The French Tennis Federation (FFT) has officially reunited with Chinese internet giant Tencent in a new three-year broadcasting agreement. The deal, spanning the 2026 to 2028 editions, ensures that Roland-Garros returns to the platform that previously hosted the tournament between 2017 and 2022.
The “Zheng Qinwen” Surge
The timing of the deal coincides with a historic “Golden Age” for Chinese tennis. With Zheng Qinwen established as a top-5 WTA star and Zhang Zhizhen leading the charge on the ATP tour, Chinese viewership for tennis has skyrocketed. Tencent plans to capitalize on this by providing:
- Total Coverage: Every match from the tournament will be aired digitally.
- Localized Experience: Tailored Chinese commentary, editorial programming, and interactive features.
- Accessibility: A significant selection of matches will be made available free-to-air to drive mass engagement.
Tencent: The Hub for Grand Slam Tennis
By securing the French Open, Tencent further solidifies its position as the dominant tennis broadcaster in the Chinese market. The platform now holds rights to three of the four Grand Slams:
- Wimbledon (UK)
- US Open (USA)
- French Open (France) — New for 2026-2028
Note: The Australian Open rights currently reside with state broadcaster CCTV, whose deal expired following the January 2026 tournament, leaving its future up for bid.
Strategic Context
Tencent’s sports portfolio is now one of the most robust in Asia, featuring the WTA Tour and Formula 1 (through 2027). For the FFT, this deal follows a global trend of consolidating broadcast partners, similar to their recent long-term extensions with Sony Pictures Network in India and Warner Bros. Discovery in Europe and the US.
The 2026 French Open is scheduled to take place from May 18 to June 7, and it will be the first major test for Tencent’s new digital ecosystem strategy for clay-court tennis.