National Bank Open 2026: TennisFest Weekend Kicks Off in Toronto!

Save the Date: Saturday, August 8 marks the start of TennisFest Weekend at the National Bank Open presented by Rogers. The Round of 16 (that’s the top 16 players left in the tournament) is set, and Sobeys Stadium is ready to party!

What is TennisFest Weekend?

Think of it like a tennis tournament meets a giant block party. You get world-class matches plus all-day happy hour, live music, games, giveaways, and special guests. It’s the perfect day out—whether you love tennis or just love a good vibe.

Important Callout: All-Day Happy Hour! Food and drinks are discounted all day long at Sobeys Stadium. Your wallet will thank you.

Saturday’s Star-Studded Match Schedule (On-Court Action)

Centre Court is where the biggest names play. Here is your viewing guide for the day. Pro tip: Get your popcorn ready early!

1. First Match: The Heavyweight Battle (12:30 PM)

• Iga Swiatek (WTA No. 1) vs. Marta Kostyuk (Top 10)
• Why watch: It’s an all-Top 10 clash (both players ranked in the world’s best 10).
• The Story: Swiatek won their last two hard-court meetings (most recently Cincinnati 2024), but Kostyuk is on fire —she has a 23-2 win record since April and beat Swiatek at the French Open (Roland-Garros) earlier this year.

2. Second Match: The Iron Woman (Follows 1st Match)

• Jessica Pegula (American No. 1, Two-time NBO Champ) vs. Diana Shnaider (No. 17)
• Why watch: Pegula is playing her 5th match in 6 days (singles + doubles)! She battled through rain delays just to get here. Shnaider is having a career-best year.

3. Night Session Opener: The Top Seed (7:00 PM)

• Aryna Sabalenka (No. 1 Seed) vs. Ekaterina Alexandrova (No. 19)
• Why watch: Sabalenka loves the night shift. She leads their head-to-head history 5-4.

4. Nightcap: Champions vs. Finalists (Late Night)

• Elina Svitolina (Former NBO Champion) vs. Amanda Anisimova (Past Finalist)
• Why watch: Two players who know how to win in Toronto. Svitolina cruised her last match in 1 hour; Anisimova fought back from a set down to win.

Doubles Action (Top Teams Playing)

• [5] Su-Wei Hsieh / Jelena Ostapenko vs. Ulrikke Eikeri / Quinn Gleason (2nd match on Grandstand)
• [3] Sara Errani / Nicole Melichar-Martinez vs. Miyu Kato / Liudmila Samsonova (Time TBD)

Fun Activities Around the Grounds (Off-Court Fun)

The CELSIUS TennisFest Weekend isn’t just about watching—it’s about doing.

Daytime Fun

Arrive Early Perk!

Be there when gates open to snag a limited-edition TennisFest Tote Bag (sponsored by Tennis Canada). Supplies run out fast!

Special Evening Events: Retro Night & Big Talks

When the sun goes down, the party shifts gears.

1. Retro Night presented by IRIS

• Dress Code: Your best 80s outfit (neon, leg warmers, headbands—go wild!).
• Soundtrack: DJ ESB spinning the greatest 80s hits.

2. TennisTalk: The Rise of Women’s Sports in Toronto

A special panel discussion kicking off the night session with powerhouse leaders:

1. Reetu Gupta – Owner, Toronto Tempo (WNBA)
2. Blayre Turnbull – Captain, Toronto Sceptres (PWHL)
3. Helena Ruken – CEO, AFC Toronto (Northern Super League)
4. Terri Temelini – Director of Women & Girls’ Advancement, Tennis Canada

Listen Now: Want a preview? Check out the Tennis Talk podcast episode with Diana Shnaider on her breakout year! Listen on Spotify

Your Game Plan: Numbered Steps for the Perfect Day

1. Buy Tickets: Head to the National Bank Open Ticket Page.
2. Arrive Early (Before 11 AM): Grab your free TennisFest Tote and catch the Toronto Tempo drills.
3. Lunch & Happy Hour (12 PM): Grab discounted food/drinks. Find a seat for Swiatek vs. Kostyuk (12:30 PM).
4. Afternoon Activities (1:30 – 3:30 PM): Paint & Sip on Main Stage → Wheelchair Tennis or Live Music at Stella Racquet Club.
5. Dress Up (5:30 PM): Change into your Retro 80s gear for the night session.
6. Night Session (7 PM Onwards): Watch Sabalenka, then the TennisTalk Panel, then Svitolina vs. Anisimova. Dance to DJ ESB between matches!

Summary

TennisFest Weekend at the National Bank Open is the ultimate summer Saturday. You get:

• Elite Tennis: 4 Top-10 players, former champions, and the World No. 1 all in one day.
• All-Day Happy Hour: Cheap eats and drinks from open to close.
• Interactive Fun: Paint & Sip, Basketball drills with the Toronto Tempo, Wheelchair tennis.
• Live Music: DJ Natalie, Christian James Band, and 80s Retro Night with DJ ESB.
• Inspiring Talk: Leaders of Toronto’s women’s sports teams sharing their stories.
• Free Swag: Limited-edition tote bags for early birds.

Don’t miss it! The WTA’s best are in Toronto Aug 1–13 at Sobeys Stadium. Get your tickets today!

FAQ

1. What does "Round of 16" mean?
It means there are only 16 players left in the singles draw. They play today to see who makes the Quarterfinals (final 8).

2. Do I need a separate ticket for the concerts and activities?
Nope! Your grounds pass or stadium ticket gets you access to all TennisFest Weekend activities (Paint & Sip, Live Music, Retro Night, TennisTalk) on a first-come, first-served basis.

3. What is "Happy Hour" pricing?
It means discounted prices on select food and beverage items all day long. Check the Food & Beverage guide for specific deals.

4. I don’t know much about tennis. Will I still have fun?
Absolutely. With all-day happy hour, live bands, a WNBA team running drills, painting sessions, and an 80s dance party, it’s a festival atmosphere that happens to have amazing tennis in the background.

5. Who is the Toronto Tempo?
They are Canada’s very first WNBA team (starting play in 2026)! This is your chance to meet the team ownership and players before their inaugural season.