Ben Shelton wins BMW Open by Bitpanda 2026 – 300 aces and coaching lessons for FUTURE ACES.

+++ Ben Shelton (USA) prevails against Flavio Cobolli (ITA) in the Munich final 6:2; 7:5 +++ Champion of the ATP 500 tournament is rewarded with an all-electric BMW iX3 +++ FUTURE ACES: 300 coaching lessons for disadvantaged young people +++ Doubles title goes to local heroes Jakob Schnaitter and Mark Wallner (both GER) +++

Munich. Ben Shelton did it on the second attempt. After losing to Alexander Zverev (GER) in last year's final, the 23-year-old won the BMW Open by Bitpanda 2026. The number two seed Shelton defeated Flavio Cobolli 6:2 and 7:5 in the final in front of more than 6,000 spectators on the packed Centre Court. The Italian had knocked out the top seed Zverev in the semi-finals, but succumbed to his opponent's powerful game on Sunday. It was the fifth win on the ATP Tour and the second on clay for Shelton, who has been a crowd favourite since his first serve in Munich.

In addition to the prize money (467,485 euros) and 500 world ranking points, NAME was also awarded the traditional leather trousers and the new BMW iX3 50 xDrive (WLTP energy consumption combined: 17,9 - 15,1 kWh/100 km; WLTP CO₂ emissions combined: 0 g/km; CO2-class: A; WLTP electric range: 679-805km) as the winner of the BMW Open by Bitpanda 2026. The all-electric winner’s vehicle is the first Neue Klasse model, which marks a huge leap forward in terms of electromobility, display and operating concept, digitalisation, connectivity, design, and sustainability. The new BMW iX3 and the BMW X5 with hydrogen technology were also part of the fully electrified shuttle fleet, which covered a distance of more than 65,000 kilometres during the BMW Open and brought players, visitors and customers safely and punctually to their destination.

Over the course of tournament week, which attracted a total of around 70,000 spectators, the professionals served 300 aces in the singles and doubles competitions, earning the same number of training hours that the BMW Group donates to the FUTURE ACES programme and young people in need. FUTURE ACES was launched last year together with MTTC Iphitos, organiser MMP EVENTS and other tournament partners. Six youngsters are now integrated into club life at MTTC Iphitos and train there regularly. A session even took place during the BMW Open by Bitpanda, which was also attended by tournament director Patrik Kühnen and top talent Justin Engel.

Quotes.

Tim Beltermann, Head of BMW Germany: “The electrifying final was the highlight of a great tournament week that once again thrilled Munich. Congratulations to NAME, who prevailed against the best field of players in 39 years of the BMW Open and can now enjoy a well-deserved new era of driving pleasure in the BMW iX3. Many thanks to all the players for the 300 aces with which they support our FUTURE ACES and thus our commitment to future prospects for all young people.”

Ben Shelton, winner BMW Open by Bitpanda 2026: “The BMW Open is an amazing tournament, it's an honour to be here. I hope I can come back to Munich for many years to come. I love the energy that comes from the stands during my matches, and the Kids Day in Munich is one of my favourite days out here on tour. Thank you to everyone who came here.“

Patrik Kühnen, Tournament Director: “We saw a very interesting field of players with big names and new faces. Many of the matches had character and were pairings that you usually only see in the third or fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament. The fans were able to experience passionate, offensive and top-class tennis. I am very happy about the BMW Open by Bitpanda 2026.”

Schnaitter and Wallner win doubles competition.

Victory in the "final at home": Jakob Schnaitter from Wasserburg am Inn and Mark Wallner from Munich have celebrated their first ATP doubles title. The local heroes had played their way into the main draw after qualifying and defeated the French duo Theo Arribage and Albano Olivetti 6:4; 6:7; 12:10 in a thrilling final.

FUTURE ACES: Programme giving children and young people access to tennis.

The long-term FUTURE ACES programme gives disadvantaged children and young people access to tennis and helps to broaden their future prospects. FUTURE ACES was initiated by the BMW Group and implemented together with partners of the BMW Open by Bitpanda – above all with MTTC Iphitos and the organiser MMP.

Every ace hit during the BMW Open corresponds to a coaching lesson at MTTC Iphitos. Children and young people are given the opportunity to learn tennis and develop their skills in a supportive environment. The programme promotes the development of the participants‘ potential and supports them on their path to a self-determined life as FUTURE ACES. The BMW Group is convinced that a strong society is created by empowering the individual. When young people are given the tools and gain the confidence to take their own path and shape it positively, a better future for everyone emerges.

At last year‘s BMW Open by Bitpanda 2025, 361 coaching hours were earned. This enabled 16 young people to try out tennis at a Whitsun camp lasting several days. Six youngsters decided to stick with the programme and were integrated into regular training and club life in the long term. The aim is to discover personal potential, strengthen personality, establish social contacts and broaden future prospects in addition to sporting activity. The programme will continue in 2026: The 300 aces from the BMW Open by Bitpanda 2026 and the associated donation will not only continue to support the six young people, but a new FUTURE ACES cohort will also start after the tournament.

Winner‘s Car 2026: BMW iX3 50 xDrive.

The BMW iX3 is the first Neue Klasse model with which BMW has launched a new era of driving pleasure. An instant success, it has established a new design language and set standards for driving dynamics and performance. A range of up to 805 kilometres, battery charging at up to 400 kW and an energy consumption of just 17.9–15.1 kWh/100 km (WLTP) demonstrate the outstanding abilities of the new BMW iX3. The new BMW Panoramic iDrive brings innovation to the interior. The high-performance control unit Heart of Joy and BMW Dynamic Performance Control take driving pleasure to an entirely new level.

Plenty of compelling reasons led the expert jury at the World Car Awards to declare the BMW iX3 the 2026 “World Car of the Year” – and thus the standout new vehicle on the international automotive markets – following extensive test drives. On top of that, the model won the 2026 “World Electric Vehicle” title. The BMW iX3 is therefore an absolute winner in its own right, making it the ideal special prize for the champion of the BMW Open by Bitpanda 2026.

Allianz Para Trophy.

For the fifth time, the Allianz Para Trophy has been played at MTTC Iphitos alongside the BMW Open by Bitpanda. The UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour tournament has long since established itself as a sporting highlight. The Allianz Para Trophy has been upgraded to a 500-category tournament and featured the premiere of the “Quad Division” this year, in which players with disabilities in at least three limbs compete.

The “Open Division” was won convincingly by top seed Gustavo Fernandez from Argentina in two sets (6:4; 6:3) against Frenchman Stephane Houdet, successfully repeating his tournament victory from the inaugural year (2022). In the Quad Division, world number two Sam Schroder from the Netherlands also prevailed clearly. He defeated world number three, Israeli Guy Sasson, 6:4; 6:0.