The tournament is officially called the BMW Open due to the current sponsors of the event which takes place in Munich, Germany. It is competed on clay courts and commences on the first week in May. It was first held in 1974 and the main draw consists of 32 players.

German tennis players had little success in the event until 2007 when to the delight of the home crowd Philip Kohlschreiber won the title. The current champion is Fernando Gonzalez who defeated Simone Bolelli in a very close final winning 7-6, 6-7, 6-3.