Tennis Internationals, 220,000 tickets sold

"Italia tennis starts again from the Foro Italico and from the legacy left to us by Nicola Pietrangeli, the greatest champion of the first century of our Federation's life, who distinguished Italia tennis in the world by representing the values on which to base first its rebirth and then its success". This was how Fitp president Angelo Binaghi opened the press conference presenting the Internazionali BNL d'Italia 2026, scheduled from 28 April to 17 May, by dedicating an emotional memory to the former tennis player who passed away last December. The event, organised by the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation in association with Sport and Health, with the support of the Minister of Sport and Youths, the Lazio Region, Roma Capitale and title sponsor Bnl Bnp Paribas, a Fitp partner for 20 years, continues to grow, driven by the successes of Italian tennis and an evolution that makes it increasingly attractive and with an economic impact on the territory of around 900 million. "Today marks the beginning of a new era in which we are starting from a very solid base," Binaghi recalled. "In terms of ticket sales, we are still above last year's level, we have already sold over 220 thousand tickets. And we want to exceed 400 thousand. We are confronted with the limited capacity of the Centrale, waiting for an enlarged Centrale starting in 2028'.

The 2026 edition will have several novelties included in the broader project of developing the Foro Italico as a modern multifunctional sports centre. The players will compete on 21 courts (19 at the Foro Italico and 2 on the Lungotevere) gathered around three poles: the Central Court, which will remain the beating heart and symbol of the tournament; the Grand Stand Arena, renamed the BNP Paribas Arena, located in the area of the Stadio dei Marmi, with a capacity increased to over 7,000 spectators; and the SuperTennis Arena, next to the former Youth Hostel, designed with a polygonal architecture to bring the public closer to the game.

The restyling project of the area has been supported with a total investment of about 160 million, and includes the recovery of the historical surfaces, the replacement of large asphalt areas with natural paving, the increase of equipped green spaces, and the creation of new areas dedicated to fitness, relaxation, and study, to make the Foro Italico an increasingly usable place throughout the year, also thanks to improved connections with the city. The Stadio dei Marmi has been enhanced with a new museum itinerary dedicated to Italia sport.

"Those who will experience the Internazionali d'Italia tennis tournament 2026 - confirms Marco Mezzaroma, President of Sport and Health - will be welcomed by a renovated site. The Foro Italico will present itself this year with twenty-one courts spread over 20 hectares, the evocative arena completely redesigned inside the Stadio dei Marmi "Pietro Mennea" and that with its over 7,000 guarantees about 12,000 more spectators overall than last year, and the new SuperTennis Arena. Everything is part of the broader project of redevelopment of the Foro Italico Park with a 160 million investment, 5.6 hectares of reclaimed greenery, restored mosaic surfaces and new spaces for sports. The crowning achievement of this will be the new Central Stadium, whose works will start in June and which, thanks to the roofing and the enlargement of its capacity, will transform it into a multifunctional and active place all year round. Not forgetting the Stadio dei Marmi 'Pietro Mennea', which from the summer will be fully available to citizens again, turning into a playground with free access'.