
Next Gen ATP Finals 2026 in Reggio Calabria: what to do between matches
How to get to PalaCalafiore, what to see in your free hours and how to get around without a car from 9 to 13 December
Five days of Under 20 tennis at PalaCalafiore and a city to see between one session and another: Riace Bronzes, seafront and Scilla half an hour away by train.
The Next Gen ATP Finals 2026 will be played in Reggio Calabria from 9 to 13 December, at PalaCalafiore. The tournament brings together the best Under-20 tennis players on the ATP circuit, with a prize money of $2 million. It is the first time that the event has come to the South: from 2017 to 2022 it was played in Milan, from 2023 to 2025 in Jeddah.
There are hours left between sessions. In this guide you will find how to get there, what to see in half a day and how to get around without a car, with the data verified as of October 5, 2026.
When and where the Next Gen ATP Finals 2026 are played
The tournament lasts five days, from Wednesday 9 to Sunday 13 December 2026, at the PalaCalafiore in Reggio Calabria. The official announcement came on 9 September 2026 from ATP, the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation and the Calabria Region.
- Who plays: the best players on the men's circuit aged 20 or younger. Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas have passed through the roll of honour; in 2025 Learner Tien won.
- Where: the PalaCalafiore is located in the northern area of the city, in the Pentimele district. Next to it is the Reggio di Calabria Pentimele station, on the Tyrrhenian railway line, with a stop for ATAM city buses.
- Tickets: they are on sale on TicketOne. The times of the individual sessions were not yet published at the date of this article: we will update them as soon as they are available.
How to get to Reggio Calabria and PalaCalafiore
By plane: the Strait Airport
Tito Minniti Airport is located about 8 km from the center, in the Ravagnese district. In 2025, the airport recorded 977,984 passengers, 56.7% more than in 2024, and Ryanair keeps two aircraft based there. Among the routes opened in 2025 are London Stansted, Paris Beauvais, Brussels Charleroi, Frankfurt Hahn and Milan Malpensa.
From the airport to the city centre, you have three options:
- Train: the Reggio di Calabria Aeroporto station is connected to Reggio Calabria Centrale by regional trains.
- Bus: ATAM lines 27 and 28 connect the Central Station to the airport. With Trenitalia you can buy a single train plus bus ticket, with a supplement of € 1.50 for the bus ride.
- Private transfer: The Athena ETC transfer from the airport costs €20 in total for 1 to 4 people and €5 per person for 5 to 8. See private transport.
By train
Reggio Calabria Centrale is the terminus of the national lines. For PalaCalafiore, get off at Reggio di Calabria Pentimele, served by regional and suburban trains. On weekends, the trips are less frequent: check the timetable on Trenitalia before leaving.
From Messina and Sicily
The port of Reggio is connected to Messina by passenger hydrofoils. Over 11 million passengers pass through the Strait every year, between embarkations and disembarkations: those staying in Sicily can follow the tournament and return the same day.
What to do between matches: four ideas for free time
1. Riace Bronzes and Historic Center (3 and a half hours)
The National Archaeological Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9 am to 8 pm, with last admission at 7:30 pm. It is closed on Mondays. During the tournament, from Wednesday to Sunday, the museum is therefore open every day.
The Reggio City + Museum Tour lasts 3 and a half hours and starts from Piazza Duomo: guided walk in the center and visit to the Riace Bronzes, in Italian or English. It costs from €85 per person, with a 25% discount for groups of at least 6 people.
2. The Falcomatà Promenade at sunset (free)
The promenade runs parallel to the center and looks straight over Sicily. On clear December days you can see Mount Etna covered in snow. At the Arena dello Stretto there is the statue of Athena, which lights up on the sea in the evening. It is the right activity for the hour before an evening session.
3. Scylla and Chianalea (5 hours)
Scilla is 16 km from Reggio and by regional train it takes about half an hour. The line is the same as the one that passes through Pentimele, so from the building you are already in the right direction. The village of Chianalea, with houses built on the water, is among the most beautiful villages in Italy.
The Scilla Experience includes round-trip transport from Piazza Indipendenza and a visit to the village and the Ruffo Castle. It costs from €40 per person (€32 for children under 12), with a progressive discount of up to 32%.
4. If you have a day off: Pentedattilo
If the calendar leaves you a whole morning, go to Pentedattilo, the abandoned village under the hand-shaped cliff, in the Grecanica Area south of Reggio. Without a car it is inconvenient to reach: the Athena ETC experience starts from Piazza Indipendenza with round-trip transport included, lasts about 4 hours and costs from €60 per person (€48 for children up to 12 years old).
What the weather is like in Reggio Calabria in December
In December, the average temperature in Reggio Calabria is 13.6 °C, with lows of 10.5 °C and highs of 16.7 °C (1991-2020 averages). It rains on average 8 days a month, for a total of 75 mm, and the sea remains around 16.5 °C. Bring a light jacket and an umbrella: that's all you need for the center and the seafront.
How to book with Athena ETC
Athena ETC services are reserved for members: registration is done online from the Join us page. The experiences are on request: choose the date, indicate how many people you are and receive confirmation. For groups and tailor-made requests, write to info@athenaetc.com or call +39 379 14 92 736.
Frequently asked questions about the Next Gen ATP Finals in Reggio Calabria
When is the Next Gen ATP Finals 2026 played?
From 9 to 13 December 2026, from Wednesday to Sunday, for five days of competition.
Where is the PalaCalafiore located?
In the northern area of Reggio Calabria, Pentimele district. The nearest station is Reggio di Calabria Pentimele, on the Tyrrhenian line, also served by ATAM buses.
Who participates in the tournament?
The best tennis players on the ATP circuit aged 20 or younger, qualified through the Next Gen Race rankings.
Where can I buy tickets?
On TicketOne, which has a page dedicated to the 2026 edition with information on discounts for FITP members and access for people with disabilities.
How do I get from the airport to the center of Reggio Calabria?
By regional train from Reggio di Calabria Airport station, with ATAM buses 27 and 28 or with a private transfer. The airport is about 8 km from the center.
How much does the Athena ETC transfer from the airport cost?
20 € in total for 1 to 4 people, 5 € per person for 5 to 8 people.
Is the Riace Bronze Museum open during the tournament?
Yes. The museum opens from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am to 8 pm and closes on Mondays: from 9 to 13 December it is open every day.
Can you visit Scilla in half a day?
Yes. Scilla is 16 km away and by regional train it takes about half an hour. The Scilla Experience by Athena ETC lasts 5 hours, including transport.
Do I need a car to follow the tournament and visit the area?
No, for the center, the museum, the seafront and Scilla you just need train and bus. For the villages of the Grecanica Area such as Pentedattilo and Bova you need a car or an excursion with transport included.
What is the weather like in Reggio Calabria in December?
Mild: 13.6 °C on average, with 8 rainy days in the month according to the 1991-2020 averages.
Sources
- ATP Tour, announcement on September 9, 2026
- Next Gen ATP Finals, official website
- TicketOne, Next Gen ATP Finals 2026
- Reggio di Calabria Pentimele Station
- SACAL, traffic data 2025
- Ryanair routes from Reggio Calabria, summer 2025
- Italia.it, Strait Airport
- Trenitalia, train plus bus connection to the airport
- National Archaeological Museum of Reggio Calabria
- Climates and travels, climate of Reggio Calabria (1991-2020)
- ItaliaOggi on ISTAT data, maritime traffic
