The official schedule for the 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season has been released, revealing that two clubs from the French capital will compete in the top division for the first time since Racing Club de Paris`s relegation in 1989.
With Paris FC securing promotion to Ligue 1 after a 46-year absence, the renewal of the Paris derby will see them meet their local neighbours, PSG. The initial encounter is scheduled for January 4th at the Parc des Princes. The return fixture, potentially more dramatic, is set to take place nearby at Stade Jean-Bouin on the final matchday of the Ligue 1 season, May 16th, 2026.
The histories of the two clubs are deeply intertwined. Paris Football Club was founded in 1969 with the ambition of creating the “Grande club du capital” and soon merged with Stade Saint-Germain, then in Division 2, to gain entry into the French football pyramid. Stade Saint-Germain was based approximately 15km west of Paris in the town of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, famous as the birthplace of King Louis XIV. The entity formed by this merger became known as Paris Saint-Germain.
However, this union dissolved in 1972, reportedly because the city authorities were unhappy with the capital`s principal club being located in the suburbs. Paris FC continued in Division 1, relocating to the Parc des Princes, while Paris Saint-Germain was administratively sent down to the third tier. Ironically, PSG achieved promotion back to the first division in 1974, the very same season that PFC was relegated. PSG subsequently took over the Parc des Princes and established itself as the dominant football power in the French capital, a position it holds to this day.
