Canadian Open Schedule 2026 Full Dates, Sessions & Order of Play
The Canadian Open schedule 2026 runs from August 1 to August 13 across two cities.
Men’s ATP action takes place at IGA Stadium in Montreal. Women’s WTA matches are held at Sobeys Stadium in Toronto. Same tournament, same dates, two incredible venues running side by side.
This page covers everything you need to know about the Canadian Open Schedule, from qualifying rounds all the way to finals day.
ATP |WTA
Day-by-Day Canadian Open Schedule 2026
The National Bank Open runs across 12 days in August. Below is the confirmed date structure for 2026.
Note: Exact session times and match order will be confirmed closer to the event. This table will be updated as soon as official information is released.
| Date | Day | What’s On |
|---|---|---|
| August 1 | Day 1 | Qualifying Rounds Begin |
| August 2 | Day 2 | Qualifying Rounds Continue |
| August 3 | Day 3 | Main Draw Round 1 Begins |
| August 4 | Day 4 | Main Draw Round 1 Continues |
| August 5 | Day 5 | Main Draw Round 2 Begins |
| August 6 | Day 6 | Main Draw Round 2 Continues |
| August 7 | Day 7 | Round of 16 |
| August 8 | Day 8 | Round of 16 Continues |
| August 9 | Day 9 | Quarterfinals |
| August 10 | Day 10 | Quarterfinals Continue |
| August 11 | Day 11 | Semifinals |
| August 12 | Day 12 | Semifinals Continue |
| August 13 | Day 13 | Finals Day |
Both the ATP Montreal and WTA Toronto draws follow this same date structure, running at the same time across both cities.
ATP Montreal & WTA Toronto Schedule Breakdown
One of the most unique things about the Canadian Open is that it runs two separate tournaments at the same time, in two different cities.
ATP MEN’S
IGA Stadium Montreal
WTA WOMEN’S
Sobey’s Stadium Toronto
| Detail | ATP Men’s | WTA Women’s |
|---|---|---|
| City | Montreal | Toronto |
| Venue | IGA Stadium | Sobeys Stadium |
| Tour | ATP 1000 | WTA 1000 |
| Draw Size | 96 Players | 96 Players |
| Dates | August 1-13 | August 1-13 |
| Finals Day | August 13 | August 13 |
Key things to understand:
- Both tournaments run on the exact same dates
- They are completely separate draws with different players
- You cannot attend both cities at the same time
- The cities alternate every year between men and women
- In 2026, men play in Montreal and women play in Toronto
This alternating system has been in place since 1981. It gives both Montreal and Toronto a fair share of ATP and WTA action every other year.
If you are planning to attend in person, you need to decide early which city you want. Montreal for the men’s ATP draw or Toronto for the women’s WTA draw.Both offer world class tennis on outdoor hard courts at two of Canada’s best tennis venues.
How the National Bank Open Format Works
If you are new to the Canadian Open schedule, the format can feel a little confusing at first. Here is a simple breakdown.
The Canadian Open uses a straight knockout format with 96 players, where the top 32 seeds skip round 1 and one loss ends your tournament.
Round by round structure:
| Round | Players Remaining |
|---|---|
| Qualifying | Outside top 96 compete for main draw spots |
| Round 1 | 96 players (top 32 enter at Round 2) |
| Round 2 | 64 players |
| Round of 16 | 32 players |
| Quarterfinals | 8 players |
| Semifinals | 4 players |
| Final | 2 players |
What makes this format different:
The 12-day format is longer than most Masters events. That extra time means players get proper rest between matches, which leads to better quality tennis, especially in the later rounds.
Day vs Night Sessions : Which One Should You Choose?
When buying tickets for the Canadian Open Schedule, one of the first decisions you face is choosing between a day session and a night session.
