Less than a month from FIP Platinum Lyon , which will take place from 21 27 in September 2026 All eyes are now turning to the lineup for this third edition. Without rushing things, the organizers continue to develop their tournament.
New place in the calendar, condensed draw, matches held at the Palais des Sports de Gerland, Platinum status and substantial prize money Several factors could allow Lyon to once again attract big names in world padel.
An interesting place in the calendar
This is probably one of the main strengths of the 2026 edition. The Lyon tournament comes at a particularly interesting time in the international calendar. Paris Major , one of the four most important events of the season, will conclude on September 13 eight days before the start of the qualifiers in Lyon.
Mostly, no tournament Premier Padel will not be organized during the week of the FIP Platinum Lyon before resuming as early as the September 28 in Rotterdam This window of opportunity could naturally work in favor of the Lyon tournament. The players will already be in Europe, and some might choose to add a Platinum event to their schedule before continuing their season in the Netherlands.
Added to this, of course, is the tournament's status. A FIP Platinum represents the highest category of the Cupra FIP Tour , with a significant number of points to be won and, in Lyon, a endowment of 50,000 euros These are all arguments that can be taken into account when planning a particularly busy schedule.
A redesigned format for Gerland
The changes aren't limited to the calendar. For this third edition, the organizers have also chosen to reduce the main table to 28 pairs in both men and women. A decision that should, in particular, allow for a concentration all the main draw matches at the Palais des Sports de Gerland .
This is a significant change from 2025, when some first-round matches had to be played at a different venue. This time, the goal is to bring players and spectators together in the same arena from the start of the main draw, with the aim of further strengthening the tournament's identity and the overall experience surrounding the matches.
This evolution also illustrates the philosophy displayed by the organizers. After a very quick passage of the FIP Gold in 2024 to FIP Platinum from 2025 The idea is no longer to rush the development of the event. Lionel Roux notably emphasized the need for stability with the aim of consolidating what already exists and establishing the Lyon event permanently rather than seeking a new revolution with each edition.
Precedents that definitely make you want to
Because in just two editions, Lyon has already demonstrated its ability to attract players accustomed to the biggest international stages. From its very first edition in FIP Gold in 2024 The tournament had offered a high-level field, before changing dimensions again with its move to Platinum.
En 2025 Gerland had notably hosted Martín Di Nenno / Javier Leal , but also the Momo González / Francisco Guerrero, Edu Alonso / Juan Tello or even Alejandro Ruiz / Juanlu Esbri .
It's difficult, however, to predict which names will appear on the list this year. And ultimately, it's not necessary. The the particularly favorable context of this 2026 edition Added to the previous successes of the tournament, this is enough to suggest a once again high-level competition.
The French, another lever of attractiveness
Attracting top-ranked players is obviously a challenge, but the tournament's success will also depend on the presence of... best French Competing in a FIP Platinum tournament at home represents a rare opportunity for French players to test themselves against a very high-caliber international field without having to leave France. The 2025 edition certainly capitalized on this, with many French players participating from the qualifying rounds and several invitations extended to young French players.
For women, the issue is even more obvious with Alix Collombon Partnered in 2025 with Jessica Ginier It had the unique feature of truly playing on home turf, as both players were from Lyon. This season, barring any surprises, she is expected to sign up with her current partner, Ksenia Sharifova.
The French presence can thus become a real relay to the public . Big international names help raise the sporting level of the tournament, while the French offer players with whom spectators can more easily identify and rally behind.
Lyon thus seems to be entering a new phase of its development. After growing very quickly during its first two years, the tournament is now looking to to establish itself, to structure itself and to build loyalty among both players and spectators A more measured progression, but one which does not prevent this third edition from bringing together several ingredients to continue to naturally take new steps forward.
As a padel fan and player, I scan the padel scene: Beware, you are being watched!
Guichard and Geens, powerless against Lebrón/Augsburger, were eliminated in the round of 32 of the Paris Major.
Padel In France: 850,000 participants, 4,520 trails… growth is changing scale
Fonteny and Moragues give Jiménez/Arroyo a scare but leave the Paris Major
Sofia Araújo: "At first, it was difficult with Claudia Fernández."
Nathan Perrot ready to turn the page: "You'll be seeing Sacha and me apart quite often."
Bergeron/Seurin return to the WC Paris Major project: "It needs to depend more on us" and a project that aims to last.
Coello and Tapia choose their ideal partner to play mixed doubles at the Olympic Games
Paris Major: Leygue, Fonteny and Guichard on the program, the big names take the stage
Paris Major 2026: The FFT's wild cards are paying off, with a historic result already achieved in the men's draw.
Paris Major: Bahurel and Val López eliminated, there are no more Frenchwomen left at Roland-Garros
Paris Major: Guichard and Geens on a mission at Chatrier, a total demonstration to reach the second round
Paris Major: major disappointment for Collombon/Sharifova, eliminated in the first round
For sale: two padel clubs in Mauritius, starting from 330,000 euros
How much does it actually cost to organize a FIP Bronze event?
Padel How Lidl is transforming Crivit into a fully-fledged sports brand with Steffi Graf
Compagnie des Alpes is accelerating its involvement in padel with PadelCity: a new step in its European strategy
Health Care Padel Tour 2026: What if your next padel tournament was played in Barcelona?
FAST Padel Academy continues its development and establishes itself in Liège.
Julien Seurin opens up about his mental state: "There are far more doubts than moments of happiness."
Neither FIP Tour nor World Team Championship: the unique format of padel at the Mediterranean Games
What the analysis of the stroke reveals: tennis forehand vs. padel bandeja
Has the bandeja disappeared from modern padel?
Flat forehand in padel: 5 exercises from Cristian Álvarez to gain control and efficiency
Why knowing how to play on the right and left can make all the difference
Tapia reveals his recipe for beating Coello / Tapia: "I would bet everything on myself"
How Coello defused Chingotto's game plan
In padel, does the chemistry between a pair count as much as individual skill?
Summer changes padel… but what if the real challenge wasn't hitting harder?
Premier Padel : when television can lengthen players' breaks
Premier Padel Yes, a referee can refuse a player permission to go to the toilet
Can Major II jeopardize P2 tournaments? Premier Padel ?
More than a year later, Thomas Leygue is back in the top 150: behind the scenes of a comeback that's still unfinished
Padel vs squash vs badminton: the scientific ranking of cardio intensity
Why does Arturo Coello play with his right hand bandaged?
Les Pyramides: after 12 padel courts, the club is focusing on youth training
What if your progress in padel depended on what nobody else is looking at?