Roland-Garros Expands into Esports with Virtual Tournament and France TV Partnership

The French Open, officially known as Roland-Garros, is extending its reach beyond the traditional clay courts and into the world of esports. A global e-tennis tournament, hosted by the French Tennis Federation, is set to culminate in a live final at the Roland Garros Stadium in Paris on May 23, 2026. The event will be broadcast live on France Télévisions’ digital platforms, marking a significant expansion of the tournament’s accessibility and engagement.

Qualifying Rounds and Tournament Format

Open qualifiers for the tournament will run from March 5 to April 7, 2026 and are accessible through the official mobile app. Players worldwide will compete for eight spots in the Paris final. The tournament structure includes a qualifier phase, a team stage, and a single-elimination bracket with a double-elimination system, offering players a second chance even after an initial loss.

Growing Popularity of Virtual Tennis

The virtual version of the Roland-Garros experience is gaining traction, with over 515,000 players from 221 regions participating and playing nearly 9.5 million games on the app last year. The tournament, developed in partnership with Wildlife Studios until 2030, attracts millions of monthly players, demonstrating the growing appeal of online tennis.

Broadcast and Hosting Details

France Télévisions will continue its partnership with Roland-Garros, broadcasting the event on its digital platforms. Laure Valée, a recognized esports journalist and winner of the 2017 The Game Awards title for Best Esports Host, will host the final, providing analysis, interviews, and behind-the-scenes coverage. Viewers can also watch the English-language live stream on the official YouTube channel.

Prize Pool and Immersive Experience

The champion and runner-up will share a €5,000 prize pool. The game aims to provide an immersive experience, faithfully recreating the Stade Philippe-Chatrier, complete with the official soundtrack and real-time scoring by international referee Orelei Tourte.

France Télévisions and Prime Video Broadcast Rights

France Télévisions has extended its broadcasting rights for Roland-Garros through 2027, alongside Prime Video. France Télévisions will offer live coverage of all matches on all courts, including Court Simonne-Mathieu, on its various channels and digital platform france.tv. Prime Video will exclusively broadcast the 11 evening sessions. The semi-finals and finals will be co-broadcast by both platforms. Roland Garros

France TV Sport Digital Channel

France Télévisions is launching a latest 100% digital sports channel, available from February 4, 2026, and continuing through 2030. This channel will feature Roland-Garros, along with other major sporting events like the Six Nations Tournament and the Tour de France. The channel will offer 24/7 coverage, live events, and interactive features like a live chat, enhancing fan engagement. France Télévisions