ARES Fighting Championship kicks off its 2026 season in Nice: The first event of the 2026 season will take place on January 9, 2026, at the Palais Nikaïa. This same venue previously hosted an edition in January 2025. Nice thus once again features on the ARES FC calendar.
Nice boasts a strong MMA ecosystem: Several professional fighters hail from local clubs, including Axel Sola and Manon Fiorot. The region benefits from a dense network of combat sports facilities and training centers, making Nice a recognized hub for MMA in France.
The event will enjoy extensive broadcast coverage: It will be aired on Canal+ Sport in France, with an international English-language Pay-Per-View broadcast ensuring both national and global reach.
Nice Côte d’Azur is well equipped to host international competitions: The region offers modern infrastructure, excellent accessibility, and diverse accommodation options. It already hosts major sporting events such as IRONMAN®, the Tour de France, and Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB®. Nice is also part of the 2030 Winter Olympic Games setup for ice sports events.
MMA fans will gather on Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Palais Nikaïa for the launch of the 2026 ARES Fighting Championship season, with Nice chosen as the first stop. As one of France’s leading MMA cities, Nice will once again welcome an event set to captivate combat sports fans.
Over the years, MMA—an art blending techniques from judo, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, boxing, muay thai, kickboxing, karate, and more—has become one of the most popular and followed sports worldwide.
ARES Fighting Championship is France’s number one MMA league, officially recognized since 2020. Since September 2024, ARES FC has been touring across France to bring the best of MMA to local audiences. Following the tremendous success of the first Nice edition in January 2025—highlighted by the victory of local fighter Axel Sola—ARES FC returns to Palais Nikaïa with a spectacular fight card. This major event reaffirms ARES FC’s commitment to promoting French MMA on the international stage.
With its numerous clubs, thriving community of practitioners, and champions such as Axel Sola, Virgil Augen, and Manon Fiorot, Nice stands as a powerhouse of MMA in France and Europe. More than 6,000 spectators are expected at Palais Nikaïa to experience the most thrilling MMA night of the year in Nice. The event will be broadcast on Canal+ Sport in France, across all Canal+ territories, and internationally via English-language Pay-Per-View.
Tickets start at €25 and will be available on aresfighting.com from October 9, 2025, at 10 a.m. A special EARLY BIRD offer of -20% applies for the first 15 days of sales.
Source: Ville de Nice
Nice Côte d’Azur: a destination structured for international sporting events
Nice Côte d’Azur has established itself as a region capable of hosting major sports competitions, backed by solid advantages: modernized sports facilities, excellent national and international accessibility, a wide range of accommodation, and a natural environment conducive to outdoor and endurance sports.
This dynamic is reflected in the regular hosting of major events such as the IRONMAN® long-distance triathlon, top-level cycling races (including the Tour de France finish), and international trail running competitions like the Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB®. These events generate significant economic and tourism benefits while contributing to sustainable territorial development.
By 2030, Nice will also play a role in the Winter Olympic Games, serving as the host city for ice sports events such as skating and hockey.
Sports Nice Côte d’Azur
- Tour de France Femmes 2026: Nice Hosts the Final Stage of the Race
- MyHealthFriend: a Franco-Italian app for preventive health and well-being
- Étienne Boulay: a Quebec entrepreneur committed to the economic development of Nice Côte d’Azur
- ARES Fighting Championship 2026 in Nice – January 9
- The Ocean Race Europe 2025: Nice, the only French port of the adventure
- Nice Côte d’Azur Cements Its Tech and Sports Leadership After Successful MWC and ISC 2025 Participation
- Nice Côte d’Azur: a dynamic 2024 in the service of attractiveness
- Paris 2024 Olympics: Nice, the Host of Olympic Football Matches
- Tour de France in Nice: Historic Arrival and Major Economic Impact
- Nice: Nolt announces its first fundraising round
