The Ligue 1 2023-24 football season will start in the early hours of Saturday, August 12 (as per IST) as OGC Nice will take on Lille Olympique Sporting Club at the Allianz Riviera in the opening fixture.

Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain will kick off their Ligue 1 2023-24 campaign against FC Lorient at the Parc des Princes in the wee hours of Sunday, August 13 in India.

Under former manager Christophe Galtier, PSG pipped Lens by just a solitary point in the 2022-23 season to clinch their 11th league title in France's premier football competition.

The reigning Ligue 1 champions have appointed Luis Enrique as their new manager.

Ahead of the new season, PSG have undergone a squad overhaul. While Lionel Messi has left the club, Kylian Mbappe and Neymar could also leave in the summer transfer window.

PSG have signed the likes of winger Marco Asensio, midfield destroyer Manuel Ugarte, creative midfielder Kang-in Lee, defenders Milan Skriniar, Lucas Hernandez and forward Goncalo Ramos to boost their squad.

PSG have won the Ligue 1 title on nine occasions in the last 11 years. 

Apart from PSG, Lille won the Ligue title in the 2020-21 season, while Monaco clinched it in 2016-17.

Lens, Marseille, Lille and Monaco will be the other contenders for the 2023-24 Ligue title.

Meanwhile, Le Havre and FC Metz are the two newly-promoted clubs for the upcoming Ligue 1 season.

The Ligue 1 2023-24 will conclude on May 18 after the 18 Ligue 1 teams will have played 34 games each - 17 at home and just as many away.

Where to watch Ligue 1 2023-24 season live in India?

Select matches of the Ligue 1 2023-24 season will be telecast live on the Sports 18 and Sports 18 HD TV channels in India.

Live streaming of the Ligue 1 2023-24 season will be available on the JioCinema app and website in India.

Photo credit: Alamy

The Ligue 1 is the highest division of league football in France.

Initially, the First Division football in France was played as an amateur league run by the Union des Sociétés Françaises de Sports Athlétiques (USFSA) between 1894 to 1919 and by the French Football Federation between 1919 to 1926.

After the National Council of the French Football Federation voted in favour of professionalism in French football in 1930, the Ligue 1 - then known as National - was instituted.

The first season of National began in 1932-33, with 20 teams. From 1933 to 2001, the top-tier league in France was called Division 1 and it was only in 2002 that the French league was renamed as Ligue 1.

Over the years, Ligue 1 has often changed the allotment of clubs (14, 16, 18, 20) to feature in the tournament.

Ligue 1 follows the basic promotion-relegation rules, as it is in other major European Leagues. The clubs who finish the season at 19th and 20th positions are relegated to Ligue 2, while the top two teams in Ligue 2 win promotion to Ligue 1.

A two-legged relegation/promotion play-off is played between the 18th-placed team in Ligue 1 and the winner of the promotion playoffs in Ligue 2.

In Ligue 2, the fourth and fifth-placed teams play a one-legged fixture where the winner faces the third-ranked team in the second-tier competition. The winner of this tie then battles the third-last team in Ligue 1 to secure promotion in the top-flight competition.

In case the Ligue 2 team wins on aggregate, they are promoted to Ligue 1 and their opponent is relegated to Ligue 2. On the flipside, if the Ligue 1 team wins the play-off, both clubs remain in their respective leagues.

The 1992-93 season is the first - and only instance - in history where no team walked away with the league title. Initial winners Marseille were stripped off the title due to their involvement in a bribery scandal and runners-up Paris Saint Germain refused to claim the league crown.

Who were the first winners of Ligue 1?

Olympique Lillois, the predecessor of Lille, were the first league champions of France football in the professional era. They defeated Cannes in the final by a score of 4-3.

Georges Winckelmans netted a brace as his side, who topped Group A with 28 points from 18 games, managed to edge past Cannes - who qualified for the final ahead of top-ranked FC Antibes who were involved in a bribery scandal.

