The Mark Bates Ltd National Championships will be an even bigger and better occasion for players and spectators in 2026, with a refreshed format that brings qualifying and the main draw together under one roof.

For the first time in recent years, the opening day of the Nationals – Friday 20 March at David Ross Sports Village in Nottingham – will host the Men’s and Women’s Singles qualifying rounds. It will be an open tournament, meaning any eligible players can enter the Men’s Singles or Women’s Singles.

They will go head-to-head to be one of 24 players in each gender who will progress to the main draw on Saturday, where eight players invited on the basis of rankings, or given wildcards, will be waiting in the Round of 32.

Doubles remains a central part of the flagship competition, with the early rounds adding to the spectacle on Friday and continuing into Saturday.

Sunday is Finals Day, when the venue is transformed to the ‘Show Court’ set-up where a day of thrilling matches will see the titles decided.

The change, approved by the Competitions Committee, is designed to create an even more vibrant atmosphere, showcasing a wider range of talent and giving more players the chance to experience competing in front of spectators on the sport’s biggest national stage. For fans, it means more matches, more drama, and more reasons to be part of the action.

Further details, including how the doubles formats will work, will be published in due course. The Qualifying Tournament, originally scheduled for 10-11 January 2026, will now be removed from the calendar.

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