PARIS: The extension being planned for Roland Garros stadium, home to the French Open, will not be completed until 2018, a year later than originally planned, the president of the French Tennis Federation has said.
Former rugby international Jean Gachassin also said that the cost of the work was now being estimated at 340 million euros ($444 million), up from the original figure of 273 million euros.
The stadium, constructed in 1928 and named after a famous French aviator, is sandwiched between the Bois de Boulogne and residential property on the western outskirts of Paris.
With the growing popularity of the French Open, staged annually in late May to early June, space has become a problem and the current plan, drawn up in 2009, is to increase the surface area from 8.5 hectares (21 acres) to 12.5 hectares Lights and a roof are also to be installed over the Philippe Chatrier center court and a fourth showcourt, also with a retractable roof, is to be built to the east of the present ground.
That would mean that three of the four tennis majors — the Australian Open, Winbledon and the French Open — all have retractable roofs on their center courts, leaving the US Open as the exception.
Gachassin told Tennis Magazine that efforts would have to be made by all concerned to find the extra financing needed.
“We have four difficult years ahead us and we will need to tighten our belts both at our headquarters and in the provinces. We have been taking advantage of what we have and now it is time to make efforts of our own,” he added.
Work at Roland Garros extended by a year
Work at Roland Garros extended by a year
2026 PFL MENA season to kick off in Saudi Arabia
- Eastern Province’s Ahmed Albrahim set to make highly anticipated professional debut in Alkhobar
- Bahraini MMA star Hamza Kooheji enters 2026 featherweight tournament for his PFL MENA bow
ALKHOBAR: The Professional Fighters League today announced that the 2026 PFL MENA tournament will kick off on May 8 at Dhahran Expo, Alkhobar, showcasing the best mixed martial arts talent from across the Middle East and North Africa.
The third season of the tournament will feature the best fighters in the featherweight, lightweight and welterweight divisions, alongside a slate of high-profile showcase bouts.
Headlining the opening card will be Salah Eddine Hamli, the reigning 2025 PFL MENA lightweight champion. Hamli’s championship pedigree and growing fanbase make him a centerpiece of PFL MENA’s continued growth.
Ahmed Albrahim will make his long-awaited professional debut in a featured welterweight bout. A native of the Eastern Province, Al-Ibrahim will turn pro at home — a key reason the PFL selected the region to host the season three opener.
His debut represents a milestone moment for local MMA and underscores PFL MENA’s mission to create pathways for homegrown talent to shine on a global stage.
Bahrain’s MMA legend Hamza Kooheji will compete in the featherweight tournament and make his promotional debut on the card. He is one of Bahrain’s most accomplished and recognized fighters.
“We are committed to building PFL MENA where the passion for MMA is strongest,” said Jerome Mazet, general manager of PFL MENA.
“Between Salah’s return, Ahmed making his professional debut in front of his home crowd, and the opportunity to welcome Bahraini fans supporting Hamza Kooheji, this event represents everything PFL MENA stands for: regional pride, elite competition, and unforgettable moments.”
Tickets are on sale from the evening of Feb. 12 and additional fights and event details will be announced in the coming weeks.
