Hall of Fame Open 2026 Newport: grass-court tennis in the Americas

Cerity Partners Hall of Fame Open 2026

According to the official International Tennis Hall of Fame website, the tournament runs from 5 to 12 July 2026 (Sunday to Sunday) on the grass courts of the Newport Casino, 194 Bellevue Avenue, Newport, RI 02840. Hours: 11:00 am–6:00 pm local time (EDT).

Since 2025, the tournament has shifted category: it is no longer an ATP Tour 250 but an ATP Challenger 125 (men) and WTA 125 (women). The rationale is structural — the post-Wimbledon grass-court slot, when players pivot towards US Open hard-court preparation, no longer attracted enough headline names to justify the higher status. In return, the tournament now hosts two draws (men and women), meaning 62 matches compared to 40 previously. Prize money stands at $225,000 per draw ($450,000 total), with equal pay between men and women — a first at this level, as reported by Tennis.com. For a full overview of the 2026 grass-court calendar, see our summer grass-court guide.

In 2025, the new format delivered on the home-crowd front: Zachary Svajda (ATP Challenger) and Caty McNally (WTA — the first women’s title here since the Virginia Slims of Newport in 1990) were both crowned in front of their home fans.

Highlights

• The only professional grass-court tournament in the Americas, running since 1988
• Entry to the renovated ITHF museum ($12 million, 2025) included with every match ticket
• Wimbledon matches screened live on site (Horseshoe Piazza fan zone)
• Exceptional historic setting: Newport Casino (1880), National Historic Landmark since 1987
• Affordable tickets: from $34/day, 7-day series from $402

International Tennis Hall of Fame (Newport Casino, 1880)

The ITHF museum reopened in May 2025 following a $12 million renovation — the first major overhaul since 2015. Five new galleries were created, including “The Majors” presented by Rolex (an interactive journey through the four Grand Slams narrated by a Roger Federer hologram) and the “Celebration Gallery” featuring an augmented reality “Inspirational Legacies” experience.

Star artefacts on display include Jannik Sinner’s racket (US Open 2024), Maria Sharapova’s outfits (Wimbledon 2004, US Open 2006, Roland-Garros 2012), and Bob and Mike Bryan’s 2012 Olympic gold medals. The building itself is a landmark: designed in 1880 by McKim, Mead & White for press magnate James Gordon Bennett Jr., it hosted the first US National Lawn Tennis Championship on 31 August 1881.

Highlights

• Included with every match ticket (significant added value)
• Immersive Roger Federer hologram in “The Majors (presented by Rolex)”
• 13 grass courts open to the public outside tournament week (book via Pro Shop: +1 401 849-4777)
• National Historic Landmark since 1987: preserved Shingle Style architecture

2026 Induction Ceremony: 27–29 August (separate event, sold out)

It’s worth being clear about the two events: the tournament runs 5–12 July, while the induction ceremony for Roger Federer and broadcaster Mary Carillo takes place 27–29 August 2026 — six weeks later. According to ESPN, all 4,500 named tickets sold out in 2 minutes on 11 February 2026. Secondary market resale is the only remaining option.

The ceremony programme includes: 27 August, “The Tennis Wave” at Bowen’s Wharf and the “Fit for Fame” blazer presentation dinner; 28 August, the Celebrity Pro Classic where Federer will play exhibition doubles with fellow legends (presented by Fidelity Investments); 29 August, the official ceremony on the Horseshoe Court.

Even if you can’t make the ceremony, July’s tournament lets you explore the exact venue where Federer will be honoured, visit the museum that already features his hologram in “The Majors”, and soak up the unique atmosphere of the Newport Casino. The ITHF has 262 inductees from 27 countries since its founding in 1954.

Highlights

• Federer joins the “Class of 2026” — a historic moment: 20 Grand Slams, 310 weeks as world No. 1
• His hologram is already on display in the “The Majors (presented by Rolex)” gallery
• The July tournament immerses you in the exact setting where the ceremony will unfold

Newport: Gilded Age, seafood and historic sailing

Newport (population 24,000, Rhode Island) is often compared to the English Riviera — coastline, waterfront architecture and seafood restaurants that could rival anywhere in Cornwall or Devon. The town built its identity over two centuries of American elite patronage: first the great Gilded Age magnates (Vanderbilt, Belmont, Astor) who erected their “cottages” here (their own word for 70-room mansions), then sailing enthusiasts who made Newport the home of the America’s Cup from 1930 to 1983. To plan your wider New England itinerary, browse our selection of East Coast USA activities on Pixidia.

In July, Newport is in full swing: the Newport Folk Festival (24–26 July at Fort Adams), Newport Jazz Festival (31 July–2 August) and the Newport Classical Music Festival running 2–19 July — almost concurrent with the tennis. History fans will also appreciate Newport’s Franco-American connections: General Rochambeau quartered 6,000 French troops here in 1780–81 before the decisive Yorktown campaign, and the town marks this heritage around 14 July each year.

Not to be missed

• The Cliff Walk (3.5 miles, free): coastal path between the Vanderbilt mansions and the Atlantic, a National Recreation Trail
• The Breakers ($57 adult with another mansion): 70 rooms, Italian Renaissance style, Cornelius Vanderbilt II, 1895
• Bowen’s Wharf and Thames Street: seafood restaurants, terrace bars on the harbour
• The Elms ($25): Newport’s most European mansion, inspired by the Château d’Asnières in France
• Sailing on historic America’s Cup 12-Metre yachts (America’s Cup Charters, from $120/person)

Getting there, accommodation and ESTA

British citizens do not need a visa for the United States but must obtain an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before departure at esta.cbp.dhs.gov: cost $40.27, valid for 2 years, minimum 6 hours before your flight — apply several days ahead to be safe. See our full guide to travelling to the United States from the UK for everything you need to know.

From London: direct flights from Heathrow (LHR) or Gatwick (LGW) to Boston Logan (BOS) with British Airways, Virgin Atlantic and American Airlines. Flight time: approximately 7h30. Return fares: roughly £500–900 depending on how far in advance you book. A closer alternative is TF Green Airport (PVD, Providence, RI) — just 35 minutes from Newport — with fewer transatlantic options but worth checking.

From Boston: the DATTCO bus service runs non-stop from South Station (Dock #12) to the Newport Marriott for $30 (around 2 hours). Once in Newport, the RIPTA Route 67 trolley is free in 2026 (May–October) and serves the ITHF, the mansions, the Cliff Walk and the beaches every 15–20 minutes.

From New York: by car via I-95 North (about 3h15 without traffic, allow 4 hours in summer), or Amtrak to Providence (3h30 from Penn Station) then a connecting ride to Newport (35 minutes by Uber). Parking at the Newport Gateway Center costs around $5/day with the trolley coupon.

Highlights

• Free RIPTA trolley 2026: the whole town accessible without a car during tournament week
• Francis Malbone House Inn: rated 9.8/10, 0.77 miles from the ITHF — ideal for a tournament stay
• Estimated “Match + Weekend” budget: $720–2,800 (3 nights + 2 tournament days + meals), flights excluded
• Peripheral hotels (Middletown, Portsmouth): from $85/night, 10–15 minutes by car