Could weekly Ligue 1 matches be broadcast free to air?

France’s National Assembly is poised to scrutinize a reform bill designed to reshape professional football, with a key amendment proposing the weekly free-to-air broadcast of one Ligue 1 match. This potential shift comes as current fixtures remain accessible primarily through the Ligue1+ streaming platform, priced from €15 per month.

The initiative, already floated in recent months, targets the growing divide between paid subscriptions and public access to top-tier football. By designating one match per week for unencrypted transmission, lawmakers argue, the league’s visibility could expand and unauthorized streaming might decline. This perspective aligns with findings from a 2021 parliamentary inquiry into sports broadcasting rights spearheaded by Cédric Roussel.

Pierre Rondeau, a sports economist, supports the measure. He points out that while an estimated 22 million French citizens reportedly follow Ligue 1, only about one million currently subscribe to Ligue1+. Free access, he contends, could tap into this untapped audience.

Professional football’s governing body pushes back

The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) has voiced strong opposition. The body warns that free broadcasts could erode the financial value of television rights, which constitute over half of professional clubs’ revenue. Negotiations between the LFP, broadcasters, and lawmakers have intensified ahead of the bill’s formal review.

Broader reforms on the table

The proposal spans multiple facets of professional football regulation. Already approved by the Senate and a National Assembly committee, the bill may undergo further revisions during plenary debates before a joint committee meeting scheduled for July 21. Key areas under consideration include anti-piracy measures, enhanced governance roles for federations and the Ministry of Sports, redistribution of broadcasting revenues, and capping executive compensation.