Bron, August 25, 2026 – For the fourth consecutive year, the Place de la Liberté in Bron, a suburb of Lyon, is set to become the epicenter of the pétanque world. From Thursday, August 27th, to Sunday, August 30th, 2026, the city will host the highly anticipated Pétanque World Championship, attracting nearly 2,000 players from across the globe.
A Premier International Pétanque Event
Co-organized by the municipality of Bron, led by Mayor Jérémie Bréaud, and the Bron-Terraillon Pétanque Club, the event has firmly established itself as a must-attend fixture on the international pétanque calendar. This year’s championship promises to uphold its winning formula: bringing together renowned players and teams from various countries, including Portugal, Spain, and Madagascar, to compete in both national men’s and women’s tournaments.
While the Pétanque World Championship is known for showcasing the sport’s top talents, it also remains a beloved gathering for amateur enthusiasts, with large crowds expected to fill the numerous playing fields. Among the attendees will be several Lyon personalities, traditionally invited to participate in the unmissable “Gentleman of the City of Bron” event.
New Additions and a Packed Schedule
Committed to continuous innovation, the organizers have introduced a new “national veterans’ doublette tournament” this year, ensuring even more excitement and rekindling memories of past thrilling matches. The four-day event features a comprehensive schedule designed to cater to all levels of competition:
- Thursday, August 27th: 8:30 AM – National Veterans’ Doublette Top300.
- Friday, August 28th: 8:30 AM – National Veterans’ Doublette Top300; 6:00 PM – Gentleman of the City of Bron (by invitation).
- Saturday, August 29th: 8:30 AM – National Triplette Open (limited to 256 teams, Top 1,000) and National Women’s Triplette (limited to 64 teams, Top 300); 3:00 PM – City of Bron Triplette Open and Women’s Triplette Prize (reserved for losing teams from the Top 1,000 and Top 300 pools).
- Sunday, August 30th: 8:30 AM – Regional Mixed Doublette (limited to 128 teams/pools); 9:00 AM – Resumption of the National Top 1,000 and City of Bron Prize; 10:30 AM – Resumption of the National Women’s Top 300 (quarter-finals); 2:30 PM – Semi-finals of the Top 1,000, Top 300, and Grand Prix de la Ville; 4:30 PM – Finals of the Top 1,000, Top 300, and Grand Prix de la Ville, followed by the awards ceremony.
The championship provides a significant boost to local tourism and commerce, drawing visitors and participants who contribute to the vibrant atmosphere of Bron and the wider Lyon metropolitan area. The event highlights the enduring appeal of pétanque as both a competitive sport and a beloved pastime.
As the summer holidays draw to a close, many will have honed their pétanque skills, making this championship a perfect opportunity to put those practice sessions to the test. The organizers and the city of Bron look forward to another successful edition of this prestigious tournament.
Source: lyonpeople.com
