What is the Rogers Cup ?
Since 1881, a bevy of tennis stars have blessed Canadians with their impressive talent. The world famous Canadian Open, the oldest ongoing tournament after Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, continues to present a first grade organization. From Toronto to Montreal every other year, the Rogers Cup is an important leg of the ATP Masters Series. With $2.45 million dollars U.S. prize money, this event attracts the world's best tennis players.
The impressive list of past champions on the Canadian stop of the professional tennis circuit bear such legendary names as John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Ivan Lendl, Andre Agassi and Roger Federer. At the inauguration of Toronto's Rexall Centre in 2004, 41 of the 50 best men's players in the world played for a record Toronto crowd of 165,508 spectators. In 2007, the Rogers Cup enjoyed the best attendance in its history, attracting 182, 252 spectators to Montreal’s Uniprix Stadium. Not only is that number a Canadian record, but it is also a world record for a week-long tennis tournament.
What is Tennis Canada?
Founded in 1890, Tennis Canada is a non-profit, national sport association responsible for leading the growth, promotion and showcasing of tennis in Canada. Tennis Canada owns and operates two of the premier events on the ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA tours; Rogers Cup men’s and women’s events that rotate annually between Rexall Centre in Toronto and Uniprix Stadium in Montreal. In addition, Tennis Canada owns and operates six professional ITF sanctioned events and financially supports five other professional tournaments in Canada. Tennis Canada operates national training centres at the Compass Centre of Excellence in Toronto and at Uniprix Stadium in Montreal. Tennis Canada is a proud member of the International Tennis Federation, the Canadian Olympic Committee, the Canadian Paralympic Committee and the International Wheelchair Tennis Association, and serves to administer, sponsor and select the teams for Davis Cup, Fed Cup, the Olympic Games and all wheelchair, junior and senior national teams. Tennis Canada invests its surplus into tennis development. For more information on Tennis Canada please visit our Web site at: www. tenniscanada.com.
What are the dates of the tournament?
The Rogers Cup men’s event will be held in Toronto from July 19-27, 2008. The Rogers Cup presented by National Bank women’s event will be held in Montreal from July 26-August 3, 2008.
Didn't the women play in Toronto in 2007?
Our events rotate between Toronto and Montreal each year. In 2007, the men played in Montreal and the women played in Toronto.
How many seats are in the Rexall Centre in Toronto?
Centre court can hold up to 12,500 spectators.
How can I purchase Rogers Cup tickets?
Tickets may be purchased online at rogerscup.com or by calling our ticket office at (416) 665-9777 ext 4333, or toll free at 1 877- 283-6647.
For tickets to the women’s event in Montreal please call 1 866-338-2685.
Can I buy tickets on-site?
Yes, the Rexall Centre Box Office is open during the event from 9:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. It is located at the North end of the stadium outside the main gates.
What are some of the ‘tennis etiquette’ rules that fans must abide by while watching matches at the Rogers Cup?
- Please remain in your seat until the end of play and only leave your seat during a player changeover.
- Please refrain from making noise during play.
- Smoking is not permitted in the Stadium Court.
- Turn cell phones to vibrate/silent mode.
- Do not use flash photography from the stands.
What is a session?
The tournament consists of 15 sessions of tennis.
Qualifying matches are played on the first weekend with players ranked outside the Top 50 vying for one of eight spots in the main draw. From Monday through Saturday there are two sessions per day, a matinee and an evening session. There are two to four matches per session, a number that could vary depending on the length of matches and any delays due to weather or injury. The finals of the singles and doubles are played in the final session on Sunday. Tickets for the matinee session are not valid for the evening session on centre court, but ticket holders are welcome to stay on the grounds and watch matches being played on other courts.
What session or day is the best to attend?
Every fan finds a different day or session to his or her liking. There are more matches earlier in the week and during matinee sessions. As the week progresses, the excitement builds as the field narrows and the remaining players fight to become the next champion of the Rogers Cup.
Can I buy a ticket to watch a particular player?
