The Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open returns to Abu Dhabi from Saturday, 31 January 2026 to Saturday, 7 February 2026 with eight days of WTA 500 women’s tennis. The venue is Zayed Sports City International Tennis Centre, Al Rawdah W57, Abu Dhabi, UAE, with general public entry typically routed via Gate 6. For venue support, call 02 403 4200, and for the International Tennis Centre directly, call 02 403 4222. Abu Dhabi Sports Council’s contact centre also lists +971 2 408 8999 for general enquiries. Daily site hours vary by round, and the published schedule starts at 10:00am on Saturday and Sunday before shifting later on key match days, so plan around first-match times rather than arrival at the last minute.
An eight-day story that builds to finals weekend
This tournament has quickly become a signature winter week in the capital, and it blends elite tennis with a festival-style fan village that keeps the atmosphere lively between matches. You can watch qualifiers, main-draw battles, and championship rounds without changing venues, which makes it easy to plan a return visit. The 2026 line-up announcements highlight a strong mix of champions and rising talent, so you can expect contrasting styles and quick momentum swings. If you want the most dramatic tennis, target Thursday, 5 February 2026 to Saturday, 7 February 2026, when the quarter-finals, semi-finals, and finals bring the sharpest intensity. (Suitable for couples, suitable for solo, family-friendly on selected days.)
Headliners and new-wave talent in the 2026 field
The tournament’s early headline list includes Belinda Bencic, Elena Rybakina, and Paula Badosa, each bringing a different kind of big-match presence to Stadium Court. Meanwhile, the organisers also spotlight next-generation names such as Victoria Mboko, Alexandra Eala, and Clara Tauson, which adds an exciting “breakthrough” edge to the draw. In addition, the wider field talk includes major-title pedigree and deep top-level experience, which can produce high-quality matches well before finals weekend. Player participation can still shift due to fitness and tour scheduling, so treat the line-up as a strong indication rather than a fixed promise.
Family Day, child access, and the best time windows
Saturday, 31 January 2026 doubles as Family Day, and the organisers list it as free access for all ages, which makes it the easiest day to try the event without committing to a ticket. From Sunday, 1 February 2026 to Wednesday, 4 February 2026, the organisers list free access for children under 12, which turns the early rounds into a practical family outing. If you bring children, arrive earlier in the day, because it’s easier to settle, explore the village, and still catch tennis without rushing. Meanwhile, adults who prefer a calmer vibe often find weekday mornings and early afternoons more comfortable than late-day peak arrivals. (Family-friendly during the free-access window, suitable for couples, suitable for solo.)
A clear day-by-day plan for tennis fans
On Saturday, 31 January 2026, the published schedule runs 10:00am to 10:00pm, with the first match at 11:00am, and it focuses on qualifying rounds, so it’s ideal for relaxed exploration and discovering future stars. On Sunday, 1 February 2026, the schedule again shows 10:00am to 10:00pm, first match 11:00am, and it blends qualifying plus the start of the main draw, which often delivers a fun mix of styles. On Monday, 2 February 2026, the site window shifts to 10:30am to 9:00pm, first match 11:00am, and it moves into the main draw rhythm that rewards longer stays. On Tuesday, 3 February 2026 and Wednesday, 4 February 2026, the schedule continues around 10:30am starts, and the tennis sharpens into Round of 16, so you can see higher stakes without paying finals-weekend demand. On Thursday, 5 February 2026, quarter-finals arrive with a 10:30am to 9:00pm window, and the atmosphere often feels noticeably more intense. On Friday, 6 February 2026, the schedule shifts later to 3:00pm to 10:00pm, first match 4:00pm, because semi-finals shape the championship weekend story. On Saturday, 7 February 2026, finals day lists 12:30pm to 8:00pm, first match 2:30pm, so you should arrive earlier than you think if you want smoother parking and entry. Match times can still adjust for broadcast and court flow, so keep your arrival flexible.
Tickets, value passes, and premium options
Adult tickets are advertised from approximately AED 25 on the official ticketing channel, so the event stays accessible even if you only want a single day. For multi-day value, the organisers list a Weekly Pass covering the early rounds, with Category 2 at AED 90 and Category 1 at AED 165, valid through Saturday, 31 January 2026 to Wednesday, 4 February 2026. For finals-weekend focus, the organisers list a Finals Pass with Category 2 at AED 176 and Category 1 at AED 536, valid Thursday, 5 February 2026 to Saturday, 7 February 2026. If you want a premium experience, the tournament also promotes Courtside Hospitality that bundles courtside seating with a hospitality lounge and parking support, which can simplify the day when demand peaks. Use PLATINUM LIST for ticket purchase, and treat all pricing as approximately, because fees and inventory can change close to match week.
Getting there from Dubai, Al Ain, and across Abu Dhabi
Zayed Sports City sits off Airport Road in the Al Mushrif area, so the drive is simple, yet traffic can still tighten around peak match arrivals. From Dubai, many visitors follow the Abu Dhabi approach toward the Maqta Bridge area and then route toward Gate 6 for general public entry, so leaving earlier protects your first-match plans. From Al Ain, the access notes often steer drivers toward the Abu Dhabi entry side and then toward Gate 16, which is typically aligned with hospitality routing, so check your ticket category before you commit to a gate. From Abu Dhabi city areas, the route commonly runs along Old Airport Road and then turns toward the sports city access points, so you can keep travel predictable if you avoid last-hour departures. If you come from Sharjah or Ajman, plan the return after the main exit wave, because finals-weekend traffic can compress quickly once the last point ends. (Suitable for couples, suitable for solo, family-friendly on the free days.)
February weather, clothing, traffic, and parking notes
Abu Dhabi’s day-by-day outlook looks comfortable across the tournament, with Saturday, 31 January 2026 around 25°C by day and 16°C at night, then Sunday, 1 February 2026 near 28°C and 16°C, followed by Monday, 2 February 2026 around 29°C and 18°C. Temperatures dip on Tuesday, 3 February 2026 to about 21°C and 12°C, then stay cooler on Wednesday, 4 February 2026 near 21°C and 15°C, before edging back to 23°C and 16°C on Thursday, 5 February 2026 and 22°C and 13°C on Friday, 6 February 2026. Finals day, Saturday, 7 February 2026, looks windy around 26°C and 16°C, so bring a light layer for cooler breezes, especially in shaded seating. Parking at Zayed Sports City is generally available across the complex, yet big-match days still fill the closest areas, so arriving earlier often saves time, and Gate 6 routing can back up during peak windows. The single most important tip is to arrive early on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, because the quarter-finals onward can turn smooth entry into a slow queue. Ticket and door policies can change, so treat prices as approximately and stick to PLATINUM LIST for verified access and updates; according to the on-the-ground checks shared in the editorial style of www.few.ae, the best experience comes from early arrival, a simple gate plan, and one clear “must-see” session each day.
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