The French Football Federation (FFF) and Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) have confirmed the schedule for the end-of-season promotion playoffs between Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. According to the official Ligue 1+ social media account, the crucial matches will begin on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, with a single match between the fourth and fifth-placed teams in Ligue 2. The winner of that fixture will then face the Ligue 2 third-place team on Friday, May 15. The ultimate prize, a place in Ligue 1, will be decided over two legs, with the first match scheduled for Thursday, May 21, and the return leg on Sunday, May 24, hosted by the 16th-placed team from Ligue 1.
This season's playoff picture is beginning to crystallize. As the Ligue 2 season concludes, the battle for the promotional spots is expected to involve Reims, Red Star, and Saint-Étienne, barring any late changes in the standings. The identity of the Ligue 1 team they will face, however, remains less certain and presents a significant logistical challenge for the governing bodies. The situation hinges on the final position of OGC Nice.
According to the source material, if Nice, currently led by striker Elye Wahi, suffers a poor end to its campaign and finishes 16th instead of Auxerre, a major fixture congestion problem would arise. Nice would be scheduled to play the first leg of the promotion/relegation playoff on May 21, followed by the Coupe de France final on May 22, and then the decisive second leg of the playoff on May 24. This would force the club to play three high-stakes matches in four days, a scenario described as a "casse-tête" or headache for the LFP and FFF.
The playoff system is designed to add drama to the conclusion of the French football season, offering a lifeline to a struggling Ligue 1 side and a final opportunity for ambitious Ligue 2 clubs. For the Ligue 2 contenders like Saint-Étienne, a historic club with a passionate fanbase, the playoffs represent a direct route back to the top flight after a period of absence. The potential involvement of Nice, a club with European aspirations, adds an unexpected layer of complexity and stakes to the proceedings. The coming weeks will determine which clubs face this high-pressure path, with the schedule now firmly set for late May 2026.
