The Canadian Open Tennis is not just another stop on the summer hard-court calendar. With a history dating back to 1881, it is one of the oldest tournaments in professional tennis and a major test for players preparing for the US Open.
Today, the tournament is officially known as the National Bank Open presented by Rogers. Its unique format sees Toronto and Montreal alternate hosting the men’s and women’s events, bringing the world’s leading players to Canada every year.
In 2026, the women competed in Toronto while the men played in Montreal. Iga Swiatek captured the women’s singles title, while Ben Shelton successfully defended his men’s title.
What Is the Canadian Open Tennis Tournament?
The Canadian Open is an elite professional tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts in Canada.
It is part of the ATP Masters 1000 series on the men’s tour and the WTA 1000 series on the women’s tour. That makes it one of the most important events immediately before the US Open hard-court swing reaches its climax.
The tournament has a particularly unusual identity because the men’s and women’s competitions are hosted in different Canadian cities in alternating years.
| Feature | Canadian Open |
|---|---|
| Official name | National Bank Open presented by Rogers |
| Founded | 1881 |
| Surface | Outdoor hard court |
| Men’s level | ATP Masters 1000 |
| Women’s level | WTA 1000 |
| 2026 women’s venue | Toronto |
| 2026 men’s venue | Montreal |
| Singles draw | 96 players |
| Doubles draw | 32 teams |
| Main-draw format | 12 days |
| Singles winner points | 1,000 |
The tournament’s 96-player singles draws and expanded 12-day format give fans substantially more action than the traditional seven-day Masters/WTA 1000 structure.
Canadian Open Tennis 2026
The 2026 edition was particularly interesting because both singles champions successfully created their own piece of tournament history.
| 2026 Detail | Women’s Event | Men’s Event |
|---|---|---|
| City | Toronto | Montreal |
| Venue | Sobeys Stadium | IGA Stadium |
| Dates | Aug. 2–13 | Aug. 2–13 |
| Level | WTA 1000 | ATP Masters 1000 |
| Surface | Hard | Hard |
| Singles champion | Iga Swiatek | Ben Shelton |
| Singles finalist | Elena Rybakina | Brandon Nakashima |
| Final score | 6–2, 6–3 | 6–3, 7–6(4) |
The women’s event was held at Toronto’s Sobeys Stadium, which can accommodate 12,500 tennis fans, while Montreal’s IGA Stadium has capacity for approximately 11,500.
When Is the Canadian Open Tennis Played?
The Canadian Open is traditionally positioned during the summer North American hard-court season.
In 2026, the main draw ran from August 2 through August 13 in both Toronto and Montreal. The schedule was expanded to 12 days, giving players and spectators more time for matches and tournament activities.
This timing is important because the Canadian Open sits between major events on the hard-court calendar and serves as an important preparation opportunity for the US Open.
Players must quickly adapt to the conditions, manage their physical workload and build momentum without exhausting themselves before the final Grand Slam of the season.
Toronto or Montreal: Where Is the Canadian Open?
This is one of the most common questions about the tournament.
The answer is: both cities — but not for the same tour every year.
Toronto and Montreal alternate hosting the men’s and women’s competitions.
In 2026:
- Toronto hosted the WTA 1000 women’s tournament
- Montreal hosted the ATP Masters 1000 men’s tournament
The following year, the arrangement switches. This alternating structure is one of the defining characteristics of the Canadian Open.
Canadian Open Venues
Sobeys Stadium — Toronto
Toronto hosts the women’s event in even-numbered years under the current rotation.
IGA Stadium — Montreal
Montreal hosts the men’s event in even-numbered years under the current rotation.
The venues create very different tournament atmospheres, but both provide the outdoor hard-court conditions that define the Canadian summer swing.
Who Won the Canadian Open Tennis 2026?
The 2026 singles champions were Iga Swiatek in Toronto and Ben Shelton in Montreal.
Iga Swiatek Wins Toronto
Swiatek defeated Elena Rybakina 6–2, 6–3 in the women’s final.
The victory gave Swiatek her first title of the 2026 season and her 12th WTA 1000 title. It also ended a title drought that had stretched back to her victory in Seoul the previous September.
Her route to the championship was particularly impressive because she defeated four Top-20 opponents during the tournament: Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina, Diana Shnaider and Marta Kostyuk.
The final itself was far more one-sided than the players’ previous meetings might have suggested. Swiatek took control early, breaking Rybakina in the opening game and eventually closing out the match in 75 minutes.
Ben Shelton Defends Montreal Title
On the men’s side, Ben Shelton defeated Brandon Nakashima 6–3, 7–6(4) to successfully defend his Canadian Open title.
Shelton’s victory was significant because he became only the fifth player in ATP Masters 1000 history to win the Canadian event in consecutive years, joining Andre Agassi, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
He also completed his Montreal campaign without dropping a set.
The doubles title went to Brazil’s Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos, who defeated Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic in the final. It was the Brazilian pair’s first ATP Masters 1000 title.
Why Is the Canadian Open So Important?
The Canadian Open occupies a special place on the tennis calendar for several reasons.
1. It Has More Than 140 Years of History
The tournament was first held in 1881, making it the third-oldest active tennis tournament, behind Wimbledon and the US Open according to the National Bank Open.
That history connects modern stars with generations of tennis legends.
Past champions include:
- Björn Borg
- Ivan Lendl
- John McEnroe
- Andre Agassi
- Roger Federer
- Rafael Nadal
- Novak Djokovic
- Serena Williams
- Iga Swiatek
- Ben Shelton
Ivan Lendl holds the men’s singles record with six Canadian Open titles.
2. It Is a Masters-Level Tournament
Winning the Canadian Open is much more significant than winning a standard tour-level event.
The men’s tournament is an ATP Masters 1000 event, while the women’s tournament is a WTA 1000 event.
A singles champion earns 1,000 ranking points, which can have a substantial impact on the rankings and season race.
3. It Attracts Grand Slam Champions
The field regularly contains the biggest names in tennis.
The 2026 Toronto field included players such as Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva, Naomi Osaka and Elina Svitolina.
That depth is part of what makes the Canadian Open difficult to win.
How Does the Canadian Open Format Work?
The Canadian Open uses a 96-player singles draw and a 32-team doubles draw.
For singles:
- 96 players enter the main draw.
- 76 receive direct entry based on rankings.
- 12 qualify through qualifying rounds.
- 8 receive wild cards.
- 32 seeded players receive first-round byes.
- Singles matches are best of three sets.
- It is a single-elimination tournament.
Once a player loses a singles match, their tournament is over.
That means a champion must survive multiple rounds against world-class opposition while managing fatigue, travel and changing match conditions.
How Many Ranking Points Does the Canadian Open Winner Get?
The singles champion receives 1,000 ranking points.
That is the same basic points value associated with the winner of other Masters 1000/WTA 1000 events.
For players chasing a higher ranking, qualifying for the year-end championships or protecting their position near the top of the rankings, those points can be extremely valuable.
The 2026 Toronto women’s tournament also had $7,433,076 in total prize money, with the singles champion allocated $1,085,220.
The 2026 Montreal men’s event had a reported total prize-money pool of $9,415,725, with $1,151,420 going to the singles champion.
Canadian Open Tennis History
The tournament’s roots go back to 1881, long before the modern ATP and WTA Tours existed.
Over the decades, the event evolved through different eras, surfaces and tournament structures.
One fascinating part of its history is the move between Canadian cities.
The tournament eventually established the tradition of alternating between Toronto and Montreal. The men’s event has produced champions from many different generations, while the women’s side has featured legends including Serena Williams, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf and more recent champions such as Serena Williams, Simona Halep, Jessica Pegula and Iga Swiatek.
The event was also played on clay before switching to hard courts in the late 1970s. The National Bank Open notes that the tournament moved from clay to concrete in 1979.
Most Successful Canadian Open Men’s Singles Champion
Ivan Lendl holds the men’s singles record with six titles.
His Canadian Open success became one of the defining parts of the tournament’s history.
Lendl won in Canada six times and became the first man to lift the trophy in Montreal when the event began its alternating-city tradition there in 1981.
Other historic multiple champions include Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, both of whom have enjoyed memorable Canadian Open runs.
Canadian Players to Watch
Although international stars dominate the headlines, the Canadian Open carries special importance for homegrown players.
Canada has produced major modern tennis stars including:
- Félix Auger-Aliassime
- Denis Shapovalov
- Bianca Andreescu
- Leylah Fernandez
- Victoria Mboko
- Gabriel Diallo
The home crowd can create a different atmosphere when Canadian players enter the court.
Victoria Mboko’s 2025 breakthrough was especially memorable. She became the third Canadian woman in the Open Era to win the National Bank Open, following Faye Urban in 1969 and Bianca Andreescu in 2019.
Canadian Open vs US Open: What’s the Difference?
The two tournaments are both played on hard courts, but they have very different status.
| Feature | Canadian Open | US Open |
|---|---|---|
| Level | ATP/WTA 1000 | Grand Slam |
| Location | Canada | New York |
| Surface | Outdoor hard | Outdoor hard |
| Singles draw | 96 | 128 |
| Winner points | 1,000 | 2,000 |
| Duration | 12-day main draw | Longer Grand Slam format |
| Importance | Major warm-up/event | Grand Slam |
The Canadian Open is therefore an important tournament, but it is not a Grand Slam.
Its position immediately before the US Open makes it particularly interesting because fans get an early look at which players are finding their hard-court rhythm.
What Makes the Canadian Open Different?
The tournament has something most major tennis events cannot easily replicate: two cities, one championship tradition.
One year, fans in Toronto get the women’s stars while Montreal welcomes the men’s field. The next year, the roles reverse.
That creates a unique Canadian tennis culture and gives both cities the opportunity to host the sport’s biggest stars.
It also means the tournament can feel different from year to year depending on which tour is playing in each city.
FAQs
Is the Canadian Open a Grand Slam?
No. The Canadian Open is an ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 tournament, not a Grand Slam.
What is the Canadian Open called now?
Its official name is the National Bank Open presented by Rogers.
Where was the Canadian Open played in 2026?
The women’s event was played in Toronto, while the men’s event was held in Montreal.
Who won the Canadian Open in 2026?
Iga Swiatek won the women’s singles title in Toronto, defeating Elena Rybakina 6–2, 6–3. Ben Shelton won the men’s singles title in Montreal, defeating Brandon Nakashima 6–3, 7–6(4).
How many ranking points does the winner receive?
The singles champion receives 1,000 ranking points.
Is the Canadian Open played on grass?
No. The modern Canadian Open is played on outdoor hard courts.
When was the Canadian Open first played?
The tournament dates back to 1881.
Does Toronto host the men’s Canadian Open every year?
No. Toronto and Montreal alternate hosting the men’s and women’s tournaments.
Final Thoughts
The Canadian Open Tennis is one of the sport’s most historic and important events outside the four Grand Slams. Its combination of 140-plus years of history, Masters-level competition, world-class players and hard-court timing makes it one of the most interesting tournaments of the summer.
The 2026 edition added another memorable chapter: Iga Swiatek won Toronto for her first title of the season, while Ben Shelton defended his Montreal crown.
For tennis fans, the Canadian Open is more than a US Open warm-up. It is a tournament with its own identity, its own history and a tradition that continues to connect the legends of the past with the stars of today’s game.
Daniel Brooks is a sports writer at SportsOrbitX.com, specializing in football, basketball and global sports news. He focuses on delivering accurate reporting, match analysis and timely updates that keep fans informed.