In this article, ManoKick will walk you through which teams are in Ligue 1 for the 2025-26 season, giving you the full line-up, who’s new, who got relegated, and what’s at stake. So whether you’re prepping for matchday or simply love knowing the clubs, this is for you.
What is Ligue 1 and how many teams participate
Ligue 1 (also called Ligue 1 McDonald’s for sponsorship) is the top tier of French professional football. The 2025-26 season is the 88th edition of the competition. This season features 18 teams competing for the title, European qualification, and, at the bottom, survival (avoiding relegation).
Full list of teams for 2025-26
Here are the 18 clubs competing in Ligue 1 for 2025-26. Theye established powers, recent promotions, and clubs with long histories:
- AJ Auxerre
- Angers SCO
- Stade Brestois 29 (Brest)
- Le Havre AC
- RC Lens
- Lille OSC
- FC Lorient
- Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon)
- Olympique de Marseille
- FC Metz
- AS Monaco
- FC Nantes
- OGC Nice
- Paris FC
- Paris Saint-Germain (PSG)
- Stade Rennais FC (Rennes)
- Racing‐Strasbourg
- Toulouse FC
Promoted clubs and teams relegated
Zoom on movements this season
To understand which teams are in Ligue 1 now, it helps to see who entered and who left:
- Promoted to Ligue 1 (from Ligue 2):
- Lorient — returned after one year in the second division.
- Paris FC — back in the top flight after an astonishing 46-year absence.
- Metz — returned also after one year of relegation.
- Relegated from Ligue 1 (to Ligue 2):
- Montpellier — after sixteen years in Ligue 1.
- Saint-Étienne — dropped after just one season back.
- Reims — relegated after seven years in Ligue 1.
Notable teams and storylines to watch
Now that you know which teams are in Ligue 1, here are some storylines that make this season especially interesting:
- Paris FC’s return: After nearly half a century out of the top tier, Paris FC being back is a major narrative.
- Lyon’s off-field drama: There were financial issues and rumours of forced relegation, but Lyon remain in Ligue 1 this season.
- PSG’s dominance and rivals: PSG are reigning champions, and every season other top clubs (Monaco, Marseille, Nice, Lens, Lyon) try to challenge.
- Survival battles: Newly promoted clubs (Lorient, Paris FC, Metz) often fight to stay up; matters of squad strength, experience, and resources are critical.
Why knowing the full lineup matters
Here’s why fans, bettors, analysts, journalists (yeah, me included) need to know exactly which teams are in Ligue 1:
- It influences schedules, broadcast rights, and travel.
- It sets the stage for European qualification spots: Champions League, Europa League, Conference League.
- It impacts relegation and promotion stakes—which can make or break finances for clubs.
- It helps you follow transfers and player movements: When a club joins or exits, the dynamics change.
Ligue 1 structure and key dates
The 2025-26 season began 15 August 2025 and is scheduled to end 16 May 2026.
Clubs compete in a double round-robin (home & away matches) against each other.
Besides the domestic league, many also participate in cup competitions (Coupe de France, etc.) and, for top finishers, European tournaments.
Conclusion
If you’ve ever wondered which teams are in Ligue 1, you now have the full breakdown: 18 clubs, including newcomers like Lorient, Paris FC, and Metz; big names like PSG, Lyon, Monaco, and Marseille; and teams fighting to stay afloat. ManoKick always aims to bring you the up-to-date, exciting side of football.
Want more? Keep following here for team stats, player transfers, match previews, and the battles for titles and survival. Stay tuned for our deep dive into top scorers, biggest matches of the season, and predictions.
