Atlanta Open: Your Guide to Atlanta’s Professional Tennis Tournament 🎾

The Atlanta Open is Atlanta’s premier professional men’s tennis tournament and a major summer sporting event in the city. Held every year in late July, it brings ATP Tour-level tennis, fan events, and a festival-like atmosphere to town—right as the summer heat peaks.

If you live in Atlanta, are visiting, or are planning a trip around the event, this guide breaks down what the Atlanta Open is, where it happens, how to attend, and how locals usually experience it.

What Is the Atlanta Open?

The Atlanta Open is an ATP Tour 250-level event on the men’s professional tennis circuit. That means:

• It features top-ranked ATP players, including well-known American and international pros.
• It is typically part of the summer hard-court swing leading up to the US Open.
• Matches are played on outdoor hard courts, which suits big servers and aggressive baseline players.

For Atlanta residents, the tournament feels like a mix of:

• High-level, close-up tennis
• A summer social event
• A family-friendly activity with food, music, and fan zones

Where the Atlanta Open Takes Place

In recent years, the Atlanta Open has been held at or near major sports or campus facilities within the city. Tournament organizers sometimes adjust the exact setup or stadium configuration, but you can generally expect the event to be:

• In-town, not in the far suburbs
• Near MARTA access or major roads
• Surrounded by a temporary “tennis village” of courts, vendor booths, and fan areas

If you’re planning to attend:

• Check the current year’s venue details early in the season.
• Look up the address and confirm parking options, transit access, and entry gates—these can change from year to year as the tournament evolves.

When the Atlanta Open Happens

The Atlanta Open is usually held:

• Annually in late July
• Running about one week, often from Saturday to the following Sunday
• During some of Atlanta’s hottest and most humid days of the year

You’ll generally see:

• Qualifying rounds on the first weekend
• Early-round main draw matches early in the week (often cheaper and less crowded)
• Quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals on the closing weekend

Because of the summer weather, the schedule often leans heavily on late afternoon and evening matches, which are more comfortable for both players and fans.

What to Expect If You Go

Atmosphere

The Atlanta Open has a casual but energetic feel:

• Many fans are in shorts, t‑shirts, and team gear
• Food and drink vendors set up around the grounds
• Music, MCs, and between-match entertainment keep things lively
• You can often get closer to the action than at a Grand Slam event

Types of Tickets

You’ll typically see several ticket options:

• Day session tickets – cover daytime matches
• Night session tickets – cover evening matches (often the biggest names)
• All-session or weekly packages – for fans who want to attend multiple days
• Premium seating or suites – shaded or covered areas with upgraded amenities

For many Atlanta locals, weeknight evening sessions and the final weekend are the most popular choices.

Getting to the Atlanta Open

Because the exact venue configuration can change over time, it’s smart to verify details for the current year. That said, here’s how most Atlanta fans approach transportation.

Driving and Parking

Common patterns for drivers include:

• Pre-purchasing parking when possible to avoid sellouts

• Arriving at least an hour early, especially on weeknights, to:

  • Navigate traffic near the venue
  • Get through security
  • Explore the grounds or watch practice

You’ll want to check:

• Official tournament parking lots or decks
• Whether rideshare zones are available (often designated pickup/drop-off areas)

Using MARTA and Other Transit

If the venue is close to a MARTA station, many fans prefer transit to avoid parking hassle, especially:

• Weeknight evening sessions
• Semifinal and final days, when crowds are largest

Useful general steps:

1. Identify the nearest MARTA station to the current venue.
2. Check MARTA rail and bus schedules, paying attention to late-night service if matches run long.
3. Factor in a short walk from the station to the gates.

