How to watch and live stream the 2026 French Open on TNT Sports and HBO Max - dates, clay-court events schedule and top contenders for Roland-Garros

Will Jannik Sinner complete the career Grand Slam at the 2026 French Open? Will Iga Swiatek find her best form to win the title for a fifth time?

The second tennis major of the season is nearly upon us, with the French Open starting in May, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

Roland-Garros served up an incredible men’s final last season, with Carlos Alcaraz battling back from two sets down to beat Sinner in a thriller. The women’s final also went the distance, with Coco Gauff defeating Aryna Sabalenka in blustery conditions.

Alcaraz will not be defending his title as he has been ruled out with a wrist injury, opening the door for a new winner.

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But who are the favourites to take the title in Paris this season? And when does play begin at the French Open?

Read on to discover everything you need to know before Roland-Garros 2026. 

When does the French Open begin?

The main tournament in Paris runs from Sunday, May 24 until Sunday, June 7. 

The women’s final is on Saturday, June 6 and the men’s final is on June 7. 

Gauff's best shots from 2025 French Open

Video credit: TNT Sports

Qualifying begins on Monday, May 18 and runs until Friday, May 22. 

The tournament primarily takes place in the daytime, but there will be one night match scheduled on Court Philippe-Chatrier from the opening Sunday until the second Wednesday.

How to watch the French Open

You can watch every day of the French Open live on TNT Sports.

It will be available to stream both live and on-demand on HBO Max.

Who are the French Open favourites?

With Alcaraz absent, it is hard to look past Sinner on the men’s side.

The Italian made the semi-finals in Paris two years ago, and last year spurned three championship points in the final.

He has won Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte Carlo this season, before becoming the first home player to win the Italian Open in 50 years.

Sinner is also just the second player to win all nine Masters 1000 titles, and he will be eager to complete his Grand Slam selection in Paris.

Novak Djokovic is the only other player to complete that Masters feat, and will also be a firm contender here - if he is healthy.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion hasn't played since losing in the Indian Wells last 16 to Jack Draper.

Injured Alcaraz will come back ‘stronger than before’ - Sinner

Video credit: SNTV

He withdrew from the Monte-Carlo Masters and missed both the Miami Open and Madrid Open as he battles a right shoulder injury.

As for the women, Sabalenka is the one to beat at the moment. The world No. 1 was left disappointed in Australia after losing the final to Elena Rybakina but, like Sinner, completed the 'Sunshine Double' as she maintained her incredible hard-court form.

Sabalenka is looking to continue that form on clay, but could be challenged by last year’s champion Gauff and four-time Roland-Garros winner Iga Swiatek.

Swiatek retired from her third-round match in Madrid due to illness and has had a stop-start season so far.

Former champion Stan Wawrinka and French great Gael Monfils will play the tournament for the final time before they retire at the end of the season.

Who will be the top seeds?

Sabalenka’s advantage at the top of the rankings over Rybakina is significant enough that she looks set to be the top women's seed in Paris. 

Gauff and Swiatek are split by only a handful of points in the battle to be seeded third.

Jessica Pegula and Amanda Anisimova look set to round out the top six.

Top 5 shots of the women's French Open

Video credit: TNT Sports

On the men’s side, Sinner will be the top seed.

Alexander Zverev is currently ranked third in the rankings and is in line to be the second seed in the absence of Alcaraz.

Novak Djokovic looks set to be the third seed with Felix Auger-Aliassime, Ben Shelton, and Taylor Fritz battling for the next spots.

What's the French Open prize money?

There will be an increase in prize money at the 2026 French Open, with this year's total at €61.723m (£53.6m).

That is a 9.53% increase on last year, which was set at €56.352m (£43.3m).

The increase falls in line with the other Grand Slams, with the prize pool falling just short of the AUD$111.5 million (£55.4m) won at this year's Australian Open.

French Open organisers have said the prize money for qualifying has been increased by 12.9% from last year, while the pot for the main draw is up by 10.1%.

Prize money increases for the doubles (3.90%) and wheelchair events (14.55%) were also announced.

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TNT Sports is the exclusive French Open broadcaster in the UK and Ireland. Coverage of every court will be available to stream live on HBO Max

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