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FOOTBALL · RUGBY · CYCLING

Sport in France

Competitions, clubs, major events and regional sporting cultures.19 guides to explore
Sprinter crouched at the starting line
FRA9 · Sport in France: how to play, follow and book

A USEFUL STARTING POINT

Find the guide you need first

Choose the dossier that answers your next question. Background and the complete directory are just below.

UNDERSTAND BEFORE YOU CHOOSE

Watching sport and taking part are different plans

Fixtures, tickets, registration and equipment serve different needs. Decide first whether you are watching or taking part.

As a spectator

Confirm the competition, opponent, venue and date with the organiser. A fixture round does not always establish the final kick-off time. Check seating, family access, named-ticket rules and the return journey; a fare or ticket price for another match is not a quote for yours.

As a participant

For a club, cycling route or mountain activity, check the level, supervision and local conditions. Documents and support depend on the activity and situation. A published route does not replace checking weather, equipment and organiser instructions.

From watching sport to riding a bicycle

A cycling holiday is not selected like a race to watch. The France cycling guide begins with a stage that actually suits the group: surface, climbing, traffic, luggage and return. It also separates a labelled provider’s services from a confirmed booking. Begin with a short test ride, then build the trip length and stages. Neither a famous cycle route nor its total distance guarantees an easy or entirely traffic-free day.

FRA9 · PORTAL SELECTION

01—04

FRA9 · INDEX

All guides

05

France Sport Pass 2026–27: €50, eligibility and code date

France’s Sport Pass returns at €50 and again covers children aged 6–13. For ages 6–17, the CAF or MSA family quotient must be €699 or less; codes are due in mid-September. · ↗
06

Gaël Monfils marks his 40th birthday with a US Open win

After losing the opening set, the Frenchman beat Adolfo Daniel Vallejo 2-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-0 in New York. His announced 18th and final US Open continues against Learner Tien. · ↗
07

El Chadaille Bitshiabu to Galatasaray: what is reported and what still needs signing

Galatasaray and RB Leipzig are reported to have agreed a loan for French centre-back El Chadaille Bitshiabu. The 21-year-old is expected in Istanbul for a medical and signature; early on 2 September, neither club had yet published a final transfer announcement. · ↗
08

Barcelona beat Rayo Vallecano 5-2 as Raphinha and Lamine Yamal score twice

FC Barcelona came from behind against Rayo Vallecano at Camp Nou to make it three La Liga wins from three. · ↗
09

Saint-Étienne win 3-2 at Dijon after a five-goal contest

AS Saint-Étienne won 3-2 at Dijon to preserve a perfect record of four victories from four Ligue 2 games. · ↗
10

Septembre Bouge aims to get France moving for a month

From 1 to 30 September 2026, the first edition combines a free 18-city tour, more than 150 online sessions and a daily 30-minute challenge. · ↗
11

Marseille hosts France’s Fête du Sport on 14 September

The national event combines taster sessions, demonstrations and encounters around sport for all. · ↗
12

Esports World Cup closes after seven weeks in Paris

From 6 July to 23 August, the competition brought together about 2,000 players, 200 clubs and more than 100 countries. · ↗
13

Paris Major Premier Padel returns to Roland-Garros

From 7 to 13 September, Roland-Garros hosts a major international padel event. · ↗
14

Stade de France welcomes PLK, Jay-Z and BIGBANG in September

PLK on 4–5 September, Jay-Z on the 10th and BIGBANG on the 19th create an unusually dense concert month. · ↗
15

France’s new professional-sport law changes governance

The law adopted in July revises governance, financial oversight and organisation in professional sport. · ↗
16

European swimming championships test sustainable event standards

The 2026 event uses a public platform to measure travel, energy, waste and local legacy. · ↗
17

France’s 2026–27 school holiday calendar by zone

The official calendar now makes it possible to plan leave, trains and trips across the whole school year. · ↗
18

Mental health remains France’s national cause in autumn 2026

Prevention, early identification and access to care shape the national campaign this autumn. · ↗
19

Drought pushes French soil dryness to an unprecedented level

Météo-France measured soil dryness in mid-August at an unprecedented national level. · ↗