Orange Bowl, City of Fort Lauderdale, and USTA Partner on $9.5 Million Renovation for New Home of the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships

Multi-phase, World-Class Upgrade Completed Ahead of Prestigious December Junior Tournament

MIAMI LAKES, Fla. (November 13, 2025) – The Orange Bowl, the City of Fort Lauderdale, and the United States Tennis Association (USTA) are thrilled to announce the successful completion of a comprehensive, multi-million-dollar renovation of the legendary Jimmy Evert Tennis Center (JETC) at Holiday Park. This collaborative makeover ensures that the “Home of Champions” is elevated to international standards, positioning it as a world-class venue for community play and elite global competition.

The centerpiece of this revitalization project is a $1.5 million Legacy Gift from the Orange Bowl, which complements the City of Fort Lauderdale’s commitment of approximately $8 million, bringing the total investment to $9.5 million. This unprecedented partnership was also supported by the USTA as a key ally in solidifying the facility’s future.

The primary outcome of this partnership is the relocation of the prestigious Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships (Boys’ & Girls’ 16s and 18s), which will begin calling the new JETC home in December 2025. For over 75 years, this event has been recognized as one of the world’s premier junior tennis tournaments. Its distinguished alumni list includes dozens of future Grand Slam champions and World No. 1 players, such as Chris Evert, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Jim Courier, Roger Federer, Coco Gauff, and others, solidifying its place as a crucial proving ground for the sport’s elite.

“For nearly eight decades, the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships has played a critical role in developing the sport’s future stars, including a number of the greatest American champions,” said Tracy Davies, General Manager, USA Tennis. “We are incredibly grateful for the investment made by the Orange Bowl Committee and the City of Fort Lauderdale, which will give these future champions access to a world-class facility befitting the event’s prestigious history.”

Elevating a Legacy Facility

The extensive renovation, which began in January 2025 and was completed in Fall 2025, includes:

• 20 State-of-the-Art Clay Courts: Installation of sub-surface irrigation systems (hydro-courts), the industry standard for optimal playing conditions.
• Chris Evert Stadium Court: Construction of a brand-new 700-seat stadium court, which will be named in honor of Fort Lauderdale’s own tennis legend, Chris Evert.
• Enhanced Infrastructure: Full upgrades to the facility, including high-efficiency LED court lighting, new fencing, modern shade structures, improved pathways, and fully renovated restrooms.

“Our partnership with the City of Fort Lauderdale and the USTA on this historic renovation represents a shared vision for the future of tennis in South Florida,” said Henri Crockett, Orange Bowl Committee President & Chair. “The Jimmy Evert Tennis Center has a storied history of developing champions, and with these world-class enhancements, we are proud to relocate the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships here. This investment is a commitment to the legacy of this sport and the community that embraces it.”

“The Jimmy Evert Tennis Center has long been a cornerstone of Fort Lauderdale’s athletic and cultural identity,” said Mayor Dean Trantalis. “This partnership not only honors our city’s proud tennis heritage but also ensures that future generations of players, from neighborhood youth to international competitors, have a world-class venue to learn, train, and compete. We are thrilled to welcome the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships to its new home right here in Fort Lauderdale.”

Grand Reopening – Chris Evert Stadium Court

The community is invited to mark their calendars for the official Grand Reopening and Dedication Celebration of Chris Evert Stadium Court, scheduled for Monday, December 8, 2025, which will feature special guest appearances, including tennis icon Chris Evert.

The newly-renovated facility will first host the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships from December 5–14, 2025, welcoming elite junior athletes from around the world. For the first time in the event’s history, this year’s tournament will also feature the world’s top junior wheelchair tennis players.

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About the Orange Bowl

Orange Bowl is a non-profit sports organization that promotes and serves the South Florida community. Since 1935, its mission has been to bring tourism and economic impact to the region through an annual football game and supporting events, alongside community outreach embodied by the four pillars of Orange Bowl Cares: Youth Sports, Education, Community Engagement, and Legacy Programs. Orange Bowl’s year-round schedule of events culminates with the College Football Playoff Quarterfinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026. For more information on Orange Bowl events, including promotional inquiries and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program, visit orangebowl.org or follow @OrangeBowl on social media.

About the USTA

The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level — from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profit organization, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, one of the highest-attended annual sporting events in the world, and launched the US Open Series, linking seven summer WTA and ATP World Tour tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns approximately 120 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S. and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA’s philanthropic entity, the USTA Foundation, provides grants and scholarships in addition to supporting tennis and education programs nationwide to benefit under-resourced youth through the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network. For more information about the USTA, go to USTA.com or follow the official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

About the City of Fort Lauderdale
The City of Fort Lauderdale is a vibrant coastal community known for its world-class beaches, waterways, and dynamic quality of life. Home to more than 185,000 residents, the City provides exceptional public services, fosters economic growth, and champions resilience and sustainability through strategic investment in infrastructure, public safety, and community partnerships. Fort Lauderdale continues to build on its rich history while shaping a thriving and inclusive future for all who live, work, and visit.