As the 2026-2027 Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 seasons inch closer to completion, one final piece of the puzzle remains unsolved. Nice and Saint-Étienne face off in the decisive second leg of the relegation playoffs this Friday, May 29, 2026. The winner will secure a spot in France’s top football division, while the loser will be relegated to Ligue 2.
An uninspiring first leg ends 0-0
The opening match at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium failed to deliver excitement, with both teams struggling to create clear scoring chances. The goalless draw leaves the tie wide open as the clubs head to the Allianz Riviera for the return encounter.
No fans, high stakes
This high-pressure clash will unfold in an empty stadium. Following crowd disturbances during the Metz match at the end of the Ligue 1 season—where Nice’s supporters invaded the pitch—the club has been handed severe sanctions. Among them: two closed-door games and a suspended point deduction for the upcoming campaign. With no supporters allowed, both teams must focus solely on the pitch.
While Saint-Étienne has yo-yoed between divisions in recent years (relegated in 2022, promoted in 2024, relegated in 2025), Nice has maintained a steady presence in Ligue 1. The club hasn’t played in Ligue 2 since 2001-2002, making this playoff a rare and unwelcome return to the second tier.
How the tie will be decided
Should the match end in a draw, the contest will proceed to 30 minutes of extra time. If the deadlock persists, the outcome will be decided by a penalty shootout. It’s worth noting that the away goals rule has been abolished—meaning a 1-1 or 2-2 draw would not automatically favor Saint-Étienne, as it once did.
When and where to watch
The kickoff is scheduled for 8:45 PM local time. The match will be broadcast live on beIN Sports 1, putting fans right in the heart of the action as the final promotion spot hangs in the balance.
