 | |
| Organising body | French Football Federation |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1993 (1993) 2026 (2026) (as Ligue 3) |
| Country | France |
| Confederation | UEFA |
| Number of clubs | 18 |
| Level on pyramid | 3 |
| Promotion to | Ligue 2 |
| Relegation to | Championnat National 1 |
| Domestic cup | Coupe de France |
| Current champions | Dijon (1st title) (2025–26) |
| Most championships | Red Star (3 titles) |
| Broadcaster(s) | Ligue 1+[1] |
| Current: 2026–27 Ligue 3 | |
Ligue 3 (English: League 3), formerly known as the Championnat National (English: French National Championship), is a professional men's football league that serves as the third tier of the French football league system, behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. Contested by 18 clubs, Ligue 3 operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Ligue 2 and the Championnat National 1, the fourth division of French football.
Seasons run from August to May, with teams playing 34 games each, totalling 306 games in the season. Most games are played on Fridays and Saturdays, with a few games played during weekday evenings. Play is regularly suspended the last weekend before Christmas for two weeks before returning in the second week of January.
Ahead of the 2026–27 season, the Championnat National was reformed to create a professional Ligue 3.
History
The league was founded in 1993 by the French Football Federation (FFF) and served as a "base league" for clubs on the brink of becoming professional or falling to the amateur levels. The league was annually composed of professional and semi-professional clubs or amateur clubs. The matches in the league attract on average between 2,500 and 6,000 spectators per match.
On 16 January 2025, during a press conference, FFF president Philippe Diallo announced the creation of a professional Ligue 3 from the 2026–27 season.[2] The initiative was made official by the FFF's executive committee on 12 May 2026.[3]
Competition format
There are 18 clubs in Ligue 3. During the course of a season, usually from August to May, each club plays the others twice, once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents, for a total of 34 games. Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, then head-to-head points, then goal difference, and then goals scored. At the end of each season, the club with the most points is crowned champion and promoted to Ligue 2. If points are equal, the goal difference and then goals scored determine the winner. If still equal, teams are deemed to occupy the same position. If there is a tie for the championship or for relegation, a play-off match at a neutral venue decides rank. The first and second place finisher are also promoted to the second division, while the three lowest placed teams are relegated to the Championnat National 1 and the three winners of the three groups from Championnat National 1 are promoted in their place until last season.
Current clubs
For the 2025–26 season.
Stadiums and locations
| Club | Location | Venue | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aubagne | Aubagne | Stade de Lattre-de-Tassigny | 1,000 |
| Boulogne | Boulogne-sur-Mer | Stade de la Libération | 9,534 |
| Bourg-Péronnas | Bourg-en-Bresse | Stade Marcel-Verchère | 11,400 |
| Caen | Caen | Stade Michel d'Ornano | 21,215 |
| Concarneau | Concarneau | Stade Guy-Piriou | 5,800 |
| Dijon | Dijon | Stade Gaston Gérard | 15,995 |
| Fleury | Fleury-Mérogis | Stade Auguste Gentelet | 2,000 |
| Le Puy | Le Puy-en-Velay | Stade Charles Massot | 4,800 |
| Martigues | Martigues | Stade Francis Turcan | 8,290 |
| Orléans | Orléans | Stade de la Source | 7,000 |
| Paris 13 Atletico | Paris (Paris 13) | Stade Pelé | 1,000 |
| Quevilly-Rouen | Rouen | Stade Robert Diochon | 8,372 |
| Rouen | Rouen | Stade Robert Diochon | 8,372 |
| Sochaux | Montbéliard | Stade Auguste Bonal | 20,005 |
| Stade Briochin | Saint-Brieuc | Stade Fred-Aubert | 11,000 |
| Valenciennes | Valenciennes | Stade du Hainaut | 25,172 |
| Versailles | Versailles | Stade de Montbauron | 7,545 |
| Villefranche | Villefranche-sur-Saône | Stade Armand Chouffet | 3,500 |
Table of honours
- Championship not awarded due to season being terminated early.[4]
References
- "How France's new Ligue 3 will work, from coach challenges to Ligue 1+ coverage". 13 May 2026. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
- "La FFF confirme le lancement de la Ligue 3 !". footmercato.net. 16 January 2025. Retrieved 16 January 2025.
- "La FFF officialise la Ligue 3 professionnelle". Archived from the original on 25 May 2026. Retrieved 3 June 2026.
- "FFF : Pas de titre en National, les Lyonnaises championnes" (in French). foot-national.com. 11 May 2020.
External links
- Official Site (in French)