Record turnout for Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault

● Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault 2026 has set a new participation record, with more than 561,000 players from 221 countries competing in the qualifying tournaments held between March and April on Tennis Clash, for a total of 11.5 million matches played on the virtual Philippe Chatrier Court.

● The finalists of Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault have now been confirmed; eight players representing eight different nationalities will compete in the Final Stage on 23 May 2026, in front of a live audience at the Roland-Garros auditorium.

● The team captains for the 2026 edition have also been revealed: Gilles Simon and Benoit Paire, two iconic figures of French tennis, who will go head-to-head while sharing their experiences and advice with the players - setting the stage for a unique and spectacular showdown.

● The Final will be broadcast live between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (CEST) on France Télévisions’ digital platform, as well as in English on the official Roland-Garros YouTube channel, and in Portuguese on Disney+ Brazil, the digital platform of Roland-Garros’s official broadcaster in Latin America: ESPN.

● The broadcast will be hosted by renowned presenters: Laure Valée, an international eSports personality, for the French live stream; Brandon Smith, an up-and-coming eSports caster on the international stage, for the English broadcast; and Brazilian YouTuber Tênis Além do Óbvio, for the Portuguese broadcast.

● The €5,000 prize pool will be shared between the two finalists.

Paris, France – April 2026 – 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 23 May 2026 in the Roland-Garros auditorium, during the 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.

● 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 Samuel Sanin Ortiz “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 Friday 22 May, 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 Saturday 23 May, 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, Benoît Paire, a former Top 20 player and winner of 3 ATP singles titles, will lead the second team. 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.

“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!” says Benoît Paire.

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 Saturday 23 May will be broadcast by Roland-Garros’ official partners. For the first time, French viewers will be able to watch the event live from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (CEST) on France Télévisions’ digital platform. Internationally, the event will also be streamed in English on the official Roland-Garros YouTube channel, 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. Portuguese-speaking audiences, meanwhile, 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.

Still supported by 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.

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About Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault

Founded in 2018, Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault is the world’s most important and inclusive eTennis tournament. The competition features three open qualifying tournaments which are free to enter directly via the Tennis Clash app. The Final Stage brings together eight participants; the 5 players who made it through the Open Qualifiers will face the two best players from the Grand Tour and the defending champion. The initial team stage is returning in 2026 followed by a singles double-elimination bracket. It will take place on Friday 22 and Saturday, 23 May 2026 in the Roland-Garros Tenniseum Auditorium. Since 2022, the competition has been held on the most popular mobile tennis game, Tennis Clash, developed by Wildlife Studios. With this new format, Roland-Garros eSeries by Renault is consolidating its leadership on the global eTennis scene.

About Tennis Clash

Tennis Clash is an online tennis game developed by Wildlife Studios where players compete in fast-paced, competitive and exciting games. With 180 million downloads and a community of 5 million players connecting every month, the game is a real success. Its eSports development continues to grow along with its recognition in the tennis world thanks to the creation of competitions in partnership with the four Grand Slam tournaments and through its inclusion in the 2023 Olympics Esports Series. Easy to grasp but tough to master, the game remains faithful to both the physical and tactical aspects of tennis.

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