Professional tennis will return to the Bay of Plenty this December, with the EVES Open set to bring another week of world-class competition to Pāpāmoa Tennis Club.

The 2026 EVES Open, a part of the World Tennis Tour, will see some of the world’s best emerging players battle it out for official Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) ranking points and more than $60,000 in prize money from December 14-20.

Entering its fifth year, the tournament has established itself as a highlight of the Bay of Plenty summer, attracting international players while giving New Zealand athletes the opportunity to compete for valuable ranking points on home soil.

Tauranga City Council supports the tournament via the Tauranga Event Fund, which funds arts, cultural, and sporting events that bring visitors to the city, boost the local economy, and add to the vibrancy of Tauranga as a place to live and visit.

For free!

Pāpāmoa Ward councillor Steve Morris said he was excited to see the EVES Open World Tennis Tour return to Pāpāmoa.

The 2025 EVES Open crowd. Photo / Courtney Church / Tennis New Zealand

“It’s brilliant to have this prestigious event played right here in our community. It gives locals the chance to experience elite-level international tennis for free, right here at home, rather than having to travel to Auckland or further afield.

“It’s a great chance for our young players to be inspired by the top athletes competing here.

“Pāpāmoa Tennis Club is a fantastic community venue right by our beautiful coastline, and it’s a pretty special place to host an international tournament like this.

“I hope to see fans and families come along and enjoy the atmosphere in December.”

Amazing opportunity

Naming rights sponsor EVES Realty, which has backed the event from the start, has enjoyed seeing the event grow year-on-year, EVES Tauranga general manager, marketing and communications Gabriella Troutbeck said.

“EVES is proud to have supported the EVES Open every year since its inception in 2022. Seeing full banks of spectators throughout the week during last year’s event is proof that locals are well aware of the amazing opportunity available to them, to see rising stars of the international game for free, without leaving the Bay of Plenty.

“Our Pāpāmoa team are passionate locals themselves, who love seeing the vibrant action at the tennis club that the tournament brings, on and off the court.”

She said the tournament had also become a favourite among visiting players, with competitors regularly praising the atmosphere, hospitality and support from the Pāpāmoa community.

“These rising stars of the game give Pāpāmoa locals the chance to catch future Grand Slam players live, in their own backyard.”

New Zealand’s Anton Shepp competes at the 2025 EVES Open at Pāpāmoa Tennis Club. Photo / Courtney Church / Tennis New Zealand

Last year’s EVES Open Men’s Singles champion Keegan Smith had climbed into the world’s top 200 since his win last year, while 2024 Women’s Singles Champion Janice Tjen had enjoyed most of her time since her EVES Open win in the WTA top 100.

Courtside hospitality tables would also return, giving spectators the chance to enjoy food and wine just metres from the action.

Public entry to the tournament is free throughout the week, with spectators able to get close to the action and enjoy the matches from the grass banks surrounding the Pāpāmoa Tennis Club courts.

For more information and expressions of interest for courtside hospitality tables, visit: tennis.kiwi/evesopen.