National Bank Challenger calls it quits after 5-year Calgary run

Rebecca Marino celebrates after winning the women's singles title at the Calgary National Bank Challenger Sunday. (Photo: X@beccamarino90)

The National Bank Challenger tennis tournament is no more.

Osten & Victor Alberta Tennis Centre (ATC) CEO and tournament director Danny Da Costa announced in a media release Wednesday that after a five-year run, the tournament was ending.

“We’re extremely proud of what we’ve built here in Calgary and the impact we’ve had on this great city,” said Da Costa. “Hosting the challenger is a big undertaking for our organization, especially as a community-based, non-profit (tennis) centre and our small organizing committee.

“Since 2018, the challenger has doubled in size, and the funds required to deliver this event have grown each year,” Da Costa added. “Our current Canadian market conditions, coupled with a weak Canadian dollar and the threat of tariffs, pose too much risk for our organization to consider hosting at this time.

“We remain hopeful that the event can return in the future.”

The tournament was launched 2018 as part of the ATP men’s challenger tour and expanded in 2022 to include a women’s ITF (International Tennis Federation) event.

In 2024, the women’s champion was Rebecca Marino, who moved back into the Top 100 following her victory.

“Thank you Calgary!” she said. “This week was a dream – I’m so proud to be from Western Canada, so to win this tournament was extra special like playing at home!

“So much appreciation and gratitude for everyone who made this week so memorable on and off the court.”

American Murphy Casson won the final National Bank Challenger on the men’s side.

Since 2018, the National Bank Challenger attracted 55,000 spectators, generating more than $15 million in economic impact for the city of Calgary.

In 2024, the tournament was broadcast live, drawing 170.000 viewers around the world.

“It will feel strange not having the Calgary National Bank Challenger on the schedule this year,” said Tennis Canada CEO Gavin Ziv. “It’s an event that has played a pivotal role in growing tennis in Canada, especially in the west. In its five years, the organizing committee, led by Danny Da Costa, has done a tremendous job in staging an event that has consistently gone above and beyond, and we are hopeful it will return in the coming years.”

In the absence of hosting the tournament, the ATC said it will “reprioritize court time access for members, continue to deliver programming, and host provincial and national tennis tournaments.”

It’s also planning a major expansion of its facilities.