French football authorities are considering a significant change to Ligue 1’s structure in an effort to increase competitiveness and reduce Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) dominance.
PSG has secured 11 of the last 13 Ligue 1 titles, including the 2024–25 season, finishing 19 points ahead of second-place Marseille. The new format, which is still under consideration, aims to give more teams an opportunity to challenge and ultimately get their hands on the trophy.
Proposed Playoff System
The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) is exploring the introduction of a playoff system to determine the league champion. Under this proposal, the top four teams at the end of the regular season would enter semi-finals (1st vs. 4th and 2nd vs. 3rd), culminating in a final to decide the title winner.
This format aims to provide clubs like Marseille, Monaco, Lyon, Nice, Strasbourg, and Lille with a more equitable opportunity to compete for the championship.
Governance Reforms
In addition to the playoff proposal, the French Football Federation (FFF) is considering restructuring the league’s governance.
Plans are underway to replace the LFP with a new, club-owned entity modelled after the English Premier League. This new organization would oversee the management and marketing of professional competitions, with clubs and private equity firm CVC Capital Partners holding shares.
The FFF would retain oversight and possess veto power over key decisions, including competition format changes. Legislative changes are required for implementation, with a related bill set for Senate review on June 10.
Potential Impact on French Football
The introduction of playoffs could inject excitement into the league, offering more teams a realistic shot at the title and potentially increasing fan engagement.
However, it also raises questions about the value of consistent performance throughout the season. The governance reforms aim to enhance efficiency, transparency, and financial stability within French football, addressing longstanding challenges such as economic instability and competitive imbalance.
As these proposals are still under consideration, their implementation would mark a significant shift in French football’s landscape, potentially altering the dynamics of Ligue 1 and its clubs’ approach to competition.
