The WTA has agreed to a three-year deal and says it wants to transform the event into the "Super Bowl of women's sports." The agreement is intended to provide greater stability after the Finals have had six different host cities in seven years.
A planned 10-year partnership with Shenzhen ended after just one edition. Guadalajara, Fort Worth, Cancun and Riyadh subsequently hosted the tournament, with attendance figures often falling short of expectations.
WTA chair Valerie Camillo said the organisation would take greater control of the event, including its revenues and expenses, rather than relying heavily on external operators.
"We are taking control of this event, of the creation of the revenue and the controlling of the expenses," Camillo said. She added that the approach would allow the WTA to have greater control over the tournament's financial future.
The 2026 WTA Finals will take place in Indian Wells, California, before Charlotte begins its hosting agreement in 2027. Prize money for the Charlotte editions has not yet been announced. This year's tournament will feature a $10m (£7.4m) prize pool, down from the $15.5m (£11.5m) offered when Riyadh hosted the Finals last year.
Camillo described 2026 as a transitional year for the WTA, citing cost-cutting measures and the unexpected expense of moving this year's event to Indian Wells. She said the organisation has a plan for sustainable financial performance from 2027 onwards, supported by expected growth in revenue and audiences.
Riyadh had been scheduled to host the Finals for a third consecutive year in November, but that agreement ended one year early. The decision followed instability linked to the conflict between the United States and Iran, as well as reduced involvement from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.
The WTA Finals feature the top eight singles players and doubles teams of the season. In Charlotte, the tournament will be staged at the Spectrum Center, home of the NBA's Charlotte Hornets.
Because the basketball season will be underway, the tournament is expected to be shortened from eight days to five due to the venue's busy schedule. The change could have an impact on revenue.
The WTA is already discussing alternative formats with players. If the round-robin structure remains, competitors could potentially be required to play on consecutive days.
As part of the agreement, the WTA will also move its global headquarters from St Petersburg, Florida, to Charlotte.