Lyon won the league in 2002-03, the first season following the rebranding of Division 1 to Ligue 1. It was the second of seven consecutive league wins for the club between 2001-02 and 2007-08.

Who has the most Ligue 1 titles?

Paris Saint Germain and Saint Etienne share the record for most Ligue 1 titles. PSG, who won the Ligue 1 2021-22 season, now have 10 league titles just as Les Verts.

Saint Etienne were the first team to win 10 Ligue 1 titles, with their last domestic success coming back in the 1980�?1 season.

PSG, who won their maiden Ligue 1 title in 1985�?6, have bagged eight of their 10 league titles since winning their third domestic title in 2012�?3.

Ligue 1 winners list

2021�?022: Paris Saint Germain

2020�?021: Lille

2019�?020: Paris Saint Germain

2018�?019: Paris Saint Germain

2017�?018: Paris Saint Germain

2016�?017: Monaco

2015�?016: Paris Saint Germain

2014�?015: Paris Saint Germain

2013�?014: Paris Saint Germain

2012�?013: Paris Saint Germain

2011�?012: Montpellier

2010�?011: Lille

2009�?010: Marseille

2008�?009: Bordeaux

2007�?008: Lyon

2006�?007: Lyon

2005�?006: Lyon

2004�?005: Lyon

2003�?004: Lyon

2002�?003: Lyon

2001�?002: Lyon

2000�?001: Nantes

1999�?000: Monaco

1998�?999: Bordeaux

1997�?998: RC Lens

1996�?997: Monaco

1995�?996: Auxerre

1994�?995: Nantes

1993�?994: Paris Saint Germain

1992�?993: unattributed

1991�?992: Marseille

1990�?991: Marseille

1989�?990: Marseille

1988�?989: Marseille

1987�?988: Monaco

1986�?987: Bordeaux

1985�?986: Paris Saint Germain

1984�?985: Bordeaux

1983�?984: Bordeaux

1982�?983: Nantes

1981�?982: Monaco

1980�?981: Saint-Étienne

1979�?980: Nantes

1978�?979: Strasbourg

1977�?978: Monaco

1976�?977: Nantes

1975�?976: Saint-Étienne

1974�?975: Saint-Étienne

1973�?974: Saint-Étienne

1972�?973: Nantes

1971�?972: Marseille

1970�?971: Marseille

1969�?970: Saint-Étienne

1968�?969: Saint-Étienne

1967�?968: Saint-Étienne

1966�?967: Saint-Étienne

1965�?966: Nantes

1964�?965: Nantes

1963�?964: Saint-Étienne

1962�?963: Monaco

1961�?962: Stade de Reims

1960�?961: Monaco

1959�?960: Stade de Reims

1958�?959: Nice

1957�?958: Stade de Reims

1956�?957: Saint-Étienne

1955�?956: Nice

1954�?955: Stade de Reims

1953�?954: Lille

1952�?953: Stade de Reims

1951�?952: Nice

1950�?951: Nice

1949�?950: Bordeaux

1948�?949: Stade de Reims

1947�?948: Marseille

1946�?947: Roubaix-Tourc

1945�?946: Lille

1938�?939: Sète

1937�?938: Sochaux

1936�?937: Marseille

1935�?936: R. Colombes 92

1934�?935: Sochaux

1933�?934: Sète

1932�?933: O.Lillois

Author: William Paul

Featured photo: AFP / FRANCK FIFE

The UEFA Champions League 2021-22 quarter-final and semi-final draw will be held at the UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday, March 18.

Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Benfica, Villareal and defending champions Chelsea are the eight teams that have qualified for the quarter-finals.

While six-time champions Bayern thrashed RB Salzburg 8-2 on aggregate over two rounds in their round of 16 clash, Premier League side Liverpool edged out Inter 2-1 on aggregate to secure their place in the last eight.

On the other hand, 13-time winners Real Madrid registered an epic comeback to stun star-studded Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) 3-2 on aggregate over two legs to seal their spot in the quarter-final.

Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City hammered Sporting 5-0 on aggregate while their city rivals Manchester United suffered a 1-2 defeat against Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid to be knocked out of the tournament.

Reigning champions Chelsea and La Liga side Villareal secured 4-1 victories on aggregate over Lille and Juventus respectively to book their place in the UCL 2021-22 quarter-final.

In another round of 16 clash, Benfica pipped Ajax 3-2 on aggregate over two legs to seal their place in the last eight.

As per the format of the draw, any team can face the other side in the final eight irrespective of their country’s origin or past fixtures in the ongoing season.

The matches will be played in home and away format in quarter-finals and semi-finals with no away goals rules a part of the competition anymore.

Where to watch UCL 2021-22 quarter-final and semi-final draw live in India?

The UEFA Champions League 2021-22 quarter-final and semi-final draw will be telecast live at 4:30 PM IST on Sony TEN 2 and their corresponding HD TV Channel on Friday, March 18.

Live streaming of UCL 2021-22 quarter-final and semi-final draw will be available on the SonyLIV app and website.

Featured photo: OZAN KOSE / AFP

The final matchweek of European football was a sheer paradise for fans across the globe. Leicester City, who spent most of their English Premier League 2020/21 season inside the top four, failed to seal a UEFA Champions League spot on the very last day, while Serie A giants Juventus ended up squeezing into the top four as Napoli were halted by Verona.

There were other elements to it too. For the first time since 2013, the French Ligue 1 had a winner that was neither Paris Saint-Germain nor AS Monaco. Christophe Galtier’s Lille were crowned the new champions on the final day after the team defeated Angers 2-1.

Here’s what panned out across Europe.

Premier League

While Manchester United’s second spot was confirmed, they ended their season with a 2-1 win over Wolves. The team, in fact, completed the match with as many as seven academy players in the lineup.

Will Fish at 18 years,3 months and 6 days becomes the 243rd Manchester United player to graduate from the Academy into the first team...a British record...seven Academy players on the pitch now...50% of all #mufc players since 1939 have come through the youth system!

�?The MUFC Academy (@mrmujac) May 23, 2021

The top-four race had Chelsea, Liverpool and Leicester City involved and while it seemed like an easy run for Chelsea, they ended up losing 2-1 to Aston Villa, while the Foxes surrendered to Tottenham, meaning that Liverpool climbed third in the Premier League tally after beating Crystal Palace 2-0.

- Liverpool's last 10 games of the season: 26 points

- Chelsea's last 10 games of the season: 17 points

- Leicester's last 10 games of the season: 13 points

That's some swing.

�?Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) May 23, 2021

Leicester City spent 242 days in the Top 4, the most over any club in league, and finish off in 5th place pic.twitter.com/H7fZEbiwIo

�?International Champions Cup (@IntChampionsCup) May 23, 2021

Despite all odds and all the injuries, we still got Top 3! Respect Liverpool, Respect Klopp! #YNWA

�?Purple Reign (@officialheskay_) May 23, 2021

Gareth Bale and Spurs, thanking you from the bottom of my heart. #ASTCHE

�?Rohit Benny (@RohitBenny) May 23, 2021

Serie A

Juventus�?hopes of qualifying for the Champions League wasn’t really in their own hands. They needed assistance from their fellow Serie A teams and it came in the form of Verona, who held Napoli to a 1-1 draw. The club from Turin, on the other hand, got the better of Bologna 4-1, resulting in them finishing fourth in the league, only a point above Napoli.

More surprisingly, Juventus lined up without Cristiano Ronaldo and the Portugal captain remained an unused substitute throughout the game. 

The Juventus squad when they got to know Napoli have drawn to Verona and they have qualified for the Champions League.pic.twitter.com/KfrcQhVbsc

�?The CR7 Timeline. (@TimelineCR7) May 23, 2021

Back to @ChampionsLeague #UCL @acmilan pic.twitter.com/y7ngUegO7R

�?Diogo Dalot (@DalotDiogo) May 23, 2021

16 - AC Milan have set a new all-time record for away wins in a Serie A season: 16 �?no side has ever done better in the top-5 European leagues in a single campaign (16 also for Real Madrid 2011/12 and Manchester City 2017/18). Conquering.#AtalantaMilan pic.twitter.com/2BremZWWPJ

�?OptaPaolo (@OptaPaolo) May 23, 2021

Meanwhile, seven-time European Champions AC Milan returned to the Champions League by defeating Atalanta 2-0 away from home as they finished second in the tally.

