2026 Nexo Dallas Open
February 7 – February 15 UTC-6
The 2026 Nexo Dallas Open marks the dawn of a new era for tennis in Texas. Now officially upgraded to an ATP 500 event, the tournament has evolved from a respected 250-level stop into one of the premier indoor hard-court events on the global calendar.
This year’s edition promises to be the biggest yet, featuring a massive increase in prize money, a star-studded player field, and a return to the spectacular Ford Center at The Star in Frisco. As the only indoor ATP Tour event in the United States, the Dallas Open offers a unique, electrifying atmosphere that blends elite sports with high-end Texas hospitality.
Below is your complete guide to the 2026 tournament, including the provisional schedule, player field analysis, prize money breakdown, and a look back at past champions.
Tournament Fast Facts
| Category | Details |
| Level | ATP 500 (Upgraded from ATP 250) |
| Dates | February 7–15, 2026 |
| Main Draw Size | 28 Singles / 16 Doubles |
| Surface | Indoor Hard (SportMaster) |
| Venue | Ford Center at The Star (Frisco, TX) |
| Total Financial Commitment | ~$2,833,335 USD |
| Defending Champion | Denis Shapovalov (CAN) |
The Venue: A World-Class Stage
The tournament takes place at the Ford Center at The Star, the world corporate headquarters and training facility of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.
The move from the SMU campus (Styslinger/Altec Tennis Complex) to the Ford Center was a game-changer initiated in 2025. The facility transforms a 12,000-seat indoor football stadium into an intimate yet massive tennis arena.
- Capacity: The stadium holds approx. 6,000–12,000 fans for tennis (depending on configuration), triple the capacity of the previous venue.
- Experience: Fans can access “The Star District,” a 91-acre campus filled with dining, shopping, and entertainment options just steps from the court.
- Premium Seating: New options include the Choctaw Club (courtside suites) and the Comfort Loge, offering all-inclusive food and beverages—a standard befitting an ATP 500 event.
2026 Player Field: The Stars Align
Thanks to the ATP 500 upgrade, the 2026 field is arguably the strongest in the tournament’s history. The draw features a heavy concentration of top American talent alongside elite international stars.
The Contenders
- 🇺🇸 Ben Shelton: The explosive American lefty returns as a top seed. Known for his blistering serve and charisma, Shelton thrives in indoor conditions where his power is amplified.
- 🇺🇸 Taylor Fritz: A consistent Top 10 presence, Fritz is looking to add a home-soil ATP 500 title to his resume. His flat, penetrating groundstrokes are perfectly suited for the Ford Center courts.
- 🇳🇴 Casper Ruud: The former World No. 2 and multi-time Grand Slam finalist adds international prestige. Ruud reached the final here in 2025 and will be eager to go one step further this year.
- 🇨🇦 Denis Shapovalov (Defending Champion): The Canadian produced a stunning run in 2025 to lift the trophy. His flashy lefty one-handed backhand makes him a fan favorite in Dallas.
- 🇧🇬 Grigor Dimitrov: One of the most elegant players on tour, Dimitrov’s veteran experience and variety make him a dangerous threat on fast indoor courts.
Other Notable Entrants:
- 🇺🇸 Tommy Paul (2024 Champion)
- 🇪🇸 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
- 🇺🇸 Frances Tiafoe
- 🇺🇸 Learner Tien (Next Gen Star)
Provisional Schedule of Events
Note: Times are subject to change. Check daily orders of play.
- Saturday, Feb 7:
- Qualifying Rounds: 10:00 AM Start.
- “All-American Classic” (Exhibition): 8:00 PM. Featuring legends John McEnroe and Andy Roddick vs. John Isner and Sam Querrey.
- Sunday, Feb 8:
- Qualifying Finals: 12:00 PM Start.
- Kids Weekend: Special activities for families.
- Monday, Feb 9 – Thursday, Feb 12:
- Early Rounds (R32 & R16): Day sessions typically start at 12:00 PM; Night sessions at 7:00 PM.
- Friday, Feb 13:
- Quarterfinals: 12:00 PM and 7:00 PM Sessions.
- Saturday, Feb 14:
- Semifinals: 12:00 PM (Doubles/Singles) and 6:00 PM (Singles Feature).
- Sunday, Feb 15:
- Finals: Doubles Final at 1:00 PM, followed by the Singles Final.
Prize Money & Ranking Points
The jump to ATP 500 status brings a significant financial boost. The total prize money pool exceeds $2.8 million, a sharp increase from the ~$800k offered in the ATP 250 era.
| Result | Points | Prize Money (Est.)* |
| Winner | 500 | ~$516,000 |
| Finalist | 330 | ~$277,000 |
| Semifinalist | 200 | ~$148,000 |
| Quarterfinalist | 100 | ~$75,000 |
| Round of 16 | 50 | ~$40,000 |
| Round of 32 | 0 | ~$22,000 |
*Figures are estimates based on standard ATP 500 distributions and 2025 data; subject to final confirmation by the tournament.
Past Champions (Dallas Era)
The tournament relocated to Dallas in 2022 (previously the New York Open). Since landing in Texas, it has seen a mix of giant servers and agile baseliners lift the trophy.
- 2025: 🇨🇦 Denis Shapovalov def. 🇳🇴 Casper Ruud (6–4, 6–4)
- 2024: 🇺🇸 Tommy Paul def. 🇺🇸 Marcos Giron (7–6, 5–7, 6–3)
- 2023: 🇨🇳 Wu Yibing def. 🇺🇸 John Isner (6–7, 7–6, 7–6)
- History Made: Wu saved 4 championship points to become the first Chinese player to win an ATP Tour title.
- 2022: 🇺🇸 Reilly Opelka def. 🇺🇸 Jenson Brooksby (7–6, 7–6)
Peter Lebedevs
plebedevs@gfsportsandentertainment.com