Frisco's Grand Slam: Hosting the Upgraded 500-Level Dallas Open

For a city of its size, Frisco is certainly winning some of the battles in competing for events on the grand stage. We are growing, and so are the organizations that choose us as their destination of choice. From February 1-9, 2025, we will proudly host the Dallas Open, for the first time.

The tournament, originally held in New York, relocated to Dallas in 2022, where it played at SMU (Southern Methodist University) for three years. Its ranking also got an upgrade. Previously a 250 ATP-ranked (Association of Tennis Professionals) tournament, it is now being elevated to a 500 level.

This means international tennis of this scale will arrive in Frisco for the first time. It signifies a more prestigious event with a larger prize pool and more ranking points awarded to the winners. In turn, bigger names will be attracted to the event, which requires a bigger venue.

As Sports City USA, Frisco is ready and waiting to host at Ford Center at The Star, a joint venture arrangement between the Dallas Cowboys and GF Entertainment. The facility houses a seating capacity of approximately 6,000 spectators, more court space, and a facility that can deliver an all-round professional and memorable fan experience.

Well known as the World Headquarters, home, and practice facility of the Dallas Cowboys, Ford Center was always meant to be a multi-sport facility, a vision and goal from the start.

Speaking at a recent Frisco Chamber of Commerce event, Peter Lebedevs, EVP, Tennis and Tournament Director Dallas Open describes the move to Frisco and future plans, “This event is not just a one-and-done event either. It’s a five-year relationship and partnership with the Dallas Cowboys to host at The Star, and the goal is to build the event and experience to be the best 500 event in the world.”

The Dallas Open will be the only ATP indoor championship in the U.S., featuring top-ranked tennis stars in both singles and doubles competition.

Lebedevs also explained how Frisco was selected from 17 other worldwide cities for the upgrade, “For context, we were in the running with the likes of Rio de Janeiro, Hamburg, London, Munich, Dubai, and Toyko, to name just a few.”

Integral Isner

John Isner, a former Top 10 international player and now a North Texas resident, was instrumental in bringing the tournament to Dallas and then to Frisco. He is the current Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Dallas Open and is excited about the future of tennis in this region. Originally from North Carolina, he now resides in Dallas with his family.

The appetite for tennis in North Texas is exciting, according to Isner, who emphasizes that professional tennis needs to return to Dallas. Ticket sales have always been strong, and now even more people will have the chance to experience this great sport live, providing a fantastic showcase for both the sport and the city.

He recalls his 18 years touring the world playing professional tennis, mainly around the Grand Slams, and agrees that the experiences can be fantastic for visitors. This unique venue will allow people to be close to the athletes, enhancing the overall fan experience. Ticketholders will not only enjoy the tournament but also have the chance to enjoy other aspects of the city and opportunities such as suite visits with players and creating memorable moments.

The Dallas Open will feature players representing 20 countries, bringing an international flavor to the event. Notably, Casper Ruud was one of the first top European/International players announced to compete, providing excellent exposure for brands and showcasing Frisco and Dallas. Viewers will also be tuning in from 180 countries around the world.

A full draw of 32 players means top competitors will be playing from day one, ensuring action-packed matches throughout the week.

Isner highlights that American men's tennis is currently very strong, with five players ranked inside the Top 20. The tournament will focus on top seeds, with eight players obtaining seeds, and it’s expected that many of the Top 20 players in the world will participate for years to come. Isner has also expressed a goal to ideally attract a Top 3 player, such as Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner, to participate in the tournament in 2026 or 2027.

Ford Center at The Star, which houses the venue, offers ultimate convenience, given the location of the attached Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star, for easy transition of players to the tournament. Since the practice courts are in the venue, no additional travel is required, and excellent restaurants, entertainment, and amenities are on its doorstep in The Star District Entertainment area.

Engaging the Community

Another important aspect to note is that Frisco Independent School District is recognized as a powerhouse in tennis. The Dallas Open organizers are focused on creating connections for local school students interested in the sport, encouraging young aspiring players to watch the tournament. They intend to create ways for engagement, like warming up alongside professional athletes and providing invaluable learning experiences for those who hope to play at the collegiate or professional levels.

Additionally, companies who are passionate about inspiring opportunities for children in tennis will be involved with meet-and-greet time for youth in the Cowboys Club and on the court.

Relationships will be developed between the players and the tournament, working with organizations such as USTA (United States Tennis Association) Texas, the Dallas Tennis Association, and TCD (Tennis Competitors of Dallas).

Already, many great names have confirmed to play at the event – including four of the top 20 players in today’s ATP rankings – Taylor Fritz, Francis Tiafoe, Tommy Paul (last year’s winner), along with European Casper Rudd. In addition, two legends of the women’s game Martina Hingis and Kim Clijsters will open the tournament on February 1st with the Women’s Classic and a three-set singles game.

More names will be added to the roster in early January so stay tuned and follow Dallas Open social channels.

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