For decades, Roland Garros was known as the most traditional Grand Slam. The romance of the Parisian clay had its price – any serious downpour meant match suspensions, schedule delays, and frustration for both players and fans.
However, the French Open has undergone an incredible architectural and technological revolution in recent years. Today, it is one of the most modern sports complexes in the world, ready for all weather conditions and enriched by the Hollywood glamour of night sessions.
As we prepare for Roland Garros 2026, here is everything you need to know about the stadiums where new tennis history will be written.
Court Philippe-Chatrier: The Heart of Tennis Paris
The main stadium, named after the legendary president of the French Tennis Federation, is the absolute heart of the tournament. With a capacity of over 15,000 seats, “Chatrier” is where the greatest finals in sports history have been played.
The biggest change occurred in 2020 when the stadium received a spectacular retractable roof.
- Impressive design: The roof consists of 11 massive steel wings (each weighing about 330 tons), designed to resemble airplane wings – as the ultimate homage to aviator Roland Garros.
- Closing speed: When rain starts, the roof can be completely closed in just 15 minutes, ensuring uninterrupted play.
Court Suzanne-Lenglen: New Roof and Fashion-Inspired Design
The second-largest stadium in the complex, with a capacity of over 10,000 seats, also received its technological upgrade.
The roof over Court Suzanne-Lenglen is a true work of art. Unlike the massive steel roof on “Chatrier”, this roof is made of a special lightweight fabric.
- Homage to “The Divine”: The architects designed the roof so that the folds of the fabric close and open like the legendary pleated skirt worn by Suzanne Lenglen in the 1920s.
- This means that from the 2026 tournament onwards, the organizers will have two fully covered stadiums, guaranteeing that the schedule will not be interrupted even during day-long rains in Paris.
Court Simonne-Mathieu: A Gem in the Botanical Garden
Built in 2019 with a capacity of around 5,000 seats, this stadium is considered one of the most beautiful tennis courts in the entire world.
It is located within the historic greenhouses of the botanical garden in the Bois de Boulogne (Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil). The stands are literally surrounded by greenhouses filled with tropical plants from all four continents. Playing on this court offers a unique, intimate experience where nature and elite sport perfectly merge.
Night Sessions: Hollywood Glamour and Drama Under the Lights
The introduction of floodlights and roofs allowed organizers to introduce “night sessions,” modeled after the US Open and Australian Open.
Night matches at Roland Garros have brought a completely new dimension to the tournament:
- Schedule: Every evening, usually starting around 8:15 PM or 8:30 PM, one selected blockbuster match is played on the central Court Philippe-Chatrier.
- Atmosphere: Under the artificial lighting, the red clay takes on a special glow, and the atmosphere in the stands is electrifying, often resembling football matches. With light effects and music during the players’ entrance, a spectacle is guaranteed.
- Controversies: Although the crowd loves the night matches, they often last into the early morning hours (sometimes until 3 AM in the case of five-setters). For the 2026 edition, organizers are expected to further optimize the schedule so players have enough time to recover.
Thanks to the new roofs, floodlights, and evening spectacles, Roland Garros has managed to retain its historical romance while simultaneously becoming the ultimate modern sporting event.
Follow all live scores, night session schedules, and the latest news from Paris on our Roland Garros 2026 Ultimate Guide
