Paris Football Club officially ascends to Ligue 1, offering aspirations bolstered by the backing of the Arnault family.
A Long-Awaited Victory: Paris FC Promoted to Ligue 1
It's been a thirteen-year journey for Pierre Ferracci, but his dream of elevating Paris FC from the National league to Ligue 1 became a reality on May 2, 2025. This milestone was achieved thanks to a draw on the pitch of Martigues (1-1), combined with Metz's result against Rodez (3-3). With a four-point lead over FC Metz in second place and just one game remaining in the championship, Paris FC can no longer be caught.
For the supporters, the wait has been even longer. Founded in 1969, their club has only evolved for three seasons in the elite of French football, the last time in 1978-1979. This season, they have experienced two monumental events: the validation of promotion to Ligue 1 and the takeover of the club by the wealthy Arnault family, announced in November 2024.
The takeover by the Arnault family, led by Antoine Arnault, will give Paris FC the financial backing needed to transform into a Champions League contender. Arnold's expertise and resources, coupled with advice from former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp, aim to create a formidable rival for Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
A Challenging Start
This year began rocky for Paris FC, with the impact of the resounding announcement of the entry of the Arnault family into the club's capital slightly wavering their performance. Between the end of October and mid-January, the team won only two out of nine matches in the championship. However, their determination paid off, as they went on to win eight out of their last ten games, securing their promotion.
Onward to New Challenges
As Paris FC prepares for life in Ligue 1, they will say goodbye to their current stadium, Stade Charlety, and move to the Stade Jean-Bouin, located near the Parc des Princes. This change in venue is essential for the club's new dimension, as they aim to establish themselves among the top teams in Ligue 1. To achieve this, they plan to invest in squad reinforcements while maintaining a vigilant approach to transfers to avoid overpaying for players.
With this promotion, Paris FC can now start dreaming big, just like their neighbors PSG. However, they face the key challenge of building a fanbase in a city dominated by PSG, while upgrading facilities and team quality to remain competitive in Ligue 1. The Parisian club can now look forward to creating a new era for themselves, both on and off the pitch.
Intriguing Insights:- The Arnault family has acquired a controlling stake in Paris FC, aiming to transform the club into a Champions League contender.- The club will relocate to Stade Jean-Bouin near the Parc des Princes for better fan proximity and matchday experience.- Promoted after a 1-1 draw with Martigues, Paris FC will likely invest in squad reinforcements to keep their place in Ligue 1 and compete with rivals like PSG.
- The Arnault family's acquisition of Paris FC in 2024, with the intention of making the club a Champions League contender, is a significant step towards achieving their budgeted goal in European football leagues by 2022.
- Owing to their promotion in 2025, Paris FC fans can now look forward to witnessing their team compete in sports like football within the Ligue 1, a league they have long yearned to be a part of.
- Despite a challenging start in the 2025 season, Paris FC demonstrated remarkable resilience, managing to secure promotion after winning eight out of their last ten games of the championship.
- Navigating the European football scene, Paris FC, previously anchored in Ligue 2, is now prepared to take on new challenges, including upgrading their facilities, building a larger fanbase, and securing competitive players to maintain their position among the top teams in the Ligue 1.
