Everything you need to know for the 2026 French Open Tennis Tournament.
The second Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year starts Sunday, May 24th in Paris with the 2026 edition of Roland Garros ready to deliver two weeks of world-class clay-court tennis. Players have been battling through the clay-court swing, from Monte-Carlo to Madrid to Rome, building toward this moment, and now opening day is here.
For those ready to follow the second Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year, we wanted to share some fun facts and tournament details for the 2026 French Open.
French Open 2026 Tournament Information and Fun Facts
Where to Watch the French Open 2026
In the United States, the tournament will be broadcast on TNT, for main match coverage, daily studio coverage, and the biggest storylines. Tennis Channel will carry the first matches of the day starting at 5 AM EST, plus doubles action and nightly recaps to catch everything you may have missed.
French Open 2026 Tournament Dates
Main draw matches at the French Open 2026 start on Sunday, May 24th and run through Sunday, June 7th.
- Women’s Singles final: Saturday, June 6th
- Men’s Singles final: Sunday, June 7th
The Biggest Story: No Alcaraz
Before we get to the seeds, the headline entering Roland Garros 2026 is the absence of two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz. The Spanish superstar has been forced to withdraw due to a right wrist injury and will remain sidelined through at least Wimbledon. Alcaraz had won 14 consecutive matches at Roland Garros dating back to 2024, and his absence opens the door wide for a new men’s champion this year.
French Open 2026 Top Seeds
Men’s Singles
| Seed | Player | Country |
| 1 | Jannik Sinner | ITA |
| 2 | Alexander Zverev | GER |
| 3 | Novak Djokovic | SRB |
| 4 | Felix Auger-Aliassime | CAN |
| 5 | Ben Shelton | USA |
With Alcaraz out, all eyes are on world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who arrives at Roland Garros riding a remarkable 29-match winning streak after capturing five ATP Masters 1000 titles this season: Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo, Madrid, and Rome. A French Open title would complete the rare Career Grand Slam for the Italian. Sinner came agonizingly close in 2025, taking the first two sets of the final against Alcaraz before ultimately falling in one of the greatest finals in tournament history.
Novak Djokovic enters as the No. 3 seed, chasing a 25th Grand Slam title. Sinner and Djokovic are on opposite sides of the draw and could only meet in the final, a matchup that would be must-watch television. Djokovic already holds the record as the oldest French Open champion in history, having won here in 2023 at age 36.
Women’s Singles
| Seed | Player | Country |
| 1 | Aryna Sabalenka | BLR |
| 2 | Elena Rybakina | KAZ |
| 3 | Iga Swiatek | POL |
| 4 | Coco Gauff | USA |
| 5 | Jessica Pegula | USA |
Aryna Sabalenka enters as the top seed for the sixth consecutive Grand Slam, having held the No. 1 WTA ranking since October 2024. Coco Gauff returns to Roland Garros as the defending champion, looking to become the first woman to win back-to-back French Open titles since Serena Williams. Gauff and Sabalenka are on course for a semifinal rematch of their thrilling 2025 final.
French Open 2025 Champions
Men’s Singles: Carlos Alcaraz ESP defeated Jannik Sinner ITA 4–6, 6–7(4), 6–4, 7–6(3), 7–6(10–2)
Fun fact: The 2025 men’s final lasted 5 hours and 29 minutes, the longest French Open final in history, and was the first Grand Slam singles final ever decided by a 10-point super tiebreaker. Alcaraz rallied from two sets down, saving three match points in one of the greatest comebacks the sport has ever seen.
Women’s Singles: Coco Gauff USA defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6–7(5), 6–2, 6–4
French Open 2026 Prize Money
Total prize money for the French Open 2026 tournament reaches a record €61.7 million (approximately USD $71.7 million), a 9.53% increase over 2025.
- Men’s and Women’s Singles Champions: €2,800,000 (approx. USD $3.25 million each)
- Runner-up: €1,400,000 (approx. USD $1.63 million)
- First Round Main Draw exits: €87,000
The French Open has offered equal prize money for men and women since 2006.
Player Protest Note: Despite the increase, top players have publicly pushed back on the prize money structure. The top 20 players, male and female, sent a letter to tournament organizers arguing that prize money should represent 22% of projected tournament revenue, in line with other top tournaments. The French Open currently allocates approximately 15% of revenue to prize money. Expect this to be a storyline throughout the tournament.
French Open Courts and Venue
The Roland Garros tennis facility, officially Stade Roland Garros, is located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris and hosts all French Open matches on its iconic red clay courts.
The three main arenas are:
- Court Philippe-Chatrier: 15,225 seats (the iconic center court where finals and marquee matches are played)
- Court Suzanne-Lenglen: 10,068 seats (the second stadium, named for the legendary French champion)
- Court Simonne-Mathieu: 5,000 seats (the stunning greenhouse court, one of the most unique tennis venues in the world)
French Open Court Surface
The French Open 2026 tennis matches are played on red clay courts, the slowest and highest-bouncing surface in professional tennis. The clay rewards stamina, patience, heavy topspin, and movement, making Roland Garros widely regarded as the most physically demanding Grand Slam to win.
French Open Tennis Balls
The official ball of the 2026 French Open is the Wilson Roland Garros Clay Court ball, specifically designed for performance on clay surfaces.
French Open Food and Drink
Roland Garros is as much a culinary experience as it is a tennis tournament, and 2026 brings an exciting new addition to the food scene.
New for 2026 – Le Jardin des Chefs: A brand-new dining area next to Court Simonne-Mathieu will open during lunchtime and dinner hours, bringing a fresh culinary experience to the grounds.
Classic crowd favorites you’ll find throughout the tournament:
- Sandwich Jambon-Beurre: the quintessential Parisian baguette sandwich: ham, butter, and a baguette. Simple, perfect.
- Croque-Monsieur: a perennial fan favorite combining bread, ham, and melted cheese
- Crêpes and Waffles: a tournament tradition and classic sweet treat enjoyed across the grounds
Take Roland Garros home with you for some off-screen Grand Slam tennis fun! Whether you’re hosting a watch party or just looking for a fun way to celebrate the clay-court season, our French Open printable games are perfect for tennis fans of all ages.
- French Open Tennis Word Search Game: Find tournament terms, players, courts, and Roland Garros traditions in this engaging printable 5-game set
- French Open Tennis Crossword Puzzle: Challenge yourself with clues inspired by Grand Slam history, tennis scoring, and legendary French Open champions — 5 puzzles included
Both games are printable, easy to play, and designed for tennis fans, making them a great companion while following the 2026 French Open.
