Defending French Pro A table tennis champions SPO Rouen begin their title defense on September 22, facing a reshaped field of nine challengers determined to end their domestic dominance. The upcoming 2026–27 regular season features an 18-match schedule spanning home-and-away fixtures, culminating in a postseason playoff format designed to crown the ultimate national champion.
The 2026–27 Pro A Field and League Format
Ten clubs contest the French Pro A men’s table tennis championship across an 18-round regular season. Matches follow a standard home-and-away round-robin format before the league establishes a definitive 1st through 10th-place table. A notable structural adjustment marks this campaign: in anticipation of broader Pro A reforms taking effect for the 2027–28 season, league officials confirmed that no relegation to Pro B will occur at the conclusion of the 2026–27 schedule.
Once the regular season concludes, the top four teams advance to the home-and-away playoff semifinals. The two advancing clubs will then meet in a single-leg final on neutral ground, staged for the first time parallel to the women’s Pro A championship final.
SPO Rouen Targets a Historic Title Defense
SPO Rouen captured its maiden Pro A title months ago in a dramatic conclusion, sealing the crown during the final set of the decisive match between Lilian Bardet and Simon Gauzy. Stéphane Hucliez oversees a revised roster tasked with defending that championship. With Lilian Bardet and Alvaro Robles departing, the club welcomed Esteban Dorr—a bronze medalist in doubles at the world championships—alongside Nathan Pilard, the reigning U19 European championship runner-up.
The two left-handed additions join returning players Thibault Poret and Alexandre Robinot, forming a squad built to contend for the top of the standings.
Hennebont Renew Their Pursuits
Hennebont enters the season looking to reverse a run of narrow misses after finishing as runners-up in each of the past two campaigns. The club’s roster remains largely intact around Simon Gauzy, veterans Vladimir Sidorenko and Lev Katsan, and rotational additions Wen Ruibo, Chen Yuanyu, and Zhou Qihao. Kazakhstan international Alan Kurmangaliev, ranked 143rd globally, arrives as the club’s primary offseason signing. Last season, a single set separated the five-time French champions from a sixth national crown.
Meanwhile, Alliance Nîmes-Montpellier aims to reclaim the throne it secured during the 2024–25 season. After falling to Hennebont in the semifinals last year, the club retains its core of Alexis Lebrun, Félix Lebrun, Antoine Hachard, Manav Thakkar, and Grégoire Jean. They add Rémi Bételu, the 184th-ranked player worldwide and former 4S Tours standout recognized as France’s top defensive player, ahead of his Pro A debut following a breakthrough international season.
Angers Roster Revamp Following High-Profile Departures
Les Loups d'Angers are in a transitional phase following the departure of João Geraldo after eight seasons, two club titles, and nearly 200 appearances. Geraldo joined German club Borussia Dortmund, while homegrown standout Nathan Pilard joined Rouen. To offset these losses, Angers recruited Lilian Bardet and Joé Seyfried. They join Can Akkuzu and Bastien Rembert to anchor a redesigned roster.
Bruille Targets the Championship Final
Following a successful promotion campaign that culminated in a semifinal appearance against eventual champion Rouen, Bruille enters the new season with heightened expectations. Promoted side Bruille and standout player Flavien Coton look to build upon their previous performances and advance to the championship final.
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