Linz Open 2026: Star-Studded WTA Line-Up, Full Match Schedule & Where to Watch Live

The 35th Upper Austria Ladies Linz—better known worldwide as the Linz Open—returns 6-12 April 2026 with a fresh twist: for the first time the WTA 500 event moves indoors to clay, transforming the Design Center Linz into the opening stop of Europe’s spring swing. Key dates and daily schedule • Qualifying: 5-6 Apr • Rounds 1-2: 6-9 Apr • Quarterfinals: 10 Apr • Semifinals: 11 Apr • Singles & doubles finals: 12 Apr Star-studded field World No. 10 Mirra Andreeva headlines a 28-player singles draw that awards the top four seeds first-round byes. Defending champion Ekaterina Alexandrova looks to shake off a recent back issue, while power-hitters Liudmila Samsonova and former title-holder Jelena Ostapenko complete the projected top four. 2014 champion Karolina Pliskova enters with a protected ranking, and Austrian wild cards Sinja Kraus and Lilli Tagger guarantee home-crowd energy. Fresh faces and storylines • Teenage phenom Alexandra Eala debuts on clay, hunting a statement win before Roland-Garros. • Elena-Gabriela Ruse, who stunned Jelena Ostapenko to make her first WTA 500 semifinal last week, arrives as a dangerous floater. • Local fans will monitor ticket-selling favorite Julia Grabher after her injury layoff. Prize money & ranking points The Linz Open offers more than €1.04 million; the singles champion pockets €161,310 and 500 ranking points, crucial in the Race to the WTA Finals Riyadh. Why the surface switch matters Indoor clay neutralizes big servers while rewarding baseline creativity, a combination that could favor Andreeva’s heavy topspin and Ruse’s counter-punching. Expect longer rallies and tactical variety compared with traditional indoor hard courts. Fan experience & tickets A new “Walk of Champions” in the fan zone chronicles past winners, while Mercedes-Benz provides an all-electric shuttle fleet for sustainable transport. Remaining tickets can be purchased via ladieslinz.at; day sessions start at 11:00 CET, night sessions at 18:30. How to watch Global broadcast partners include Tennis Channel (USA), Sky Sport Austria, and WTA TV. Live scores and video highlights will stream on wtatennis.com throughout the week. Search-friendly takeaway With a surface change, record prize pool and headline acts like Andreeva, Alexandrova and Ostapenko, the Linz Open 2026 is set to deliver clay-court drama before the tour heads to Stuttgart. Bookmark this page for daily scores, updated draws, and the latest Linz Open news.