TENN360 | THE FAN'S GUIDE TO THE TOUR
tennis is more than the score.
OPEN OCCITANIE
Tour
ATP
Date of event
31 Jan-07 Feb 2027
Location
Montpellier
Surface
Hard indoor
Singles Title
F Auger-Aliassime
Doubles Title
T Arribage/A Olivetti
Level
250
TENN360 INSIGHT:
This is French tennis with the volume turned up indoors.
The Open Occitanie has been part of the ATP 250 calendar for years, but its identity has evolved along the way. Now based at the Sud de France Arena in Montpellier, it brings a proper indoor tennis event to southern France.
And there is something rather appealing about the timing.
February. Indoor hard courts. French players. A lively crowd.
Outside, you have Montpellier and the Mediterranean waiting for you.
Inside, the tennis is serious.
This is one where I'd go for the lower side-on sections.
The Sud de France Arena is a big venue, but the tennis configuration seats around 7,500 rather than filling the entire arena.
That means you still get the feeling of a proper ATP event without the players becoming tiny figures in the distance.
Side-on is my preference because you can see the whole court and appreciate the speed of indoor tennis.
If you can get close to court level, even better.
And if you're watching a French player?
Expect the atmosphere to become considerably louder.
Very good.
The arena setup includes a second competition court and two practice courts, which gives fans opportunities to see more than just the Centre Court matches.
And this is exactly the sort of tournament where I'd make practice part of my visit.
Arrive early.
Find out who's practising.
Watch the smaller matches.
Keep an eye on the players coming and going.
You don't have the enormous distances and layers of security that can make player access difficult at a Grand Slam.
It's not guaranteed, of course.
But your chances of getting close are good.
I'd go if you like indoor tennis and French atmosphere.
The Open Occitanie has a particularly nice combination of things: an ATP 250, a substantial arena, a compact tournament setup and a city that is genuinely worth visiting.
I'd also go if you enjoy seeing French players in front of a home crowd.
The French fans can be wonderfully vocal when they have someone to support.
And if you're looking for a European tennis trip outside the usual London–Paris–Rome–Madrid circuit, Montpellier is an interesting choice.
It's different.
That counts for a lot.
I'd make the most of the fact that this is an indoor tournament.
No worrying about rain.
No wondering whether the sun is going to disappear behind a stand.
Just turn up, find your seat and watch tennis.
But don't spend the whole day in Centre Court.
The tournament has a second court as well as practice courts, so I'd arrive early and have a look around.
And if you're going for several days, I'd definitely try a weekday session.
The atmosphere can be more relaxed, the tickets are generally easier to come by and you have a better chance of moving around and watching different players.
Then go into Montpellier.
Eat.
Drink.
Wander.
You've come to southern France, after all.
Not a chance.
This is indoor tennis.
One of the great luxuries of the Open Occitanie is that February weather can do whatever it likes outside and you simply don't care.
It could be raining.
It could be cold.
It could even surprise you with sunshine.
Inside, the court stays the same.
I'd still bring a coat for getting to and from the arena, obviously.
But once you're inside, forget about sunscreen and concentrate on the tennis.
A rare luxury for a tennis fan.
Good.
This is the one area where I'd plan ahead.
The Sud de France Arena is actually in Pérols, just outside Montpellier, rather than in the city centre. The venue is served by the wider Montpellier public transport network, and there are also substantial free parking facilities at the nearby exhibition centre.
If you're staying in central Montpellier, I'd check the tram/bus connection before setting off and allow plenty of time.
Driving is another realistic option, particularly if you're staying outside the centre, with free parking available at the venue complex.
So it's not difficult.
It just isn't a case of stepping out of your hotel and finding the tennis venue across the road.
Plan the journey.
Then forget about it and enjoy the tennis.
I'd skip it if your ideal tennis tournament involves sunshine, grass and sitting outside with a glass of something cold.
This is February.
In Montpellier.
Indoors.
You have been warned.
I'd also skip it if you want the deepest possible field.
This is an ATP 250, and although the tournament can attract some very good players, it isn't going to replicate a Masters 1000.
And if your only reason for travelling is to see one particular player, wait for the draw.
There is no point flying to France because someone might play and then discovering that your favourite has other plans.
Power in Numbers
28
Single Draws
7,500
Centre court seat
3
Courts