Holding the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was always clearly a money-grab for the WTA. No high-end events were held in the country until recently, and the way the nation has treated females for centuries is iffy. Still, tennis organizations often see the money and make decisions based on that.
Of course, the Finals could still return to Saudi Arabia, but they won't be held there in 2026. Due to the United States-Iran war (there is a current ceasefire, but one can read into that what they will), the last tournament on the WTA schedule will change from Riyadh to Indian Wells in November.
This is a win for all involved, except for maybe the tour itself. Whatever money is changed due to the event move isn't yet known, of course, but the players might be happier working in the cool climate in California than in the relative heat, even in November, of Riyadh (it gets to be more than 80 degrees Fahrenheit in the city in the autumn).
WTA Finals switching from Saudi Arabia to Indian Wells for 2026
The WTA did have a three-year deal to hold the finals in Saudi Arabia, but clearly had an out if the organization felt the players might be unsafe. One might wonder how safe the players would feel in the country in general, but the money was big enough that any real concerns were likely diminished. The WTA had already decided not to renew their agreement with Saudi Arabia after 2026.
Thankfully, the money should remain the same at Indian Wells, one of the best tennis facilities anyone will find. The local tennis fans are passionate and love the sport. It's much more than a gimmicky event at the venue, and fans will arrive who are knowledgeable about what helps a player beat another.
Money has a way of changing everything, of course, but especially sports. What gets lost is the magic that the fans and sport have, and tennis fans are as vocal in their support of their favorite sport as any others are about theirs. Holding the WTA Finals, at least temporarily, in Indian Wells is brilliant.
After 2026, a change of venue might occur. According to reporter Ben Rothenberg, Gdansk, Poland, has submitted a bid for the event. One might wonder if Poland, and its proximity to the Ukraine-Russia war, has the same issues that Saudi Arabia has. Ultimately, though, warm might have had less to do with what the WTA is doing with its final event of the year than how the organization is viewed.
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