WTA Dubai Tennis Championships entry list, prize money, ranking points, key dates: Sabalenka returns, Andreeva defends title
One of the biggest events on the WTA Tour and the second of consecutive WTA 1000 events in the Middle East, the Dubai Tennis Championships has crowned a string of famous champions over the years.
Twelve months ago, Mirra Andreeva defeated Clara Tauson in a battle of rising stars to lift her first-ever WTA 1000 title, and all eyes will be on who triumphs at the prestigious tournament in 2026.
From the biggest names and top seeds, to the prize money, ranking points, and key dates, we take you through all you need to know about the 2026 Dubai Tennis Championships.
Who is in action?
A string of top players withdrew from the ongoing Qatar Open, and it would not be a surprise if several stars also chose to skip action in Dubai.
World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka, No 6 Jessica Pegula, No 15 Naomi Osaka, No 16 Madison Keys are all still set to return to action in Dubai, though a withdrawal from any of those four would not come as a shock.
World No 2 Iga Swiatek and No 3 Elena Rybakina are set to be in action, as is world No 4 Amanda Anisimova, who will hope to be back to full fitness after her shock Qatar Open retirement.
Coco Gauff, Pegula, reigning champion Andreeva, and Jasmine Paolini currently round out the top eight seeds, as of Tuesday, February 10.
2025 finalist Tauson, Elina Svitolina, and Belinda Bencic are also set to be seeded at the tournament, with Grand Slam champions Emma Raducanu and Barbora Krejcikova among the event’s unseeded players.
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What ranking points are on offer?
The Dubai Tennis Championships is one of the biggest events outside of the four Grand Slams, and big ranking points are on offer as a result.
This year’s champion is set to take home a significant 1,000 ranking points, while the runner-up will take home a not-insignificant 650 ranking points for their efforts.
The two beaten semi-finalists will earn 390 ranking points, while 215 ranking points are on offer for the four players who fall at the quarter-final stage.
Players in round three will earn 120 ranking points, with 65 ranking points on offer in round two, and 10 ranking points in round one.
Champion: 1,000 ranking points
Runner-up: 650 ranking points
Semi-finalists: 390 ranking points
Quarter-finalists: 215 ranking points
Round 3: 120 ranking points
Round 2: 65 ranking points
Round 1: 10 ranking points
What prize money is on offer?
Significant prize money is on offer at the second WTA 1000 event of the year, with this year’s women’s singles champion set to take home $665,000 for their efforts — up from the $597,000 won by Andreeva in 2025.
The 2026 runner-up is set to take home $385,001 for her campaign, with $197,000 awarded to the two players who exit at the semi-final stage.
The four beaten quarter-finalists will take home $98,500, while players in the third round will take home $49,250 in winnings.
Players in round two will take home $26,000, while $18,300 is on offer in round one.
Champion: $665,000
Runner-up: $385,001
Semi-finalists: $197,000
Quarter-finalists: $98,500
Round 3: $49,250
Round 2: $26,000
Round 1: $18,300
Key dates
Main-draw action at the Dubai Tennis Championships will begin on Sunday, February 15, with the women’s singles final set to take place on Saturday, February 21 — starting at 16:30 local time.
The opening three rounds of action will take place from Sunday to Wednesday, with the four quarter-finals on Thursday, February 19, and the semi-finals on Friday, February 20.
The main draw for the event is set to be made on Friday, February 13.
Top seeds and entry list (as of February 10, 2026)
1) Aryna Sabalenka
2) Iga Swiatek
3) Elena Rybakina
4) Amanda Anisimova
5) Coco Gauff
6) Jessica Pegula
7) Mirra Andreeva
8) Jasmine Paolini
9) Elina Svitolina
10) Ekaterina Alexandrova
11) Belinda Bencic
12) Linda Noskova
13) Victoria Mboko
14) Clara Tauson
15) Naomi Osaka
16) Madison Keys
Liudmila Samsonova
Emma Navarro
Karolina Muchova
Iva Jovic
Diana Shnaider
Elise Mertens
Marta Kostyuk
Jeļena Ostapenko
Emma Raducanu
Qinwen Zheng
Leylah Fernandez
Anna Kalinskaya
Sofia Kenin
Maya Joint
Sorana Cirstea
McCartney Kessler
Marketa Vondrousova
Jaqueline Cristian
Marie Bouzkova
Ann Li
Dayana Yastremska
Jessica Bouzas Maneiro
Tatjana Maria
Paula Badosa
Daria Kasatkina
(PR) Barbora Krejcikova
(PR) Karolina Pliskova
Further qualifiers and wildcards tbc
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