ITF World Tennis Masters Tour MT400 to debut in Beijing next month

The ITF World Tennis Masters Tour MT400 Shangdong Cup Beijing-Changping will be held from May 13 to 17 in Dongxiaokou town, Changping district, Beijing, organizers announced at a press conference on Friday.

Attendees watch the tournament launching ceremony at the press conference for the 2026 ITF World Tennis Masters Tour MT400 Shangdong Cup Beijing-Changping in Beijing, April 10, 2026. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

Approved by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the Chinese Tennis Association (CTA), the tournament has been upgraded from last year's MT200 to the MT400 level, bringing higher competitive standards and more ranking points. 

The event will feature seven age groups and 31 individual draws with a total prize purse of 250,000 yuan ($36,600). Organizers expect 1,456 players, which would set a record for national tournaments at the MT400 level.

Ma Chunxiu, deputy district mayor of Changping, and Sun Wen, a representative of the CTA, delivered speeches at the conference. Xu Hongye, head of the Dongxiaokou town government, outlined details of the event.

Xu said the tournament has partnered with iFlytek to provide AI-powered multilingual services for international athletes, including intelligent live broadcasting.

For venue facilities, in addition to the existing 25 outdoor courts, Changping's first air-supported sports dome has been constructed, and two show courts with spectator stands have been added, accommodating nearly 1,000 people.

The tournament will also feature cultural and tourism activities including hot-air balloon experiences, a music festival and themed merchandise such as commemorative tennis balls. An outdoor VR tennis experience zone will be set up to allow beginners to enjoy the sport. An AI-powered video contest will also be launched to encourage public participation. 

A cultural and tech-themed tour route will be offered for participants and spectators, covering the National Archives of Publications and Culture, the Juyongguan Great Wall and Future Science City.

The tournament will provide accommodation subsidies and coordinate with nearby hotels for discounted rates. More than 600 parking spaces will be available, with shuttle buses for athletes and spectators. Medical stations and ambulances will be on-site for emergency response.

The event's media coverage will span state-level media, local outlets, commercial portals and social media influencers, with a target of exceeding 50 million online impressions.

The tournament is hosted by the ITF, the CTA, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports and the government of Changping district. It is organized by the sports bureau of Changping district and the government of Dongxiaokou town.