The Internazionali BNL d’Italia, commonly known as the Italian Open, returns to Rome’s Foro Italico from 5 to 17 May 2026. This WTA 1000 clay court tournament is one of the most prestigious events on the women’s tour calendar, attracting the world’s best players to the Italian capital. Defending champion Jasmine Paolini will look to retain the title she won so memorably in 2025, while Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff lead a formidable field of contenders.
What is the Italian Open WTA?
The Internazionali BNL d’Italia is a WTA 1000 event, the highest tier of tournament outside the Grand Slams. Played on outdoor clay courts, it forms a key part of the spring clay court swing and serves as one of the final major preparation events before Roland Garros. The women’s singles draw features 64 players competing across two weeks of action, with qualifying rounds followed by the main draw through to the final on the last weekend.
The tournament has been a fixture on the women’s calendar since 1930, making it one of the oldest and most storied events in women’s tennis. It runs alongside the men’s ATP 1000 event at the same venue, creating a combined fortnight of world-class tennis in the heart of Rome.
When is the Italian Open WTA 2026?
The 2026 edition runs from Monday 5 May to Sunday 17 May. The first week covers qualifying and the early rounds of the main draw, with the tournament building towards the quarter-finals and semi-finals in the second week. The women’s singles final is scheduled for the final weekend. Play typically begins from around 10:00 AM local time (CEST), with evening sessions under floodlights on the main courts.
Where is the Italian Open WTA?
The tournament is held at the Foro Italico, a striking sports complex in the north of Rome originally built in the 1920s. The venue’s centrepiece is the Campo Centrale, which seats approximately 10,500 spectators. The complex also includes the Stadio Nicola Pietrangeli (3,500 capacity) and the SuperTennis Arena (3,000 capacity), along with numerous outer courts. In total, the Foro Italico provides 21 tennis courts across the site, nine for matches and 12 for practice. The venue’s marble statues, classical architecture, and views over the Tiber make it one of the most atmospheric settings in world tennis.
Key Contenders
Jasmine Paolini is the defending champion after her historic 2025 triumph, where she defeated Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-2 in the final to become the first Italian woman to win the Rome title in 40 years. Paolini will carry enormous home support as she looks to defend her crown on the clay courts she knows so well.
Aryna Sabalenka arrives in superb form, holding a 23-1 record in 2026 after completing the Sunshine Double at Indian Wells and Miami. She currently leads the WTA rankings and is the player to beat on any surface. Iga Swiatek, a three-time champion in Rome (2021, 2022, 2024), remains a formidable clay court operator despite a somewhat inconsistent 2026 season so far. Coco Gauff, the reigning Roland Garros champion, was the most successful woman on clay in 2025 and will be eager to go one better than her runner-up finish last year.
How to Watch
In the United Kingdom, the Italian Open is broadcast live on Sky Sports Tennis, with coverage typically starting from 10:00 AM BST. Sky Go provides streaming for existing Sky Sports subscribers, while NOW TV offers a Sports Membership for non-subscribers. In the United States, Tennis Channel carries live coverage throughout the tournament, with streaming available via the Tennis Channel app, Fubo, and Sling TV’s Sports Extra package. The men’s draw can also be streamed on Tennis TV. Fans in other markets should check local listings, with the WTA’s broadcast partners providing coverage across Europe, Asia, and Australia.
History and Records
The women’s Italian Open dates back to 1930, making it one of the longest-running tournaments in the sport. Chris Evert holds the record for the most women’s singles titles, winning the event five times between 1974 and 1982. Conchita Martinez won four consecutive titles from 1993 to 1996, while Serena Williams claimed four titles across her career. In more recent years, Iga Swiatek dominated with three titles in four years (2021, 2022, 2024) before Paolini’s breakthrough in 2025. Elena Rybakina interrupted Swiatek’s run with the 2023 title.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the 2026 Italian Open are available through the official tournament ticketing website. Ground passes, which provide access to all courts except the three main stadiums, start from around 70 euros. Day session tickets for the Campo Centrale and other show courts range from approximately 130 to 340 euros depending on the round and seat location. Given the expanded venue capacity of 55,000 across the grounds, there are options at various price points, but later-round tickets for the main courts tend to sell out well in advance. Official tickets can be purchased at ticketing.internazionalibnlditalia.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Italian Open WTA 2026 start?
The tournament begins on Monday 5 May 2026 and runs through to Sunday 17 May 2026.
Where is the Italian Open being held?
The Foro Italico in Rome, Italy.
How can I watch the Italian Open?
Sky Sports Tennis in the UK, Tennis Channel in the US. Streaming is available via Sky Go, NOW TV, Fubo, and the Tennis Channel app.
Who won the Italian Open WTA last year?
Jasmine Paolini won the 2025 title, defeating Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-2 in the final.