The Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell returns to the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona from 13 to 19 April 2026 for the 73rd edition of one of clay court tennis’s most prestigious tournaments. Part of the ATP Tour 500 series, the event formerly known as the Trofeo Conde de Godo attracts a world-class field to Catalonia, with Carlos Alcaraz headlining as the top seed and Denmark’s Holger Rune returning as defending champion.
What is the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell?
The Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell is an ATP 500 clay court tournament held annually in Barcelona, Spain. Founded in 1953 at the initiative of Carlos Godo Valls, 2nd Count of Godo, it is one of the longest-running events on the ATP Tour and a key fixture in the European clay court season, falling between the Monte Carlo Masters and the Madrid Open in the calendar.
The tournament features a 48-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw, played over seven days on outdoor red clay. As an ATP 500 event, it offers significant ranking points and prize money, making it a high-priority stop for top players preparing for the French Open in late May.
When is the Barcelona Open 2026?
The 2026 Barcelona Open runs from Monday 13 April to Sunday 19 April. Qualifying rounds take place on the weekend of 11 to 12 April, with the main draw beginning on Monday. The quarter-finals are scheduled for Friday 17 April, semi-finals on Saturday 18 April, and the singles final on Sunday 19 April. A new addition for 2026 is an evening session on Thursday 16 April, featuring late-afternoon matches under lights.
Where is the Barcelona Open?
The tournament is held at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona, located in the Pedralbes neighbourhood of Barcelona’s Les Corts district. The venue’s centre court, renamed Pista Rafa Nadal in 2017 in honour of the tournament’s most successful player, has a capacity of approximately 7,800 spectators. The Real Club de Tenis Barcelona is one of Spain’s oldest and most historic tennis clubs, and the intimate setting offers close proximity to the action compared with larger ATP venues.
Key Contenders
Top seed Carlos Alcaraz is the clear favourite. The Spaniard, a two-time Barcelona Open champion (2022, 2023), thrives on home clay and will be looking to add a third title in front of an adoring local crowd. Second seed Lorenzo Musetti has shown consistent form on clay, while third seed Alex de Minaur will aim to prove his credentials on the surface. Norway’s Casper Ruud, seeded fifth, is always dangerous on clay, and fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime adds further depth to the draw. Defending champion Holger Rune, who captured the 2025 title, will be determined to retain his crown, though he faces stiff competition from a quality field that also includes Andrey Rublev and home hope Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.
How to Watch
In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports holds the broadcast rights for ATP Tour events, including all ATP 500 tournaments. Viewers can watch live via Sky Sports Tennis or stream through the Sky Go and NOW apps. In the United States, Tennis Channel provides coverage of the Barcelona Open as part of its extensive ATP Tour schedule. Globally, Tennis TV, the ATP’s official streaming platform, offers live coverage of every match in 1080p HD with no advertisements, available via subscription in most territories. In Spain, Movistar Plus typically carries domestic ATP events. Eurosport broadcasts ATP Tour events across much of Europe, including France and Germany.
History and Records
The Barcelona Open was first held in 1953 and originally ran as a combined men’s and women’s event until 1980. The tournament’s history is dominated by Rafael Nadal, who won a record 12 singles titles between 2005 and 2021, a run of dominance virtually unmatched at any single tournament in the Open Era. Beyond Nadal, the winners’ list reads as a who’s who of clay court excellence: Mats Wilander won three consecutive titles from 1982 to 1984, Manuel Orantes and Roy Emerson each claimed three titles, and Bjorn Borg won twice in the 1970s. More recently, Kei Nishikori (2014, 2015) and Carlos Alcaraz (2022, 2023) have each won back-to-back titles, while Holger Rune claimed the 2025 edition. The tournament was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the 2026 Barcelona Open are available through the official tournament website at barcelonaopenbancsabadell.com. The event uses dynamic pricing, meaning ticket prices fluctuate based on demand and availability, so early booking is advisable. With a centre court capacity of just 7,800, sessions often sell out, particularly from the quarter-finals onwards. Hospitality packages are available through ATP Experiences for those seeking a premium matchday experience. Third-party resellers such as Championship Tennis Tours and Tennis Ticketing also offer tickets, though the official site remains the recommended purchasing channel.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Barcelona Open 2026 start?
The main draw begins on Monday 13 April 2026, with qualifying rounds on 11 and 12 April.
Where is the Barcelona Open held?
The tournament takes place at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona in the Pedralbes neighbourhood of Barcelona, Spain.
How can I watch the Barcelona Open?
Sky Sports (UK), Tennis Channel (US), and Tennis TV (global streaming) all provide live coverage.
Who won the Barcelona Open last year?
Holger Rune of Denmark won the 2025 Barcelona Open singles title.