Ligue 1

Like the Spanish La Liga, the title race in Ligue 1 went down to the very last day. Lille needed a victory to be crowned champions as anything but that would have clinched the honour. A last-minute goal from Angers�?Angelo Fulgini did give them a scare, but two goals in the first-half were enough for them to seal the league.

A short story: Lille sell Pepe and Gabriel to Arsenal for £95m. Lille use the money to win Ligue 1 for the first time in 10 years. Arsenal finish 8th. pic.twitter.com/DqNMAy10hB

�?ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 23, 2021

Lille conceded just 23 goals in the 2020/2021 Ligue 1 season, fewer than any other side across Europe’s top five leagues.

Defence really does win titles.
( Napoli Leicester ) pic.twitter.com/26pzH1ydwM

�?Ameer Ali Salman (@AmeerAliSalman) May 23, 2021

How about José Fonte. Rejected by clubs in Portugal, rebuilt his career in lower divisions in England, promoted to EPL at 28, debut with Portugal at 30, European champion at 32, China, and now Ligue 1 champion at 37. What a whirlwind! pic.twitter.com/YEJ7EjJpcT

�?Rui Miguel Martins (@futebolfactory) May 23, 2021

LILLE HAVE DONE IT.

Neymar this, Mbappé that, and yet it's Burak Yilmaz, Yusuf Yazici, Jonathan David, Renato Sanches, Jonathan Ikone and co who have won Ligue 1.

Simply amazing. Incredible, Incredible story. pic.twitter.com/PtZP4S6onh

�?EiF (@EiFSoccer) May 23, 2021

Lille supporters are out in full force celebrating the Ligue 1 title pic.twitter.com/5W6FaQpUe7

�?beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) May 23, 2021

PSG, on the other hand, finished second, only a point behind Lille.

Featured photo: AFP / Andreas Solaro

European club football enters its final week in the domestic circuit, with La Liga and Ligue 1 set for a blockbuster finish not seen in recent years.

Real Madrid, the most successful team in La Liga history with 34 titles and also the defending champions, will battle it out with neighbours Atletico Madrid for the league crown.

FC Barcelona, who have endured a difficult season under new coach Ronald Koeman, are no longer in the title race after a 2-1 loss at home to Celta Vigo officially ended their hopes.

When was the last time Atletico Madrid won La Liga?

Atletico Madrid last won the La Liga title in 2014 and became just the first team since Valencia in the 2003-04 season to deny Real Madrid or Barcelona the Spanish league crown.

Diego Simeone’s men, with 83 points, are two points ahead of Real and in pole position to repeat the feat and deny Zinedine Zidane’s Los Blancos the opportunity to claim a record-extending 35th La Liga title.

Elsewhere, Ligue 1 is awaiting a new champion for the first time since the 2016-17 season.

Who has won Ligue 1 the most?

Saint-Etienne is the only club in French football to win 10 Ligue 1 titles, with their last success coming back in 1980-81. Paris Saint-Germain, who have won seven of their nine league crowns in the last eight seasons, will hope table-toppers Lille drop points at Angers and they themselves win their game to propel Les Parisiens to a record-equalling 10th title.

Three-time Ligue 1 winners Lille have 80 points from 37 games, putting them a point ahead of PSG. They are on the verge of sealing the championship for the first time since 2010-11.

Mauricio Pochettino’s PSG must win at all costs to keep their faint hopes of retaining the title alive.

