Chinese internet giant Tencent will once again be the broadcast home for the Roland-Garros French Grand Slam tennis tournament in China, securing a new three-year rights deal with the French Tennis Federation (FFT) that runs through 2028. The agreement, beginning with this year’s tournament from May 18 to June 7, marks a significant return for Tencent, which previously held broadcast rights from 2017 to 2022.
The deal comes after Shinai Sports held exclusive broadcasting rights for the 2023-2025 seasons. The FFT’s decision to return to Tencent underscores the value they place on the tech company’s extensive reach and robust digital ecosystem within the crucial Chinese market.
A key component of the new agreement is accessibility. Tencent will broadcast all matches of the French Open, with a “large selection” of matches available without a paywall. This strategy aims to broaden the tournament’s fanbase in China, capitalizing on the growing interest in tennis fueled by the success of Chinese players.
The rise of players like WTA star Zheng Qinwen, currently ranked in the top 25, and ATP player Zhang Zhizhen, the first Chinese man to break into the top 100, has significantly boosted the sport’s popularity within the country. Other emerging Chinese talents, including ATP rising star Shang Juncheng and WTA players Wang Xinyu, Yuan Yue, and Wang Xiyu, are further contributing to this momentum.
“This partnership will allow tennis fans in China to continue following the tournament through widely accessible digital platforms, in a market where interest in tennis continues to develop,” said Stéphane Morel, chief executive of the FFT.
The French Open’s return to Tencent solidifies the company’s position as a dominant force in sports broadcasting within China. Tencent already holds the rights to broadcast Wimbledon and the US Open, effectively controlling the broadcast of three of the four Grand Slam tournaments in the country. The only remaining Grand Slam, the Australian Open, is currently broadcast by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, but their deal expires after the 2026 edition.
Jeff Han, vice president of Tencent Online Video, emphasized the company’s commitment to delivering a premium viewing experience. “Over the next three years, Tencent will fully leverage its core strengths in digital ecosystem, content production and user engagement to enable Chinese tennis fans to appreciate the unique allure of clay court tennis and driving the popularity of tennis in China.”
This deal extends beyond tennis, adding to Tencent’s broader sports portfolio, which includes broadcasting rights for motor racing’s Formula 1 series through the 2027 season. The company’s continued investment in premium sports content demonstrates its strategic focus on attracting and engaging a large and growing audience.
The FFT is also actively consolidating its broadcast partnerships globally. Recently, they secured a deal with Indian pay-TV broadcaster Sony Pictures Network for exclusive coverage of the tournament through 2027. Media giant Warner Bros. Discovery holds rights across Europe until at least 2030, and also broadcasts the tournament in the US via its TNT, TBS, and truTV networks under a separate 10-year agreement.
