Paris is buzzing with football fever, and it’s not just because of the usual suspects. On May 2, 2025, Paris FC punched their ticket back to Ligue 1, ending a 46-year drought that’s older than most of their fans. The capital’s scrappy underdog will now share the top-flight stage with powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain, setting up a derby so close you could walk between the stadiums in under ten minutes. This isn’t just a promotion—it’s a seismic shift for French football.
The decisive moment came in a gritty 1-1 draw against Martigues, a match that sealed Paris FC’s second-place finish in Ligue 2. With 59 points, they locked in automatic promotion alongside champions AJ Auxerre. The Stade Charléty, their home turf, erupted as fans who’ve waited decades for this moment stormed the pitch. For a club that last tasted Ligue 1 in the 1978-79 season, this is more than a comeback—it’s a resurrection.
Paris FC’s journey hasn’t been glamorous. Founded in 1969, the club split from PSG in 1972 after a messy divorce over identity and ambition. While PSG chased global stardom, Paris FC toiled in the lower leagues, bouncing between Ligue 2 and obscurity. Financial woes and mismanagement kept them down, but recent years brought stability. Under president Pierre Ferracci and coach Stéphane Gilli, the club rebuilt with a mix of young talent and grizzled veterans, grinding their way up the table.
The numbers tell the story: 15 wins, 14 draws, and just 5 losses in Ligue 2 this season. Their defense, led by goalkeeper Obed Nkambadio, conceded a stingy 22 goals, second only to Auxerre. Offensively, they leaned on striker Ilan Kebbal, whose flair and eight goals earned him cult status among fans. It’s a squad built on grit, not glitz, a stark contrast to PSG’s galactico approach.
Next season, the Paris derby will be the talk of Ligue 1. Paris FC’s stadium sits just 4 kilometers from PSG’s Parc des Princes, making it the closest top-flight rivalry in French history. Expect packed stands, heated chants, and a clash of identities—working-class pride versus global glamour. For Paris FC, it’s a chance to prove they belong. For PSG, it’s a rare local challenge in a league they’ve dominated.
The promotion also boosts Paris as a football city. With two clubs in Ligue 1 for the first time since the 1980s, the capital’s football scene feels alive again. Local businesses near Stade Charléty are already gearing up for bigger crowds, and youth academies are buzzing with kids dreaming of wearing Paris FC’s blue and white.
On May 3, 2025, the club issued a statement thanking supporters, calling the promotion “a victory for every Parisian who believed in us.” Ligue 1’s official schedule hasn’t dropped yet, but the derby dates are already circled on every fan’s calendar. When the whistle blows, it’ll be more than a game—it’ll be a statement. Paris FC is back, and they’re not here to play second fiddle.
Paris FC finished the 2024-25 Ligue 2 season with 59 points from 34 matches. Their last Ligue 1 appearance was the 1978-79 season. The club’s promotion was confirmed on May 2, 2025, after a 1-1 draw at Martigues. PSG has won Ligue 1 12 times, most recently in 2024. The distance between Stade Charléty and Parc des Princes is 4.2 kilometers.