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Month: October 2026

Former AS Monaco striker Sonny Anderson to chair Sportel Awards 2026 jury

by: Kayla Sauceda
02/10/2026

Former AS Monaco striker Sonny Anderson will return to the Principality this month, chairing the jury for the 2026 Sportel Awards.

The Brazilian footballer played for AS Monaco from 1994 to 1997, and now takes on a new role as President of the seven-member jury responsible for selecting this year’s standout works in sports broadcasting, imagery, and storytelling.

Anderson had a successful career during his time in France, winning three French league titles and finishing as Ligue 1’s top scorer three times. His return brings a familiar face to Monaco for an event celebrating the relationship between sport and media for over thirty years. Joining Anderson on the jury will be figures from both sides of that relationship.

Elite sport will be represented by World and European handball champion and Olympic silver medallist Siraba Dembélé-Pavlovic, Cameroonian international footballer and Champion for Peace with Monaco-based Peace and Sport Nicolas Nkoulou, and Monegasque open-water swimmer Lisa Pou, who recently claimed bronze in the 10km at the 2025 World Championships.

Enduro and Freeride mountain biker and filmmaker Kilian Bron will join them, alongside award-winning sports photographer Catherine Steenkeste, and Georges Mohammed-Chérif, President and Chief Creative Officer of creative agency Buzzman.

Bron will represent the French National Olympic and Sports Committee on the jury, while Pou will represent the Monaco Olympic Committee.

MORE THAN THREE DECADES OF SPORTING STORYTELLING

Created in 1990, the Sportel Awards recognise productions and images capturing some of the most memorable moments in sport. The programme includes the Golden Podiums, honouring directors and producers behind outstanding sporting sequences, as well as the Renaud de Laborderie Book Prize, recognising a significant publication dedicated to sport.

The jurors will now review this year’s entries and determine which will receive the competition’s honours. The winners will be revealed in Monaco on 19th October as the Sportel Awards ceremony takes place at 7pm at the Grimaldi Forum.

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Photo by Monaco Life

Monaco changes seasonal taxi rules in push for more reliable service

by: Cassandra Tanti
02/10/2026

Monaco has overhauled the way seasonal taxi licences are awarded, introducing a clear hierarchy that favours Monégasques and residents while giving greater weight to experienced drivers, as the Principality looks to improve taxi availability and service quality.

The changes are particularly relevant for Monaco residents and visitors who have experienced difficulties finding taxis during major events and periods of high demand. They form part of a wider discussion between the Government, National Council and taxi profession over how to ensure the Principality has sufficient capacity when it is busiest.

Under the new system, seasonal taxi licences are awarded according to a formal order of priority: Monégasque nationals first, followed by spouses, parents or children of Monégasques, then Monaco residents, and finally non-residents.

The National Council says the changes follow two years of discussions with the Government and strengthen Monaco’s National Priority policy within the sector.

Experience to count for more

The scoring system used to select seasonal taxi drivers has also been revised, with greater weight now given to professional experience.

Previous experience working as a seasonal taxi driver is more heavily recognised, a change the National Council says will favour the return of candidates who have already demonstrated their ability to provide the service.

That change is already evident in the application process for the 2027 season. Drivers who worked during the previous season can ask for their previous average score from the English and Italian language assessments to be carried forward.

Language skills remain part of the selection process — an important consideration in a country where a large proportion of taxi passengers are international. Candidates who meet the initial requirements will undergo oral English and Italian tests, as well as a motivation interview.

Focus shifts to availability and service

The changes come alongside Monaco’s recently revised taxi tariffs and a broader attempt to address the availability of taxis throughout the year.

National Council President Thomas Brezzo said the objective went beyond National Priority and was also to ensure Monaco has a taxi service that is sufficiently sized, responsive and of a high standard for both residents and visitors.

One potentially significant change is still being discussed: the creation of a supplementary taxi fleet that could be mobilised outside the traditional high season during major events and periods of particularly strong demand.

Such a system could give Monaco additional capacity during events including the Grand Prix, Monaco Yacht Show and other periods when demand for taxis increases sharply, without permanently increasing the number operating throughout the year.

Meanwhile, the Government has now opened the next round of permanent and seasonal taxi authorisations. Applications for the 2027 seasonal licences close on 19th October, meaning the newly revised selection criteria will now be put into practice.

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Photo by Cassandra Tanti

Monaco team returns to Jules Bianchi marathon to support brain injury patients

by: Cassandra Tanti
02/10/2026

MyCrown Collection and YellowKorner Monte Carlo are teaming up again for the Jules Bianchi Karting Marathon at Circuit Paul Ricard this weekend, returning after winning their category in 2025 to support people living with severe brain injuries.

Running from 2nd to 4th October in Le Castellet, the charity event challenges teams to complete 42 hours, 19 minutes and 50 seconds of continuous racing. Now in its 11th edition, the marathon raises funds for the Jules Bianchi Association, established by the late Formula 1 driver’s family.

Returning after a winning performance

The Monaco partners have a strong result to build on. Listed as ‘MY CROWN – YELLOW CORNER’ in last year’s results, their team won the 245kg Corporate category after completing 2,283 laps, three ahead of the second-placed crew.

Their return combines another endurance challenge with fundraising for the association, with MyCrown Collection encouraging supporters to contribute through the event’s website.

More than 42 hours on track

The marathon’s unusual duration translates the traditional running marathon distance of 42.195 kilometres into time: 42 hours, 19 minutes and 50 seconds.

