The Big Ten Conference is coming back to The Ojai.
This time it’s the top 10 men’s teams that will descend on historic Libbey Park as the Big Ten Conference Men’s Tennis Tournament takes center stage, beginning Wednesday, April 22, and culminating with the championship match under the lights on Saturday evening, April 25, marking the 124th playing of the event, Ojai Valley Tennis Club President Mark Happach announced.
The Big Ten Conference – the oldest NCAA Division I collegiate athletic conference in the United States founded in 1896 – was founded the same year as one of the nation’s oldest tennis tournaments, The Ojai, the classic event played under the massive overhanging eucalyptus and oak trees in downtown Ojai.
Tickets are now on-sale and can be purchased by going to: https://theojai.net/tournament-info/tickets/
“With the success of the Big Ten Conference Women’s Tournament last year, we couldn’t be happier to welcome the top Big Ten Conference men’s tennis teams this April at The Ojai,” Happach said. “Since 1896, The Ojai has stood for tennis and tradition and played in a picturesque park setting. The Big Ten Conference men’s teams, as well as the rest of the players and coaches in all of our divisions, will surely create memories that will last a lifetime.”
The 14 men’s tennis schools in the Big Ten are: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Michigan State, Nebraska, Northwestern, Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Purdue, UCLA, USC, Washington and Wisconsin. The top 10 teams in the conference standings qualify for the Big Ten Tournament at The Ojai. UCLA is the defending champion having upset host Ohio State in last year’s dramatic Big Ten Conference final.
“We are once again looking forward to our partnership with the Ojai Valley Tennis Club as they host the 2026 Big Ten Men’s Tennis Tournament,” said Becky Pany, Big Ten Conference, Senior Vice President, Sports Administration. “After a successful 2025 Big Ten Women’s Tournament, we’re excited for our men’s programs to have the opportunity to compete at a first-class facility at The Ojai that will provide a memorable experience for our student-athletes, coaches and fans.”
In 2025, the Big Ten Conference Women’s Tennis Tournament took place at The Ojai with No. 2 Ohio State taking out No. 1 Michigan, 4-3, earning the Buckeyes the Big Ten’s automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament for the Buckeyes.
Besides the Big Ten Men’s Tennis Tournament, The Ojai will once again serve as host to the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championships for teams and individuals that qualify. The Ojai’s Men’s and Women’s Open singles and doubles divisions will be contested as a prize money event. The tournament also includes the Boys’ CIF singles and doubles divisions, and more junior competitions with the Boys’ and Girls’ 12s, 14s and 16s draws, and a Girls’ 18s draw. The finals of the CCCAA, the open and various junior divisions will take place on Sunday, April 26.
For more information check out the tournament website at www.TheOjai.net. Like The Ojai on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheOjaiTennisTournament; Follow on Twitter @TheOjai and on Instagram at @OjaiTennis.