Every spring, the clay courts at Porte d’Auteuil play host to the inimitable Roland-Garros tournament. The 124th edition, which officially kicks off this Sunday, May 25, and runs until June 8, attracts not only the world’s best tennis players, but also the economic spotlight. Behind the spectacular exchanges lies another game : that of the economic impact of an event that has become strategic for French sport and the Parisian economy.
The tournament is the golden goose of the French Tennis Federation (FFT). In 2024, it generated sales of 338 million euros, a figure that is constantly rising and represents around 85% of the federation’s annual revenue. This money is used to finance the 8,000 or so affiliated tennis clubs in France, as well as to support training, facility maintenance and the development of the sport nationwide.
A showcase for Paris tourism
The French Open is not just a sporting event, it’s also a formidable tool for international outreach. Every year, it attracts millions of television viewers in over 220 countries. And if they can’t watch it on TV, many fans from the four corners of France and abroad travel to it : in 2023, the booking platform Opodo reported a 17% increase in flights to Paris during the fortnight of the tournament, with a peak in arrivals from the USA, the UK and Spain.
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Featured photo : © FFT
