The Next Gen ATP Finals will return to Italy for the 2026 edition, according to an official announcement from the ATP. The tournament, which showcases the top eight qualified 20-and-under players of the season, is scheduled to take place from December 9 to December 13, 2026, in Reggio de Calabre.
Tournament Format and Innovation History
Established in 2017, the Next Gen ATP Finals serves as a testing ground for experimental rules and high-tempo broadcast innovations designed to attract younger demographics while preserving traditional fan engagement. Matches are contested on a singles-only court using a shortened format: first-to-four-game sets with a tie-break at three-all, best-of-five sets, and no-ad scoring. Additional rule variations include electronic line-calling via Hawk-Eye Live, a no-let rule, player coaching, and a free-movement policy allowing spectators to enter and exit the stadium freely during play.
The event spans five days, opening with two round-robin groups before moving into the semi-finals and final. In 2024, the tournament modified its qualification criteria to feature players 20-and-under instead of the previous 21-and-under restriction. The event was not played in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Past Champions and Evolution of the Event
The tournament has a history of launching rising stars. Hyeon Chung claimed the inaugural title in 2017 at Fiera Milano by defeating Andrey Rublev. Subsequent champions include Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2018—who went on to win the 2019 Nitto ATP Finals crown twelve months later—and Jannik Sinner, who triumphed at the Allianz Cloud in Milan in 2019.
Carlos Alcaraz captured the 2021 crown, finishing his breakthrough year as the youngest player to earn 32 tour-level victories in a year since Andrei Medvedev in 1992. Brandon Nakashima won in 2022, completing an undefeated run in Milan by defeating Jiri Lehecka in the final.
Recent Editions and Global Expansion
In 2023, the tournament took place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Hamad Medjedovic made history there by lifting the trophy as the lowest-ranked champion in tournament history at No. 110, marking the first ATP Tour-sanctioned event held on Saudi Arabian soil. Joao Fonseca secured the 2024 title in Jeddah without losing a match, earning a tournament-record $526,480 in prize money and becoming the second-youngest champion in tournament history. Most recently, Learner Tien captured the title in Jeddah, joining Tsitsipas and Alcaraz as the third top seed to capture the title.
What Comes Next
With the 2026 tournament awarded to Reggio de Calabre, the ATP will release further details regarding ticket sales, venue specifications, and qualification standings as the 2026 season progresses. Fans and analysts can track official updates through the ATP Tour portal as the race to qualify for Southern Italy heats up.
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