After a wait of more than three decades, French men’s league football will witness a Parisian derby again on Sunday when Paris Saint-Germain face Paris FC in Ligue 1.
It will be the first capital-city league derby since 1990, and one of the most local rivalries imaginable. PSG’s Parc des Princes and Paris FC’s new home, Stade Jean-Bouin, stand just 44 metres apart, according to the Paris City Hall website.
Paris FC earned promotion last season and subsequently shifted to Stade Jean-Bouin, traditionally a rugby venue, placing the two clubs almost side by side in western Paris.
Sunday’s match pits the reigning French and European champions against a newly promoted side fighting to stay afloat. Heading into the weekend’s 17th round, Paris FC were placed 14th in the 18-team league, having lost half their matches.
Despite their struggles, Paris FC have produced individual highlights. Their leading scorer, attacking midfielder Ilan Kebbal, has netted six goals this season — more than any PSG player, though he will miss the derby while on international duty with Algeria at the Africa Cup of Nations.
PSG, meanwhile, have endured an uncharacteristically uneven campaign. Injuries to key attackers Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué have disrupted their rhythm, and for the first time in years the club does not top the table. They currently trail surprise leaders Lens and have already suffered two league defeats, equalling their total from the entire previous season.
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The gulf in honours remains stark. PSG boast a record 13 league titles and 16 French Cups, while Paris FC’s men’s team is yet to win a major domestic trophy.
Beyond the pitch, the derby also reflects contrasting ownership stories. PSG have been backed by Qatari investors QSI since 2011 and generated a club-record €837 million in revenue last season. Paris FC, meanwhile, were taken over late last year by the Arnault family of luxury group LVMH, a move expected to inject fresh competition into Ligue 1.
Club owner Antoine Arnault, son of billionaire Bernard Arnault, was once a PSG season-ticket holder and maintains cordial ties with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi. The rivalry will be renewed quickly, with the two sides also drawn together in the French Cup last-32 on January 12.
Parisian football history has been marked by shifting identities. Paris FC was formed in 1969 and merged with Stade Saint-Germain in 1970 to create PSG. The partnership collapsed two years later, with PSG briefly losing professional status before returning to the top flight in 1974, as Paris FC were relegated.
Looking ahead, the capital could host more derbies next season. Historic club Red Star, based in the northern suburbs, are second in Ligue 2 and chasing promotion. Founded in 1897 by Jules Rimet, later FIFA president and namesake of the original World Cup trophy, Red Star remain deeply rooted in working-class culture and could yet add another chapter to Paris’s rich football tapestry.
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