Fototermin mit Jutta Rinner und Julia Wanka für Tennisturnier.
From left: Julia Wanka, Head of Communications and Marketing at LINZ AG, and CEO Dr Jutta Rinner

The tournament as a green event

The Upper Austria Ladies Linz wants to become a green event this year! The women's world-class tennis tournament, which takes place from 5 to 12 February, has firmly anchored the topic of sustainability in its tournament concept with numerous measures. "As the most important women's sporting event in Austria, we want to fulfil our social responsibility and our role as a role model when it comes to sustainability - especially for the next generation, which is traditionally very present at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz," says Tournament Director Sandra Reichel. 
 
The Design Centre, to which we are returning after 20 years, is one of the first event locations in Austria to focus on green meetings and events. It is certified with the Austrian Ecolabel - just like the neighbouring Courtyard Marriott, the players' hotel. The shuttle fleet will partly consist of electric and hybrid vehicles, and the use of green electricity, green hosting for the website and vegan and regional catering options, served with reusable crockery, are also part of the "green concept".
 
Other measures include, for example: 

  • Thanks to our good partnership with LINZ AG, every visitor can travel free of charge on LINZ AG LINIEN, and players and coaches can pick up free day tickets for public transport at the Players' Desk. The players will be supported to travel to the tournament by public transport. 
  • An additional 100 bicycle stands will be set up in front of the Design Centre and helmets can be stored in the cloakroom. The bike racks are provided by the City of Linz.
  • In exhibition stand construction, the floors used are "upcycled" after the tournament. The advertising boards are also "upcycled" and turned into bags.
  • There is a craft workshop with visitors during the tournament hours: Tennis cans, tennis balls and other materials that accumulate at the tournament are "upcycled".
  • The players and staff of Upper Austria Ladies are given drinking bottles to minimise the use of disposable PET bottles.
  • In the public area there is a "Green Court". Here our partners can exhibit their sustainable products and services. Exhibitors and partners will also receive a checklist to ensure the best possible compliance with the Green Guidelines.
  • For each ace, a tree is planted by Oberösterreichische Versicherung. 
  • Waste is separated during the entire tournament. Here we receive great support from LINZ AG.

 

LINZ AG - a traditionally strong partner from the region

For LINZ AG, one of the longest-standing and most loyal partners of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz, sustainability is a particular concern: "The world-class tournament in Linz inspires many tennis fans year after year. LINZ AG is happy to support this major sporting event, with the tournament's wider concerns, from promoting women and talent to climate protection, creating an additional link," says Dr Jutta Rinner, CEO of LINZ AG. "Sustainability is a value for the protection of our living environment and generally stands for forward-looking thinking and action. Sustainability is a guiding principle that characterises LINZ AG's wide-ranging activities. I am therefore delighted that this approach is now also becoming increasingly visible in the partnership with the Upper Austria Ladies Linz."  
 
In addition, LINZ AG is once again the presenting partner of the draw in keeping with tradition. The exciting kick-off will take place on Sunday, 5 February 2023, at the Ars Electronica Center, the "Museum of the Future", including an interactive journey to "Planet B". The topic of sustainability will also play a major role here. On LINZ AG Day (Friday, 10 February 2023), there will once again be a meet & greet and autograph sessions with players at the LINZ AG stand. In addition, the popular mascot from the LINZ AG LINIEN grotto railway, the dragon "Sebastian", will ensure a good mood on the centre court of the Linz Design Center. LINZ AG für Energie, Telekommunikation, Verkehr und Kommunale Dienste is the leading energy and infrastructure service provider for Linz and parts of Upper Austria. 

New: After-work tickets

Tickets are available via the tournament homepage www.ladieslinz.atat all oeticket advance booking offices and (within Austria) via the ticket hotline 0900 94 96 096*. For the first time, special after-work tickets will be available during the week. They are always valid for the last two centre court matches of the day (admission from 6.30 pm) and are available from Monday to Thursday from just 20 euros. "We want to offer tennis fans the opportunity to watch the main matches of the day at an attractive price, especially in the afternoon after work," says Sandra Reichel, explaining the background to this promotion.