“Unlike roofs over swimming pools, when it rains, it stops tennis.”
A roof over Auckland’s Manuka Doctor Arena for the ASB Classic is expected to be completed in July 2027.
Tennis Auckland achieved its $15 million funding target in late 2025, with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited producing the final $5m needed for the project, matching the Government figure.
Tennis Auckland chief executive Rohan West said appointing a construction partner was an important milestone.
It has taken nearly 20 years of planning to reach this point.
“This roof will give Auckland a modern, year-round venue that New Zealand can be proud of.
“We are applying a proven system to a building that means a huge amount for tennis in New Zealand.”
Fabritecture NZ has been announced as the construction partner for the project.
Fabritecture has worked on roof projects at One New Zealand Stadium at Te Kaha, Ken Rosewell Arena at Sydney’s Olympic Park, Queensland Tennis Centre and Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong.
Once completed, the covered centre court can hold 3500 spectators, 4000 for concerts.
West previously told the Herald having the court covered by 2028 would be a “pragmatic outcome” and he expected to break ground in the second half of 2026.
A roof would prevent a repeat of the 2023 tournament, when almost half the sessions were washed out by a January deluge.
The 2027 ASB Classic will be the last uncovered tournament, with Jacub Mensik and Elina Svitolina defending their titles.