Here is a simple comparison to help you decide:
| Feature | Day Session | Night Session |
|---|---|---|
| Start Time | Late morning / Early afternoon (TBC) | Evening (TBC) |
| Atmosphere | Relaxed, family friendly | Electric, louder crowd |
| Match Quality | Early rounds, more matches | Later rounds, bigger names |
| Weather | Full sun, can be hot | Cooler, more comfortable |
| Live Music | No | Yes, pre-match entertainment |
| Ticket Price | Generally lower | Generally higher |
Quick guide:
- Choose a day session if you want more matches, a relaxed atmosphere, or are attending with family and children
- Choose a night session if you want the biggest stars, the best atmosphere, and a full evening experience
At the Canadian Open you buy a session ticket, not a ticket to a specific match. That means you watch whoever is scheduled to play during that session on the main court.
Exact session times for 2026 will be confirmed by Tennis Canada closer to the event. Check the official tournament website for confirmed timings when released.
Qualifying Canadian Open Schedule & Early Round Matches
The Canadian Open schedule does not start with the main draw. It starts two days earlier with qualifying rounds.
Qualifying is where players outside the main draw get a chance to earn their spot in the tournament. It is competitive, fast, and often produces some of the most exciting tennis of the whole event.
What you need to know about qualifying:
- Qualifying begins August 1, two days before the main draw
- Players compete in a short knockout format to earn main draw spots
- Qualifying matches are played on the outer courts, not the main stadium
- Tickets for qualifying are generally cheaper than main draw sessions
- Fans can often get very close to players during qualifying matches
Why qualifying is worth attending:
- You might see a future champion in their early career
- Smaller crowds mean a more intimate tennis experience
- Outer courts at both IGA Stadium and Sobeys Stadium offer great close-up views
- It is one of the most affordable ways to experience the Canadian Open live
Qualifying schedule at a glance:
| Date | Round |
| August 1 | Qualifying Round 1 |
| August 2 | Qualifying Round 2 / Final Qualifying Round |
| August 3 | Main Draw Begins |
Exact qualifying draw and match times will be published by Tennis Canada and the ATP and WTA tours closer to the event.
What Is the Order of Play?
If you are following the Canadian Open schedule closely, you will often hear the term “order of play.” Here is exactly what it means.
The order of play is the daily match schedule. It lists which players are playing, on which court, and in what order on a specific day. It is different from the full tournament schedule. The full schedule shows the dates and rounds. The order of play shows the exact matches happening that day.
Key things to know:
- The order of play is released the evening before each match day
- It is published on the official National Bank Open website and ATP and WTA tour apps
- Matches are listed in order, not by exact time
- The first match time is confirmed but later matches start “not before” a set time
- If an earlier match runs long, later matches are pushed back
Example of how it looks:
| Court | Match 1 | Match 2 | Match 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Centre Court | Player A vs Player B | Player C vs Player D | Player E vs Player F |
| Court 2 | Player G vs Player H | Player I vs Player J | TBC |
Why it matters for fans:
If you are attending in person, checking the order of play the night before tells you exactly which matches you can expect to see during your session. It helps you plan your day inside the venue and decide which courts to visit.
Weather Delays & Rain Policy
Outdoor tennis always comes with one unpredictable factor. The weather. Both IGA Stadium in Montreal and Sobeys Stadium in Toronto are outdoor hard court venues. That means matches can be affected by rain, extreme heat, or poor light conditions.
What happens if it rains:
- Matches are suspended until conditions are safe to resume
- Players return to the court as soon as the rain stops
- Matches are not automatically moved to another day
- If conditions do not improve, matches may be rescheduled to the following day
What this means for fans attending:
- Your session ticket remains valid if play is delayed
- If a session is cancelled completely due to weather, Tennis Canada’s official refund or exchange policy applies
- Always check the National Bank Open official website for the latest updates on match delays
Useful tips for attending during uncertain weather:
- Follow the official Canadian Open social media accounts for real time weather updates
- Check the weather forecast for Montreal or Toronto before your session
- Bring a light rain jacket, especially for day sessions
- Night sessions tend to have clearer skies but can still be affected
One important note:
Neither IGA Stadium nor Sobeys Stadium has a fully retractable roof covering all courts. Always be prepared for possible delays when attending outdoor sessions.
For the most accurate and up to date rain policy for 2026, check the official schedule page directly.
