From Cattle Market to ATP Tour Tennis: A Glimpse into Vienna’s Iconic Marx-Halle
Vienna’s historic Marx-Halle served as the backdrop for the second and third courts during this year’s ATP 500 tournament.
October 26, 2025
e-motion/Stefan Strasser
The iconic Marx-Halle, a former cattle market, has transformed into a vibrant venue hosting ATP Tour matches and practices this week.
By Andy West
In a bold step towards the future of the Erste Bank Open, the organizing team tapped into Vienna’s rich history. This year’s indoor hard-court event introduced a new dimension with the striking Marx-Halle, which originally functioned as the city’s main cattle market for over a century before evolving into an events hub.
Over the past 10 days, the Marx-Halle has come alive with singles and doubles qualifying matches for the Erste Bank Open. Tournament director Herwig Straka regards the addition as a significant upgrade, seamlessly complementing the long-established Centre Court at the Wiener Stadthalle, where Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev are set to face off in an exciting championship showdown on Sunday.
“Discovering Marx-Halle was a game-changer for us; it offers ample space and excellent conditions,” Straka shared with ATPTour.com while discussing the tournament’s strategic shift. “We envisioned creating engaging activities for families and expanding access with ground tickets for fans.”
In prior iterations of the Erste Bank Open, the second venue was a temporary setup at Heumarkt in Vienna’s central square. Straka revealed that the transition to Marx-Halle was driven by a well-defined vision, and the overwhelmingly positive feedback from attendees indicates they hit the mark.
“The most remarkable improvement is undoubtedly the number of courts,” Straka explained. The Marx-Halle boasts two match courts and one practice court, accommodating up to 25,000 fans. “We can now run wheelchair events at a professional level and possibly add even more events in the future. That’s the essence of ‘real’ indoor playing conditions.”
Top seed Jannik Sinner practices at the Marx-Halle during the 2025 Erste Bank Open. Photo Credit: e-motion/Stefan Strasser
Among the players competing at the Marx-Halle this week is No. 16 in the PIF ATP Rankings, Alexander Bublik, along with fellow Top 40 stars Francisco Cerundolo, Flavio Cobolli, Tomas Machac, Alex Michelsen, and Corentin Moutet. The venue also acted as a prime practice spot for all competing players at this highly anticipated ATP 500 event.
“Our goal was to elevate the players’ experience with this new venue,” Straka remarked. “The atmosphere here mirrors that of the Stadthalle. We’ve received fantastic feedback from players like Jannik and Sascha. It’s the ambiance we aimed to create, and we succeeded.”
While catering to the players, Straka also prioritized an exceptional experience for fans. He emphasizes the distinctively ‘personal’ and immersive moments tennis enthusiasts can enjoy in this new setting.
“Fans can get incredibly close to the players, feeling the energy during matches and even practices. For avid tennis enthusiasts, witnessing Jannik in practice is an unforgettable experience,” Straka added.
“I appreciated our previous ‘tennis in the city’ concept, but there comes a time to evolve and elevate. This is that evolution.”
Fans savor an intimate view at the practice courts in Marx-Halle. Photo Credit: e-motion/Stefan Strasser
