The French Tennis Federation is delighted to announce the return of the world’s biggest eTennis competition, Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault, for a 2026 edition that promises to be more ambitious than ever. The event has grown spectacularly since 2022 and now enjoys international recognition within the eSports community. The 2025 edition stood out for its very high level of participation, with more than 515,000 players from 221 territories competing in a total of 9.5 million matches held on the virtual Philippe-Chatrier Court.
Building on this exceptional momentum, the French Tennis Federation reaffirms its ambition to bring eTennis to the biggest stages. For the 2026 edition, the event will welcome Laure Valée, an iconic eSports presenter, as host of the Final Stage. The show will be streamed simultaneously on the France TV digital platform and, in English, on the Roland-Garros YouTube channel. This new dimension is also embodied by a visual identity created by Mafiou, a renowned artist in the sports sector, whose animations have been featured by major brands and teams such as Adidas, FC Barcelona and even the Chicago Bulls.
In line with this announcement, the French Tennis Federation is officially renewing its strategic partnership with Tennis Clash, developed by Wildlife Studios, which will remain the tournament’s official mobile game through 2030. With more than 5 million players connecting each month, the title is the world’s leading tennis game and notably featured in the 2023 Olympics Esports Series. The synergy between the Parisian Grand Slam and Tennis Clash is the result of four years of close collaboration, delivering an ever more immersive gaming experience.
Players can enjoy a faithful replica of the Philippe-Chatrier Court, exclusive event outfits, racket strings and bags, the official tournament soundtrack, as well as match calls voiced by the internationally renowned umpire Aurélie Tourte. This growing momentum has since inspired the other Grand Slam tournaments, all of which now collaborate with the game, while further recognition comes through the integration of professional players into the app.
“The renewal of our partnership with the French Tennis Federation through 2030 reflects a shared ambition to make eTennis a lasting pillar of the global tennis ecosystem. By blending the heritage of Roland-Garros with cutting-edge digital experiences in Tennis Clash, we’re creating new ways for fans to engage with the sport while delivering an increasingly authentic and immersive competitive stage for players worldwide.” says Giovanni Piffer, Head of Partnerships for Tennis Clash.
For the 2026 edition, Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault keeps the format that has driven its success, while aiming to raise the bar even higher in terms of excellence, immersion, and competitiveness. Three open qualifying stages, organised between March and April, will give players all over the world the opportunity to compete for a spot among the eight finalists.
The three qualified competitors will be joined in the Final Stage by the top female players from the two first Open Qualifiers, alongside the two finalists of the Grand Tour - the circuit reserved for the best Tennis Clash players - as well as defending champion Samuel Sanin Ortiz of Colombia, known as “Sasmis”.
The eight title contenders will enjoy a fully authentic immersion in the competitive world of professional tennis, delivering a unique experience designed to align eTennis even more closely with the standards of traditional sport. They will compete for the title during the Final Stage which will take place on Saturday, May 23 2026, on stage at the Roland-Garros auditorium in front of a live audience and streamed in English on the Parisian Grand Slam official YouTube channel.
The 2026 edition also marks the return of the team stage, introduced last year and once again led by household names from the tennis world. Players will then move on to the singles draw, played in a double-elimination bracket format, ensuring a high level of competition right through to the final matches. The two finalists will share a total prize pool of €5,000.
On the entertainment side, Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault is pleased to welcome Laure Valée as host of the Final Stage. Named Esports Host of the Year at the Game Awards 2025, she has established herself as an iconic presenter on the competitive scene, both in France and internationally. She rose to prominence through her collaborations with Canal+, beIN Sports, France Info and by hosting some of the biggest eSports events, notably in League of Legends.
Her deep understanding of the sector’s ecosystem, combined with her expertise and her strong connection with the community, makes her the ideal host to guide viewers through the most memorable moments of the tournament. For the occasion, she will be joined by a team of Tennis Clash specialists and tennis pundits.
The live production will deliver comprehensive editorial coverage, combining analysis, interviews, immersive backstage access and match insights, with the ambition of offering viewers a premium, cutting-edge experience.
“I am proud to join Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault, which brings together my passion for eSports and a sport I have always enjoyed. Esports continues to grow with the emergence of new disciplines, and I am delighted to see competitions that bridge traditional sport and esports gaining such importance. I am truly looking forward to experiencing this Final Stage alongside the players and the audience,” stated Laure Valée.
Title partner Renault is renewing its commitment alongside the French Tennis Federation, reflecting a shared vision focused on innovation, emerging practices and the use of digital technology to promote the values of sport. This support will result in a stronger presence within the game environment to provide an even more immersive digital experience. A long-standing supporter of gaming and esports events, Mastercard also continues its involvement as an official partner, reaffirming its role in enhancing esports experiences and bringing gamers, fans and communities closer to their passion for eTennis. These essential partners contribute to the ongoing development of eTennis and strengthen Roland-Garros’ position as a driving force for evolution within global tennis.
“We are very proud to support the ongoing development of Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault. This competition perfectly embodies our vision: connecting generations through innovative and ambitious experiences. As title partner, we aim to actively contribute to the growth and visibility of a new form of competition at the crossroads of tennis and digital entertainment, while staying true to the values of excellence and self-improvement that we share with Roland-Garros,” said Stéphane Barbat, Director of Partnerships at Renault.
With the 2026 edition, the French Tennis Federation reaffirms its ambition to establish eTennis as a lasting cornerstone of its ecosystem, building bridges between tennis, digital innovation and eSports competition, and bringing together an ever-growing and increasingly active community.
The Open Qualifiers will take place on the following dates:
OQ #1: March 5-10 2026
OQ #2: March 19-24 2026
OQ #3: April 2-7 2026
Grand Tour #1: March 2-23 2026
Grand Tour #2: from March 23 to April 12 2026
Anyone wishing to sign up for one of the open qualifiers can do so for free using their smartphone or tablet via the Tennis Clash app.