National Bank Open vs Rogers Cup – What Is the Difference?
If you have seen both names and wondered whether they refer to the same tournament, the answer is yes.
The National Bank Open vs Rogers Cup confusion is one of the most common questions among tennis fans in Canada and around the world. Same tournament. Same cities. Same prestige. The only thing that changed was the name and the title sponsor.
Many fans still search National Bank Open Rogers Cup together because they are not sure how the two names connect. This guide clears up that confusion once and for all.
Quick Answer – Rogers Cup and National Bank Open Explained
For fans searching National Bank Open Rogers Cup and wondering what the connection is, here is the simplest possible answer.
| Question | Answer |
| Same tournament? | Yes |
| Different names? | Yes |
| Name changed? | 2021 |
| Cities? | Toronto and Montreal |
| ATP/WTA status? | Unchanged |
| Rogers still involved? | Yes, as presenting sponsor |
The National Bank Open vs Rogers Cup is not a competition between two different events. It is the same Canadian tennis tournament that has simply operated under different names at different points in its history.
Both names refer to the same hard court ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 event held every August across Montreal and Toronto. In French the tournament is also known as the Omnium Banque Nationale, which is the official French language name used across Quebec and French Canada.
Why Did Rogers Cup Change Its Name?
The Rogers Cup name ran from 2005 to 2020. For 15 years it became one of the most recognised brands in Canadian sports. Then in 2021 everything changed.
National Bank of Canada stepped in as the new title sponsor, replacing Rogers Communications at the top of the sponsorship agreement. The tournament was officially renamed the National Bank Open presented by Rogers, giving National Bank the naming rights while keeping Rogers involved as a presenting sponsor.
Why the change happened:
| Reason | Detail |
| New title sponsor | National Bank of Canada became the lead partner |
| Rogers retained | Stayed on as presenting sponsor |
| Timing | 2020 tournament cancelled due to COVID-19 |
| Fresh start | 2021 became a natural reset point for new branding |
The 2020 cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic created a natural pause that made 2021 the perfect moment for a rebrand. When the tournament returned it came back with a new name, a new title sponsor, and a fresh identity while keeping everything else exactly the same.
This is the core of the National Bank Open vs Rogers Cup story. Not a new tournament. Not a new format. Just a new name reflecting a new commercial partnership.
What Stayed the Same After the Rebrand?
This is the most important section for fans confused by the National Bank Open Rogers Cup name change. Despite the new branding, almost everything about the tournament remained identical.
Same Tournament
The event that ran as the Rogers Cup for 15 years is the exact same tournament that runs today as the National Bank Open. Same history. Same tradition. Same importance on the tennis calendar.
Same ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 Status
The tournament’s elite status never changed. It remains an ATP Masters 1000 event for men and a WTA 1000 event for women, placing it among the most important non-Grand Slam tournaments in professional tennis.
Same Toronto and Montreal Format
The alternating city system between Toronto and Montreal that fans love continued unchanged after the rebrand. Men play in one city while women play in the other, switching annually.
Same Hard Courts and Trophy
The outdoor hard court surface, the venues, and the trophy all remained the same. Players competing today are playing on the same type of courts and competing for the same championship that defined the Rogers Cup era.
What stayed the same – at a glance:
| Element | Changed? |
| Tournament format | No |
| ATP/WTA status | No |
| Hard court surface | No |
| Toronto and Montreal cities | No |
| Trophy | No |
| Title sponsor | Yes |
| Tournament name | Yes |
Rogers Cup vs National Bank Open – Side-by-Side Comparison
For fans who want a clear visual breakdown of the National Bank Open vs Rogers Cup differences, here is the complete side by side comparison.
| Feature | Rogers Cup | National Bank Open |
| Years Used | 2005-2020 | 2021-Present |
| Title Sponsor | Rogers Communications | National Bank of Canada |
| Presenting Sponsor | None | Rogers Communications |
| Tournament | Same | Same |
| Surface | Outdoor Hard Court | Outdoor Hard Court |
| Cities | Toronto and Montreal | Toronto and Montreal |
| ATP Status | Masters 1000 | Masters 1000 |
| WTA Status | WTA Premier 5 | WTA 1000 |
| French Name | Coupe Rogers | Omnium Banque Nationale |
This table makes one thing perfectly clear. The National Bank Open Rogers Cup comparison is not about two different tournaments. It is about one tournament operating under two different commercial identities at different points in time.
The tennis, the two venues, the cities, and the prestige all remained exactly the same throughout the transition.
Why Do Fans Still Call It the Rogers Cup?
Even though the official name changed in 2021, millions of tennis fans around the world still refer to the tournament as the Rogers Cup. There are several very human reasons for this.
Habit and familiarity
The Rogers Cup name ran for 15 consecutive years. For an entire generation of Canadian tennis fans, Rogers Cup was simply what this tournament was called. Habits built over 15 years do not disappear overnight just because a sponsorship agreement changes.
Brand recognition
Rogers Cup became one of the most recognisable tennis brands in North America during its era. The name carried instant recognition among casual and dedicated fans alike. National Bank Open vs Rogers Cup recognition levels are still not equal, even years after the rebrand.
Media usage
Sports media outlets, commentators, and journalists frequently still reference the Rogers Cup name when discussing the tournament’s history. Every time a broadcaster mentions a past Rogers Cup champion, the old name gets another moment in the spotlight.
Nostalgia
For fans who grew up watching Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Serena Williams compete under the Rogers Cup banner, the name carries a genuine emotional connection that the new branding has not yet fully replaced.
The National Bank Open Rogers Cup connection means both names will likely coexist in fan conversation for many years to come. That is not confusion. That is loyalty to a brand that meant something to Canadian tennis fans for a long time.
Which Name Should You Use Today?
For fans wondering which name is correct, the answer is straightforward.
| Context | Name to Use |
| Official tournament name | National Bank Open presented by Rogers |
| Casual conversation | Either is widely understood |
| French language | Omnium Banque Nationale |
| Historical reference | Rogers Cup is appropriate |
| Media and journalism | National Bank Open is preferred |
The official name today is the National Bank Open presented by Rogers. That is what Tennis Canada, the ATP, and the WTA use in all official communications and tournament materials.
However using the Rogers Cup name in casual conversation is completely understandable and widely recognised. Anyone involved in Canadian tennis will know exactly which tournament you mean regardless of which name you use.
The National Bank Open vs Rogers Cup debate really comes down to context. Official communications call for the current name. Casual fan conversation accepts both without any confusion.
FAQs
Conclusion
The National Bank Open vs Rogers Cup debate has a simple answer. Same tournament, new sponsor, new name. Nothing that actually mattered changed in 2021. The cities, the hard courts, the world class tennis, and the prestige all stayed exactly the same. Only the banner changed.
Whether you call it the Rogers Cup or the National Bank Open, you are talking about one of the greatest tennis tournaments in the world. To learn more about how this tournament evolved over 140 years, explore our Canadian Open history.
