Roland-Garros 2026: Day Session or Night Session — Which to Choose?

The day session on the main courts

The day session remains the classic and most accessible format at Roland-Garros. According to the official ticketing site, an outer-courts ticket starts at €29, giving access to the 12 outdoor courts in the stadium as well as unreserved seating in the upper tiers of the Simonne-Mathieu court. For the Philippe-Chatrier court, prices range from €50 to €420 depending on the category and round — with up to 3 consecutive matches from 11:00 am.

According to the guide by Destination-sport, holders of a Suzanne-Lenglen court ticket also get access to the Simonne-Mathieu court and all outer courts. In short: a single day ticket is enough for a complete immersion in the stadium atmosphere, from the Bar des Légendes to the practice courts visible at the edge of the venue.

Highlights

• Best quantity-to-price ratio: up to 3 top-level matches for a single ticket
• Full site access: the ability to switch courts and soak up the atmosphere on the outer courts
• Relaxed journey home: matches typically finish before 7–8 pm

The outer courts: an intimate discovery

One of the best ways to discover Roland-Garros is to start with its outer courts. According to the official website, outer-courts tickets were still available at €29–39, with access from 10:00 am. The proximity to the players is unmatched: you can find yourself just two rows from a future world top-10, with no fence or large grandstand in the way. These courts host first-round main-draw matches as well as doubles, juniors and wheelchair tennis.

Highlights

• Unique closeness to the players — just a few metres from the court
• Most affordable entry point at the tournament (from €29)
• Upper-tier access to the Simonne-Mathieu court included (unreserved seating)

What the night session is

Introduced in 2021, the Roland-Garros night sessions transform the Philippe-Chatrier court into a prime-time stage. In 2026, Amazon Prime Video broadcasts exclusively 11 sessions + 2 quarter-finals (2 and 3 June), as confirmed by LeBlogTVNews. The concept: a single match, carefully selected from the most anticipated encounters, at 8:15 pm under the closed roof. The platform provides coverage from 7:30 pm with analysis and pre-match build-up.

For spectators in the stadium, according to Culture Tennis, access is available from 7:00 pm to enjoy a festive after-work atmosphere on the esplanade: live music, food stalls open, a Parisian evening vibe before the champions take to the court. The retractable roof guarantees the match goes ahead in any weather conditions.

Highlights

• Unmatched atmosphere: LED lighting, darkened stands, cinematic feel
• Closed roof = match guaranteed regardless of weather
• Premium match: top seeds are given priority scheduling for the night slot

The night session’s main drawback: the late journey home

The main criticism levelled at the night sessions is the difficulty of getting home afterwards. According to TSN, Roland-Garros has faced criticism for matches ending after midnight — or even at 3:00 am during the Djokovic–Musetti match in 2024. Novak Djokovic himself said: « Who plays at 2 o’clock in the morning? ». In 2025, spectators who had paid €150 for a night session between Sonego and Shelton reported struggling to get home, with taxis charging €95 for 2 kilometres according to France Info.

RATP operates special shuttle buses until the metro closes (around 1:00 am). If your match finishes after 1:00 am, your options narrow down to Uber or taxis, which can be expensive at that hour.

Highlights — and limitations

• Special RATP shuttle buses available until ~1:00 am
• Metro Line 10 (Porte d’Auteuil) a 5-minute walk from the stadium — the most practical option
• Many hotels in Boulogne-Billancourt, a 10–15 minute walk from the stadium

Quick comparison: day session vs night session

Here is a summary of the key differences between the two formats, based on comparisons by GoalTickets and our own analysis:

Which profile suits which format?

According to the comparative analysis by GoalTickets, the ideal choice depends on your profile and priorities. Here’s how to decide:

🌞 First-time visitor / family → Day session, outer courts or Opening Week. The Opening Week (18–22 May) offers tickets from €29, fewer crowds and stars visible training on the practice courts. A first Roland-Garros experience is best lived during the day, with the freedom to stroll from court to court.

🎾 Passionate tennis fan → Day session, second week (round of 16, 31 May–1 June). Two or three high-level matches on the same court — the best value for seeing the headline players.

🌙 Unique experience seeker / tourist in Paris → Night session. The evening atmosphere under the roof is unique in the world of tennis. Plan your journey home in advance, though — and if possible book a hotel in Boulogne-Billancourt or the 16th arrondissement.

💶 Tight budget → Outer courts during the day (€29–39) or the free Tribune Concorde on the Place de la Concorde (3–7 June). The Tribune Concorde holds 3,800 people across two giant screens to watch the quarter-finals, semi-finals and finals — for free, right in the heart of Paris.

🏆 Maximum tennis → Day + Evening Pass (« Day+Night Pass ») on Philippe-Chatrier. A marathon day with 4+ matches in total — but plan the journey home and your recovery.

Highlights

• Opening Week (18–22 May): tickets from €29, top players visible at practice
• Tribune Concorde (3–7 June): free fan zone on the Place de la Concorde
• Round of 16 (31 May–1 June): best balance of level and ticket availability

Jardin des Chefs and 2026 new features

Roland-Garros 2026 is about more than just the matches. According to the official website, the Jardin des Chefs makes its debut in the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil: a 1,200 m² terrace with two giant screens, where Michelin-starred chefs take turns (Yves Camdeborde, Pascal Barbot, Jessica Préalpato…) from 24 May to 5 June. Lunch is served from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm, before it transforms into a gourmet bodega from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Another not-to-miss event: the Gaël & Friends evening on 21 May at 7:30 pm on the Philippe-Chatrier court — a concert and charity show in tribute to Gaël Monfils’ final appearance (Matt Pokora, Martin Solveig, Franglish on the bill), according to Univers Tennis. Total prize money reaches €61.7M (+9.5%), meaning €2.8M for each singles champion.

Highlights

• Jardin des Chefs: 15 starred chefs rotating from 24 May to 5 June
• Gaël & Friends on 21 May: a unique event, Monfils’ final appearance at Roland-Garros
• Tribune Concorde 2026: 3,800 seats (vs 2,500 in 2025), opens at noon, free fan zone

Official channels and alternatives

All Roland-Garros 2026 tickets are 100% digital, accessible only via the official mobile app (iOS and Android). The public ballot (3–17 December 2025) is now closed, with results communicated before end of February. Several options remain, according to the official ticketing site:

1. Official « Last tickets » resale: the FFT opens a dedicated section on tickets.rolandgarros.com from May, where ballot winners who can no longer attend resell their tickets at face value. This is the only officially safe resale channel.

2. Opening Week (18–22 May): some tickets for the qualifying rounds and Opening Week were still available for direct purchase in early April, according to the official website. Check directly on the ticketing site.

3. Outer courts, final week (1–7 June): a first-come, first-served sale was scheduled for late March. Tickets may still be available via the official resale.

Highlights

• Official FFT resale: face-value price guaranteed, no surcharge or scam risk
• Opening Week: access to qualifying matches from €29, still relatively available
• Tribune Concorde (3–7 June): free fan zone on the Place de la Concorde — no ticket required