The Palais Nikaรฏa will be the venue for the launch of the 2026 ARES Fighting Championship season, on January 9th. The azure capital is asserting itself as an essential MMA hub in France.
On January 9, 2026, the Palais Nikaรฏa will host the opening night of the 2026 ARES Fighting Championship season. For this new edition, the leading French MMA league has chosen Nice as the starting point for a national tour. Ticket sales opened this morning, with tickets available starting at 25 euros on the organization’s official website.
The choice of Nice is now part of a strategy, due to the dynamism of its clubs and the fame of its fighters. With figures such as Axel Sola, Virgil Augen, and Manon Fiorot, Nice embodies a part of the national up-and-coming talent.
ARES Fighting Championship, recognized by the French MMA Federation since 2020, continues its development. Since September 2024, the organization has been staging more events across the country, bringing fans and athletes closer together. Its ambition: to offer a solid and accessible professional scene, while contributing to the recognition of the sport in France.
ARES Settles Permanently in Nice
ARES’ previous visit to Nice, in January 2025, left a lasting impression. The ARES 28 event gathered over 6,000 spectators at the Palais Nikaรฏa. Nice native Axel Sola, then lightweight champion, successfully defended his title against Brazilian Lucas Caio.
That evening, Axel Sola’s victory was a powerful symbol. The arena transformed into a space of communion between clubs, practitioners, and a large audience. The city council even reserved 1,000 seats for Nice clubs, reaffirming its support for the discipline.
At the press conference preceding the event, Nice mayor Christian Estrosi emphasized the importance of this partnership: “Nice is proud to host an event that highlights both the rise of MMA and the vitality of our local clubs. This sport conveys values of commitment, respect, and self-improvement.”
The evening of January 9, 2026, will continue in this vein. More than 6,000 spectators are expected to attend a fight card bringing together athletes from across Europe. The event will be broadcast on Canal+ Sport and on Canal+’s international channels, as well as on PayPerView in English.
The goal is two-fold: to enhance the visibility of French MMA and to continue the international expansion of ARES. The organization has already gained a loyal fan base, notably thanks to the quality of its events and the spotlight on fighters trained in France.
For enthusiasts, this new edition in Nice represents an important gathering. Beyond the spectacle, it illustrates the growing connection between the city and a rapidly structuring sport.
A Local Dynamic Driven by Nice Fighters
Axel Sola, winner of ARES 28, will once again be one of the headliners. The Maralpin fighter, undefeated in his professional career (9-0-1), symbolizes the journey of a generation trained on the Cรดte d’Azur and now recognized on the international stage.
His performances help strengthen Nice’s position in the MMA landscape. Around him, several emerging talents like Sofiane Boukichou train in the metropolis’s clubs, attracting an ever-growing audience.
For local practitioners, ARES Fighting Championship’s visit is also a source of inspiration. It allows showcasing the efforts made by Nice-based organizations to guide and professionalize the practice. Coaches see it as a lever to attract new members and solidify partnerships.
The January 9 evening will also be a significant moment for fans. ARES has introduced an “early bird” offer with a 20% discount for the quickest buyers. This initiative aims to cultivate an already substantial audience while making the event accessible.
