BAD RAPPENAU/STARNBERG, May 12, 2026
The ATP Challenger Tour returns to Bad Rappenau for the 2026 edition of the NECKARCUP 2.0, set to take place from May 31 to June 7 at TC Blau-Gelb Bad Rappenau. With a total prize pool of €160,680 and 100 ATP Ranking points awarded to the singles champion, the clay-court event once again promises a week of high-level tennis in Germany.
Leading the entry list is world No. 77 Marco Trungelliti, who continues to enjoy one of the most remarkable chapters of his career. The 36-year-old Argentine recently became the oldest player in the Open Era to break into the ATP Top 100 for the first time, following his impressive run to the final of the Grand Prix Hassan II in Marrakech last month. Trungelliti already has positive memories in Bad Rappenau after reaching the semi-finals of last year’s tournament, where he lost to eventual champion Ignacio Buse.
Other title contenders include US-American Emilio Nava, who advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2025 NECKARCUP, Frenchman Titouan Droguet, Briton Jan Choinski, Hugo Dellien from Bolivia, Chilean Tomas Barrios Vera, Spaniard Pedro Martinez and in-form Russian Roman Safiullin. The former No. 36 is back inside the Top 150 after back-to-back Challenger victories at the Oeiras Open in Portugal and the Danube Upper Austria Open in Mauthausen. 2025 NECKARCUP runner-up, Guy den Ouden from the Netherlands, will also return to Bad Rappenau. The 24-year-old Utrecht native has captured two titles on the ATP Challenger Tour and is currently ranked world No. 195.
Player & Ball Tracking: Tennis Meets Data Analysis
For the first time, the NECKARCUP will introduce the ATP-wide Player & Ball Tracking system. This innovative analysis technology captures real-time movement data from both players and the ball, providing detailed insights into shot speeds, movement patterns, tactical tendencies, and match dynamics.
To support the system, a completely new technical infrastructure is being installed across the venue. A total of 17 cameras mounted on five-meter-high trusses will be positioned around the tournament’s three match courts. In addition, newly installed fiber-optic connectivity will provide internet speeds of up to 1000 Mbit for the event for the first time.
With this step, the NECKARCUP continues its move toward data-driven tennis and aligns itself with the international evolution of modern tournament standards.
More Than Tennis: Experience, Atmosphere and Community
Beyond the action on court, the NECKARCUP aims to offer visitors a complete event experience. The redesigned NECKARCUP Village will feature a public chill-out lounge, DJ booth, regional food and beverage partners, and themed music evenings, creating a relaxed and social atmosphere throughout the tournament week.
“Our goal remains to create an exceptional overall experience — the perfect combination of top-level sport, personal interaction, and a relaxed atmosphere,” said tournament director Mine Cebeci.
The strong support behind the event is also reflected in its growing partner network. With more than 100 sponsors and partners — including around 20 percent new supporters — the tournament continues to demonstrate its strong regional and international appeal.
For more information and tickets, please visit the tournament’s official website.