The race is scheduled to start on Friday evening and finish at 2pm on Sunday, followed by the podium ceremony at 2.30pm. Teams will race through two nights before reaching the chequered flag.

Supporting patients and families

The Jules Bianchi Association was founded in 2015, following the driver’s death from injuries sustained at the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix.

Its work supports people with severe brain injuries through medical research, specialist equipment and assistance for families. It also supports the care service at Nice’s l’Archet hospital that looked after Bianchi during the final months of his life.

Last year’s marathon brought together 35 teams and raised €50,000 for the association to support l’Archet hospital, according to the organisers.

A close connection to Monaco

Bianchi’s legacy has particular resonance in Monaco. The Nice-born driver was Charles Leclerc’s godfather and mentor, helping the future Ferrari driver during his karting years. His best Formula 1 result also came in the Principality, where ninth place at the 2014 Monaco Grand Prix earned his and Marussia’s first championship points.

Leclerc is patron of the association, continuing that connection through its fundraising work. Supporters can find information about the race and access the donation link on the Bianchi Lagorce Events website.

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Photo credit: Morgan Mathurin

Valentin Vacherot fights back to defeat Tsitsipas in Tokyo

by: Kayla Sauceda
02/10/2026

Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot continues his successful run in Tokyo, producing a comeback victory over former world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas on Friday, battling from a set down to secure his place in the quarterfinals of the Japan Open.

This victory over the Greek came 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4, continuing his run after defeating Alexander Blockx in his previous match. Tsitsipas took early control of the match, breaking Vacherot in the opening set to finish 6-4. The second set brought further challenges as Vacherot fell a break behind as Tsitsipas looked to secure a victory in the opening two sets.

Vacherot proved he would not go down without a fight as he recovered, forcing the set into a tiebreak. With the possibility of elimination on the line, Vacherot remained composed, taking the tiebreak 7-5 and forcing a deciding third set.

By the final set, Vacherot found his momentum, securing a decisive break to move ahead 3-2. Although Tsitsipas remained within reach throughout, Vacherot protected his lead to complete the comeback with a 6-4 final set.

Statistically speaking, the match proved competitive between the two players. Vacherot delivered seven aces compared to Tsitsipas’ nine, while both converted two break points. When his opportunities came, Vacherot proved his effectiveness, converting two of five break points compared to Tsitsipas’ two from eight.

FILS AWAITS IN THE QUARTERFINALS

This encounter marked the first meeting between the two and Vacherot’s first victory over the Greek, sending him into the final eight remaining in Tokyo. Vacherot will now face France’s Arthur Fils in the quarterfinals.

In their only previous match, a closely contested three-set battle ended in victory for Fils in Miami. Vacherot will now look to even the score and secure victory over the world No.9 to earn a place in the semifinals.

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Photo credit: Luke Entwistle, Monaco Life

Valentin Vacherot advances in Tokyo after hard-fought victory over Blockx

by: Kayla Sauceda
01/10/2026

Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot has advanced to the Round of 16 at the Japan Open in Tokyo after overcoming Alexander Blockx in a hard-fought battle.

Seeded eighth in the ATP 500 tournament, Vacherot secured a 7-6(2), 7-6(4) victory on Wednesday 30 September, overcoming Belgian world No. 27 Blockx.

Throughout the match’s entirety, neither player was able to establish a comfortable advantage, with both sets ultimately decided by tiebreaks. Vacherot proved his composure in the moments that mattered most, dominating the opening tiebreak before closing out the second to secure his place in the next round.

Vacherot’s serve played a key role in this victory, as he landed 76% of his first serves and won 78% of the points behind them. He also saved seven of the nine break points he faced throughout the match.

The second set brought additional challenges as his opponent created four set-point opportunities at 5-4. However, Vacherot successfully fought these off, eventually forcing another tiebreak to complete the match in two sets.

TSITSIPAS AWAITS IN ROUND OF  16

Vacherot, currently ranked world No. 18, will now face former world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Round of 16 on Friday 2 October. The Greek came through qualifying before defeating Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the opening round of the main draw.

Friday’s match will mark the first career meeting between Vacherot and Tsitsipas, allowing Monaco’s talent to showcase his level as he looks to extend his run in Tokyo. The tournament also serves as Vacherot’s final stop on the tour before returning to Shanghai, where he will defend the Masters 1000 title that delivered his breakthrough last year.

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Photo credit: Direction de la Communication / Manuel Vitali

Princess Charlene shares playful moments with Monaco’s 10,000th national

by: Cassandra Tanti
01/10/2026

Princess Charlene shared a playful moment with baby Anna at Monaco Town Hall on Wednesday 30th September, as she and Prince Albert II celebrated the little girl whose birth brought the Monégasque national population to 10,000.

Photographs from the reception capture a warm interaction between the Princess and the young child, bringing a personal touch to a historic milestone for the Principality.

Born in June, Anna attended the celebration with her family. Her arrival took the national community past the symbolic five-figure mark, reflecting decades of growth in the number of people holding Monégasque nationality.

Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger / Prince’s Palace

A milestone for Monaco’s national community

The Monégasque community has tripled in size over recent decades and has, for several years, been the largest nationality group in the Principality.

Figures from Monaco’s statistics institute, IMSEE, recorded 9,883 Monégasque nationals at the end of 2024, shortly before the community reached the milestone celebrated this week.

Monaco’s total population, meanwhile, hit 38,857 as of 31st December 2025, and includes 144 other nationalities living in the Principality.

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Photo credit: Frédéric Nebinger / Prince’s Palace