Holger Rune headlines UTS Gothenburg by BNP Paribas

One of tennis’ most established sponsors is getting behind one of the sport’s most unconventional shows.

BNP Paribas has signed on as presenting sponsor of the 2026 UTS season finale in Sweden, officially turning the December 12–13 event into UTS Gothenburg by BNP Paribas. And the first three names revealed for the eight-player field come with plenty of personality: Holger Rune, Alexander Bublik and Luciano Darderi.

The event will take over Gothenburg’s 10,000-seat Scandinavium arena with a $1 million prize-money pool and the UTS Year-End World No. 1 title on the line.

For BNP Paribas, the partnership puts one of global tennis’ longest-running corporate backers alongside Patrick Mouratoglou’s decidedly modern take on the sport. The bank’s tennis involvement dates to 1973 and today spans properties including Roland-Garros and the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

Photo credit: UTS

UTS is a different animal. Matches use four timed eight-minute quarters, players get one serve, coaching is unlimited and fans are encouraged to make noise during play. There are mid-match interviews, bonus cards and just 15 seconds between points.

Rune, a former World No. 4, is targeting a return to competition after an Achilles injury interrupted his 2026 season. He has twice finished runner-up at UTS London.

“It’s going to be absolutely amazing to be back and performing in front of all the Swedish fans, and I hope a lot of Danish people will come and support me too. I can’t wait,” Rune said.

Bublik may be an even more natural fit. The Kazakh reached a career-high No. 10 earlier this year and has previously reached a UTS final in New York.

Photo credit: UTS

“I love traditional tennis, but I think there should also be room for creativity, for emotion – and UTS gives us that feeling, so I couldn’t say no,” Bublik said.

Darderi will make his UTS debut after reaching a career-high No. 16 this season. Sweden has already treated him well: he won the ATP event in Båstad in 2025 and returned to the final there this July.

Those three are only the beginning. Five more players remain to be announced before UTS closes its 2026 season in Gothenburg — now with one of tennis’ biggest corporate names stamped across the marquee.

Sources: UTS | ATP Tour — Alexander Bublik | ATP Tour — Luciano Darderi | BNP Paribas

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