WTA China Open
The China Open 2026 runs from 30 September to 11 October at the China National Tennis Center in Beijing, and it is the last WTA 1000 before the Asian swing turns toward the season-ending championships. With eight places at the WTA Finals still unsettled, Beijing is where most of the qualification maths gets resolved.
When Is the China Open 2026?
| Detail | Info |
| Dates | 30 September – 11 October 2026 |
| Venue | China National Tennis Center, Beijing |
| Main court | Diamond Court (15,000 capacity) |
| Surface | Hard court (outdoor) |
| Category | WTA 1000 — one of ten mandatory events |
| Champion earns | 1,000 ranking points |
Beijing is played over nearly two weeks rather than the single week most WTA 1000s get, which gives the draw a Grand Slam-like rhythm with days off between rounds. The China National Tennis Center has hosted the event since 2009, and its Diamond Court is the biggest show court anywhere on the Asian swing.
What Is at Stake: the Race to the WTA Finals
Beijing is one of the last 1,000-point opportunities of the season, which is why it so often decides the closing places at the WTA Finals. Qualification runs on the Race to the WTA Finals — a season-only table that resets every January, so nothing carries over from last year.
| Pos | Player | Race points |
| 1 | Mirra Andreeva | 4,999 |
| 2 | Aryna Sabalenka | 4,945 |
| 3 | Elena Rybakina | 4,627 |
| 4 | Karolína Muchová | 4,270 |
| 5 | Elina Svitolina | 4,116 |
| 6 | Jessica Pegula | 3,950 |
| 7 | Linda Nosková | 3,674 |
| 8 | Coco Gauff | 3,484 |
Race standings as of 3 August 2026. The top eight qualify. See the live race table — the US Open comes first and will move these numbers.
Two things stand out. Mirra Andreeva leads by just 54 points at the top, and the gap between eighth and ninth is only 209 — close enough that a deep Beijing run could swing the final seat either way.
Who to Watch
2026 has produced a different Grand Slam champion at every major so far, and that spread runs through the whole field. Aryna Sabalenka completed the Sunshine Double at Indian Wells and Miami, Elena Rybakina won the Australian Open, Mirra Andreeva took Roland-Garros at 19 and Linda Nosková won Wimbledon. Elina Svitolina added the Italian Open.
Beijing rewards players who can sustain a fortnight rather than a week, and the two-week format historically favours the top seeds — there are fewer of the back-to-back match days that produce upsets at the one-week 1000s.
The Asian Swing
Beijing opens the run that decides the season. The Wuhan Open follows from 12 October, and the WTA Finals close things out from 8 to 15 November at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden — a change of venue for this edition. For the men, the equivalent stretch runs through Shanghai and Paris into the Race to Turin.
How to Watch the China Open 2026
In the UK, WTA 1000 coverage is on Sky Sports Tennis and available through NOW passes. Beijing’s time zone puts most matches in the UK morning and early afternoon. Our full tennis live streaming guide has the detail.
FAQ
China Open 2026 FAQs
When is the China Open 2026?
From 30 September to 11 October 2026 at the China National Tennis Center in Beijing.
What level is the China Open?
It is a WTA 1000, one of the ten mandatory events at that tier. The champion earns 1,000 ranking points.
Why does Beijing matter for the WTA Finals?
It is one of the last big points opportunities of the season, so it usually settles the closing places in the Race to the WTA Finals.
How long does the China Open last?
Close to two weeks, which is longer than most WTA 1000s. That gives the draw rest days between rounds and tends to favour the top seeds.
More Coverage
- China Open hub — dates, venue and qualification context
- Race to the WTA Finals — the live qualification table
- Wuhan Open — next on the Asian swing, from 12 October
- WTA Finals 2026 — Indian Wells, 8–15 November
- WTA rankings · ATP rankings
- Every tournament we cover · 2026 tennis calendar