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| (Image Source: Roland-Garros) |
Buoyed by record participation this year, Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault once again confirms its status as the world’s largest eTennis competition. The Final will take place on May 23, 2026 at the Roland-Garros auditorium, during France's observance and celebration of Yannick Noah day, which will feature a wide range of family-friendly activities.
This 2026 edition is already living up to its promise with over 561,000 participants from 221 territories taking part in the qualifiers, resulting in more than 11.5 million matches played on the virtual Philippe-Chatrier Court. This unprecedented turnout highlights the tournament’s growing scale and global reach, bringing together gamers and tennis enthusiasts from around the world. The Final Stage is therefore shaping up to be an unmissable event, offering spectators – both in the arena and online – a groundbreaking and immersive experience. Three open qualifying rounds took place between March and April. The first two enabled their winners, along with the top-ranked female players, to secure their place in the main event in Paris in line with the French Tennis Federation’s commitment to promoting inclusivity. They are joined by the winner of the third qualifying tournament, the two winners of the Grand Tour – the circuit reserved for the game’s top players – as well as defending champion Samuel Sanin Ortiz “Sasmis” (COL). At the heart of Roland-Garros, the eight finalists will enjoy a truly unique experience, competing in front of a live audience and broadcast across French and international platforms, with a single goal: to claim the title. These are:
● Omer Feder “Omer” (ISR) – Open Qualifier #1 Winner
● Anindya Lestari “Anindya” (IDN) – Top Female Player, Open Qualifier #1
● Alessandro Bianco “ΔLEX” (ITA) – Open Qualifier #2 Winner
● Francisca Oisel “Kira” (CHL) – Top Female Player, Open Qualifier #2
● Victor Ionescu “puNki” (ROU) – Winner of Open Qualifier #3
● Hizir Balkanci “Hizir” (TUR) – Grand Tour #1 Runner-up
● Eugen Mosdir “AreidY” (DEU) – Grand Tour #2 Runner-up
● Samuel Sanin Ortiz “Sasmis” (COL) – Reigning Champion
“I am convinced that reaching this level of play requires a true competitive spirit, although I do not see it solely from that perspective, it also carries a strong human and social dimension. It is a valuable opportunity to reconnect with friends and meet new people. As the defending champion, I naturally feel a heightened sense of responsibility and pressure when competing, and I am determined to win the title again. I want to prove that last year’s victory was neither a matter of luck nor chance, while remaining fully aware that all participants demonstrate remarkable talent and are equally deserving of the trophy.” says “Sasmis”.
Building on the success of last year’s format, Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault 2026 will feature a Final Stage held over two days. On May 22, the eight finalists will compete in a preliminary Swiss Stage during which each player will play multiple matches until they either secure two wins or record two losses. The outcome will determine how the players are allocated into teams for Phase 2 the following day as the team captains will make their selections based on these results. On May 23, the competition will open with the team stage during which the two teams will face off in a series of at least four matches. The team with the most wins will advance to the main draw in the Winner Bracket while the other team will start in the Loser Bracket. The tournament will then move into the individual phase, played in a double-elimination format. From that point, players will continue their journey regardless of team affiliation with each victory bringing them one step closer to the final. This format is designed to maintain suspense until the very last match which will crown the 2026 champion. The €5,000 prize pool will then be shared between the two finalists. Two iconic figures from French tennis will accompany the players during the Final Stage as team captains. Former world No. 6 and winner of 14 ATP singles titles, Gilles Simon is one of the historic faces of Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault. Having previously taken part as an ambassador, player and commentator, he will once again step into the role of captain, bringing his top-level experience and strategic insight to his team. Facing him as the leader of the opposing team is Benoît Paire, a former Top 20 player and winner of 3 ATP singles titles. Known for his charismatic and entertaining personality, he will bring his spectacular playing style and instinct to his players. This unprecedented clash between two leading figures in French tennis promises to deliver an intense and unique atmosphere throughout the competition. Paire shares, “Joining the biggest eTennis competition as a team captain is a unique experience. Tennis Clash is a real first test for me! I’m going to give it my all to pass on my experience to my team while learning to keep enjoying the game, even under pressure. My team and I are going to have fun, enjoy some banter and figure out the keys to success. We won’t back down from anything, especially not against Gilles!”
For the third consecutive year, the Tenniseum auditorium at Roland-Garros will host the Final Stage of its eSports competition in front of an audience of both curious newcomers and passionate fans. The stage will be hosted by Laure Valée, a renowned presenter with experience across the world’s biggest eSports events, notably League of Legends. Thanks to her expertise, energy and close connection with the community, she was awarded Best eSports Host at The Game Awards 2025 and has worked with media outlets such as Canal+, beIN Sports and France Info. She will be joined by a team of specialist commentators who will help viewers better understand the matches and get to know the players. Quento, a recognised expert on eSports events such as eLigue 1, will bring analytical insight and energy to the broadcast, alongside Benny, also known as GP365, a former world No. 1 and a key figure in the Tennis Clash community. The Final Phase on May 23 will be broadcast by Roland-Garros’ official partners. For the first time, French viewers will be able to watch the event live at 11:00 am-2:00 pm CEST (Central European Standard Time) on France Télévisions’ digital platform. Internationally, the event will also be streamed in English on the official Roland-Garros YouTube channel (7:00-10:00 pm JST/KST, 6:00-9:00 pm PHT/HKT/SGT, 5:00-8:00 pm WIB) and in Portuguese on Disney+ Brazil. English commentary will be provided by Brandon Smith, an up-and-coming eSports caster on the international scene. Known for his infectious energy and strong sense of rhythm, he excels at bringing every match to life with intensity, combining sharp analysis with a flair for entertainment. His ability to draw viewers into the heart of the action promises an experience that is both immersive and captivating. On the other hand, Portuguese-speaking audiences will be able to follow the tournament with Brazilian YouTuber Tênis Além do Óbvio, a tennis specialist. Members of the Tennis Clash community will be invited to join the broadcast alongside the hosts, sharing their expertise and providing a technical perspective on the matches.
With the undauntingly continuing support of its title partner Renault and official partner Mastercard, Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault 2026 promises to deliver another spectacular edition, bringing together the world’s top eTennis players on the most iconic virtual clay court.
