Featured image credit: Paris Masters
The Paris Masters, one of the elite Masters 1000 tennis tournaments on the men’s ATP Tour, will move from Accor Arena to Paris La Defénse Arena in 2025.
Accor Arena, which is located in the Bercy neighbourhood of the capital, has hosted the event since 1986 but from next year it will take place at Paris La Défense Arena in Nanterre, home of Top 14 rugby union club Racing 92.
Organisers said the decision has been taken following discussions between the French Tennis Federation (FFT), players and partners. Paris La Défense Arena is set to operate at a capacity of 23,000 for the Paris Masters, up from the current 16,800 offered at Accor Arena.
Next year’s tournament will feature four additional matches, with 28 doubles teams compared to the current 24. There will also be a transition from the ‘4+2’ format of four matches during the day and two in the evening on the main court to a ‘3+2’ format, in order to avoid late starts for matches.
Frédéric Longupée, president of Paris La Défense Arena, told L’Équipe that the venue will be able to house five courts, which will be separated by two acoustic curtains.
Gilles Moretton, FFT president, said: “This is a major strategic decision in the history of the Rolex Paris Masters. It is one of the most prestigious ATP tournaments, and we are proud that over the years it has become a prestigious event and a reference on the French and international scene.
“We would like to salute and thank the Accor Arena and its teams, with whom we wrote some of the most beautiful pages in the history of tennis at Bercy. It was essential for us to continue making this tournament a highlight for all tennis lovers. With this move to Paris La Défense Arena, we will give ourselves the means to achieve our ambitions by offering our athletes and spectators an experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives.”
Tournament director, Cédric Pioline, added: “I am convinced that moving to Paris La Défense Arena marks a significant step in the evolution of the Rolex Paris Masters and opens up a multitude of possibilities in terms of programming but also in terms of welcoming players and spectators.”
Both Accor Arena and Paris La Défense Arena will be used during this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris. Accor Arena will host basketball, artistic gymnastics and trampolining, while Paris La Défense Arena will stage swimming and water polo. Tennis events will take place at Roland-Garros.
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