Back With a Smash! Odlum Brown VanOpen Brings Professional Tennis Back to the West Coast in 2026

PRESS RELEASE

Western Canada’s Biggest Tennis Event Returns July 26 – August 2, 2026  at Hollyburn Country Club

VANCOUVER – Professional tennis returns to Vancouver next summer as the Odlum Brown VanOpen is back on the global tennis calendar after a four-year hiatus. The combined ATP Challenger 125 event and WTA 125 event takes place from July 26 – Aug. 2, 2026 at the newly renovated Hollyburn Country Club in West Vancouver.

The Odlum Brown VanOpen has long been recognized as Western Canada’s largest and most successful professional tennis tournament. The 2026 event marks a new chapter for the tournament, which has played a pivotal role in the development of both Canadian and international players since its inception in 2002.

“We are thrilled to bring professional tennis of this calibre back to Vancouver,” said Odlum Brown VanOpen Tournament Chair Carlota Lee. “Our tournament has always held a special place for players who love competing here and for fans who get to experience top-level tennis in an intimate, energetic setting. It’s a magical feeling and we’re confident the 2026 event will be something special.”

The 2026 event also introduces Carolyn de Voest as the new tournament co-chair, joining the leadership team alongside Lee and Tournament Director Rik de Voest. The tournament aims to elevate both the on-court competition and the overall player experience.

“Over the past few months, I’ve been constantly asked, ‘When is the Odlum Brown VanOpen coming back?’ or ‘Will the tournament be back in 2026?’” said Rik de Voest, a former ATP player and Odlum Brown VanOpen champion. “It’s a clear reflection of the incredible interest, support, and excitement this event brings to Vancouver’s tennis community. I’m thrilled to say we are officially back in 2026!”

With the tournament back on the tennis calendar, Odlum Brown continues its long-standing partnership as title partner for the event. “The Odlum Brown VanOpen represents excellence, integrity and community – values that resonate with us deeply,” said Odlum Brown President and CEO Trevor Short. “This tournament is a point of pride for the city and for Canadian tennis, and we’re excited to help bring world-class tennis back to the Lower Mainland and Vancouver.”

The return of the event comes amid a surge in Canadian tennis success, highlighted by recent standout performances from US Open semifinalist and current World No. 10 Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Vicky Mboko, who won the National Bank Open in August. As a 20-year-old in 2022, current World No. 42 Gabriel Diallo advanced to the second round at the Odlum Brown VanOpen.

“Canadian tennis is thriving, and having Vancouver back on the professional circuit adds even more meaningful depth to our national landscape,” said Tennis Canada CEO Gavin Ziv. “The Odlum Brown VanOpen has always been a special event – one that connects elite competition with passionate fans and reinforces the strength of tennis from coast to coast. Events like this one are crucial to the development of a first-class tennis ecosystem and competitive pipeline. They play a critical role in player development by providing an opportunity for valuable match experience, WTA and ATP rankings points, and strengthening a structured pathway which aligns with our vision of developing the next generation of global champions.”

The Odlum Brown VanOpen has served as a springboard for many stars over the years, including Auger-Aliassime, World No. 4 Taylor Fritz, and World No. 20 Tommy Paul on the men’s side. On the women’s side, four of the WTA’s current top 10 players (No. 5 Jessica Pegula, No. 6 Elena Rybakina, No. 7 Madison Keys, and No. 8 Jasmine Paolini) graced the courts at Hollyburn Country Club as part of their ascension to the top of the sport.

About the Odlum Brown VanOpen

The Odlum Brown VanOpen is Western Canada’s largest and most celebrated tennis event. It offers $450,000 USD in prize money and provides players with the opportunity to gain valuable world-ranking points on both the ATP Tour and WTA Tour. It annually attracts 130 international and professional players from over 35 countries. Milos Raonic, Maria Sharapova, Andy Murray, Leylah Fernandez, Johanna Konta, Kevin Anderson, Eugenie Bouchard, Vasek Pospisil, Madison Keys, Marion Bartoli, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Bianca Andreescu, Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Naomi Osaka, and Karolina Pliskova are among the top stars who began their careers at the Odlum Brown VanOpen.

About the ATP Challenger Tour

It all starts here. The ATP Challenger Tour is the launchpad of men’s professional tennis, featuring close to 215 tournaments across more than 40 countries each season. At this level, players develop their skills and earn valuable experience against strong competition, while fighting for critical points and prize money, all with the collective goal of progressing onto the ATP Tour. Since it was founded in 1978, the ATP Challenger Tour has been an intense battleground on a global stage, providing fans the opportunity to witness world class tennis and follow the journeys of the stars of tomorrow as they launch their professional careers. Live stream the action throughout the year via Challenger TV on www.ATPTour.com.

About the WTA

The WTA is the original game-changer for women’s sport. Founded in 1973 by the visionary Billie Jean King, the WTA was created to build equal opportunities for women in tennis, and we’ve been breaking boundaries ever since. Today we are the powerhouse of women’s professional sports, uniting athletes in fearless competition and bringing people together through the love of tennis. The Hologic WTA Tour shares the thrill of every serve, rally and match point with an audience of more than one billion around the world. Players compete for PIF WTA ranking points in tournament arenas on six continents before the season hits its peak at the WTA Finals, where the best singles and doubles superstars battle to be crowned as year-end champions. Our ambitions go well beyond the court. We are champions for our 1,600 incredible athletes and drivers of change through advocacy and action for women’s health and empowerment across the globe. Rally the world: wtatennis.com

Photo: (left to right): Rik de Voest (Tournament Director, Odlum Brown VanOpen), Carlota Lee (Tournament Chair, Odlum Brown VanOpen), Trevor Short (President and CEO, Odlum Brown) and Gavin Ziv (CEO, Tennis Canada) at the Tennis BC Hub in Richmond, BC, ahead of the announcement of the return of the Odlum Brown VanOpen in 2026.