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Let’s start with what makes the Miami Open so special. This is an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event, meaning the absolute best players in the world have to be there. The tournament is held at Hard Rock Stadium after over $500 million was spent transforming it into a tennis paradise with 29 courts, plus food and entertainment facilities that make it feel more like a festival than a tennis match.
Picture this: a 14,000 seat center court designed for the ultimate fan experience. You’re not just watching tennis. You’re part of an experience with South Florida energy, Miami vibes, and a festival atmosphere. New for 2026, Multi Session Packages give fans more flexibility than ever, with options from full week access to shorter packages.
The experience goes way beyond the matches. Practice courts get you up close with your favorite players. Ground passes let you bounce around to different courts and catch multiple matches. The food scene is incredible, from Caribbean cuisine to upscale dining. Day sessions have that relaxed vibe while night sessions bring the party. This is where tennis culture meets Miami culture.
The Legacy: Queens Held Court Here
Althea Gibson kisses the cup she was rewarded with after having won the French International Tennis Championships in Paris. Getty Images
In 1999, Richard Williams watched his daughters Venus and Serena face off in a final for the first time. Two unapologetically Black athletes who arrived like an earthquake that shook the foundation of tennis, proving they belonged on the biggest stages.
But legacy of black tennis goes back even further. Althea Gibson broke barriers in 1950 when she became the first African American to compete in the U.S. Nationals at age 23, eventually winning 11 Grand Slam events. She paved the way for everything that came after. Every Black player on a professional court today walks a path that Althea Gibson cleared.
Today: A Record-Breaking Wave of Black Tennis Stars Set to Play
If you think the Williams era was special, wait until you see what’s happening right now heading into 2026. A record number of US Black players are set to play this year, with a record number in the world top ten rankings. A first in the sport’s open era history which began in 1968.
Coco Gauff at 21 years old has already won 11 career singles titles, including two Grand Slams: the 2023 US Open and the 2025 French Open. She became the first American to reach three WTA 1000 finals in a calendar year since Serena Williams in 2014. Gauff was named the highest paid female athlete of 2023, earning more than $16 million in endorsements alone. She’s winning on and off the court!
Frances Tiafoe reached the US Open semifinals in both 2022 and 2024, defeating 22 time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in 2022. He described his 2023 quarterfinal match against fellow Black American Ben Shelton as a monumental moment, saying two people of color playing in the quarterfinals on Arthur Ashe is huge.
Ben Shelton became a household name at the 2023 US Open, with his serve clocking 149 mph, becoming the youngest American man to reach a major semifinal in three decades. His iconic phone celebration went viral, making him one of the most entertaining athletes in the world.
The Numbers Tell the Story
Thanks to players like Coco Gauff and Frances Tiafoe, Black participation in tennis increased by 26% in 2024. That’s 662,000 more Black people who picked up a tennis racket.
That’s the Williams Effect. That’s the Gauff Effect. That’s our effect.
When kids see themselves represented at the highest levels of a sport, they believe it’s possible for them too. That’s not just inspiration. That’s transformation.
We’re living in a golden age of Black tennis, and the 2026 Miami Open is where it’s all happening. Review the official Black Professionals Guide to Miami Open and join Afro Tennis Club for their signature lineup of events –
Included Experiences:
- March 19 – Baseline Connection Mixer with Black Professionals Network, here
- March 20 – Miami Open Day 1 — Afro Tennis Club Lounge Experience
- March 21 – Miami Open Day 2 — Center Court & Grounds Access
- March 21 – Exclusive Yacht Party Experience
- March 22 – Afro Tennis Club Tennis Clinic (Weekend Finale)
Let’s make Miami Open 2026 unforgettable together!