The French Open, officially known as Roland-Garros, is the premier clay court tennis tournament in the world and the second Grand Slam of the season. Held annually at the Stade Roland-Garros in Paris, the 2026 edition runs from 24 May to 7 June. As the only Grand Slam played on clay, Roland-Garros presents a unique test of endurance, tactical skill, and mental fortitude that sets it apart from the other three majors.
What is the French Open?
The French Open is one of four Grand Slam tournaments in professional tennis, alongside the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. It is the only major played on clay, specifically the distinctive red terre battue (crushed brick) surface that has defined the tournament’s character for nearly a century. The event features men’s and women’s singles, doubles, mixed doubles, wheelchair events, and junior competitions.
Founded in 1891 as the Championnat de France, the tournament was originally restricted to members of French tennis clubs. It opened to international competitors in 1925, becoming a Grand Slam event. The main draw features 128 players in both the men’s and women’s singles, with seven rounds from the first round through to the final. The slower clay surface tends to produce longer rallies and rewards players with exceptional fitness and patience.
When is the French Open?
The 2026 French Open runs from Sunday 24 May to Sunday 7 June. Qualifying rounds take place from 18 to 23 May during Opening Week, with the main draw starting on 24 May. The singles finals are scheduled for the second weekend of June, with the women’s final on Saturday 6 June and the men’s final on Sunday 7 June.
The schedule includes rest days built into the second week, and since 2021 the tournament has featured night sessions on Court Philippe-Chatrier, offering an alternative viewing window for fans in different time zones.
Where is the French Open?
The French Open is held at the Stade Roland-Garros, located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, adjacent to the Bois de Boulogne. The venue was purpose-built in 1928 and named after the French aviator Roland Garros. The centrepiece is Court Philippe-Chatrier, which seats 14,991 spectators and features a retractable roof installed ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The stadium complex also includes Court Suzanne-Lenglen (capacity 10,068), Court Simonne-Mathieu (capacity 5,000, built inside the Serres d’Auteuil botanical garden), and numerous outside courts. Philippe-Chatrier is notable for its generous 32-foot baseline run-off, more than either Arthur Ashe Stadium or Wimbledon’s Centre Court. The venue is accessible via the Paris Metro (lines 9 and 10) and is a short journey from central Paris.
Key Contenders
Carlos Alcaraz is the defending champion, having won the 2025 title by defeating Jannik Sinner in the final. The Spaniard’s game is ideally suited to clay, combining power with exceptional movement and touch. At 23, Alcaraz will be looking to cement his status as the dominant force on the surface once ruled by his compatriot Rafael Nadal.
Jannik Sinner, the world number one for much of the 2025 season, will be among the leading contenders. The Italian has steadily improved on clay and will be eager to go one step further after his 2025 final appearance. Novak Djokovic, a three-time French Open champion, remains a threat on any surface despite his advancing years.
In the women’s draw, Iga Swiatek is the standout clay court player of her generation, with multiple Roland-Garros titles already to her name. Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, and Coco Gauff are among those expected to challenge for the title.
How to Watch the French Open
The French Open has comprehensive global broadcast coverage. In France, France Televisions provides free-to-air coverage, with Amazon Prime Video holding exclusive rights to the night sessions. Across Europe (excluding France), Eurosport and Discovery+ carry the tournament in more than 50 territories.
In the United States, TNT, truTV, and the Max streaming platform hold the broadcast rights, with every match from every court available live on Max. In the United Kingdom, TNT Sports and Discovery+ provide coverage. Canadian viewers can watch on TSN, while in Australia, Nine Network and Stan Sport carry the tournament. In China, CCTV and iQiYi hold the rights, and in Japan, WOWOW is the broadcaster. Latin American coverage is provided by ESPN.
History and Records
Rafael Nadal holds the most extraordinary record in Grand Slam tennis: 14 French Open men’s singles titles from 14 finals contested between 2005 and 2022. No other player in the Open Era has dominated a single Grand Slam to such an extent. The Spaniard’s mastery of the Roland-Garros clay earned him the title “King of Clay.”
Among women, Chris Evert won seven French Open titles between 1974 and 1986, the most in the Open Era. Bjorn Borg won six consecutive men’s titles from 1978 to 1981 before Nadal surpassed his record. In the pre-Open Era, France’s Max Decugis won eight titles between 1903 and 1914.
The tournament has a rich history intertwined with French culture. It was not held during the World Wars (1915-1919 and was held unofficially under German occupation from 1941 to 1944). The venue itself was built to host the 1928 Davis Cup challenge round, and the famous Four Musketeers of French tennis, Jacques Brugnon, Jean Borotra, Henri Cochet, and Rene Lacoste, are commemorated throughout the grounds.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for the French Open are primarily sold through an official lottery system managed by the Federation Francaise de Tennis (FFT) via rolandgarros.com. The lottery typically opens in late autumn, with results announced in January and ticket purchases completed in February. This system is designed to give all fans a fair chance at securing seats for the most popular sessions.
Prices vary significantly by round and court. Opening Week tickets for qualifying start from around EUR 200 for packages, while first-round main draw tickets start from approximately EUR 330. Quarter-final tickets begin at EUR 550, semi-final packages from EUR 1,850, and finals from EUR 2,000. An official resale marketplace allows lottery winners to resell tickets they cannot use.
Limited day-of tickets are occasionally available at the box office for outer courts, with queues forming from early morning. Hospitality and travel packages are available through Roland-Garros Travel, the official hospitality partner. All tickets are digital and delivered through the official Roland-Garros app.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the French Open start?
The 2026 French Open main draw begins on 24 May, with qualifying rounds starting on 18 May. The tournament concludes on 7 June with the men’s singles final.
Where is the French Open held?
The French Open is held at the Stade Roland-Garros in Paris, France, in the 16th arrondissement near the Bois de Boulogne.
How can I watch the French Open?
Global coverage includes France Televisions and Amazon Prime in France, TNT/Max in the US, Eurosport/Discovery+ across Europe, Nine/Stan Sport in Australia, and TSN in Canada.
Who has won the most French Open titles?
Rafael Nadal holds the all-time record with 14 men’s singles titles. Chris Evert holds the women’s Open Era record with seven titles.
What surface is the French Open played on?
The French Open is the only Grand Slam played on clay, specifically red terre battue (crushed brick). The slower surface favours baseline players with strong topspin and endurance.