Ligue 1 2025-2026: Complete season guide, club by club

The 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season kicks off on August 15, with high expectations across the board. Paris Saint-Germain, heavy favourite according to Pinnacle odds, is eyeing yet another league crown, but the chasing pack is determined to challenge their supremacy.

AS Monaco, Marseille, and Lille are gearing up to make life difficult for the Parisians, while other clubs are banking on ambitious summer windows to spring surprises. From European contenders to relegation battlers, here’s the full state of play for all 18 teams.

Paris Saint-Germain (1.10)

PSG remain in pole position after a summer highlighted by the signing of goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier (Lille, €40M) and the arrival of Marco Asensio. Luis Enrique retains an elite attacking line-up, with minimal impact from departures such as Milan Skriniar (Fenerbahçe) and a few loaned-out youngsters. The mission is clear: another Ligue 1 title.

AS Monaco (13.00)

The Principality side strengthened with goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky (Bayer Leverkusen) and the high-profile gamble of Paul Pogba. Ansu Fati also arrives on loan from Barcelona. Departures include Ismail Jakobs (Galatasaray) and Saïmon Bouabré (NEOM SC, €10M). Monaco’s aim: push PSG all the way and secure Champions League football.

Olympique de Marseille (15.00)

Under Roberto De Zerbi, Marseille brought in Azzedine Ounahi (loan return), Angel Gomes, and Igor Paixão (€30M, Feyenoord). Big exits include Luis Henrique (Inter Milan, €23M) and Quentin Merlin (Rennes, €13M). Ambition: return to the podium and play bold, attacking football.

Lille OSC (26.00)

Bruno Genesio faces a rebuild after losing Lucas Chevalier (PSG, €40M) and Jonathan David (Juventus). The arrivals of Olivier Giroud, Arnaud Bodart, and Félix Correia inject experience and flair. Target: a top-five finish despite major squad changes.

Olympique Lyonnais (34.00)

Paulo Fonseca welcomes Tyler Morton (Liverpool, €10M) and Matt Turner (Nottingham Forest, €8M) to reinforce the spine. However, the departures of Rayan Cherki (Manchester City, €36.5M) and Alexandre Lacazette (NEOM SC) mark the end of an era. Lyon hopes for a podium comeback, but it won’t be straightforward.

OGC Nice (34.00)

Nice invested in Isak Jansson (Rapid Vienna, €10M) and Yehvann Diouf (Reims, €6.5M), but lost Evann Guessand (Aston Villa, €30M) and Jean-Clair Todibo (West Ham, €40M). Franck Haise’s challenge: stay in the European race despite heavy turnover.

RC Lens (151.00)

Florian Thauvin returns to Ligue 1 alongside Samson Baidoo (RB Salzburg, €8M). Key departures include Kevin Danso (Tottenham, €25M) and Neil El Aynaoui (AS Roma, €23.5M), weakening the back line. Objective: surprise despite a remodelled squad.

RC Strasbourg Alsace (201.00)

Lucas Högsberg (FC Nordsjälland, €15M) and Joaquin Panichelli (Alavés, €16.5M) strengthen the core. However, the record sale of Habib Diarra (Sunderland, €31.5M) leaves a gap. Liam Rosenior’s aim: comfortable survival and a possible top-10 spot.

Stade Rennais (501.00)

Rennes’ summer brought in Quentin Merlin (Marseille, €13M) and Lilian Brassier (Brest, €12M). Losses include Adrien Truffert (Bournemouth, €13.5M) and Azor Matusiwa (Ipswich, €11.5M). Habib Beye will work with a talented but transitional squad.

Toulouse FC (501.00)

Few headline signings for Toulouse, though Francis Abu (Cercle Brugge, €2.1M) joins the midfield. Zakaria Aboukhlal (Torino, €8M) and Shavy Babicka (Red Star, €4M) depart. Goal: secure safety and a mid-table finish.

Stade Brestois 29 (1001.00)

Ludovic Ajorque (Mainz, €2M) replaces outgoing defender Lilian Brassier (Rennes, €12M). Brest will rely on continuity under Eric Roy to ensure survival.

FC Nantes (1001.00)

Johann Lepenant (Lyon, €2.5M) and Alexis Mirbach (Metz) bolster midfield options. The sale of Nathan Zézé (NEOM SC, €20M) is a blow. Survival remains the primary goal.

AJ Auxerre (1501.00)

Francisco Sierralta (Watford, €1.8M) and Oussama El-Azzouzi (Bologna, loan) join the Burgundy side. Losing Gaëtan Perrin (Krasnodar, €5M) hurts the attack. Objective: stay in Ligue 1.

FC Lorient (1501.00)

Bamba Dieng (Angers) and Karim Dermane (Lommel) add depth, but Eli Junior Kroupi’s exit (Bournemouth) weakens the frontline. Target: 15th place.

Paris FC (1501.00)

Moses Simon (Nantes, €7M) and Otavio (Porto, €17M) make Paris FC more competitive. Staying up is priority number one.

Angers SCO (2501.00)

Loïs Diony departs almost as soon as he arrived. With few major reinforcements, Angers could face a difficult season.

Le Havre AC (2501.00)

Ally Samatta (PAOK) and Thomas Delaine (Strasbourg) bring experience, but the numerous departures are hard to offset. Objective: survival.

FC Metz (2501.00)

Jonathan Fischer (Fredrikstad, €3M) arrives in goal. The loss of Aboubacar Lô (Amiens) and Atta Arthur (Udinese, €8M) adds pressure in the fight against relegation.

Conclusion

The 2025-2026 Ligue 1 season looks set for PSG dominance, but the hierarchy could still be shaken. Monaco and Marseille are well-armed to challenge, while Lille, Lyon, and Nice aim to break into the podium places. At the bottom, a fierce battle for safety looms with several clubs either newly promoted or weakened by the summer market. Between expected dominance and potential upsets, this could be a season full of twists.