Goodbye Bercy, hello Defense Arena

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If we were to ask all tennis fans which would be the most dispensable or least attractive Masters 1000 of all, it is very likely that most would answer Paris. Obsolete facilities, only two game courts, and a tournament not very appealing because the top players arrive completely exhausted at this point in the season. As of 2025, this answer is likely to change.

The Paris Masters 1000 cuts ties with ‘Bercy’, which has accompanied it for so many years. Seeking to meet ATP requirements for more training courts and to maintain its category, the French Federation has relocated the tournament to La Defense Arena, the largest indoor venue in all of Europe.

While some may have enjoyed the prevailing darkness in Bercy and the romantic stories - which are now gone - that we experienced with Jack Sock in 2017, Khachanov in 2018, or Rune in 2022, the truth is that this Masters 1000 received the least spotlight of all. Almost as if it was not really a 1000-level tournament. With its renewal, optimism is encouraged.

La Defense Arena is a venue that will allow the French Federation to stand at the same height as its “siblings”. With a Central Court for 17,500 spectators, it enhances luxury, comfort, and breathes new life into a tournament that was in dire need of a facelift. To begin with, and perhaps most importantly, matches can now be spread across four courts instead of two, allowing for more games on different courts and the day not ending at two in the morning. When Sinner withdrew from the tournament due to insufficient rest, it was embarrassing enough to prompt this change.

This is how the new court for the Paris Masters 1000 was built.

Hypnotic. pic.twitter.com/qJQUjFtDmQ

— José Morón (@jmgmoron) October 24, 2025

The Paris Masters 1000 was at risk of downgrading its category

As Cedric Pioline, the tournament director, recently stated, “There was a risk of category downgrade” if urgent changes were not made. The ATP has toughened its requirements since several Masters 1000 events have extended to two weeks. Paris was at a clear disadvantage, and the image the tournament projected in recent years was more than worrisome.

With its move to La Defense Arena, Paris gains value and can proudly proclaim that no other Masters 1000 tournament has a Central Court as large, surpassing even Indian Wells. The 17,500 seats of the new venue exceed the 16,100 of Indian Wells, with only Arthur Ashe having a larger capacity on the entire circuit (over 23,000).

This will lead to a record ticket sales for the tournament, with affordable prices throughout the week, not just limited to the early rounds. While it is common in other Masters 1000 tournaments to see prices exceeding €200 or €300 for the finals, Paris has set prices around €50 for the last Sunday of competition, accessible to everyone.

In fact, for the round of 16, where both sides of the draw will play their matches on the same day, tickets range from €22 to €45. These prices seem almost insignificant to watch Sinner, Alcaraz, and the rest of the world's best players.

This change has the approval of the players, who view the new location favorably. "It's impressive," said Carlos Alcaraz about La Defense Arena. “Everything is much easier for us. I am very happy with the change.” In addition to this change, the 56-player draw over one week will win over traditionalists, advocating for a one-week duration for Masters 1000 events. Shorter, more direct, and more exciting matches in the same day.

It remains to be seen how much the players contribute to making the first year without Bercy fondly remembered by spectators. It will continue to be difficult for us to forget the name of Bercy when discussing the Paris Masters 1000. Hopefully, La Defense Arena will firmly establish itself in our minds as well, or even better, and Bercy will remain a romantic memory of tennis history.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Au revoir Bercy, bonjour Defense Arena