TENN360 | THE FAN'S GUIDE TO THE TOUR
tennis is more than the score.
AUVERGNE-RHONE-ALPES
Tour
ATP
Date of event
19-25 Oct 2026
Location
Lyon
Surface
Hard indoor
Singles Title
New
Doubles Title
New
Level
250
TENN360 INSIGHT:
Sometimes the fun is being there before everyone else discovers it.
The Grand Prix Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is a brand-new ATP 250 bringing top-level men's tennis back to the Lyon area, this time inside the spectacular LDLC Arena. It is an indoor tournament with big ambitions — and with Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Thierry Ascione involved, there is plenty of tennis experience behind the scenes. There is no century-old tradition here.
Yet.
And that is rather exciting.
This is one where I'd wait for the seating map and choose carefully rather than simply buying the most expensive ticket.
The LDLC Arena is a modern multi-purpose venue designed to provide good visibility from its different seating areas, and the tennis court will be installed within the arena rather than being a permanent tennis stadium. My preference would be a lower-level side-on seat, as close to court level as possible.
Side-on gives you the best view of the geometry of the match, while being lower down lets you appreciate just how quickly the ball is travelling.
The beauty of an indoor arena is that there is no sun problem and no weather to contend with. So if you're choosing between a good lower side seat and a much more expensive premium seat, I'd happily take the former.
For the first edition, I'd prioritise view and proximity over status.
Good — but this is one to watch.
Because this is the first edition, I wouldn't promise the sort of player access you might find at a long-established smaller tournament.
However, there is an interesting advantage behind the scenes: All In Country Club, led by tournament director Thierry Ascione, will serve as a training base for players during the event. That tells us the players won't simply be disappearing into an enormous tournament bubble at the arena.
I'd keep an eye on the tournament's practice and fan programme once it is announced.
I'd go if you're the sort of tennis fan who likes being there at the beginning of something.
This is a completely new tournament, with the organisers openly talking about ambitions to make it one of the strongest ATP 250 events on the calendar. I'd also go if you like indoor tennis.
There is something wonderfully uncomplicated about it: no weather forecast, no sun position, no wondering whether the match will be interrupted.
And Lyon itself is a rather good reason to make the trip.
If you like French food, city breaks and tennis, this is an easy combination.
I'd go for the experience rather than obsessing over one particular player.
This is the first edition, so nobody quite knows yet what the tournament will become. That makes it a lovely one for the curious tennis fan — you get to see the beginning rather than arriving twenty years later and being told how wonderful it all used to be.
I'd also make a day of Lyon.
The LDLC Arena is only a short journey from the city centre, so there is no need to treat the tournament as a destination in isolation. Have lunch in Lyon, head out to Décines for the tennis, then come back into the city afterwards.
And because it is indoors, I'd seriously consider an evening session.
Tennis, French food afterwards and no need to worry about whether the weather has decided to ruin your afternoon.
Not a bad plan.
There isn't one.
And frankly, that's one of the attractions.
The tournament is indoors at LDLC Arena, so there is no worrying about which side of the court gets blasted by the afternoon sun, whether your seat is going to turn into an oven or whether rain has just cancelled the match you've travelled to see.
October in Lyon can be cool and wet outside.
Inside?
Tennis.
I'd be much more concerned about taking a jacket for the journey home than packing sunscreen.
Very good.
This is one of the easiest things about the tournament.
The LDLC Arena is in Décines-Charpieu, just outside Lyon, and there are several public-transport options. Tram T7 stops at Décines OL Vallée, about 200 metres from the arena, while T3 stops at Décines Grand Large, around 800 metres away. Bus 85 also stops very close to the arena. You can drive, but parking has to be reserved in advance, so I'd use public transport if you're staying in Lyon. For a city-break tennis tournament, that's exactly what you want.
No complicated rural transfer.
No three-mile walk from the station.
Just get on a tram and go watch some tennis.
I'd skip it if tournament history is important to you.
There isn't any yet.
You won't find generations of famous matches, traditional courts or stories about legendary champions because this tournament is literally starting from scratch.
I'd also skip it if you prefer a small outdoor tennis venue where you can wander between courts and stumble upon players practising five metres away.
The LDLC Arena is a major indoor entertainment venue, so the experience is much more polished and arena-like.
And if you're travelling specifically to see one player, I'd wait until the field and draw are confirmed.
It's a new ATP 250.
Players, as ever, have their own ideas.
Power in Numbers
28
Single Draws
11,000
Centre court seat
4
Courts