Ligue 1 is France’s premier soccer league, one of the most exciting tournaments on the world stage. Therefore, to understand all about Ligue 1 , it is essential to know its history, which began in 1932 and has progressed through the 21st century, standing out among Europe’s great national tournaments.
Today, Ligue 1 not only brings together some of soccer’s greatest talents, but also serves as a stage for memorable stories and intense rivalries between legendary clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Olympique de Marseille, Lyon and AS Monaco.
With all this in mind, we’ve created this guide to all about Ligue 1, including: its origins and historical evolution, the rules and workings of the competition, the greatest champions and record holders, as well as the fascinating curiosities that make the French league so unique.
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All about Ligue 1: what is the French league?
Ligue 1 is the top division of professional soccer in France. Founded in 1932, it is known for its fluid and technical style of play and is home to some of Europe’s most iconic clubs, such as Paris Saint-Germain, Olympique de Marseille and AS Monaco.
The history of Ligue 1 begins in 1932 when it was created under the name “Division Nationale” and renamed “Division 1” before adopting its current name in 2002.
Over the years, the league has grown in prestige and quality, being an important stage for both national and international players, including the likes of Messi, Zidane, Ronaldinho Gaúcho and, more recently, Kylian Mbappé.
With a history full of incredible moments, historic matches, some moments stand out, among them:
- 1932: the league was founded as the “Division Nationale”.
- 1950s-60s: dominance of Stade de Reims and AS Saint-Étienne.
- 1980s-90s: golden period for Olympique de Marseille, who were four-time consecutive champions between the 1989 and 1992 seasons.
- 2010s: rise of Paris Saint-Germain as a dominant power in the league, and one of the most expensive squads in the world, as well as Ligue 1’s greatest champion.
As a result, the French league has gained ground among the European giants, such as the Premier League (England), La Liga (Spain) and the Italian league.
How does Ligue 1 work?
Ligue 1 is the top division of France’s system of professional soccer leagues between clubs, and is the country’s main men’s soccer competition. Administered by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LPF), since 2023/24 it has been contested by 18 clubs and operates on a system of promotion and relegation.
In each round, all the teams play each other only once and the second round matches will be played in the same order as the first, only with the field of play reversed.
The three worst-placed teams, i.e. those with the fewest points at the end of the season, are relegated to Ligue 2, the Serie B of the French league.
What are the rules of Ligue 1?
Ligue 1 follows the general rules of soccer established by FIFA, with some regulations specific to the competition:
- Number of teams: 18 teams.
- Competition format: straight points, in which each team plays every other team twice, once at home and once away.
- Play-off criteria: goal difference, number of goals scored and head-to-head are used to break the tie between teams with the same points.
- Relegation and promotion: the two worst-performing teams in Ligue 1 are relegated to Ligue 2, while the two best in Ligue 2 are promoted to Ligue 1.
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Meet Ligue 1’s greatest champions
Paris Saint-Germain is the team with the most titles in Ligue 1, with 12 titles and three consecutive champions. Over the last 12 years, the team has won the trophy 10 times, showing its sovereignty in the country’s soccer.
Since its acquisition by Qatar Sports Investments in 2011, PSG has become a dominant power in Ligue 1, attracting international stars such as Neymar and Lionel Messi and becoming one of the most expensive squads in Europe.
Check out the list of Ligue 1’s greatest champions below.
| Club | Titles | Vices | Overdue seasons |
| Paris Saint-Germain | 12 | 9 | 1985–86, 1993–94, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 |
| Saint-Étienne | 10 | 3 | 1956–57, 1963–64, 1966–67, 1967–68, 1968–69, 1969–70, 1973–74, 1974–75, 1975–76, 1980–81 |
| Olympique de Marseille | 9 | 12 | 1936–37, 1947–48, 1970–71, 1971–72, 1988–89, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 2009–10 |
| Monaco | 8 | 8 | 1960–61, 1962–63, 1977–78, 1981–82, 1987–88, 1996–97, 1999–00, 2016–17 |
| Nantes | 8 | 7 | 1964–65, 1965–66, 1972–73, 1976–77, 1979–80, 1982–83, 1994-95, 2000–01 |
| Lyon | 7 | 5 | 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08 |
Curiosities about Ligue 1
All about Ligue 1: records
On the list of Ligue 1 records:
- Most wins in a season: PSG, with 30 wins in the 2015-16 season.
- Top Scorer in a Season: Josip Skoblar, with 44 goals in the 1970-71 season.
- Player with the most appearances: Mickaël Landreau, with 618 games.
What are the Ligue 1 prizes?
Ligue 1 prize money varies from year to year. In 2024, PSG, the French champions, earned R$290 million for winning the league title. The champion also receives the “Hexagonal” trophy and the team also gains direct access to the UEFA Champions League group stage.
There is also a distribution of financial prizes that varies according to the final standings, broadcasting rights and other commercial factors.
We hope we’ve cleared up your doubts with this guide to all about Ligue 1, so follow the games and cheer on your favorite team.
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