• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 16, 2025

400 People Showed Up to WTA Saudi Final With $15 Million Purse

This is the first of a three-year deal between the WTA and Saudi Arabia.

Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The 2024 WTA Tour Final features the top eight women’s tennis stars, a purse of $15.25 million, and a minimum first-place prize of $3.77 million—more than any Grand Slam tournament this year. But the event is struggling to fill an arena with a capacity of just 5,000. 

It’s Year 1 of a three-year deal for the WTA Tour to play its final in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Sunday’s matches at the King Saud University Indoor Arena—which featured World No. 2 Iga Świątek against 2024 Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejčíková and a showdown of U.S. stars Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula—drew around 400 fans, according to The Athletic. 

Sunday is a work day in Saudi Arabia, but even the previous day’s matches were reportedly able to fill only about three-fourths of the stadium. Many of the most engaged attendees during Saturday’s contest were supporters of China’s Zheng Qinwen. 

Ticket prices for the Sunday leg of the WTA Tour event were reportedly less than $10. 

WWE also tapped Monday Night Raw at the Mohammed Abdo Arena in Riyadh on Sunday—and while there were no reports of the exact attendance at the arena that fits about 22,000, footage from the event showed a lively crowd in a packed arena

WTA’s Response

Saudi Arabia’s desire to become a destination for major sporting events has been well documented and has come with a ton of criticism due to the country’s history of human rights atrocities, particularly against women. However, WTA CEO Portia Archer brushed off the criticisms before the beginning of the tournament.

“We often play in environments and in countries that have different customs, different cultures, and in some cases different value systems than I might have personally or that the WTA may have as an organization based in the United States,” Archer said.

In regard to the poor attendance for its opening games, the WTA released a statement focused on growth in the coming years.

“It’s important to remember that this is the first time a WTA event has been held in Saudi Arabia, so we’re bringing tennis to a new audience and that takes time to build,” the statement read.

The statement also pointed out that Sunday is a work day, and that the WTA expects the numbers to “build” entering the weekend—which is on Friday and Saturday in the country.

The Saudi Pro League, which spent $1 billion in the summer of 2023 to recruit pro soccer stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, has also recorded underwhelming attendance numbers. The average attendance for the SPL for the 2024–2025 season is under 8,500 per match.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 5, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia embraces after their match in the semifinal of the men’s singles at the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

Six Kings Slam Returns With Record $6M Prize, Netflix Deal

The Six Kings Slam is held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ballers in Philadelphia
exclusive

Backer of SlamBall, Ballers Armed With $150M for New Fund

The fund will offer sports and entertainment companies deals that don’t involve equity.

Cardinals Vow Changes Coming After Historic Attendance Drop

A stalwart franchise looks to correct an alarming slide in attendance.

US Open Set Attendance Record, Men’s Final Ratings Surged 82%

Attendance and television viewership of the tennis major again reach historic levels.

Featured Today

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.

NHL Expansion Fee Soars to $2B As League’s Value Surges

The buy-in price for the league will more than triple.
October 15, 2025

NHL Raises Concerns Over 2026 Olympic Arena’s Delayed Construction

The commissioner says construction progress in Italy remains a deep concern.
WNBA
October 16, 2025

WNBA Says All-Star Game Will Return to Chicago Next Year

The league’s CBA expires in two weeks.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Apr 4, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley reacts during the first quarter in a semifinal of the women's 2025 NCAA tournament against the Texas Longhorns at Amalie Arena.
October 14, 2025

Dawn Staley Says NBA Far From Ready to Hire a Female Head..

South Carolina’s women’s basketball coach interviewed with the Knicks.
October 14, 2025

Cavaliers Go All In, Lead NBA With Record $392M Payroll

The Cavs are the only second-apron violator in the NBA.
Dec 23, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the NBA logo and Portland Trail Blazers logo before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Trail Blazers at the American Airlines Center.
October 13, 2025

NBA Reopens Doors in China—and Eyes the WNBA Next

The Mavericks and Rockets are set to play games in Macao next year.
Sep 29, 2025; Inglewood, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) poses during media day at Intuit Dome
opinion
October 12, 2025

Clippers’ Aspiration Fiasco Recalls Another Doomed NBA Sponsorship

The Kawhi controversy has shades of the still-recent FTX scandal.