Ligue 1 has reached a historic milestone, reporting its highest-ever mid-season attendance for the 2025/26 campaign since moving to an 18-club format.
Data from the first 17 matchdays reveals that 4.21 million spectators attended fixtures, surpassing the previous record set just last year. This surge confirms a growing domestic demand and a structural shift in French football’s commercial appeal.
Key Performance Indicators:
- Average Attendance: Reached a record 27,505 spectators per match.
- Stadium Occupancy: Hit an all-time mid-season high of 88%, a massive jump from the 70.7% recorded five years ago.
- Sell-outs: 57 matches were played at 100% capacity during the first half of the season.
- Top Performers: Olympique de Marseille, PSG, Lyon, Lille, and Lens all averaged over 35,000 fans per game.
Commercial Growth and Stability
The league also reported a record 330,000 season-ticket holders, averaging 18,200 per club. This growth is vital for French football’s business model, providing clubs with predictable revenue streams and high “fan stickiness” at a time when broadcast rights markets remain volatile.
The most-attended single match of the season so far was Olympique de Marseille vs. Stade Brestois, which drew a crowd of 66,279.