PARMA/STARNBERG, May 6, 2026
The sixth edition of the Parma Ladies Open presented by Iren was officially unveiled in the Representative Hall of the Municipal Residence, confirming the tournament’s continued rise on the international tennis stage. Organized by MEF Tennis Events in collaboration with Tennis Club Parma, the WTA 125 event will take place from May 11 to 16, 2026.
This year’s tournament promises a particularly strong field, featuring 21 players ranked inside the world’s Top 100, including five within the Top 50. Its strategic placement in the calendar—during the second week of the Italian Open and just ahead of Roland Garros—has further elevated its appeal among elite players.
A pochi giorni dal via del Roland Garros, il tennis femminile fa tappa a Parma con uno dei tornei WTA 125 dalla entry list più prestigiosa al mondo 🌎
📌 Dall’11 al 16 maggio, l’appuntamento è al Tennis Club Parma.
🗞️ Leggi l’articolo sul sito https://t.co/n0kySd7ubO#tennis pic.twitter.com/gvoOyktfMj
— MEF tennis events (@meftennisevents) May 5, 2026
Parma’s City Councillor for Sport, Marco Bosi, highlighted the event’s importance for the city: “The Parma Ladies Open has become a key fixture, combining high-level sport with international visibility and local promotion. It is the result of strong collaboration between institutions, organizers, and partners, and demonstrates how consistent investment in sporting events can generate real opportunities and engagement, especially for younger generations.”
The tournament continues to strengthen Parma’s reputation as a tennis hub in the Emilia-Romagna region. Regional Councillor Roberta Frisoni emphasized its significance: “This is an event of great value for the region. It is now firmly established on the international calendar and contributes to positioning Parma as a central destination in the tennis world, particularly in promoting excellence in women’s sport.”
The commitment of title sponsor Iren has also been reaffirmed, with a focus on sustainability, inclusion, and youth engagement. Initiatives such as the “Iren Play the Future – Parma Ladies Open School Days” aim to connect students with professional tennis while raising awareness around environmental and social responsibility.
On the court, fans can expect top-tier competition. Among the competitors are Grand Slam champions Sofia Kenin, winner of the 2020 Australian Open, and Barbora Krejcikova, who claimed both the 2021 Roland Garros and the 2024 Wimbledon titles. Also set to compete is Taylor Townsend, one of the leading doubles players in recent years, alongside defending champion Mayar Sherif, who returns aiming for her third title in Parma after already winning both a WTA 125 and a WTA 250 event at this venue.
