Fans will have to wait. On Monday evening, the National Assembly voted down an amendment that would have required one Ligue 1 match to be broadcast on free television each matchday.
The measure, initially approved by a parliamentary committee weeks earlier, was meant to be part of a bill reforming professional sports. Its goal was to let a broadcaster air one top-flight fixture every weekend.
Supporters of the amendment argued it would improve access to French football. In the explanatory statement, they pointed out that the growing number of broadcasters and subscription packages was alienating many fans from domestic competitions. The plan was to create a dedicated package in future bidding rounds so that a free-to-air channel could show a weekly match. Proponents also believed such exposure could help combat piracy. This push came as supporters currently need multiple services to follow the entire season.
The LFP opposed the move
The professional football league was not united behind the idea. Several executives and the Ligue de Football Professionnel worried that a free match every week would slash the value of broadcast rights. For clubs already facing declining television revenues in recent years, the economic aspect remained crucial. A free-to-air broadcast would have required creating a new lot in the tender process, with no guarantee of extra income. The rejection of the amendment means that, for the short term, Ligue 1 broadcasts will not change. The Ligue 1+ platform will continue to carry all league matches. Although the debate seems closed for now, the issue of accessibility in French football could quickly resurface during upcoming discussions on TV rights.
