Everything you need to know about the Ligue 2 BKT play-offs

The race for promotion to Ligue 1 McDonald's enters its decisive phase this week as the Ligue 2 BKT play-offs get underway.

Following the conclusion of the regular season, the teams finishing third, fourth and fifth in Ligue 2 BKT battle it out for a place in the promotion/relegation play-off against the side finishing 16th in Ligue 1.

How do the Ligue 2 play-offs work?

The format is split into two one-off matches.

First, the club finishing fifth travels to face the team that finished fourth in Play-off 1. The winner then advances to Play-off 2, where they face the third-placed side away from home.

This season, Red Star FC host Rodez AF in Play-off 1, with AS Saint-Étienne waiting in the next round.

If a play-off match is level after 90 minutes, the winner is decided directly by a penalty shootout. No extra time is played.

Ligue 2 play-off schedule

Tuesday 12th May 2026 (20:30 CET): Red Star FC vs Rodez AF — Play-off 1
Friday 15th May 2026 (20:30 CET): AS Saint-Étienne vs winner of Play-off 1 — Play-off 2

Quelle saison du Red Star !

Les Audoniens vont disputer les play-offs d’accession en @Ligue1 🔥#MultiJ34 | #REDMHSC pic.twitter.com/ox4PAO2PXg
— Ligue 2 BKT (@Ligue2BKT) May 9, 2026

What happens after the play-offs?

The winner of Play-off 2 progresses to the two-legged promotion/relegation play-off against the team finishing 16th in Ligue 1 McDonald's.

The first leg takes place at the Ligue 2 club’s stadium, before the return fixture on the ground of the Ligue 1 side.

Unlike the earlier rounds, these matches can go to extra time if the aggregate score is level after the second leg. Penalties are used if the teams still cannot be separated.

Ligue 1/Ligue 2 promotion play-off dates

Thursday 21st May 2026: First leg — Ligue 2 play-off winner vs Ligue 1 16th-place side
Sunday 24th May 2026: Second leg — Ligue 1 16th-place side vs Ligue 2 play-off winner

At the other end of the table, Stade Lavallois will compete in the Ligue 2/National relegation play-off after finishing 16th in Ligue 2. The tie will be played over two legs against the side finishing third in the Championnat National.