Paris FC Are Back: A Historic Return To Ligue 1

It has been an incredible couple of days for Paris FC. On Friday, the club secured promotion to Ligue 1, having been bouncing around in the lower division for nearly 50 years. The following day, the club’s women’s team won the Coup de France against their bitter rivals PSG, something that Paris FC fans will hope could become a regular thing. How then, did PSG’s little brother earn Ligue 1 promotion?

History

Paris FC’s history is one that is filled with mergers and splits. The club was founded in 1969, in an effort to make the French capital a powerhouse in French football. The following year they merged with PSG, but after criticism from the Paris mayor that the club weren’t playing their games in the city, the two split again, with Paris FC returning to the capital. Paris FC got the better end of the split with PSG, as they remained in the first division and kept the professional players while PSG were forced into the third division and could only use the amateur players at the club.

In the 1974/75 season, Paris FC were relegated from Ligue 1. They spent four years in the second division before earning promotion back into the top flight, however the 1978/79 season was a difficult one, and they returned to Ligue 2 after just one year. That was the last time that Paris FC had played in the top flight, having been stuck in amateur football for the majority of the time since then.

Paris FC back in the topflight.

Archive from their meeting with PSG Paris Saint-Germain in 1978. 📸🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/q4sZE48aQP

— HF World (@hfworld_) May 3, 2025

In the 1980s the club sunk even lower, falling into the fifth division of French football for four seasons. It was during this period that some fans left the club and started following PSG instead, who were steadily on the rise. In 1988, the club was promoted to the fourth tier and then immediately won another promotion into the third tier. After a long 12 years in Division Three (which later changed to Championnat National), Paris FC spent the 2000s in the fourth and third tiers.

In 2015, the club returned to professional status, earning promotion to Ligue 2, and while they would only stay there for one season initially, they were administratively promoted the following season as Bastia were relegated for financial irregularities. Since then, Paris FC have had a few forays into the fight for promotion, but for the most part have remained in mid-table in Ligue 2.

New Ownership

In October of last year, it was announced that the Arnault family would take over the club, becoming majority shareholders. The Red Bull group also took over a minority stake in the club at the same time. The Arnault family is incredibly wealthy, which has now made Paris FC one of the richest clubs in France. On top of that, the Kingdom of Bahrain has been investing into the club since 2020, which has helped grow the club in Ligue 2.

Paris FC have been promoted to Ligue 1.

This is how close their stadium is to future Ligue 1 rival PSG 🤏 pic.twitter.com/VNHj9iBP2I

— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 2, 2025

Earlier this year, Paris FC made an agreement with rugby union club Stade Francais for them to move into their stadium, making them next door neighbours with PSG. This is just the start of Arnault’s ownership, however the club is already making great strides to become one of France’s elite clubs and to challenge the dominance of their local rivals Paris Saint-Germain.

Paris FC’s 2024/25 Season

Despite their promotion, Paris FC haven’t had the most convincing season. With one game left, they are two points behind Lorient in first and four points ahead of Metz. It is likely that Lorient will seal the title on the final day, however Paris still have a chance, as they face 11th placed Ajaccio.

The season started strongly for Paris FC, with three wins in a row including away victories over Caen and Clermont Foot. September didn’t start well, with a defeat against promotion rivals Metz and a shock defeat to Bastia leaving Paris significantly behind Lorient and the other clubs near the top of the table. It was at this point when Paris FC started to make a statement in Ligue 2.

The Real Parisians are back in Ligue 1. Congratulations Paris FC #PFC pic.twitter.com/OSCHZ1wka9

— GreenTurf (@TheGreenTurf2) May 2, 2025

Between September and December, Paris FC were unbeaten for 10 games, winning six and conceding just five goals in that time. They managed to climb up the table and put some serious distance between them and the chasing pack. Lorient were going through a similar period at the time and were the team to end Paris’ run with a 2-0 win at the Stade du Moustoir.

Following another two losses and a win, Paris FC were able to regain their form, losing just twice in the 14 matches since then. Despite drawing their last two matches, they were able to get over the line at the weekend thanks to Metz’s poor form that has seen them win just once since the start of April.

Standout Players

Jean-Philippe Krasso has been an excellent player for Paris FC this season as their ‘go-to’ number nine. He joined the summer from Red Star Belgrade as their only signing and has scored 15 league goals in 30 appearances as well as registering five assists. The 27 year old came through the Lorient academy before leaving France in 2023 after unsuccessful spells at Le Mans and Ajaccio on loans from Saint Etienne. He has managed to rediscover his form this season and despite getting sent off in his fifth match, he has been a fan favourite in the French capital.

Touch, control, finish. How about that for an AFCON opening game goal from Jean-Philippe Krasso? 🤌🇨🇮 #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 pic.twitter.com/Joh8wW6FWh

— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) June 30, 2024

Ilan Kebbal, Paris FC’s first choice number 10 has also been in and amongst the goals this season, with 11 goal involvements, the second most of anyone in the team. Kebbal has been at Paris FC longer than Krasso, having initially joined on loan back in 2022 before signing permanently a year later. The 26-year-old has had a similar career to Krasso along with the rest of the squad, as he came through the youth ranks of a decently big club in France, but has had to drop down to find some form.

The Paris FC squad is reminiscent of the 2014/15 AFC Bournemouth squad, which managed to get promoted under Eddie Howe. Both teams are predominantly built around players in their mid-20s who have struggled for game time at bigger teams and have had to drop down to lower leagues to find form. Bournemouth were able to remain a top flight team for some time with the financial backing of their owners and clever business in the transfer windows. Paris FC fans will be hoping for a similar model for their club as they look to challenge at the very top.