BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. – June 9, 2026 – Following its recognition as the 2025 ATP Challenger Tournament of the Year, the Cranbrook Tennis Classic will return July 19–26, 2026, bringing world-class professional tennis, expanded fan experiences, and growing cultural momentum back to metro Detroit.
Now elevated to ATP Challenger 125 status, the tournament enters 2026 with increased prize money totaling $230,000, a stronger international player field, and national and international television coverage on Tennis Channel. Hosted at Cranbrook Schools in Bloomfield Hills, the event has rapidly become one of the premier stops on the ATP Challenger Tour in just three years.
Founded by DonerColle Executive Chairman David DeMuth, who serves as tournament chair, the Cranbrook Tennis Classic continues to position Detroit as an emerging destination for elite tennis while investing directly back into the local community through nonprofit operator Tennis Forward. All tournament profits benefit the Palmer Park Tennis Academy in Detroit and Cranbrook Schools. To date, the tournament has donated over $100,000 back into community programs supporting youth development through tennis.
“One of the most important forces in sports, business, and community building is momentum, and the Cranbrook Tennis Classic continues to build momentum at every level,” said David DeMuth, tournament chair. “To be named ATP Challenger Tournament of the Year in just our third year is an incredible honor. We’ve built something that not only brings world-class tennis to Detroit but also creates meaningful opportunities for people in our community.”
The 2026 tournament is expected to feature players from more than 20 countries, continuing the event’s reputation as a proving ground for the next generation of global tennis stars. Alumni include Learner Tien (#19), Ethan Quinn (#48), Alexander Blockx (#36), and NCAA champions Michael Zheng and Eliot Spizzirri. More than 30 current ATP Top 150 players have competed in the tournament already.
Beyond competition, this year’s event will feature expanded community programming and fan experiences, including:
- Youth clinics led by professional players
- Opportunities for children from underserved communities to attend tournament matches
- A wheelchair tennis exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of wheelchair tennis
- Mental health-focused programming featuring a visiting performance coach
- Expanded seating and hospitality experiences
- Food trucks and lifestyle activations throughout tournament week
The tournament also continues to deepen its ties to Detroit’s creative and cultural communities. This year’s championship trophy is being designed by a Cranbrook Academy of Art artist-in-residence and head of ceramics, Ian McDonald, creating a unique intersection between sports, art, and design.
Last year, the tournament welcomed more than 5,000 fans and generated significant digital engagement as interest in professional tennis continues to rise across the United States.
The Cranbrook Tennis Classic is supported by sponsors including Burns & Wilcox, Taft Law, Children’s Foundation of Michigan, 123NET, Employment Boost, Oppenheimer Funds, Feldman Automotive, David Klein Gallery, and Ray’s Ice Cream, among others.
Hosted at Cranbrook Educational Community, a National Historic Landmark internationally recognized for its architecture and design legacy, the tournament combines elite competition with one of the country’s most distinctive sporting backdrops.
For ticket information, sponsorship opportunities, and tournament updates, visit https://cranbrooktennisclassic.com/.
