SLAM HISTORYALL TIME Dubai VENUES
Aviation Club Tennis Complex, Dubai: 1993 - present
The Aviation Club opened in 1991 at the initiative of a great tennis enthusiast His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Having actively participated in various tournaments himself, the Sheik’s bold, ambitious decision to host a professional tournament in the desert was bound to succeed. The first men's tennis tournament took place there as early as 1993. Matches were held on the club's outdoor hard courts with temporary stands, and Karel NOVACEK won.
In 1996, a modern stadium replaced the temporary structures. The facility was designed to withstand extreme desert conditions. The primary challenge was the temperature, which exceeds 45°C in the summer. As a result, the concept was simple and practical. Italian architects Mario and Luigi Donato proposed positioning the main court's stands to capture and circulate even the slightest air currents, thereby minimizing the "heat trap" effect typical of enclosed arenas. Furthermore, all courts feature a surface specially adapted to high temperatures.
Another issue - desert dust and fine sand - was addressed through an innovative solution: the courts have a subtle yet precisely calculated slope. This ensures that during the desert's rare but intense downpours or routine water cleaning, dust and dirt are washed into drainage channels without clogging the acrylic surface's pores. An entire ecosystem, known as the "oasis concept", was created around the complex. Expansive green areas, ornamental artificial lakes, and leisure zones like the Irish Village and Century Village were seamlessly integrated into the sports complex. The Jumeirah Creekside Hotel is also located nearby. Athletes and officials stay there during competitions, allowing them to reach the courts on foot in just a few minutes. The first women's tournament took place in 2001, and Martina HINGIS won. The complex is currently undergoing a major two-phase renovation. A new court (Court 1) with a capacity of 2,000 spectators opened in 2026, and plans are in place to increase Centre Court's capacity by 2027.
Centre Court at Aviation Club Tennis Complex, Dubai
Centre Court (now known as the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium) officially opened in 1996. For a long time, the stadium held 5,000 spectators. After a complete renovation scheduled for completion in 2027, the arena will accommodate approximately 7,500 visitors. The court features a specialized hard surface considered one of the fastest on the tour. It produces a low bounce and very high ball speed, offering a significant advantage to players with powerful serves and aggressive, attacking styles. The court features a powerful floodlighting system that enables spectacular evening matches once the heat subsides, making it a hallmark of Dubai broadcasts.
Centre Court Seating Map at Aviation Club Tennis Complex, Dubai
VIP/Sponsors. An exclusive area for members of the royal family, UAE government officials and VIPs holding special invitations from the organizing sponsors. It features the highest level of security and service.
Prime A. Premium tickets offer the seats closest to the court, with the best views directly at player level. The tickets always come with fixed row and seat numbers. Spectators enjoy convenient, quick access to exits, VIP areas, and the complex's renowned restaurants.
Prime B. They occupy the majority of the North Stand. Located on the Lower Level, they are positioned directly behind the Prime A seats. This offers a classic baseline view, placing the spectator right behind the player serving or returning the ball. Tickets in this category also feature fixed, numbered seating for matches during both the women's (WTA) and men's (ATP) weeks.
Grandstand Lower. One of the most popular and well-balanced options for watching tennis matches. It combines an excellent view of the court with a reasonable price.
Grandstand Upper. The upper tier of the stands, located along the sidelines of the field (east and west sides). This is the most affordable and popular ticket category for the general public. Seats in the Grandstand Upper section are not assigned specific numbers. Seating in this section is first come, first served.
Court 1 at Aviation Club Tennis Complex, Dubai
Court 1 in Dubai is a brand-new show court, created in 2026 as part of a major two-phase redevelopment of the tennis center in Al Garhoud district.
Designed as the tournament's second-most important court, intended to ease pressure on and complement the legendary Centre Court, it sits near the main stadium. The arena features 2,000 seats in grandstands and uses the same heat-resistant hard court surface as the main court. Because the surrounding stands are premium, modular temporary structures, the court's layout and spatial configuration can be quickly and easily transformed to suit the needs of specific tournament stages. A key feature of Court 1 is its unique ticketing policy: despite the high-profile matches, organizers have made access to the court free for fans, subject to prior online registration, which has naturally made it immensely popular. Seating is first-come, first-served.