The Rogers Cup is an elimination tennis tournament, and as such the schedule of play is determined each evening for the following day. Therefore, it is not possible to purchase tickets in advance and guarantee a specific player will play in that session.
How are the draw and schedule made?
The official draw is created on site on Saturday, July 19, 2008. The players’ names are randomly selected and placed on the official drawboard, with the top eight seeds already placed on the board after receiving a bye in the first round. Once the draw is determined, the schedule of play is made daily by the tournament director, tournament referee and ATP Tour Director. Please check rogerscup.com nightly throughout the tournament for the next day’s schedule of play.
If I don’t want to be looking into the sun, or would like to sit in the shade, where would be the best place to sit?
During the matinee session the sun is almost directly overhead and there is no shade. During the evening session while the sun is setting the preference is to sit on the west side facing east. The Rexall Centre is an outdoor stadium so remember to bring your sunscreen and a hat as temperatures can get very hot.
Where is the best place to sit?
Would you prefer to sit on a side, corner or end of the court? Each has its advantages and it really depends on personal preference. Please take a virtual tour to find your personal preference.
Would you prefer to sit on a side, corner or end of the court? Each has its advantages and it really depends on personal preference. Please take a virtual tour to find your personal preference.
Where do the umpire and players sit?
They sit on the west side facing east.
Where do the players enter the stadium?
The players enter the stadium from court level in the southeast corner.
Can I get a grounds pass?
Grounds passes are available once a session is sold out.
If I require a wheelchair seat or other disabled access seating, how do I order?
Accessible seating is available in the Level 100 section and there are two elevators to access the stadium. Please call our ticketing hotline to have a representative assist you in booking your tickets at 1 877-283-6647 x4333. Accessible parking is conveniently located across the street and can be accessed with a valid, government issued, handicap parking pass.
Does my child need a ticket?
Children under the age of two do not require a ticket provided they sit on your lap and do not inconvenience other fans. Tickets for children over two years of age can be purchased at a 10% discount.
Where can I stay if I’m from out of town?
We can recommend hotels near the site, downtown or near the airport. Our official tournament host hotel is the Hilton, please check out their Web site at www.hilton.com or call for special Rogers Cup offers.
York University also offers rooms on campus. For rates and information contact Hospitality York at (416)736-5020 or hospyork@yorku.ca.
When will I get my tickets?
Orders taken up to May 30th will be mailed in June. Customers who purchase tickets after the month of May will receive their order by regular mail within 10 business days.
What is WILL CALL and where is it located?
Will Call is the international term for “ticket pick up”. During the event, the Will Call booth is located on the north side of the stadium just west of the Main Gate and the Box Office. Will Call hours are 9am – 9pm through the event. Please bring photo ID to pick up your tickets. You will not be able to sign for your tickets without identification.
What does my ticket entitle me to?
We sell tickets for reserved Stadium Court seats only. Your ticket also allows access to matches on other courts including the Grandstand during the session your ticket is valid for, however this seating is unreserved.
What is the Grandstand?
The Grandstand is located at the south end of the site and will host a number of marquee matches throughout the week. It is the second show court next to Centre Court and seating works on a first come first serve basis.
How many matches will I see with my ticket?
From Monday through Friday, there will be a minimum of three matches scheduled on Centre Court in the matinee session and a minimum of two matches scheduled in the evening session. Inclement weather and other factors beyond our control may alter this schedule. Both singles and doubles matches are included in most sessions.
What if I lose my ticket?
Tickets can be replaced for the original ticket purchaser at a cost of $5.00 per ticket and picked up at the Will Call booth beside the Box Office.
What if it rains?
Every attempt will be made to play any/all scheduled matches in the event of inclement weather. If the rain stops, to resume play, courts will be dried and the session will continue. If a session is cancelled due to rain, paid session tickets may be exchanged for a following day session ticket as noted in the Terms and Conditions.
It’s raining, my session of tennis is about to start and I am still at home…
We do ask that you make your way to the Rexall Centre. The delay could be four hours or it could be 20 minutes, we never know. It is best that, if you don’t live close by, you are on site because once it stops raining it only takes 30 minutes to dry off the courts and resume play.