Battle for Champions League football

In the Premier League and Serie A, the battle for the remaining UEFA Champions League spots is set to have a dramatic conclusion this weekend.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United, who are due to play the UEFA Europa League final next week, secured second place in the 2020-21 Premier League standings after a 1-1 draw against relegated Fulham at home. This means only two spots are up for grabs and the likes of Chelsea, Leicester City and Liverpool will battle it out.

Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea, currently third in the league and a finalist in this season’s Champions League, will be assured of a top-four finish should Liverpool lose away at Burnley in MW37.

Leicester City, recently-crowned winners of the FA Cup, will also pray that Liverpool hit a stumbling block so that the Foxes can enter the final match week in pole position for the last Champions League spot.

Should Liverpool fail to get the better of Burnley, all Brendan Rodgers�?men will need is three points against Europa League-chasing Tottenham Hotspur.

Liverpool will also be in the Europa League next season if they can’t beat Burnley and Leicester beat Tottenham. Spurs and West Ham’s bleak Champions League hopes were dashed after Chelsea’s midweek win over Leicester City.

Lastly, we come to Serie A where Juventus, who saw their nine-year reign as domestic champions end at the hands of Inter Milan, are on the verge of missing out on Champions League football for the first time since 2011-12.

The Biaconeri, fifth in the Serie A points table with 75 points after 37 matches, need to win at Bologna and hope that AC Milan and Napoli either lose or draw their respective games.

The only instance of the head-to-head record helping to decide UCL spots in the Serie A arises if AC Milan or Napoli lose and Juve draw their game. However, this scenario is still in favour of Milan as they lost 3-1 and won 3-0 against the Old Lady earlier in the season.

Napoli would also be in a similar position and thus the deciding factor in this three-way deadlock would be goal difference, meaning Juve must win at all cost.

Featured photo: AFP / Javier Soriano

The Ligue 1 2020-21 season is fast approaching its business end with 29 matchweeks already over, and the French top tier football league is yet to find a clear favourite with just three points separating the top three teams.

After a poor start to their campaign and a mid-season managerial change slowing down defending champions Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) progress, Kylian Mbappe and Co. have somehow managed to get their campaign back on track.

PSG have won three of their last five Ligue 1 matches, and Mauricio Pochettino will want his men to improve their performance when they take on third-placed AS Lyon at Parc Olympique Lyonnais on Monday, March 22. With both sides on 60 points, this fixture is guaranteed to bring more daylight in the intense title run.

PSG fans could see the return of their star forward Neymar in the Lyon clash. The Brazilian international, known as the king of the rainbow flick, has returned to training after being sidelined for over a month with a thigh injury. He is expected to be available for the Ligue 1 clash on Monday.

League leaders Lille (63 points) will expect an easy outing against Nimes, who are struggling in the 19th place of the Ligue 1 table. Unlike PSG, Lille have remained unbeaten in the last five matches.

Fourth-placed AS Monaco will be in high spirits as they come into matchweek 30 following a goalless draw with leaders Lille. The 2016-17 Ligue 1 champions will take on St. Etienne in the first game of matchweek 30 on Saturday, March 20.

Ligue 1 League matchweek 30 schedule, fixtures, and India match times

Date and Day	Match	Times (IST)
Saturday, March 20	St. Etienne vs AS Monaco	1:30 AM IST
Saturday, March 20	Metz vs Rennes	5:30 PM IST
Saturday, March 20	Nice vs Marseille	9:30 PM IST
Sunday, March 21	Strasbourg vs Lens	5:30 PM IST
Sunday, March 21	Nantes vs Lorient	7:30 PM IST
Sunday, March 21	Brest vs Angers	7:30 PM IST
Sunday, March 21	Montpellier vs Bordeaux	7:30 PM IST
Sunday, March 21	Dijon vs Remis	7:30 PM IST
Sunday, March 21	Lille vs Nimes	9:35 PM IST
Monday, March 22	Lyon vs PSG	1:30 AM IST

Ligue 1 will not be broadcast in India, but you can watch the highlights of every match on their official YouTube channel.

Feature Image Courtesy: AFP/ Franck Fife