Le  FIP Platinum Lyon  is preparing its third edition with a significant change in its organization. In 2026, the main draw will change from  32 to 28 pairs, in both men and women This change responds to a specific objective: to enable the organization to  to play all the main draw matches at the Palais des Sports de Gerland .

But this 28-inch format also has another advantage: the  The top four seeds will receive a bye in the first round. .

Why go from 32 to 28 pairs?

Lionel Roux, the tournament director, explains it clearly:

 "This allows us to have 4 seeded teams, but above all to play all the matches at the Palais des Sports." 

The move to 28 pairs makes it possible to construct a table in which the  The top four seeds receive a bye in the first round.  and go directly to the next round.

But for the Lyon organization, the main issue lies elsewhere: this reduction in the table makes it possible to concentrate  all the competition on a single site .

All matches at the Palais des Sports de Gerland

This is probably the main change for the public in 2026.

Le  The Palais des Sports de Gerland truly becomes the home of FIP Platinum Lyon  : spectators will be able to follow all the matches in the main draw, for both men and women.

There's no longer any need to spread the competition across different venues. From the very first rounds, the players involved in the main draw will compete in the same venue.

For the public, the programming thus becomes easier to follow and allows them to move from a men's event to a women's event without having to change venues.

A more compact stage to focus the show

Reducing the number of pairs from 32 to 28 might, at first glance, appear to be a downsizing of the tournament. In reality, the main objective is to  focus the show more .

With four seeded teams directly qualified for the next round and all matches grouped at the Palais des Sports, the organization seeks to offer a more readable and immersive experience for spectators.

This setup should also help to enhance the atmosphere from the very first days and make the Palais des Sports the true nerve center of this third edition.

The format is therefore evolving, but the ambition remains the same for one of the major events of the FIP Tour in France.

Now all that remains is to discover the lineup for this 2026 edition and especially the pairs who will try to succeed the previous winners.

 So, who will lift the trophy at the Palais des Sports de Gerland? Just a little more patience…  

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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