BMW Open in Munich: New Center Court for the bright future of tennis

Rarely do three letters and three numbers capture the imagination as it did at the 108th Open International Tennis Championships in Bavaria. BMW Open in Munich (April 13 to 21).

ATP 500!

When the Association of World Professional Players next to President Andrea Gaudenzi (50) decided at the beginning of November 2023 to improve the previous 250 races at MTTC Iphitos from 2025, it was like a sign of the beginning of the future. Suddenly big tennis dreams can become reality in Munich.

Neuer Center Court! More viewers! Excellent sale! Top ten players! Top prize money! More glitz and glamor! The biggest international recognition!

Davis Cup player Jan-Lennard Struff (36) has a bye in the first round in Munich, as do Alexander Zverev, Holger Rune and Taylor Fritz.

Photo: Getty Images

“The idea of trying to plant emerged five years ago, and at some point it became a vision,” says the chairman of Iphitos Dr. Fabian Tross (48), who led negotiations on options and conditions with the ATP and political committees. “We have now won against ten other applicants and are the only improvement in Europe. We have secured the best event for us, the city and the country for decades to come. We are ready to step up to the next stage.”

Dr. Fabian Tross (48), the first chairman of MTTC Iphitos, leads his club and the BMW Open in the 500cc era. The lawyer started his club career at the age of 8 as a soccer player

Photo: Volker Hoffmann

ATP 500 in Munich!

BILD was also inspired to design a new domain for the Iphitos website with the help of artificial intelligence (AI).

The dimensions of the Midjourney plan corresponded to the original plans: a modern stadium, a variable roof, 7,500 seats, near the English Garden.

Even if the future tennis temple of Munich, which is planned to stand in 2027, will probably not look like this, the AI study (see above) still gives an idea of a possible new direction.

ATP 500 in Munich!

“This is an important step for German tennis,” says Helmut Schmidbauer (71), President of the Bavarian Tennis Association (BTV) and Vice-President of the German Tennis Association (DTB). “We will have the third 500 tournament in the future with Hamburg and Halle. This emphasizes our international status. It helps in developing young talents and training the best players of the future because the best models play with us throughout the year.”

Design plans and approval procedures are currently underway for the renovation of the MTTC Iphitos club center (around 1,500 members, ATP main license holders). And it has two ends.

On the one hand for the final version, on the other hand for temporary solutions during the construction phase.

A new center court will be built to the south of the current main court and a hall at the rear of the area. It is possible that it will be a limited edition, which can be expanded with additional stations during the week of the competition. The total number is expected to increase to 70,000 to 80,000 viewers per week. So far there are about 45,000.

The MTTC Iphitos club grounds in Munich at the English Garden, where the BMW Open will be played as an ATP 500 tournament from 2025. Above right is the old main court for around 4,000 spectators. At the top left, at the back of the area, a new central stadium for 7,500 fans will be built. During the construction phase, there is a temporary solution with tubular steel stands for approximately 6,000 seats in front of the lobby (front right) — The MTTC Iphitos club grounds in Munich at the English Garden, where the BMW Open will be played as an ATP 500 tournament from 2025. Above right is the old main court for around 4,000 spectators. In the upper left, at the back of the area, a new central stadium for 7,500 fans will be built. During the construction phase, there is a temporary solution with tubular steel stands for approximately 6,000 seats in front of the lobby (front right)

Photo: SvenSimon

Worldwide TV sales from 2025

ATP 500 in Munich!

One thing is certain: it is a multi-million project.

“Without our long-term partners, especially BMW and Allianz, and without the support of politicians across party lines, it would not have been possible to take this step,” says Tross. “Not forgetting our members. If they didn’t agree, the plans would be null and void. But everyone was involved from the beginning.”

However, the investment will be worth it.

By jumping up to the 500 level, the BMW Open also moves into the ATP’s premier international TV sale.

This means a significant increase in income, which makes it possible, for example, to increase the prize money from 651,865 euros this year to around 2.5 million euros in the future. In addition, the new center court can be used and sold throughout the year, for example through the “right to name” of the sponsor.

The Prime Minister of Bavaria Dr. Markus Söder (57) on the BILD platform a year ago when he promised Free State support for the construction of a new tennis court in Munich.

Photo: BWM Getty Images

ATP 500 in Munich!

Especially one year ago, the Prime Minister and tennis fan Dr. Markus Söder (CSU) offered financial support publicly for the first time directly on the VIP tent stage at “Send on BILD”: “Big projects also need big support! The Free State is ready to help. If the city of Munich also joins , we will complete it. We have many big sports in Munich – but tennis can be one more!”

“That was the deciding factor for the ATP to win the contract,” says Tross: “It’s an amazing feeling that our dream is now coming true.”