Ligue 2 Explained

Ligue 2 should not be confused with EFL League Two.

Pixels:130
Confed:UEFA
Founded: (officially)
(as Ligue 2)
Organiser:Ligue de Football
Professionnel
(LFP)
Teams:18
Promotion:Ligue 1
Relegation:Championnat National
Levels:2
Domest Cup:Coupe de France
Confed Cup:UEFA Europa League (via cups)
Season:2023–24
Tv:beIN Sports
Amazon Prime Video
Current:2024–25 Ligue 2

Ligue 2 (in French pronounced as /liɡ dø/, League 2), also known as Ligue 2 BKT due to sponsorship by Balkrishna Industries, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division. Contested by 18 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with both Ligue 1 and the third division Championnat National. Seasons run from August to May, with teams playing 34 games each, totalling 306 games in the season. Most games are played on Fridays and Mondays, with a few games played during weekday and weekend evenings. Play is regularly suspended the last weekend before Christmas for two weeks before returning in the second week of January.

Ligue 2 was founded a year after the creation of the first division in 1933 under the name Division 2 and has served as the second division of French football ever since. The name lasted until 2002 before switching to its current name. Since the league is a part of the LFP, it allows clubs who are on the brink of professionalism to become so.

History

The second division of French football was established in 1933, one year after the creation of the all-professional first division. The inaugural season of the competition consisted of the six clubs who were relegated following the 1932–33 National season, as well as many of the clubs who opposed the creation of the first division the previous season. Clubs such as Strasbourg, RC Roubaix, and Amiens SC all played in the second division's debut season despite having prior grievances with the subjective criteria needed to become professional and play in the first division. The first year of the second division consisted of twenty-three clubs and were divided into two groups (Nord and Sud). Fourteen of the clubs were inserted into the Nord section, while the remaining nine were placed in Sud. Following the season, the winner of each group faced each other to determine which club would earn promotion. On 20 May 1934, the winner of the Nord group, Red Star Saint-Ouen, faced Olympique Alès, the winner of the Sud group. Red Star were crowned the league's inaugural champions following a 3–2 victory. Despite losing, Alès was also promoted to the first division and they were followed by Strasbourg and Mulhouse, who each won a pool championship, after the first division agreed to expand its teams to 16.

Season!width="125"
Winner
1933–34Red Star Saint-Ouen
1934–35CS Metz
1935–36Rouen
1936–37Lens
1937–38Le Havre
1938–39Red Star Saint-Ouen

Due to several clubs merging, folding, or losing their professional status, the federation turned the second division into a 16-team league and adopted the single-table method for the 1934–35 season. Due to the unpredictable nature of French football clubs, the following season, the league increased to 19 clubs and, two years later, increased its allotment to 25 teams with the clubs being divided into four groups. Because of World War II, football was suspended by the French government and the Ligue de Football Professionnel. Following the end of the war, the second division developed stability. Due to the increase in amateur clubs, the league intertwined professional and amateur clubs and allowed the latter to become professional if they met certain benchmarks. In 2002, the league changed its name from Division 2 to Ligue 2.

In November 2014, the presidents of Caen and Nîmes were amongst several arrested on suspicion of match fixing. The arrests followed a 1–1 draw between Caen and Nîmes in May 2014, a result very beneficial for each club.[1] [2]

Competition format

There are 18 clubs in Ligue 2. During the course of a season, usually from August to May, each club plays the others twice, once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents, for a total of 34 games. Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, then goal difference, and then goals scored. At the end of each season, the club with the most points is crowned champion and automatically promoted to Ligue 1. If points are equal, the goal difference and then goals scored determine the winner. If still equal, teams are deemed to occupy the same position. If there is a tie for the championship or for relegation, a play-off match at a neutral venue decides rank. The second-place finisher are also promoted automatically to the first division. The fourth and fifth-place finishers play a one leg fixture at the fourth-place finisher's stadium, the winner of this fixture faces the third-place finisher at the third-place finisher's stadium, the winner of this fixture plays the 16th-placed team in Ligue 1 for the right to play in Ligue 1 the following season.[3] The three lowest placed teams are relegated to the Championnat National and the top three teams from National are promoted in their place. While a decision was originally made that during the 2015–16 season only the best two teams would be promoted to Ligue 1, and the last two teams would be relegated to the National,[4] that decision was later overturned by an appeal to the Conseil d'État[5] and the French Football Federation.[6] [7]

