Roland-Garros and BNP Paribas have extended one of the most enduring commercial partnerships in global sport, with the French banking giant renewing its sponsorship agreement with the French Open through 2031.
The renewed five-year deal, which begins in 2027, will take the partnership beyond its sixth decade after first being established in 1973. The agreement further cements BNP Paribas’ status as one of the most influential long-term investors in world tennis and reinforces its deep-rooted relationship with the French Tennis Federation (FFT) and Roland-Garros.
Announced during the 2026 edition of Roland-Garros in Paris, the extension comes at a significant moment for the tournament, which has already produced several headline storylines during the opening week. The event has entered the second-round stage amid major upsets, extreme weather conditions, and an increasingly open men’s draw following the withdrawal of defending champion Carlos Alcaraz due to injury.
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has emerged as the leading title contender, while Novak Djokovic continues his campaign under challenging heatwave conditions in Paris. In the women’s draw, top seeds Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina suffered surprise early exits, while Australia’s Kimberly Birrell delivered one of the tournament’s biggest shocks by eliminating Pegula in the opening round.
Against that backdrop, the BNP Paribas renewal highlights the growing commercial stability and long-term value associated with Roland-Garros, one of the four Grand Slam tournaments and a cornerstone property in global tennis.
Under the extended agreement, BNP Paribas will continue supporting a wide range of initiatives linked to both elite and grassroots tennis development. This includes continued backing of the “BNP Paribas Young Talents Team” programme, launched in 2018 to assist emerging players transitioning into professional tennis. The initiative currently supports more than 150 young athletes worldwide, including several French prospects competing at Roland-Garros 2026.
The bank will also maintain its involvement in community tennis projects, inclusion initiatives, sustainability programmes, and the iconic Roland-Garros ball kids programme, which has become an integral part of the tournament’s identity and fan culture.
Gilles Moretton, President of the French Tennis Federation, said, “We are very proud to extend our historic partnership with BNP Paribas, the tournament’s official sponsor. Together, BNP Paribas and Roland-Garros are opening a new chapter in their shared history. We would like to thank BNP Paribas, which has, over the years, become inseparable from the tournament, for its trust, loyalty and commitment to promoting our sport in France and around the world. For more than fifty years, BNP Paribas has played a key role in supporting the development of the Paris Grand Slam, as well as French tennis more broadly, through its support of the federation’s policies. We look forward to taking on the next challenges together.”
Thierry Laborde, Chief Operating Officer at BNP Paribas, added, “After celebrating our golden anniversary in 2023, we are now looking ahead to our diamond anniversary – a powerful symbol of a story that has been unfolding for the past 53 years! Together, we have grown and evolved, building a unique partnership based on loyalty and a passion for a sport we support and deeply love. This renewal confirms our shared vision for tennis, from amateur players to the biggest Grand Slam tournament. We thank the French Tennis Federation for honouring us with its trust and collaboration over so many years, a partnership we are proud to extend.”
Beyond Roland-Garros, BNP Paribas continues to hold one of the broadest tennis sponsorship portfolios in global sport, with investments spanning ATP and WTA events, wheelchair tennis, amateur competitions, and youth development initiatives across multiple markets.
The extension also reflects a wider trend within the sports industry, where brands are increasingly prioritising long-term partnerships that deliver year-round engagement, community impact, and cultural relevance beyond traditional event sponsorship visibility.
