The world number one trained at the Foro Italico, the 2026 edition will be record-breaking with a billion in economic impact and in 2028 the Centrale will be covered
It will be an edition of the Italian tennis internationals very rich from all points of view. Not only for the prize money that the competing tennis players will share, but also and above all for the proceeds, sponsors and TV rights which in recent years have grown enormously, hand in hand with the Tennis Federation which for the first time closed the annual budget (that of 2025) in front of the football federation, which has always been the richest. There were 243 million in turnover from the tennis movement which in recent years has produced a generation of champions of the highest level and triumphs in the biggest tournaments in the world at both a men’s and women’s level in addition to the successes of our national team in the Davis Cup and the Billye Jean King Cup.
Continuous growth
THEThe prize money of the Roman tournament has risen to 8.23 million eurosanother indicator of the health of the event in which a total of 96 players (ATP) and 96 players (WTA) will compete in more than 300 matches. Over one million euros will go to the winner of the men’s singles and the winner of the women’s singles, while the doubles will award more than 400 thousand euros. The increase in sponsors in addition to the loyalty of historical ones (BNP Paribas is in its twentieth year) is another demonstration of the growth of the movement: the economic impact on the territory grows year after year, multiplied by media coverage that reaches over 50 countries and 220 territories. Last year was estimated by Boston Consulting Group in approximately 900 million euros between direct, indirect and induced effects, with a benefit for the tax authorities of approximately 150 million. The 2026 edition aims to beat this record, approaching or even exceeding one billion of impact on the territory, as well as that of the tickets sold. In the 2025 edition, 394 thousand were sold, the forecast for 2026 is one growth of around ten percent despite the high prices, but still in line with those of major international tournaments, especially for the semi-final and final matches.
Coverage in 2028
In Rome we always rely on good weather, but it seems a bit anachronistic that a tournament of this level (and which wants to grow further until it enters the Slams) still doesn’t have a covered court. The 2026 edition will be played on 21 fields (19 at the Foro Italico and 2 on the Lungotevere) distributed over 20 hectares, with three main centers: the Central, the Grand Stand Arenacompletely redesigned and renamed for 2026 BNP Paribas Arenain the area of the Stadio dei Marmi, which with its over 7 thousand seats guarantees around 12 thousand more spectators overall compared to last year; and the SuperTennis Arena, located next to the former Youth Hostel. But it will have to wait until 2028 to see the roof of the power plant completed which will become a multi-purpose structure that can be used all year round, hoping that there will be no delays in the works, which are scheduled to begin in June.
Sinner’s words
Jannik Sinner’s first day at the Foro Italico began with the press conference followed by training. “It’s wonderful to return to Rome. Last year I was out for three months, I felt a lot of affection. The tiredness? In Madrid I felt that I had recovered during the tournament, then I didn’t do anything for three days, neither tennis nor the gym. It was the right thing and after Rome I hope to be ready for Paris“. Carlos Alcaraz will not be there. “Carlos has qualities that no one has at the moment, when he is at his best it is impossible to keep up with him, I am a very consistent tennis player. I’m trying to give my best, for me it doesn’t matter if I’m number one, two or three because every match starts from scratch. Carlos was unlucky, if he were there it would be different.” Panatta said that in addition to playing tennis he also enjoyed himself… “Of course I enjoy myself besides tennis, but I’m trying to be the best tennis player for myself. My determination and my life are always aimed at doing better. Then I also want to have fun, maybe I do it a little less. Maybe you don’t know what they look like in the end. In these two days I played golf and football, everyone has fun as they want.” On the controversy with the organizers of the Slams over the prize money, Sinner clarifies: “There is a continuous dialogue between us players and the Slams. We are in a moment where women and men are united to demand more respect. We have been silent for too long and it’s time to talk. We know that the Slams are more prestigious and we care about it, now they are giving us too little. The boycott? I think we have to start somewhere. And I would understand if some players decided to boycott.”
