The Memphis Classic: Coming July 2026!
Professional women’s tennis returns to Memphis this summer with the Memphis Classic, a WTA 250 tournament at Leftwich Tennis Center. The event features a custom-built stadium, premium seating and hospitality experiences, and eight days of elite competition. Image: Facebook
Memphis is serving up plenty of fun this summer with the return of the Memphis Classic at Leftwich Tennis Center! Taking place July 25 through August 2, the WTA 250 tournament is part of the WTA Tour’s U.S. summer hard-court season and will bring world-class women’s tennis back to the Mid-South. Organizers recently released first-look renderings of the temporary stadium, along with plans for custom touches designed to make the fan experience even better. And honestly? We’re already ready to grab a courtside seat.
Meant to be one of the largest sporting events in Memphis this year, the return of elite women’s tennis to the 901 is a major win for the city’s sports and entertainment landscape. Taking place at the start of the U.S. summer hard-court season, the tournament will feature eight days of premium-level matches while showcasing what organizers hope will be a world-class atmosphere unique to Memphis.
“The Memphis Classic will deliver eight days of elite competition, creating new opportunities for fans, partners, and the community to connect with the global game,” says Tournament Director Sam Duvall of Topnotch Management.
The temporary stadium buildout at Leftwich Tennis Center will include seating for more than 2,000 spectators, along with premium hospitality experiences such as VIP suites, end-court suites, and exclusive courtside boxes.
This increased capacity offers a more intimate atmosphere, high energy, and closer seats to the action. The buildout is part of a long-term goal to cement Memphis as a “must-stop” on the professional tennis circuit, and it’s well on its way!
“Memphis knows pro tennis, and we are so excited to bring it back. No pun intended, but it really was a perfect match,” says Sam. “We chose this market for many reasons, one of which is how great a facility Leftwich is. It’s a perfect foundation with practice courts and plenty of room for hospitality, and from there we’ll construct our custom-built grandstand stadium for the matches themselves.”
Along with the stadium reveal, The Memphis Classic launched a limited-time “First Come, First Served” premium ticket deposit program.
Courtside box and premium tickets are now on sale, with weekend-long options for tennis matches that include perks like priority access for next year’s tickets, VIP lounge access, appetizers and snacks, and much more. Tickets go on sale May 20, and the player draw will be announced four weeks before the tournament.
For longtime tennis fans in Memphis, the tournament (operated by Topnotch Management in partnership with Tennis Memphis and a coalition of civic and corporate partners) marks the highly anticipated return of professional women’s tennis to the Bluff City.
Tennis Memphis is also involved in expanding the sport citywide. This local organization offers year-round tennis and educational programming for kids and adults through after-school programs, free clinics, outreach and inclusion efforts, and USTA programming.
It’s one of only 10 organizations nationwide selected as a USTA Community Impact Hub and currently manages seven City of Memphis public tennis centers, including Leftwich Tennis Center, where the Memphis Classic will take place.
“Across the eight days of exhibitions and programming (which includes both a Kids Day and College Night), attendees can expect local vendors and partners, from food and beverage to live entertainment,” Sam tells us. “Volunteers are also invited to submit their interest now to support guest services, credentials, and even ball persons on the court.”
See you in August!
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Ariel Taranski
Ariel's been writing professionally for over a decade, with a passion for travel, pets, good food, and a great book. She's lived in Memphis for over half of her life, a transplant from Florida and Southern through-and-through.