CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A project for a large new tennis campus is a step closer of becoming a reality in Charlotte. 

What You Need To Know

  • Charlotte is a step closer of having a new tennis campus
  • The Charlotte City Council unanimously voted to invest $65 million in the project
  • The campus would host the Western & Southern Open

On Monday, the Charlotte City Council unanimously approved investing $65 million for the project. Beemok Sports LLC is proposing building a more than 50-acre site in the River District with four major stadiums and more than 40 hard, clay, indoor tennis courts and pickleball courts. 

“It makes good economic sense, in terms of bringing jobs, economic opportunity to a part of the community that really needs it: West Charlotte,” Councilman Malcolm Graham said. 

The site would host the Western & Southern Open, a two-week tournament that Beemok Sports estimates will attract 35,000 attendees and bring $275 million in economic impact to the area.

David Hains is part of the Dilworth Tennis Group, which attracts 100 players to public tennis courts in the Dilworth neighborhood every weekend.

He's excited about the plan. 

“A lot of people like me are going to be going out there to see the greatest players in the world — men and women — and also concerts,” Hains said.

Graham, who moved to Charlotte to play tennis in college, said the project will bring amenities the community can use year-round.  

“There will be a tennis academy at the facilities, clay courts, indoor courts, public use. Right now we don’t have any of those public amenities for tennis in Charlotte and really someone to help us create a pure tennis environment in the city,” Graham said. 

For Hains, the project has a special meaning. 

“It would be the fulfillment of a dream to see major league tennis on a regular basis in my hometown,” Hains said. 

Beemok Sports is also seeking funding from Mecklenburg County and the state for the $400 million project.  

“The governor and our office met with this group and they have a strong plan. I don’t have any additional information to share at this time,” Gov. Roy Cooper’s press secretary Sam Chan said. 

The company hopes to host the Western & Southern Open in the new campus in 2026.

The project would be in the River District, a development bringing homes, retail and commercial space to Charlotte’s west side.