Renault, Mastercard Back Tennis Clash at Roland‑Garros

Renault and Mastercard are sponsors of the 2026 Roland‑Garros eSeries, an esports competition played exclusively on the mobile game Tennis Clash. Open qualifiers attracted more than 561,000 players and produced 11.5 million matches.

The French Tennis Federation extended its partnership with Wildlife Studios through 2030 to run the eSeries as part of the Roland‑Garros calendar. Tennis Clash reports over five million monthly active users.

The Final Stage is scheduled for May 23, 2026, in the Roland‑Garros auditorium in Paris. The event will be broadcast internationally and will be available in Portuguese‑speaking markets through a major streaming platform. Laure Valée will host the live show.

Renault has been involved with the tournament since 2022 and became the title sponsor in 2024. The company will run on‑site activations during the Final Stage and deploy in‑game items tied to its vehicles.

Mastercard is offering cardholders premium experiences that combine esports and live tennis, including VIP access and meet‑and‑greet opportunities with tennis ambassadors Gilles Simon and Benoit Paire. The prize for the top two finishers totals €5,000.

Organizers report they measure success using engagement time, digital reach, first‑party data, audience metrics and earned media. FFT representatives described in‑game integrations-such as Renault‑themed items that boost avatar stamina and power-as activations designed to fit within gameplay.

The FFT said the competition serves as a funnel from casual mobile play to interest in the live event; its data indicate about two‑thirds of Tennis Clash players do not play tennis in real life. Organizers are using in‑game touchpoints, promotional content, live production and content creators to encourage player interest in the Final Stage.

The eSeries began in 2018 with BNP Paribas as an initial partner. By 2020 the event had added esports elements, including coaching sessions by professional teams for amateur finalists. Participation rose from about 515,000 players in 2025 to over 561,000 in 2026.

Aymeric Labaste, head of Roland‑Garros International Development, described the appeal for sponsors: “Our partners were convinced by our ability to generate strong engagement with younger, international and highly connected audiences. Brands are looking for activations that deliver value and create genuine interaction with communities, rather than simply delivering traditional visibility.”