Pickleball at Roland-Garros 2026: try it at the Open

From May 18 to June 7, 2026, pickleball takes center stage at Roland-Garros. Steps from Philippe-Chatrier court, the FFT runs an open initiation zone: a concrete way to discover the fastest-growing racket sport, in the unique atmosphere of the Paris Grand Slam.

A federation showcase at the heart of the Open

As part of Roland-Garros Federation Activities, the French Tennis Federation sets up a temporary pickleball court for the full three weeks of the tournament. The goal is clear: let visitors try a fun, accessible, intergenerational discipline, whether they came for tennis or are discovering the complex for the first time.

Pickleball is played in singles or doubles on a court much smaller than a tennis court. That compact format lets the FFT run smooth intro sessions even during peak fortnight crowds. Beginners can rally within minutes, which helps explain the sport's surge in France since pickleball joined the federation and received ministerial delegation in early 2026.

Where and when to try pickleball at Roland-Garros

The court sits in the northeast zone of Philippe-Chatrier. Access hours shift with the tournament phase:

• May 18-20: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
• May 21-23: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
• May 24 - June 7: 10:00 AM - 8:30 PM

The activity is designed for the whole family: children, parents, grandparents. No license or tennis racket required: initiation happens on site in the friendly atmosphere typical of FFT flagship events. If you visit Roland-Garros this year, it is one of the easiest ways to see why pickleball is trending in clubs, municipalities and sports complexes across France.

Why Roland-Garros is a strong signal for French pickleball

Hosting pickleball at Roland-Garros is not a side gimmick. It is the most visible showcase in French tennis welcoming a discipline now led by the FFT. The institutional message is twofold: pickleball is not a fad, and it complements the racket ecosystem (tennis, padel, beach tennis) rather than replacing it.

For clubs and municipalities still hesitating, this Grand Slam presence validates what is already happening on the ground: more pickleball slots, homologated K25/K100 tournaments, and requests to convert underused tennis courts. The FFT regularly reminds us that one standard tennis court can fit up to four pickleball courts, a ratio that changes the game for club presidents looking to fill quiet time slots.

Urban Tennis: the other racket activity on site

On the same dates (May 18 - June 7), Roland-Garros also offers Urban Tennis next to Suzanne-Lenglen and Simonne-Mathieu courts. This modern take on tennis uses a 21-inch racket on shorter, urban-style formats. Both activities share the same federation logic: diversify the offer, reach new audiences and create pathways into club play.

For visitors, the comparison is instructive. Urban Tennis targets a younger, street-style crowd. Pickleball focuses on instant accessibility and friendly doubles, especially among active seniors and families. Both can coexist in the same club without cannibalizing existing tennis bookings.

From Roland-Garros intro to a court at home or at your club

Many visitors who try pickleball at Roland-Garros ask the same question on the way out: how do I keep playing after the tournament? Three paths dominate. Join an FFT club with dedicated slots. Run a local open day with a portable kit on a parking lot, gym floor or existing court. Or, for more ambitious projects, start a pickleball court build or conversion on concrete, resin or snap tiles.

The FFT logic matches clubs converting underused tennis courts: maximize surface use, welcome more players per hour, and retain audiences who no longer play classic tennis. Our guide on 4 pickleball courts on 1 tennis court details official dimensions (6.10 m x 13.41 m playing area, 9 m x 18 m footprint) for those who want to go further after trying the sport at Roland-Garros.

What gear to keep playing after your visit

At a Roland-Garros-style demo, equipment is provided on site. To play again with family or friends, a complete net + paddles + balls + lines pack is enough to start. The Pickleballer Shop Ultimate Pickleball Kit includes everything to set up a regulation court on a hard surface in about 30 minutes, with no construction work. It is the natural follow-up to a Paris initiation: test the sport without waiting for a permanent club slot.

Key takeaways

Pickleball at Roland-Garros 2026 means free, open initiation steps from Philippe-Chatrier until June 7. For the FFT, it is a major visibility lever as the discipline accelerates (French Championships, Open de France, homologated club events). For players and project owners, it proves pickleball has entered the top tier of the French sports landscape. If you pass through Porte d'Auteuil this year, the northeast zone of Chatrier is worth the detour: one session is enough to understand the buzz.

Source: Roland-Garros 2026 Federation Activities program, FFT / rolandgarros.com.