From Midwest Classic to World-Class Venue: Cincinnati’s $260M Transformation

The Cincinnati Open has always stood as a beloved beacon of tennis in the Midwest. Still, with one of the most ambitious venue renovations in recent memory, it’s now stepping into a bold new era. Here’s what’s changed—and what it really means for fans, players, and the tournament’s future.

 A Bold New Chapter for Cincinnati

A $260 Million Transformation Worth the Wait

Over the course of just 11 months, the Lindner Family Tennis Center undertook a staggering $260 million upgrade to meet the demands of an expanded 96-player draw. The upgrade included doubling the venue’s size to more than 40 acres and adding 14 new courts, bringing the total to 31, highlighting just how significant this overhaul has been.

A Venue That Works for Everyone

This was never just about adding courts. The renovations deliver real, tangible upgrades: a sleek, modern player clubhouse; a 16,000-square-foot fan pavilion loaded with shade and activations; and a 1,400-seat dining area offering 13 restaurants to keep fans fueled and engaged.

From Concrete to a Park-Like Paradise

Touring the venue today is like stepping into an urban oasis. Designers traded in old asphalt for cooler concrete pathways, lawns, and lush greenery—featuring over 42,670 locally grown annuals, almost 14,000 perennials, and hundreds of trees and shrubs. It’s now less a tournament site and more a summer park wrapped around tennis. The tournament’s investment in its facilities and the surrounding communities had made this tournament a great attraction for players, with off-site activities like golf, Reds baseball, and MLS team FC Cincinnati all part of the package.

Tech-Savvy and Fan-Friendly in Equal Measure

State-of-the-art technology now extends everywhere across the grounds. With 101 videoboards, nearly 20,000 fixed seats, hundreds of TVs, expansive Wi-Fi, and misting stations, the entire tournament space has been reimagined as an interactive, comfortable, and immersive fan experience.

Honoring the Community and the Legacy

Despite its grandeur, the renovation honors Cincinnati’s tennis-loving heart. The tournament retains its longstanding Midwest identity, continuing to serve fans from Chicago to Louisville—60% of whom can drive in for a day of world-class tennis. As tournament officials look to the future, this project not only secures the event’s stay but positions it among the most cherished stops on tour.

In short, what was already a top-tier tournament just got a major upgrade—one that blends beauty, technology, and community spirit into an all-new tennis experience.