Tennis Canada is embarking on an exciting journey to construct a state-of-the-art centre-court stadium equipped with a retractable roof in Montreal. This initiative is part of a comprehensive modernization effort at Jarry Park, aimed at elevating the venue to match the growing expectations of professional tours.
The announcement was made on Tuesday, following an extensive year-long feasibility study that focused on securing the long-term future of the National Bank Open in Montreal.
The ambitious plan involves increasing the venue’s seating capacity to around 15,000—up from the current 11,991 seats at the aging IGA Stadium—while also introducing up to four practice courts and an additional match court, as detailed by National Bank Open tournament director, Valérie Tétreault.
“This is a pivotal moment for us,” Tétreault remarked in an interview. “We’re aware that we’re lagging behind, and that’s feedback we’ve received from both the ATP and the WTA, which adds extra urgency to our efforts.”
The feasibility study explored three scenarios: refurbishing the existing IGA Stadium, constructing a new stadium within Jarry Park, or relocating the tournament elsewhere in the city. The latter was swiftly dismissed due to prohibitive costs, while the differences between the renovation and new construction options were found to be “negligible.”
Tennis Canada is now focused on defining the construction timeline, estimating costs, and determining the funding model for the project. The organization has already initiated discussions with all three tiers of government about potential financial support.
“The discussions are progressing well, and there’s a collective recognition of the importance of this event, both for the economy and for its social impact,” Tétreault expressed. “We feel a strong sense of collaboration, with everyone eager to help us find a practical solution.”
Tennis Canada is eyeing a site near an existing baseball field to the west of the practice courts for the new facility, allowing the tournament to continue at its current venue during construction. The proposed stadium aims to be a three-season venue, featuring winterized facilities around a non-winterized court.
The necessity for a roof over the center court has been a long-standing topic, as rainy weather frequently disrupts match schedules at the National Bank Open, held each year in late July and early August.
Tétreault has pointed out that Montreal’s facilities currently rank “near the bottom” among 1000-level tournaments, which are just one tier below the prestigious Grand Slams.
Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Open, which follows the National Bank Open, has made incredible strides with a $260-million redevelopment ahead of its 2025 tournament.
In contrast, Montreal’s center court last saw significant renovations in 1996, and parts of the venue date back to 1969, remnants of the former Montreal Expos’ Jarry Park baseball stadium.
Tétreault noted that Toronto, which alternates hosting men’s and women’s tournaments with Montreal each year, faces less urgency for upgrades, since Sobeys Stadium was constructed in 2004 and has seen fewer weather-related interruptions.
While the ATP and WTA haven’t issued a formal ultimatum regarding the tournament’s future in Montreal, Tétreault shared that both tours have requested a clear action plan for facility modernization.
“They seek assurance that modernizing our facilities is a priority for us,” she explained, noting that this year’s planning for the 2026 tournament marks the first time she’s been asked for monthly updates with the ATP.
“This level of communication is new for us, but it reflects their desire to know how we are progressing on our modernization efforts.”
Tétreault also emphasized that the National Bank Open currently falls short of the standard number of practice courts and must secure ATP approval to utilize additional facilities at the nearby Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard.
In 2022, Tennis Canada signed a 30-year agreement with the ATP and WTA as part of negotiations for the tournament’s expansion into a 12-day event, yet Tétreault clarified that organizers still need to align with the evolving standards set by the professional tours.
“We are very aware of the gap that exists because we know we are not fully meeting certain standards,” she concluded.
