Charlotte’s tennis stadium dreams aren’t dead yet, city councilman says
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Charlotte is considering a new tennis facility
- Councilman Malcolm Graham is eyeing the River District as a potential site
- A proposed $400 million tennis complex fell through in 2023
Charlotte is considering a new tennis facility that could host professional tournaments and other events throughout the year, District 2 City Councilman Malcolm Graham told reporters on Wednesday.
Graham was light on details but confirmed the city met with community partners six weeks ago to discuss the potential project. He didn’t want to get too far ahead of city management, he said.
“I think we’re really, really close,” Graham said. “If we build it, they will come. What Charlotte is lacking is a facility.”
The city is no stranger to tennis and has already drawn big-name athletes.
Next month, the Charlotte Invitational will return to the Spectrum Center for a one-night exhibition featuring Venus Wiliams, Madison Keys, Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz. Last year’s inaugural event saw more than 16,000 fans show out to watch, demonstrating a clear appetite for “big-time tennis,” Graham said.
He floated the River District in west Charlotte as a potential spot for the facility since it’s close to the airport. It also was the proposed site for a prior big tennis facility. Graham estimates the tennis facility could host about 50 other events like concerts throughout the year to help pay for itself.
The project wouldn’t be about tennis alone, said Graham, an avid tennis player.
“It’s about the economic impact of it and the people that it will support,” Graham said. “If we can create yet another destination location for sports and entertainment outside of town in an area that’s growing and maturing like the River District, it would be fun and exciting.”
He plans to talk more about the project in January during the annual City Council retreat.
The Charlotte tennis complex that fell through
In 2023 the city considered a proposal that would have brought a major tennis tournament and accompanying facilities to the River District.
The Western and Southern Open was in talks with Charlotte for months about relocating its tournament from Cincinnati, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.
Beemok, a South Carolina-based company that owns the tournament, proposed “Project Breakthrough,” which included a $400 million tennis complex that would have been partially funded by public money.
The plan included a 14,000-seat center court; more than 40 hard, clay and indoor tennis courts; an indoor pickleball facility; four outdoor pickleball courts; and a 45,000-square-foot “player/academy building,” according to a July 2024 presentation to the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners.
The city, county and state collectively chipped in up to $115 million to try to land the tournament. But the plan fell through by October due to escalating costs, the city said in a statement at the time.
This story was originally published November 5, 2025 at 3:58 PM.
