VIENNA/STARNBERG, November 2, 2026

Following last year’s record attendance of 82,000, the 2026 Erste Bank Open have set another new benchmark. Together with the Wiener Stadthalle and Marx Halle, the tournament welcomed more than 90,000 tennis fans for the first time. The Marx Halle alone attracted around 1,000 more visitors per day than in 2025. Meanwhile, the Wiener Stadthalle was sold out for the first time in tournament history on Monday and remained at full capacity throughout all seven days of the main draw.

“This has never happened before. We can hardly do any better. Unless we somehow manage to squeeze in a few more seats,” tournament director Herwig Straka said with a smile.

The tournament also delivered plenty of sporting highlights. Carlos Alcaraz thrilled the Vienna crowd on his return to the Austrian capital after five years, reaching the final against Alex de Minaur. Alexander Zverev, meanwhile, secured his historic rise to the top of the ATP Rankings at the Wiener Stadthalle.

“In more than 50 years of ATP history, there have only been 30 world No. 1 players. For something like this to happen right here in Vienna is truly special,” Straka said.

The atmosphere was another source of pride for the tournament director. “Daniil Medvedev lost to Carlos Alcaraz yesterday, walked off the court and received a tremendous round of applause. That is what Vienna and the Stadthalle are all about.”

Marx Halle Concept Proves A Major Success

The concept at the Marx Halle once again proved to be a great success. Singles and doubles matches, public practice sessions, the wheelchair tennis tournament presented by win2day and numerous family activities provided visitors with a varied programme throughout the week.

The wheelchair tennis tournament finals took place in front of a large crowd on Centre Court at the Wiener Stadthalle on Saturday. Austria’s Lucas Miedler and Neil Oberleitner also reached the doubles final and went on to claim the title amid enthusiastic applause from a packed arena, which had already filled to capacity by midday.

“Exactly what we wanted to achieve with the Ground Ticket and the second venue worked perfectly,” Straka said, reflecting on the success of the Marx Halle concept.

Erste Bank CEO Delighted With Another Record

Gerda Holzinger-Burgstaller, CEO of Erste Bank, also expressed her satisfaction with the latest attendance figures.

“We can once again celebrate a record result. Herwig Straka and his team have created a fantastic experience with an outstanding player field that left nothing to be desired. There were so many ‘Believe in Yourself’ moments for us throughout the week. I only have one small concern: what comes next year?”

The strong demand for tickets also reflects the tournament’s popularity among customers. “As soon as the final is over, the first requests for next year’s tickets are already coming in – and that is the best possible sign,” she added.

Peter Hacker, Vienna’s City Councillor for Social Affairs, Health and Sport, highlighted not only the sporting quality of the event but also the prominent integration of wheelchair tennis.

“An incredible year in sport is coming to an end with an extraordinary highlight. The fact that the new world No. 1 did not even reach the final says everything about the quality of this tournament. I am particularly pleased that wheelchair tennis has been integrated so prominently. Connecting different sporting disciplines in this way is also an important social and political concern for me,” Hacker explained.

Wiener Stadthalle Continues To Play In The Premier League

For Thomas Waldner, this was the first edition of the Erste Bank Open in his role as Managing Director of the Wiener Stadthalle.

“The Erste Bank Open and the Eurovision Song Contest have demonstrated this year that the Wiener Stadthalle, our ‘Good Old Lady’, can still compete at the very highest level. A partnership like the one with e|motion, built on trust and mutual appreciation, cannot be taken for granted. A project of this scale requires cooperation on equal terms and a shared ambition to offer visitors the best possible tennis experience,” Waldner said.

Straka Confident Of Further Growth In 2027

Looking ahead, Straka believes the Erste Bank Open are in an excellent position for the coming years. Representatives of ATP Masters 1000 tournaments in Miami and Madrid also visited Vienna to examine the event’s concept and praised its exceptional quality.

“In recent years, we have repeatedly been asked how we could possibly top what we had achieved. Every year, we have managed to add something extra. That is why I am confident about next year. Somehow, we will find a way to make it even bigger and better,” Straka concluded.