In a first, wheelchair tennis tourney to be held alongside Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open

The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is returning to the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, from 31 January to 7 February 2026 – offering one of the most family-friendly experiences on the sporting calendar.

This year’s Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open will host a wheelchair tennis invitational tournament for the first time, featuring singles, doubles and mixed doubles competitions, with matches scheduled for Thursday (5 February), Friday (6 February) and Saturday (7 February) afternoon.

Beyond the on-court action, wheelchair tennis athletes will lead coaching clinics for both coaches and people of determination, encouraging wider participation in the sport.

From wheelchair tennis and the Road to MADO programme to the vibrant Tennis Village and dedicated Family Day, the week-long tournament brings together sport, culture and community in a way that makes it the perfect outing for families – whether or not they are tennis fans.

While the WTA 500 tournament will once again feature elite athletes and top-level competition, the event has grown into a fun day out for all ages, with activities and entertainment that go far beyond the court.

The week-long tournament brings together sport, culture and community in a way that makes it the perfect outing for families – whether or not they’re tennis fans. Some key nuggets of information:

The first day is free!

On Saturday January 31, the very first day of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, the event is completely free to attend for all ages!

This is an incredible way to get children excited by the sport and see some of the world’s top players compete for a place in the next round. Saturday will also feature the Draw Ceremony, taking place live on the Village Stage, with a top WTA player in attendance as the first-round match-ups are announced.

Kids also go free from Monday 2nd till Wednesday 4th February.

Expanded programme of activities at the Tennis Village

This year’s Tennis Village will offer more to see and do than ever before, with a packed programme of activities for fans of all ages. Visitors can enjoy everything from the Ball in Your Court activation and Baseline Arts workshops, to a Community Art Wall inspired by renowned Emirati artist Mariam Al Obeidli.

The Village will also feature family favourites like Giant Jenga, 4 in a Row, traditional board games, Plinko and the Grand Slam Arcade.

Younger fans can explore the dedicated Kids’ Play Area, while sports enthusiasts can test their skills at the Serve n’ Strike Wall, Tennis Swing Station, Skill Games, Basketball Clinics, and more – making it the most interactive Tennis Village to date. Collect stamps in the Mubadala Village passport to win prizes for completing all activities.

Elite line-up of tennis stars

The 2026 Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open field features a compelling blend of Grand Slam champions, Olympic medallists and the sport’s most exciting emerging talent.

Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion and World No. 5, headlines a stacked field joined by defending champion Belinda Bencic and Spanish favourite Paula Badosa. Rising Canadian star Victoria Mboko and Filipino trailblazer Alexandra Eala add fresh excitement, while Grand Slam winners Barbora Krejcikova and Marketa Vondrousova bring proven major pedigree.

Road to MADO Playoffs

The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open is celebrating the next generation of tennis talent through the Road to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, a Mubadala-supported grassroots programme giving young players across the UAE the chance to compete, develop, and earn a place in finals played alongside the pros.

Youngsters compete across multiple age groups in sanctioned events held in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah, with points contributing to both UAE Tennis Federation rankings and the Road to MADO leaderboard. Top performers advance through playoffs, with finalists taking to the courts during tournament week.

As a key pillar of the event’s community and legacy efforts, the programme also offers standout juniors the chance to win all-expenses-paid training experiences at Ferrero Academy, the home of Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz.