2026 National Bank Open Toronto (WTA) Schedule: A Comprehensive Guide
The 2026 National Bank Open presented by Rogers is one of the most exciting events on the women’s professional tennis calendar. As a prestigious WTA 1000 event, this tournament brings the world’s best female tennis players to Toronto, Canada. Fans will watch stars fight for valuable ranking points and a huge prize pool. For 2026, the tournament uses an expanded 12-day format. This lets tennis fans see even more intense action at Sobeys Stadium.
Planning your viewing schedule is very important, whether you are visiting the stadium in person or watching from home. This complete guide provides the full tournament schedule, key times, details on how to get to the stadium, and a time conversion table for major cities around the world.
Please Read: WTA Toronto 2026: National Bank Open Entry List & Star Matchups
1. Understanding the New 12-Day Tournament Format
The National Bank Open used to be a traditional one-week tournament. Now, it features a 12-day main draw schedule. This expansion matches the tournament with other top-tier WTA 1000 events like Madrid, Rome, and Indian Wells.
Why the 12-Day Format Changes Things
- More Match Opportunities: With a 96-player singles draw, the expanded schedule spaces out the early rounds. This means top players do not have to play matches on back-to-back days in the beginning, keeping them fresh and raising the quality of tennis.
- Day and Evening Sessions: The tournament splits most days into distinct Day Sessions and Evening Sessions. Ticket holders can choose between soaking up the afternoon sun or enjoying the intense energy of night matches under the stadium lights.
- First-Round Byes: The top 32 seeded players receive a first-round bye. They sit out the first two days of main draw play and start their tournament journeys during the second-round matches on Tuesday, August 4, and Wednesday, August 5.
2. Official 2026 National Bank Open Toronto Schedule
The tournament begins on Saturday, August 1, 2026, with the qualifying rounds and runs until the final on Thursday, August 13, 2026. The matches take place across multiple courts, but the main action is on Centre Court and the Grandstand Court.
The table below shows the complete daily schedule, including gate opening times and match start times. All times listed in this section are in local Eastern Time (EDT).
Master Tournament Schedule Table
| Date & Session | Round | Gates Open | Centre Court Start | Grandstand Court Start |
| Sat. August 1 (Day) | Qualifying | 10:00 AM | N/A | TBA |
| Sun. August 2 (Day) | 1st Round | 10:00 AM | 12:30 PM | 11:00 AM |
| Sun. August 2 (Evening) | 1st Round | 5:00 PM | 6:30 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Mon. August 3 (Day) | 1st Round | 10:00 AM | 12:30 PM | 11:00 AM |
| Mon. August 3 (Evening) | 1st Round | 5:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Tue. August 4 (Day) | 2nd Round | 10:00 AM | 12:30 PM | 11:00 AM |
| Tue. August 4 (Evening) | 2nd Round | 5:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Wed. August 5 (Day) | 2nd Round | 10:00 AM | 12:30 PM | 11:00 AM |
| Wed. August 5 (Evening) | 2nd Round | 5:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Thu. August 6 (Day) | 3rd Round | 10:00 AM | 12:30 PM | 12:30 PM |
| Thu. August 6 (Evening) | 3rd Round | 5:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Fri. August 7 (Day) | 3rd Round | 10:00 AM | 12:30 PM | 12:30 PM |
| Fri. August 7 (Evening) | 3rd Round | 5:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Sat. August 8 (Day) | Round of 16 | 11:00 AM | 12:30 PM | 12:30 PM |
| Sat. August 8 (Evening) | Round of 16 | 5:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 6:00 PM |
| Sun. August 9 (Day) | Round of 16 | 11:00 AM | 12:30 PM | 12:30 PM |
| Sun. August 9 (Evening) | Round of 16 | 5:00 PM | 7:00 PM | N/A |
| Mon. August 10 (Evening) | Quarter-finals | 4:00 PM | 7:00 PM | 4:30 PM |
| Tue. August 11 (Evening) | Quarter-finals | 4:30 PM | 7:00 PM | 5:00 PM |
| Wed. August 12 (Evening) | Semi-finals | 4:30 PM | 7:00 PM | 5:00 PM |
| Thu. August 13 (Evening) | Finals | 2:30 PM | 3:30 PM | N/A |
(Note: The schedule is subject to change depending on weather conditions and match lengths.)
3. Global Time Conversion Guide for International Fans
Because the National Bank Open is a global tournament with fans all over the world, keeping track of the local Toronto time (Eastern Daylight Time, or EDT) can be tricky. Toronto is 4 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-4) in August.
To help you watch your favorite players live, here is a comprehensive time conversion guide for major cities across Europe, Asia, and Australia.
Key Session Match Start Times (Toronto Local Time – EDT)
- Early Day Start (Grandstand): 11:00 AM EDT
- Main Day Start (Centre Court): 12:30 PM EDT
- Evening Session Start (Centre Court): 7:00 PM EDT
- Championship Final Start (Centre Court): 3:30 PM EDT
Time Conversion Table for Major Cities
| Global Region | City | 11:00 AM Toronto | 12:30 PM Toronto | 7:00 PM Toronto | 3:30 PM Toronto | Time Difference vs Toronto |
| United Kingdom | London | 4:00 PM | 5:30 PM | 12:00 AM (Next Day) | 8:30 PM | +5 Hours (BST) |
| Western Europe | Madrid, Paris, Berlin, Rome, Copenhagen, Vienna, Basel, Prague | 5:00 PM | 6:30 PM | 1:00 AM (Next Day) | 9:30 PM | +6 Hours (CEST) |
| Eastern Europe | Warsaw, Kiev | 6:00 PM | 7:30 PM | 2:00 AM (Next Day) | 10:30 PM | +7 Hours (EEST) |
| Middle East / West Asia | Istanbul, Moscow, Doha | 6:00 PM | 7:30 PM | 2:00 AM (Next Day) | 10:30 PM | +7 Hours (EEST / MSK) |
| Middle East (Gulf) | Dubai | 7:00 PM | 8:30 PM | 3:00 AM (Next Day) | 11:30 PM | +8 Hours (GST) |
| South Asia | New Delhi | 8:30 PM | 10:00 PM | 4:30 AM (Next Day) | 1:00 AM (Next Day) | +9.5 Hours (IST) |
| Southeast Asia | Jakarta, Bangkok, Hanoi | 10:00 PM | 11:30 PM | 6:00 AM (Next Day) | 2:30 AM (Next Day) | +11 Hours (WIB / ICT) |
| East Asia & SE Asia | Beijing, Singapore, Manila | 11:00 PM | 12:30 AM (Next Day) | 7:00 AM (Next Day) | 3:30 AM (Next Day) | +12 Hours (CST / SGT) |
| East Asia | Seoul, Tokyo | 12:00 AM (Next Day) | 1:30 AM (Next Day) | 8:00 AM (Next Day) | 4:30 AM (Next Day) | +13 Hours (KST / JST) |
| Australia (West) | Perth | 11:00 PM | 12:30 AM (Next Day) | 7:00 AM (Next Day) | 3:30 AM (Next Day) | +12 Hours (AWST) |
| Australia (Central) | Adelaide, Darwin | 12:30 AM (Next Day) | 2:00 AM (Next Day) | 8:30 AM (Next Day) | 5:00 AM (Next Day) | +13.5 Hours (ACST) |
| Australia (East) | Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart | 1:00 AM (Next Day) | 2:30 AM (Next Day) | 9:00 AM (Next Day) | 5:30 AM (Next Day) | +14 Hours (AEST) |
4. Attending the Event: Sobeys Stadium Visitor Guide
If you are lucky enough to watch the tournament in person, you will head to Sobeys Stadium. The venue is located at 1 Shoreham Drive and sits on the campus of York University in North Toronto. The venue spans over 15 acres and has plenty of amenities, but you need to plan your trip ahead of time to avoid transit delays.
