Sports

Tennis in Chennai: SDAT Stadium, Chennai Opens and Where to Play

The WTA 250 Chennai Open is back at Nungambakkam from 2 to 8 November. The stadium, February's ATP Challenger and the routes for Chennai players.

19 October 2026

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Updated 2026-10-29, 2:05 AM

The WTA 250 Chennai Open returns to the SDAT Tennis Stadium in Nungambakkam from 2 to 8 November 2026, with players from the world’s top 100 expected and electronic line calling used on all three match courts for the first time, according to the organisers’ press release. The state government has put ₹10 crore into the event, with the rest raised from sponsors, after a meeting between Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) president Vijay Amritraj, The Bridge reported.

It is the second year running for the women’s event and its third staging in Chennai. The same stadium hosted the men’s ATP Challenger in February. Here is what happens at Nungambakkam through the year, and where ordinary players fit in.

The SDAT Tennis Stadium

The stadium, on the edge of Nungambakkam’s Lake Area, is owned by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. The state’s 2024-25 sports policy note gives it seating for up to 7,000, with one centre court and six practice courts, all synthetic and floodlit. It has been the home of the Chennai Open since the first edition in 1997, the note says.

For the 2025 women’s event, the government allocated ₹12 crore to cover prize money, licence fees and stadium renovation, Indian Tennis Daily reported. That year was also the TNTA’s centenary. Only the North Stand, named after Amritraj, has a roof, which matters during a monsoon-season tournament.

The two Chennai Opens

Event	2026 dates	Level	Notes
Coromandel Chennai Open (men)	9-15 February	ATP Challenger 50	US$63,000 prize money; free entry
Chennai Open (women)	2-8 November	WTA 250	₹10 crore state support

February’s Challenger had a 32-player singles draw and free entry for spectators all week, according to the tournament preview. Portugal’s Frederico Ferreira Silva won his first Challenger singles title, beating Argentina’s Federico Agustin Gomez 6-4, 6-7(10), 6-4 in the final on 15 February, Indian Tennis Daily reported. Top seeds Niki Kaliyanda Poonacha and Pruchya Isaro took the doubles.

For the November event, the press release does not give ticket details. Watch the TNTA’s and the tournament’s official channels, and buy only through the platform they name. In 2025, Centre Court play started at 4:30 pm each day, with outside courts from 4 pm on weekdays, so evening sessions are the norm.

Playing tennis in Chennai

The Nungambakkam courts are mainly a competition and training venue, but there are ways for residents to play:

SDAT courts. SDAT venues, including the tennis stadium, are open to members through its online membership and stadia booking services. The 2024-25 note lists both as available online. Check court timings and fees with the venue office or on sdat.tn.gov.in, and expect closures during tournaments.
Coaching for juniors. Tennis is one of the Olympic sports SDAT covers in its Centres of Excellence, which take young players through trials each April or May. Talented juniors can also move into ranking tournaments run under the All India Tennis Association (AITA), the national body to which TNTA is affiliated.
Clubs and academies. Many Chennai clubs and private academies have courts and coaches, often the most practical choice for adults and weekend players.
Watching to learn. Qualifying rounds at both Opens are a cheap or free way to see professional tennis up close.

For a young player, the usual path is coaching at an academy or SDAT centre, then AITA registration and junior ranking events. Many of those events are hosted in Chennai, including at the SDAT stadium.

Quick answers

When is the WTA Chennai Open 2026?

From 2 to 8 November 2026 at the SDAT Tennis Stadium, Nungambakkam.

Who organises the Chennai Open?

The Tamil Nadu Tennis Association, with the WTA and licence holder Octagon, and support from the state government.

Was the ATP Challenger free to watch?

Yes. Entry for spectators at the February 2026 Coromandel Chennai Open was free all week.

Can the public play at the SDAT Tennis Stadium?

Access is through SDAT membership and booking. Check availability, as courts close for tournaments.

Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.