In December 2021, the majority of LFP member clubs, including Championnat National club leaders, voted to contract Ligue 2 from 20 to 18 clubs for the 2024–25 season. This happened one year after Ligue 1 itself dropped from 20 to 18 teams for the 2023–24 season. The plan was for Ligue 2 to relegate four clubs to, and promote two from, National at the end of 2023–24.[8]

Ligue 2 members (2024–25 season)

ClubFinishing position last seasonLocationVenueCapacity
15thAjaccioStade Michel-Moretti10,446
8thAmiensStade de la Licorne12,097
14thAnnecyParc des Sports15,660
13thFurianiStade Armand-Cesari16,078
12thBordeauxMatmut Atlantique42,115
6thCaenStade Michel d'Ornano21,215
18th in Ligue 1 (relegated)Clermont-FerrandStade Gabriel-Montpied11,980
16th DunkerqueStade Marcel-Tribut4,933
11thGrenobleStade des Alpes20,068
9thGuingampStade de Roudourou18,378
7thLavalStade Francis Le Basser18,739
17th in Ligue 1 (relegated) LorientStade du Moustoir18,890
2nd in Championnat National (promoted)MartiguesStade Francis Turcan8,290
16th in Ligue 1 (relegated) Longeville-lès-MetzStade Saint-Symphorien28,786
5thStade Sébastien-Charléty20,000
10thPauNouste Camp4,031
1st in Championnat National (promoted)Stade Bauer10,000
4thRodezStade Paul-Lignon5,955

Previous winners

See main article: List of French second division champions.

ClubWinnersRunners-upWinning yearsRunner-up years
Le Havre611937–38, 1958–59, 1984–85, 1990–91, 2007–08, 2022–231949–50
Nancy511974–75, 1989–90, 1997–98, 2004–05, 2015–161969–70
Metz441934–35, 2006–07, 2013–14, 2018–191950–51, 1960–61, 1966–67, 2022–23
Lens421936–37, 1948–49, 1972–73, 2008–092013–14, 2019–20
Nice411947–48, 1964–65, 1969–70, 1993–941984–85
Lille411963–64, 1973–74, 1977–78, 1999–20001970–71
Montpellier331945–46, 1960–61, 1986–871951–52, 1980–81, 2008–09
Saint-Étienne331962–63, 1998–99, 2003–041933–34, 1937–38, 1985–86
Strasbourg321976–77, 1987–88, 2016–171971–72, 2001–02
Toulouse311981–82, 2002–03, 2021–221996–97
Lyon31950–51, 1953–54, 1988–89
Rennes251955–56, 1982–831938–39, 1957–58, 1975–76, 1989–90, 1993–94
Valenciennes251971–72, 2005–061934–35, 1936–37, 1961–62, 1974–75, 1991–92
Angers241968–69, 1975–761955–56, 1977–78, 1992–93, 2023–24
Red Star231933–34, 1938–391954–55, 1964–65, 1973–74
Sochaux221946–47, 2000–011963–64, 1987–88
Ajaccio221966–67, 2001–022010–11, 2021–22
Caen221995–96, 2009–102003–04, 2006–07
Troyes222014–15, 2020–211953–54, 1972–73
Alès211933–34, 1956–571946–47
FC Nancy211945–46, 1957–581959–60
Reims211965–66, 2017–182011–12
Grenoble21959–60, 1961–62
Bastia21967–68, 2011–12
Auxerre21979–80, 2023–24
Nîmes131949–501967–68, 1990–91, 2017–18
Sedan131954–551971–72, 1998–99, 2005–06
Brest131980–811978–79, 2009–10, 2018–19
Marseille131994–951965–66, 1983–84, 1995–96
Monaco132012–131952–53, 1970–71, 1976–77
Rouen121935–361933–34, 1981–82
Stade Français121951–521945–46, 1958–59
Lorient122019–201997–98, 2000–01
Toulouse (1937)111952–531945–46
Tours111983–841979–80
Bordeaux111991–921948–49
Paris Saint-Germain11970–71
Gueugnon11978–79
RCF Paris11985–86
Martigues11992–93
Châteauroux11996–97
Evian12010–11
Notes:

