Men's Semi-Final Session 1 vs Session 2 at Roland Garros
The 2026 French Open men's semi-finals take place on Friday, June 5 at Philippe-Chatrier Court—but they're split across two separate sessions. This guide breaks down the differences to help you decide which session fits your schedule, preferences, and expectations.
Session Comparison
| Factor | Session 1 (Day) | Session 2 (Evening) |
|---|---|---|
| Start Time | 2:30 PM | Not before 6:30 PM |
| Lighting | Natural daylight | Stadium lights + twilight |
| Temperature | Warmer (June afternoon) | Cooler, more comfortable |
| Atmosphere | Traditional Roland Garros feel | Electric night match energy |
| Crowd | Mixed families + purists | Intense, vocal fans |
| Additional Match | None | Women's Doubles Final |
| Exit Logistics | Easy metro access | Late night transport planning needed |
Both sessions are played on Philippe-Chatrier Court with the retractable roof available if weather requires it. For a complete overview of all semi-final options including the women's draw, see French Open semi-final tickets.
What Each Session Includes
Session 1 (Day) features one men's singles semi-final match only. The winner advances to Sunday's final. With a 2:30 PM start, most matches conclude by early evening, giving you time for dinner in Paris afterward.
Session 2 (Evening) includes one men's singles semi-final plus the Women's Doubles Final. This means more tennis per ticket, but also a later finish—potentially past 11 PM if the semi-final goes five sets.
Atmosphere and Crowd Differences
Day sessions at Roland Garros carry the tournament's traditional character: sunlight on the clay, a mixed crowd of families and longtime tennis fans, and a relaxed but focused atmosphere. The afternoon light creates the classic Roland Garros visual that defines the tournament's identity.
Evening sessions are a different experience entirely. Since night matches were introduced with the Chatrier roof, they've developed their own intensity. The crowd skews younger and louder. The stadium lights create a contained, arena-like feeling. Big points echo differently.
For more on how time of day affects your experience across all tournament rounds, see our day vs night session guide.
Timing and Logistics
Session 1 starts at a fixed 2:30 PM. You can plan around it reliably.
Session 2 is scheduled "not before 6:30 PM"—meaning it cannot start earlier, but may start later. If the day session semi-final runs long (a five-set match can exceed four hours), Session 2 gets pushed back. In practice, evening sessions typically begin between 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM.
For Session 2 ticket holders, this creates a transport consideration. A five-set evening semi-final finishing after 11 PM means navigating Paris metro (which runs until approximately 12:30 AM on weeknights) or arranging alternative transport. The RER and metro lines serving Porte d'Auteuil handle post-match crowds efficiently, but late finishes require awareness.
Which Session Should You Choose?
Your decision depends on what you prioritize:
- Traditional Roland Garros atmosphere → Session 1
- Electric night match energy → Session 2
- Predictable schedule → Session 1
- Maximum tennis per ticket → Session 2
- Traveling with children → Session 1
- Comfortable temperatures → Session 2
- Easy exit logistics → Session 1
There's no wrong choice—both sessions deliver elite semi-final tennis on the sport's most prestigious clay court. The question is which version of that experience matches what you're looking for.
Browse all French Open 2026 tickets to explore session options across the full tournament schedule.