January 20 – French football’s third tier is set for a dramatic makeover, with the Fédération Française de Football (FFF) announcing plans to transform the Championnat National into a professional Ligue 3 by the 2026-2027 season.
The decision, confirmed at Thursday’s executive committee meeting in Paris, marks a significant shift for the lower tiers of French football. FFF president Philippe Diallo described the move as a “very important innovation” long sought by the clubs currently competing in National 1.
“Marc Keller, accompanied by a group of elected representatives, will conduct work, consultations, to transform the National 1 into a professional Ligue 3 within the French Football Federation, a very important innovation requested for a long time by the clubs participating in the National, with a launch objective in 2026-2027,” Diallo told L’Équipe.
He also hinted at big changes for the competition’s structure and appeal. Currently, Championnat National broadcasts rely on the FFF’s in-house production capabilities, but the creation of Ligue 3 could bring opportunities for TV rights financing, boosting exposure and revenue.
The league will aim to be sustainable, attract local talent, and avoid the pitfalls of financial mismanagement. Measures such as a salary cap and restrictions on staff numbers are expected to level the playing field and ensure stability.
However, not everyone is fully on board. While Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) president Vincent Labrune has never outright opposed Ligue 3, he has previously warned that the project is unlikely to receive financial support from the LFP.
The FFF envisions Ligue 3 as a platform for homegrown talent, strengthening the pipeline to Ligue 2 and Ligue 1. Diallo stressed the importance of giving Keller and his team “carte blanche” to innovate, suggesting that bold ideas could shape this new league’s identity.
Currently, 18 clubs compete in the Championnat National. AS Nancy leads the table, with Boulogne in the second automatic promotion place. For clubs like these, the transition to a professional third tier could bring both challenges and opportunities.
If successful, Ligue 3 could become a defining moment in the evolution of French football—a blend of innovation, local pride, and professional ambition designed to bridge the gap between grassroots and the elite. Whether it will live up to its lofty goals remains to be seen, but for now, the blueprint for a bold new era is taking shape.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1737392510labto1737392510ofdlr1737392510owedi1737392510sni@g1737392510niwe.1737392510yrrah1737392510