebrating its 125-year anniversary during this year’s edition—but at this time last year its future was still up in the air.

Ben Navarro, head of Beemok Capital and the tournament owner, acquired the event’s sanction from the USTA in 2022 and had considered moving it to Charlotte, North Carolina. But last October, the group announced plans to not just keep the event in Mason, Ohio for the next 25 years, but to give the campus a massive $260-million facelift as well.

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“We are ushering in a new era at the Cincinnati Open, and the complete transformation of our campus will create an unparalleled experience for our fans and players,” said Bob Moran, President of Beemok Sports & Entertainment.

“Our goal is to provide a best-in-class experience to everyone who touches the Cincinnati Open, and these projects, which are made possible through partnerships with the City of Mason, Warren County and the State of Ohio, are the foundation upon which we will build the next chapters of this storied event’s history.”

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With a mission to improve fan and player experiences, the entire tennis center will be “elegantly reimagined” with modern stadium facades, new facilities and extensive landscaping to create a “park-like feel” throughout the campus.

The most eye-catching upgrade of all is the addition of a new sunken stadium court, which will be set to the south of a planned permanent fan plaza featuring an expansive, shady canopy. Seating 2,000 spectators, when complete it will be the fourth largest of the venue’s five permanent stadiums.

The additional stadium is one of 10 new courts being added to the site to increase capacity and facilitate the event’s growth from a 56-player to a 96-player draw over 12 days in 2025. Cincinnati and Canada (Toronto and Montreal) will join Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Rome and Shanghai as expanded 1000-level events as a part of the revamped ATP Tour calendar.

In total, the campus will feature 31 courts, up from the planned 21 for 2024.

For players, a new two-story player center will be among the most significant—and most anticipated—additions to the site. The 56,000 square-foot facility will include lounge and restaurant spaces for players and their support teams, as well as wellness and recovery rooms for the players and locker rooms for coaches.

The current player facilities will also be renovated to provide additional locker room space and to expand the tournament’s fitness center.

Other work planned for the Lindner Family Tennis Center campus includes a new, six-court indoor facility and the creation of six pickleball and two padel courts on the grounds. Center Court and Grandstand Court will also get a brand-new metal panel ribbon facade, linking the two stadiums together at the heart of the new-look campus.

“When complete, the grounds will feature an increase in green space and trees,” said Kristin Byrd, Design Director and Architect at Gensler, the global architecture, design and planning firm leading the site improvement plan.

“This will be paired with an updated campus aesthetic showcasing clean lines, simple, elegant forms and a fresh, neutral color palette that will beautifully complement the park-like setting.

“Our design team focused on creating an authentic sense of place by incorporating regional building materials, engaging with local artisans and honoring the tournament’s history through layering of art and historical iconography—all with a modern twist.”