Top goalscorers

SeasonGoalsTop scorer(s)Club(s)
54 goalsJean NicolasRouen
30 goalsJean NicolasRouen
45 goalsJean NicolasRouen
30 goalsViktor SpechtlLens
29 goalsHugo LammanaCA Paris
39 goalsHarold Newell & PlanquesBoulogne & Toulouse FC (1937)
1939–45World War II
27 goalsCampigliaAngers
45 goalsJozef "Pépé" HumpalSochaux
28 goalsHenri ArnaudeauBordeaux
41 goalsCamille LibarBordeaux
27 goalsEdmund HaanNîmes
23 goalsThadée CisowskiMetz
34 goalsEgon JohnssonStade Français
27 goalsBror MellbergToulouse FC (1937)
36 goalsJean CourteauxRC Paris
40 goalsPetrus Van RhijnValenciennes
32 goalsPetrus Van RhijnValenciennes
27 goalsFernand DevlaeminckLille
29 goalsEgon JohnssonFC Nancy
31 goalsPetrus Van RhijnStade Français
29 goalsCorbelRouen
28 goalsCasimir KozakiewiczStrasbourg
21 goalsSerge MasnaghettiValenciennes
24 goalsErnesto GianellaBéziers
21 goalsAbderrahmane SoukhaneLe Havre
22 goalsAnton GroschulskiRed Star
30 goalsPierre FerrazziGrenoble
23 goalsEtienne SansonettiBastia
26 goalsJacques BonnetAvignon
55 goalsGérard GrizettiAngoulême
21 goalsRobert BlancFC Nancy
20 goals
20 goals
20 goals
Nord: Yves Triantafyllos
Centre: Robert Blanc
Sud: Emmanuel Koum
Boulogne
Limoges
Monaco
20 goals
28 goals
40 goals
Gr. A: Pierre Pleimelding
Gr. B: Yegba Maya Joseph
Gr. C: Marc Molitor
Troyes
Valenciennes
Strasbourg
22 goals
31 goals
Gr. A: Eugeniusz Faber
Gr. B: Gérard Tonnel
Lens
Troyes
26 goals
24 goals
Gr. A: Erwin Wilczek
Gr. B: Nestor Combin
Valenciennes
Red Star
25 goals
28 goals
Gr. A: Georges Tripp
Gr. B: Jean Martinez
Laval
Nancy
22 goals
25 goals
Gr. A: Boško Antić
Gr. B: Marc Berdoll
Caen
Angers
30 goals
24 goals
Gr. A: Delio Onnis
Gr. B: Albert Gemmrich
Monaco
Strasbourg
19 goals
23 goals
 
Gr. A: Giudicelli
Gr. B: Jean-Claude Garnier
Gr. B: Pierre-Antoine Dossevi
Alès
Dunkerque
Tours
24 goals
26 goals
Gr. A: Antoine Trivino
Gr. B: Patrice Martet
Gueugnon
Brest
16 goals
19 goals
 
Gr. A: Alain Polaniok
Gr. A: Bernard Ferrigno
Gr. B: Jacky Vergnes
Gr. B: Robert Pintenat
Reims
Tours
Montpellier
Toulouse
32 goals
22 goals
Gr. A: Robert Pintenat
Gr. B: Marcel Campagnac
Toulouse
Sporting Club Abbeville
18 goals
25 goals
Gr. A: Marc Pascal
Gr. B: Žarko Olarević
Marseille
Le Havre
27 goals
18 goals
Gr. A: Włodzimierz Lubański
Gr. B: Christian Dalger
Valenciennes
Toulon
23 goals
 
22 goals
Gr. A: Mario Relmy
Gr. A: Boubacar Sarr
Gr. B: Omar da Fonseca
Limoges
Marseille
Tours
27 goals
28 goals
Gr. A: John Eriksen
Gr. B: Jorge Dominguez
Mulhouse
Nice
22 goals
30 goals
Gr. A: Jean-Marc Valadier
Gr. B: Eugène Kabongo
Montpellier
RC Paris
21 goals
20 goals
 
Gr. A: Tony Kurbos
Gr. B: Gaspard N'Gouete
Gr. B: Jean-Pierre Orts
Mulhouse
Bastia
Lyon
21 goals
26 goals
Gr. A: Ray Stephen
Gr. B: Patrice Martet
Nancy
Rouen
21 goals
 
