Lacoste extends partnership agreements with Roland-Garros and FFT

Lacoste will be Premium Partner of Roland-Garros as well as an Official Partner of the FFT until 2030

50 ans Lacoste x Roland-Garros 2021©Archives Lacoste

Paris, June 6 2024

Lacoste and Roland-Garros are pleased to announce the renewal of their historic partnership. Lacoste will continue to be a Premium Partner of Roland-Garros as well as an Official Partner of the FFT (French Tennis Federation) until 2030.

The extension of the partnership for the period from 2026 to 2030 is a natural choice for Roland-Garros and Lacoste, as their respective histories are deeply intertwined. The Roland-Garros stadium was built to host the Davis Cup in 1928 following the victory of the Musketeers, which included René Lacoste, against the United States a year earlier. The founder of the iconic Crocodile brand and tennis legend left his mark on Roland-Garros by winning the tournament in 1929. 

As part of the Parisian Grand Slam, Lacoste, a loyal partner of the tournament since 1971, will maintain its current visibility with spaces in the Village and on the Philippe-Chatrier court, at the Grande Boutique, as well as 100 square meters of retail space throughout the stadium. The Crocodile brand will continue to provide outfits for referees, ball boys and girls, hostesses, and children participating in the "Entrée de rêve" operation, which allows young people to accompany players to their chairs as they enter the court.

This agreement also includes the design of a 100% eco-friendly co-branded collection, covering textiles, footwear, underwear, and leather goods.

This new agreement marks the Crocodile brand's support for the FFT through the renovation of training walls at affiliated clubs across France to promote the accessibility and attractiveness of the sport. Lacoste will also participate, alongside the FFT, in promoting para-tennis by providing grants to several wheelchair tennis players - men and women - in the Open and Quad categories.

"Our presence at Roland-Garros for over 50 years is natural for us given our inextricable ties. Being a partner of this cornerstone of French and global tennis fully aligns with Lacoste's unique fashion-sport vision, which celebrates its tennis roots every day. Being part of Roland-Garros contributes to the prominence of our craftsmanship and the French elegance we embody. We are delighted to continue our collaboration for an additional five years" explains Thierry Guibert, CEO of Lacoste.

"We are very proud to extend our wonderful history with Lacoste, both with Roland-Garros and the FFT, thus ensuring the longevity of this unique and historic partnership. The Crocodile brand will continue to elegantly dress our ball boys and girls, as well as our referees during Roland-Garros, and all our French teams. We are also very pleased that Lacoste is participating in the 'Tennis Wall' operation, enabling the renovation of training walls, an initiative that should be particularly appreciated by our clubs," explains Gilles Moretton, President of the FFT. 

About Lacoste

Since the very first polo was created in 1933, Lacoste relies on its authentic sports heritage to spring optimism and elegance on the world thanks to a unique and original lifestyle for women, men and children.

At the juncture of sport and fashion, Lacoste frees us up, creates movement in our lives, and liberates our self-expression. In every collection, in every line, Lacoste’s timeless elegance is captured through a combination of the creative and the classic. Since its beginnings, the crocodile’s aura has grown more powerful with every generation who has worn it, becoming a rallying sign beyond style. Passed from country to country, from one generation to the next, from one friend to another, Lacoste pieces become imbued with an emotional connection that raises them to the status of icons.

The Lacoste elegance - both universal and timeless - brings together a large community, in which everyone respects and recognizes each other's values and differences.

Lacoste is established in 98 countries, throughout a network of 1100 shops. For further information visit Lacoste.

Lacoste is one of the inspiring brands driven by passionate people of the MF Brands Group, alongside Aigle, Gant, Tecnifibre and The Kooples.

About Roland-Garros

Roland-Garros is a must-see event for sports lovers and the general public alike. In 2023, Roland-Garros opened its doors to 633,222 spectators and was broadcast in 220 territories around the world, making it a major global sporting event. Organised by the French Tennis Federation, Roland-Garros is the only Grand Slam tournament to be played on clay, one of the oldest and noblest surfaces in the history of tennis.

About the French Tennis Federation (FFT)

The French Tennis Federation is an association governed by the law of 1901 and party to a ministerial delegation. It is dedicated to the promotion, development and success of tennis, para-tennis, padel, beach tennis and courte paume in France. The FFT brings together, supports and coordinates its affiliated clubs. With 4 million players and one million members in nearly 7,500 clubs, tennis is France’s leading individual sport. The FFT also ensures France is represented internationally, by entering teams into international competitions including the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup and the Olympic Games, as well as organising some of the world’s biggest sporting events: Roland-Garros and the Rolex Paris Masters. Since its creation in 1920, the FFT’s identity has been founded on combining the development of amateur tennis across the country for people from all walks of life with the organisation of major international events.