Your guide to world-class tennis at the Cincinnati Open

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MASON, Ohio (WXIX) - The Cincinnati Open returns for its 127th year bringing the biggest names in tennis to Mason, Ohio.

From champions, like Serena and Venus Williams, to Cincinnati’s very own standouts, such as JJ Wolf and Vignesh Gogineni, this year’s tournament will bring crowds from all over to watch world-class tennis.

Here is what tennis fans need to know before they head to the tournament.

Where is the Cincinnati Open?

Unlike its name, the Cincinnati Open is not actually in the Queen City. It is in Mason at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.

The tournament originated in 1899 at the Avondale Athletic Club, which is now Xavier University.

After bouncing around different host venues and going through a few name changes, the tournament has remained at Lindner Family Tennis Center since 1979. It even returned to its original name, the Cincinnati Open, in 2024.

When is the Cincinnati Open?

The 127th-annual event showcases ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 tournaments from Aug. 11-23.

On Aug. 8-9, people are invited to come to the tennis center for Community Weekend, a family-friendly two-day celebration full of events to get locals excited for the Cincinnati Open.

What does the Cincinnati Open schedule look like?

There are 23 sessions for the Cincinnati Open spread across 13 days.

Fans should note the times they are allowed to access the facility. Day session tickets will not be accepted after 5 p.m. and night session tickets will not be accepted before 5 p.m.

This schedule is subject to change.

• Tuesday, Aug. 11
  • Session 1: Qualifying Round starting at 10:30 a.m. | Gates open at 9 a.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 12
  • Session 2: Qualifying Round starting at 11 a.m. | Gates open at 9:30 a.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 13
  • Session 3: First Round starting at 11 a.m. | Gates open at 9:30 a.m.
  • Session 4: First Round starting at 7 p.m. | Gates open at 5 p.m.
• Friday, Aug. 14
  • Session 5: First Round starting at 11 a.m. | Gates open at 9:30 a.m.
  • Session 6: First Round starting at 7 p.m. | Gates open at 5 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 15
  • Session 7: First Round & Second Round starting at 11 a.m. | Gates open at 9:30 a.m.
  • Session 8: Second Round starting at 7 p.m. | Gates open at 5 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 16
  • Session 9: Second Round starting at 11 a.m. | Gates open at 9:30 a.m.
  • Session 10: Second Round starting at 7 p.m. | Gates open at 5 p.m.
• Monday, Aug. 17
  • Session 11: Third Round starting at 11 a.m. | Gates open at 9:30 a.m.
  • Session 12: Third Round starting at 7 p.m. | Gates open at 5 p.m.
• Tuesday, Aug. 18
  • Session 13: Third Round starting at 11 a.m. | Gates open at 9:30 a.m.
  • Session 14: Third Round starting at 7 p.m. | Gates open at 5 p.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 19
  • Session 15: Round of 16 starting at 11 a.m. | Gates open at 9:30 a.m.
  • Session 16: Round of 16 starting at 7 p.m. | Gates open at 5 p.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 20
  • Session 17: Quarterfinals starting at 11 a.m. | Gates open at 9:30 a.m.
  • Session 18: Quarterfinals starting at 7 p.m. | Gates open at 5 p.m.
• Friday, Aug. 21
  • Session 19: Quarterfinals starting at 11 a.m. | Gates open at 9:30 a.m.
  • Session 20: Quarterfinals starting at 7 p.m. | Gates open at 5 p.m.
• Saturday, Aug. 22
  • Session 21: Semifinals starting at 11 a.m. | Gates open at 9:30 a.m.
  • Session 22: Semifinals starting at 6 p.m. | Gates open at 4:30 p.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 23
  • Session 23: Finals starting at 2 p.m. | Gates open at noon.

Featured ATP and WTA players in the tournament include:

• No. 1: Jannik Sinner (Italy) - ATP
• No. 3: Alexander Zverev (Germany) - ATP
• No. 10: Ben Shelton (U.S.) - ATP
• No. 1: Aryna Sabalenka - WTA
• No. 3: Jessica Pegula (U.S.) - WTA
• No. 4: Coco Gauff (U.S.) - WTA

Find out if your favorite tennis player is still in the tournament here.

Where can fans buy tickets?

Fans can buy tickets on Cincinnati Open’s website.

Options include grounds passes, single sessions and ticket packages for qualifying, first, second and third rounds, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.

Ticket prices vary.

Where should fans park?

Fans have the option to park in designated lots that are free or to pay for a premium parking pass (now sold-out).

Free, public parking is located off of Kings Mills Road before Courseview Drive. A shuttle service is offered from the parking lot to the venue.

Folks who bought parking passes will park in either the South, North, East or Diamond lots depending on what the parking pass says.

A designated rideshare zone is located next to Gate E near the East Lot.

Is there a bag policy?

Backpacks and bags larger than 12″x18″x15″ are prohibited, even if they are clear.

Bags 12″x18″x15″ or smaller are permitted, along with single strap totes and medically necessary bags, such as a diaper bag.

Unopened clear plastic water bottles or empty reusable water bottles are allowed as well. Both can be up to 33.5 ounces or 1 liter.

Other items fans cannot bring to the tournament:

• Firearms and weapons
• Selfie sticks
• Drones
• Hoverboards, skateboards, segways or any motorized vehicle not meant for medical needs
• Food, unless for an infant
• Flags or banners larger than 18″x18″
• Professional video cameras or recording devices (unless media)
• Personal cameras, video cameras or recording devices larger than 4″x14″x8″ (unless media)
• Tennis racquets
• Animals, except service animals

Shopping & vendors at the Cincinnati Open

Beat the line at the Cincinnati Open store by checking out the online catalog.

Major brands like Stanley, Lululemon and Under Armour, can all be found with and without Cincinnati Open branding in-store.

As for food, fans should come hungry to the tournament because there is a plethora of local food and beverage vendors:

• 50 West
• Alfio’s Buon Cibo
• Ben’s Pretzels
• Bibibop
• Bru Brothers
• Chicken Salad Chick
• Dobel Tequila
• Fresca Hard Court Bar
• Fusako
• Graeter’s
• Greenwich Pita
• Jeff Ruby’s Steakhouse
• Kim Crawford Wine Garden
• LaRosa’s Pizzeria
• Lobsta Bakes of Maine
• Mazunte
• Playa Bowls
• Rhinegeist
• Skyline Chili
• Sun Cruiser Legends Bar
• Twisted Greek
• Verde

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