28 goals
Gr. A: Roberto Cabanas
Gr. A: Franck Priou
Gr. B: Robby Langers
Brest
Mulhouse
Orléans
26 goals
21 goals
Gr. A: Didier Monczuk
Gr. B: Jean-Pierre Orts
Strasbourg
Rouen
23 goals
19 goals
Gr. A: Didier Monczuk
Gr. B: Christophe Lagrange
Strasbourg
Angers
22 goals
23 goals
Gr. A: Jean-Pierre Orts
Gr. B: Didier Monczuk
Rouen
Strasbourg
21 goals
18 goals
Gr. A: Franck Priou
Gr. B: Jean-Pierre Orts
Cannes
Rouen
27 goalsYannick Le SauxSaint-Brieuc
31 goalsTony CascarinoMarseille
30 goalsTony CascarinoMarseille
23 goalsSamuel MichelSochaux
20 goalsReginald RayLe Mans
20 goalsHamed DialloLaval
17 goalsAmara TraoréGueugnon
21 goalsFrancileudo SantosSochaux
18 goalsHamed DialloAmiens
20 goalsCédric FauréToulouse
17 goalsDavid SuarezAmiens
24 goalsBakari KonéLorient
16 goalsJean-Michel Lesage & Steve SavidanLe Havre & Valenciennes
18 goalsJean-Michel Lesage & Kandia TraoreLe Havre & Le Havre
28 goalsGuillaume HoarauLe Havre
18 goalsGrégory ThilBoulogne
21 goalsOlivier GiroudTours
23 goalsSebastián RibasDijon
15 goalsCédric FauréReims
23 goalsMustapha YatabaréGuingamp
23 goalsAndy Delort & Mathieu DuhamelTours & Caen
18 goalsMickaël Le BihanLe Havre
21 goalsFamara DiedhiouClermont
23 goalsAdama NianeTroyes
24 goalsUmut BozokNîmes
27 goalsGaëtan CharbonnierBrest
20 goalsTino KadewereLe Havre
22 goalsMohamed BayoClermont
20 goalsRhys HealeyToulouse
23 goalsGeorges MikautadzeMetz
22 goalsAlexandre MendyCaen

Records

77 points (1994–95 season) or 1.833 points per game (42 games) for Toulouse.

72 points (1995–96 season, 22 teams involved): or 1.71 points per game for Laval.

71 points (2018–19 season, 20 teams involved): or 1.868 points per game for Troyes.

70 points (2020–21 season, 20 teams involved): or 1.84 points per game for Toulouse.

52 points (curtailed 2019–20 season, 20 teams involved) or 1.857 points per game (28 games) for Ajaccio.

Broadcaster

France

DurationBroadcaster
2012–13 → 2023–24beIN Sports
2008–09 → 2011–12Eurosport
2008–09 → 2009–10Numericable
2020–21Téléfoot
2021–22 → 2023–24beIN Sports (2 matches)
Amazon Prime Video (8 matches)
L'Equipe (1 match from Amazon)
2024–25 → 2028–29beIN Sports (all matches)

International

Sponsorship names

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Marseille arrests and match-fixing probe rock French football. France 24. 1 December 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20190318011047/https://www.france24.com/en/20141118-marseille-president-custody-day-scandal-french-football-match-fixing-gignac. 18 March 2019. dead.
  2. Web site: Presidents of two French clubs arrested on match-fixing suspicions. The Guardian. 1 December 2014.
  3. Web site: 2019-04-24 . Ligue 2 : Les play-offs changent de date ! . 2024-06-02 . Foot National . fr.
  4. Web site: 2015-08-14 . Ligue 1 to keep three relegation places . 2024-06-02 . ESPN.com . en.
  5. Web site: Ligue 1 relegation places stay at three, uncertainty continues. ESPN FC. 11 November 2017.
  6. News: Le référé de la LFP rejeté. Le Figaro.fr. fr. 14 August 2015.
  7. Web site: Ligue 1/Ligue 2 : il y aura bien trois rélégations/promotions. 3 February 2016. Le Parisien. 11 November 2017.
  8. News: Foot : la Ligue 2 à 18 clubs à partir de 2024-2025 . 1 April 2022 . Le Figaro . Agence France-Presse . 9 December 2021.
  9. Web site: VTV . BAO DIEN TU . 2022-07-19 . VTVcab chính thức sở hữu bản quyền phát sóng các trận đấu của Quang Hải cùng Pau FC tại Ligue 2 . VTVcab officially owns the rights to broadcast Quang Hai's matches with Pau FC in Ligue 2 . 2022-07-26 . BAO DIEN TU VTV . vi.