It’s raining and I am at the Rexall Centre…
Please be patient. We will keep you updated around the site and through our closed circuit television screens. It is best to stay on site or remain close by because once it stops raining it only takes 30 minutes to dry off the courts and resume play. You can always browse the shops, do some tennis trivia, enter contests, grab a bite to eat and who knows, you may see a player or two.
What can I do if I am unable to use my ticket?
Reselling tickets on the grounds of the Rexall Centre and York University is illegal. However you can donate them to a charity of your choice or give them to a friend. Tickets are non-refundable.
How do I get to the Rexall Centre?
Visit our Web site for directions via vehicle and public transit. How to Get There
Is parking available close to the site?
Paid parking is available on the York University campus. Premium Seat ticket packages may include parking privileges. Please allow for ample time to park and either walk or take a shuttle bus to the stadium.
What time can I come to watch my session of tennis?
You may enter the site for your session according to the gate time printed on your ticket. Typically, the gates open one to two hours prior to the start of the first match. For example, the Thursday Matinee session gates open at 10:00 a.m. and the matches start at 11:00 a.m. while Thursday Evening session gates open at 5:30 p.m. and the matches start at 7:30 p.m.
Can I bring my own food and beverages?
Food and beverages are sold on the grounds during the event. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions regarding items which are not allowed to be brought on site. Terms and Conditions
Is the tournament televised?
The tournament is broadcast in Canada on TSN/RDS throughout the week and CBC/SRC on championship weekend. Rogers Cup is also aired on ESPN2, The Tennis Channel and Eurosport around the world. Please check with your local provider for scheduled broadcast times.
How do I volunteer?
Volunteers are expected to pledge a minimum of 42 hours (approximately seven shifts) over the nine-day tournament and must attend an orientation/training session in July. Volunteers are provided with a comprehensive compensation package for their time. This package includes a tournament uniform, a pair of tickets for five sessions on stadium court, complimentary parking, access to the grounds throughout the event, a special volunteer seating area on stadium court, discounts on sponsor products and tickets, and a meal for every shift worked. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Ball Crew must be between the ages of 12 and 17 years. Click here to find out more
What is FMF?
The Facility Maintenance Fee (FMF) is a 7% fee charged to all tickets purchased. The revenue raised from the FMF will assist in the maintenance and improvement of the Rexall Centre allowing Tennis Canada to continue to fulfill its mandate of growing the game of tennis across Canada.
Can I bring a camera?
The enjoyment of watching world-class tennis at Rexall Centre is of the utmost importance for the Rogers Cup staff. The intimacy of the facility combined with the thrill of professional sports brings a unique opportunity for the thousands of fans in attendance. A part of the fan entertainment at Rogers Cup is the use of photography equipment during match play. As is the case at other sporting venues, policies have been created at Rexall Centre to ensure fans and media alike can watch and work during play.
In order to provide ticket holders with unrestricted sight lines during match play, fans are asked to refrain from bringing professional-grade photography equipment to Rexall Centre. While there are varying grades of professional cameras on the market, the equipment in question stems from lenses that obstruct the view of nearby ticket holders. Tripods, monopods and the use of flash photography are also strictly prohibited.
Upon entering the grounds of Rexall Centre, if Rogers Cup security staff find in your possession, professional-grade photography that may hinder the sightline of fans, you will be asked to check the equipment at Guest Services or return your camera to your vehicle. It is a best practice among all professional sporting venues to restrict the use of certain photography equipment to only accredited members of the media. Rexall Centre camera policies have historically been more lenient compared to other arenas in the marketplace. Additionally, fans are encouraged to take photographs of their favourite tennis stars for recreational purposes, however Tennis Canada owns the exclusive rights to sell all pictures from the tournament. Ticket holders are not permitted to use photographs from the event for commercial purposes.
Tennis Canada and the Rogers Cup staff thank you for your understanding and we hope you enjoy your visit to Rexall Centre from July 19-27 2008. Should you have any questions regarding the camera policy, please send your remarks to info@tenniscanada.com.
