Every spring, for two weeks in the Bois de Boulogne on the western edge of Paris, the tennis world submits to a surface that rewards patience over power. Red clay slows the ball, lifts the bounce, and stretches rallies into contests of will as much as skill — which is exactly why Roland-Garros is regarded as the most physically demanding fortnight in the sport. It is the only Grand Slam played on clay, a distinction the tournament has held since it moved to its present site in 1928, named for the French aviator Roland Garros.
Roland-Garros 2027 runs Sunday, May 23 to Sunday, June 6, with qualifying rounds from May 17 to 21. Fifteen days, two singles finals, and the deepest field in clay-court tennis, all inside a stadium a fifteen-minute drive from the Eiffel Tower. LXV coordinates Court Philippe-Chatrier hospitality, on-site access, and a Paris stay for members. Register your interest below.
The Venue: Stade Roland-Garros
Stade Roland-Garros sits in the Bois de Boulogne, in the 16th arrondissement, a short taxi or Metro ride from the center of Paris. The grounds opened in 1928 to host France's first defense of the Davis Cup, and the tournament has been played there every year since. Two decades of renovation — a rebuilt Court Philippe-Chatrier in 2019, a retractable roof over Chatrier in 2020, the greenhouse-set Court Simonne-Mathieu in 2019, and a second retractable roof over Court Suzanne-Lenglen in 2024 — have modernized the grounds without disturbing what makes them distinct: red clay, tree-lined walkways, and a compact footprint that keeps the entire tournament within easy walking distance.
The tennis is unrelenting by design. Clay is the slowest of the four Grand Slam surfaces, which means points last longer, defense matters more, and the physical toll compounds across best-of-five-set men's matches played over consecutive days. It is why the same short list of specialists tends to dominate the men's draw year after year, and why an early upset at Roland-Garros carries more weight than almost anywhere else in tennis. The men's singles final closes the tournament on the second Sunday; the women's singles final is played the day before.
The Tournament Schedule
| Date | Stage |
|---|---|
| Mon–Fri, May 17–21 | Qualifying Rounds |
| Sun–Tue, May 23–25 | First Round |
| Wed–Thu, May 26–27 | Second Round |
| Fri–Sat, May 28–29 | Third Round |
| Sun–Mon, May 30–31 | Round of 16 |
| Tue–Wed, Jun 1–2 | Quarterfinals |
| Thu–Fri, Jun 3–4 | Semifinals |
| Sat, Jun 5 | Women's Singles Final |
| Sun, Jun 6 | Men's Singles Final |
The Courts
Roland-Garros is built around three principal show courts, each with a distinct character, plus a network of outer courts where early rounds unfold at close range:
- Court Philippe-Chatrier — The 15,000-seat center court, rebuilt in 2019 and covered by a retractable roof since 2020. Home to the marquee matches and both singles finals. Premium tickets include a reserved center-court seat and access to dedicated hospitality.
- Court Suzanne-Lenglen — The 10,000-seat second show court, named for the pioneering French champion. Fitted with its own retractable roof in 2024, giving the tournament weather certainty across its two largest venues.
- Court Simonne-Mathieu — A 5,000-seat court set within the Auteuil greenhouse gardens, semi-sunken and surrounded by tropical plantings. One of the more distinctive settings in professional tennis.
- Outer Courts — A network of smaller show courts and practice courts where members can walk the grounds and watch rising players and early-round matches at close range.
Roland-Garros is the only Grand Slam played on clay — a distinction the tournament has held since 1928, and the reason it is widely considered the most physically demanding two weeks in tennis.
Why Clay Plays Differently
Roland-Garros's surface is not simply red for effect. It is crushed brick dust laid a few millimeters deep over compacted limestone and volcanic rock — a French tradition dating to the tournament's earliest years. The surface slows the ball on contact and produces a higher, more variable bounce than grass or hard courts, which extends rallies, favors heavy topspin and footwork over raw pace, and makes sliding into shots — rather than the abrupt stops of hard-court tennis — the default movement pattern. The result is matches that run longer and punish players who lack stamina, patience, and tactical range, which is exactly why the clay-court major has its own specialists and its own history, distinct from the other three Grand Slams.
LXV Access and Hospitality
LXV coordinates access across the full fortnight, with particular focus on Court Philippe-Chatrier. For members seeking center-court hospitality, LXV can secure Chatrier tickets with reserved lounge access, dining, and beverage service, alongside grounds passes for members who prefer to move freely between the outer courts. LXV manages the booking directly and coordinates on-site logistics throughout the tournament.
LXV can also arrange:
- Private car transfers from central Paris hotels or Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports
- Accommodation in Paris paired with the tournament, from Left Bank boutique hotels to Right Bank palaces
- A broader Paris stay built around the tournament — dining, cultural itineraries, and day trips
- Optional extension to Wimbledon in London the following month
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Roland-Garros 2027?
The main draw runs Sunday, May 23 to Sunday, June 6, 2027 at Stade Roland-Garros in Paris. Qualifying rounds precede the main draw, from May 17 to 21.
Why is Roland-Garros played on clay?
Roland-Garros is the only Grand Slam played on clay, a French tennis tradition dating to the tournament's founding. The red surface is crushed brick dust over compacted limestone, which slows the ball and produces higher bounces, longer rallies, and the most physically demanding two weeks in tennis.
What is Court Philippe-Chatrier hospitality?
Court Philippe-Chatrier is Roland-Garros's 15,000-seat center court, covered by a retractable roof since 2020. Premium hospitality tickets include a reserved center-court seat plus access to dedicated lounges, dining, and beverage service. LXV coordinates these packages directly for members.
Where is Roland-Garros and is it easy to reach?
Stade Roland-Garros sits in the Bois de Boulogne, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, a short taxi or Metro ride from central Paris hotels. LXV can arrange private car transfers or coordinate a broader Paris stay around the tournament.
