Roland-Garros Ticket Sales Plagued by Long Waits Despite New Lottery System
PARIS (AP) — The new lottery system designed to reduce wait times for Roland-Garros tickets has failed to alleviate the massive rush, with hundreds of thousands facing long delays when ticket sales opened Wednesday.
Frustration Mounts as Tennis Fans Face Ticket Bottleneck
The French Open’s ticket sales for the 2025 tournament (May 25 - June 8) have been met with widespread frustration as eager fans encounter important delays despite organizers implementing a new system intended to ensure fairer access and shorter waits. Within minutes of opening at 10 a.m. Wednesday, the online ticket platform saw a virtual queue exceeding 460,000 people.
Lottery Winners Stuck in Same Queue as non-Winners
The French Tennis Federation (FFT) introduced a lottery system between Jan. 27 and Feb. 9, requiring hopeful attendees to register on the official Roland-Garros platform with the expectation of receiving an email if selected. Those chosen were granted access to ticket sales on Wednesday morning, with limits of four tickets for main courts, four for secondary courts, and 15 for the Opening Week and secondary courts from june 2-8.
However, the online queue quickly became overwhelmed by visitors who did not receive confirmation emails.This has sparked anger among lottery winners, who decry the considerably extended wait times caused by the lack of filtering. Individuals who were not selected in the lottery are prompted by the platform to return later when their turn arrives.
Multiple Sales Phases Fail to Improve Fan Experience
Prior to the general public sale, several dedicated sales phases were conducted, including those for FFT club leaders (Feb. 5-10), FFT members (Feb. 20-24), and GPP (grand Public Premium), UFR, PSH, referees, and elected officials (Feb. 7-March 3). Despite the multi-tiered approach designed to mitigate long waits and address previously criticized allocation methods, the same issues of dissatisfaction persist for the 2025 edition.
what were the stated goals of the new lottery system implemented for Roland-Garros ticket sales?
Roland-Garros Ticket Sales Plagued by Long Waits Despite New Lottery System
PARIS (AP) — The new lottery system designed to reduce wait times for Roland-Garros tickets has failed to alleviate the massive rush, with hundreds of thousands facing long delays when ticket sales opened Wednesday.
Frustration Mounts as tennis Fans Face Ticket Bottleneck
The French Open’s ticket sales for the 2025 tournament (May 25 - June 8) have been met with widespread frustration as eager fans encounter critically important delays despite organizers implementing a new system intended to ensure fairer access and shorter waits. Within minutes of opening at 10 a.m. Wednesday, the online ticket platform saw a virtual queue exceeding 460,000 people.
Lottery Winners Stuck in Same Queue as non-Winners
The French Tennis Federation (FFT) introduced a lottery system between Jan. 27 and Feb. 9, requiring hopeful attendees to register on the official Roland-Garros platform with the expectation of receiving an email if selected. Those chosen were granted access to ticket sales on Wednesday morning, with limits of four tickets for main courts, four for secondary courts, and 15 for the Opening Week and secondary courts from june 2-8.
However, the online queue quickly became overwhelmed by visitors who did not receive confirmation emails.This has sparked anger among lottery winners, who decry the considerably extended wait times caused by the lack of filtering. Individuals who were not selected in the lottery are prompted by the platform to return later when their turn arrives.
Multiple Sales Phases Fail to Improve Fan Experience
Prior to the general public sale, several dedicated sales phases were conducted, including those for FFT club leaders (Feb. 5-10), FFT members (Feb. 20-24), and GPP (grand Public Premium), UFR, PSH, referees, and elected officials (Feb. 7-March 3). Despite the multi-tiered approach designed to mitigate long waits and address previously criticized allocation methods, the same issues of dissatisfaction persist for the 2025 edition.
Roland-Garros Ticket sales Q&A
Why is there still a long wait for tickets despite the lottery?
The lottery was intended to streamline access, but the platform wasn’t able to distinguish between lottery winners and non-winners in the queue. This meant everyone, including those who didn’t win, were competing for tickets simultaneously. This resulted in extremely long wait times, negating the suppose benefits of the lottery system.
When is the 2025 Roland-Garros tournament?
The 2025 French Open will take place from May 25th to June 8th.
Are there any other ways to get tickets?
Yes, there are multiple sales phases. The dates for the phases have already passed. It’s always worth checking the official Roland-Garros website for last-minute opportunities, such as resale platforms (if available), or hospitality packages.
What are the ticket limits?
Lottery winners could purchase up to four tickets for main courts, four for secondary courts, and 15 tickets for Opening Week and secondary courts from June 2-8.
Is the French Open the only Grand slam with these issues?
No, long wait times and high demand are common for all Grand Slam tournaments.The U.S.Open, Wimbledon, and Australian Open also experience significant demand, especially for highly sought-after matches.
What can I do to prepare for next year’s ticket sales?
Create an account on the official Roland-Garros website well in advance. Familiarize yourself with the sales process, and be ready to enter the virtual queue as soon as sales open. Having multiple devices logged in is not typically allowed and may even void your chances.
Pro Tip: Mark your calendar and set reminders for all phases of ticket sales!
Despite the lottery’s shortcomings, the passion for Roland-Garros remains strong. Keep an eye out for future announcements, and make sure you’re ready for next year’s ticket scramble!