Getting to the Stadium via Public Transit (TTC)
Taking the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) subway is the easiest way to travel to the stadium.
- Subway Station: Take Subway Line 1 (Yonge-University) northbound toward Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. Get off at Pioneer Village station.
- The Walk: From Pioneer Village station, it is a short, scenic 8-minute walk directly to the stadium gates.
- Bus Alternatives: If you are coming by bus, routes 106, 108, and 960 stop very close to the university grounds and stadium entrance.
- Important Note: The “TTC Free Ride Home” promotion used during past tournaments is no longer available. Make sure your Presto card or contactless payment option has enough funds for a two-way trip.
Ride-Sharing and Taxis
If you choose to use an Uber, Lyft, or a standard city taxi, there is a designated zone for pickups and drop-offs. Instruct your driver to head to the roundabout on Arboretum Lane, which sits just northeast of Sobeys Stadium. This prevents heavy traffic blockages on the main roads surrounding the stadium.
Cycling to the Event
For eco-friendly fans, cycling to York University is very convenient. There are several secure bike racks spread across the York University campus within easy walking distance of the stadium. Additionally, you can find public bike racks right at the Pioneer Village subway station entrance.
Driving and Parking Information
If you plan to drive, you can reach the stadium from several major highways. Follow these route tips depending on your direction:
- From Highway 407: Take the Keele Street exit and drive south. Turn right onto Steeles Avenue (York University campus will appear on your left) and follow the official tournament signs.
- From Highway 401: Take Highway 401 to Highway 400 Northbound. Exit at Steeles Avenue and drive east. The campus will be on your right side.
- From Highway 400 (Southbound): Take the exit for Highway 7 East, then turn right onto Jane Street heading south. Turn left onto Steeles Avenue.
Before driving, check your digital or physical ticket entry to confirm if parking is included and see which designated lot you are assigned to. Sobeys Stadium utilizes several distinct parking zones, and some require pre-approved passes:
- Paid Parking Lot: Open to the general public, no special pass required.
- Lot A & Accessible Parking: Strict pass required at the gate.
- Lot B, Lot F, and Lot V: Administrative and corporate pass required.
5. Key Highlights and What to Watch For Each Day
To help you decide which tickets to buy or which days to stream online, here is a breakdown of what makes each phase of the tournament special.
The Opening Weekend (August 1 – August 2)
The opening weekend is great for hardcore tennis fans. Saturday features the qualifying matches, where lower-ranked pros fight for a spot in the main bracket. Tickets for qualifying days are usually very affordable, and you can get close to the action. On Sunday, the first round of the main draw kicks off, meaning you will see world-class tennis right away.
Mid-Week Star Debuts (August 4 – August 5)
Tuesday and Wednesday are when the tournament really takes off. Since the top 32 seeds receive a first-round bye, these are the days when the superstars play their first matches. If you want to see the top seeds play, buying a ticket for these days gives you a great chance to see multiple star players across the grounds.
The Big Weekend and Eliminators (August 7 – August 9)
By the second Friday and weekend, the field thins out. The third round and the Round of 16 bring incredible matchups where top-20 players face off early. The matches get longer and the crowds get louder, making this a highly energetic time to visit Sobeys Stadium.
The Final Push (August 10 – August 13)
The tournament wraps up with an exciting layout:
- Monday & Tuesday (Quarter-finals): The final eight players battle in high-stakes evening sessions.
- Wednesday (Semi-finals): The final four players compete for a spot in the championship match.
- Thursday (The Finals): The final evening session sees the last two players fight for the prestigious National Bank Open trophy. Gates open early at 2:30 PM, and the championship match starts at 3:30 PM.
Make sure to bookmark this guide, set your clocks to the correct time zone, and enjoy one of the best weeks of the tennis year!