Atlanta Weather and What to Wear

Heat and Humidity

Atlanta in late July is typically:

• Hot (often upper 80s–90s °F in the afternoon)
• Humid, with the sun reflecting off the hard courts
• Sometimes subject to brief evening thunderstorms

To stay comfortable:

• Wear light, breathable clothing
• Choose a hat and sunglasses for daytime sessions
• Consider light layers if you’re staying into the night (indoor spaces or late evenings can feel cooler)

Staying Hydrated and Sun-Safe

Most fans plan for:

• Reusable water bottles, if allowed (many venues provide refill stations)
• Sunscreen, reapplied throughout the day
• Sitting in shaded sections when possible, or planning breaks in shaded or indoor fan areas

Atlanta Open: Key Details at a Glance

How Locals Usually Plan Their Visit

If you live in Atlanta, here’s a typical approach:

1. Pick your priority days.

   • Want to see stars up close? Look at early week or midweek night sessions, when big names might be on smaller courts.
   • Want big-match energy? Target Friday–Sunday for quarterfinals through the final.

2. Buy tickets in advance.

   • Weekend and evening sessions often sell fastest.
   • Families sometimes choose day sessions to avoid late nights.

3. Plan your transport.

   • Factor in rush-hour traffic if heading to a weeknight session.
   • If the venue is near MARTA, many locals park at a station and take the train in.

4. Arrive early.

   • Walk the grounds, watch practice courts, and explore food options.
   • Early arrival also helps you adjust to the heat and find your bearings.

Food, Drinks, and Amenities

The Atlanta Open usually has:

• Concession stands with casual food (burgers, tacos, snacks, etc.)
• Beverage options, including water, soft drinks, and alcoholic beverages for adults
• Fan zones with sponsor booths, games, and shaded seating
• Merchandise areas selling hats, shirts, and tennis gear

Prices are typically in line with other professional sports events in Atlanta, so many fans:

• Eat a light meal beforehand and then snack at the event, or
• Plan for at least one on-site meal if they’re spending the whole day there

Family-Friendly Experience

The Atlanta Open is generally viewed as family-friendly, with:

• An open, outdoor setting
• Early matches that are suitable for kids
• Opportunities to see players up close during practice or autograph sessions (when offered)

Parents in Atlanta usually:

• Bring ear protection for very young children, especially on show courts
• Choose day or early evening sessions to avoid very late finishes
• Pack sun hats, sunscreen, and water for everyone

Watching Atlanta Open Without Going in Person

Not everyone wants to battle summer heat or crowds. Many Atlanta residents prefer to enjoy the tournament by:

• Watching television coverage or streaming through networks or platforms that carry ATP Tour events
• Following scores and highlights on sports news channels or apps
• Visiting sports bars or restaurants in Atlanta that show live tennis during the week

If you’re visiting Atlanta but not attending the tournament, you’ll still see references to the Atlanta Open on local sports segments and in conversation, especially among tennis fans.

Tips for Visitors Planning a Trip Around the Atlanta Open

If you’re coming from out of town and want to make the most of your time in Atlanta:

• Book lodging early.
  Hotels near the venue or in central areas like Midtown, Downtown, or Buckhead are popular during major events.

• Plan for traffic.
  You may want to stay along a MARTA rail line to simplify transportation to matches and sightseeing.

• Combine tennis with local attractions.
  On non-match days or mornings, visitors often explore places like:

  • Piedmont Park
  • The BeltLine walking and biking trails
  • Nearby museums and entertainment districts

• Pack for Atlanta summer.
  Light clothing, plenty of hydration, and comfortable walking shoes are especially important when you’re spending long days outside at the tournament and around the city.

How to Stay Updated

Because details like venue layout, gate locations, exact dates, and security policies can change from year to year, Atlanta residents usually:

• Check official tournament announcements each spring or early summer
• Confirm what you can and can’t bring (bags, cameras, water bottles, etc.) before heading out
• Verify match times on the day of attendance, since weather can shift schedules

Planning ahead even a little makes attending the Atlanta Open much smoother—whether you’re a devoted tennis follower or just looking for a uniquely Atlanta summer experience.