The stakes couldn’t be higher as two iconic French clubs clash in a high-stakes playoff duel. Fresh off their Coupe de France final loss, Nice travels to Saint-Étienne’s intimidating Geoffroy-Guichard stadium Tuesday night, each side fighting for the right to compete in Ligue 1 next season.

Both clubs have undergone managerial changes, bringing in experienced coaches Philippe Montanier at Saint-Étienne and a new tactician at Nice, with the mission to secure top-flight football for their respective teams. With just two matches remaining to achieve that goal, the pressure is immense.

When does the Saint-Étienne vs Nice playoff first leg kick off?

This decisive encounter takes place Tuesday, May 26 at 8:45 PM. Team selections remain uncertain as the Ligue de Football Professionnel adjusted playoff dates to accommodate Nice’s Coupe de France final involvement. The revised schedule now falls during international duty periods, complicating squad availability.

For this first leg, Nice is expected to field nearly all its internationals, barring suspended striker Elye Wahi. The return match follows Friday, May 29 in Nice, though away fans won’t be present—they’ve been banned from traveling for the first leg, and the second game will be played behind closed doors following recent crowd disturbances at Allianz Riviera.

Where to watch the Saint-Étienne vs Nice playoff first leg

Fans can catch all the action live on two major platforms: Ligue 1+ and beIN Sports, both broadcasting the match from 8:45 PM. Radio listeners can tune into RMC for live commentary, while the full experience is available via the RMC Sport website and mobile app.