Ligue 1+ to broadcast more than 30 pre-season friendlies this summer
The countdown to the new Ligue 1 McDonald's season has already begun, and supporters will be able to stay close to the action throughout the summer thanks to an extensive pre-season programme on Ligue 1+.
From 25 July until 16 August, the broadcaster will air more than 30 friendly matches involving Ligue 1 McDonald's clubs, offering fans the most comprehensive coverage of a summer preparation period ever provided by a single channel.
The schedule will feature fixtures across France and Europe as clubs continue their preparations for the new campaign, with every match accompanied by Ligue 1+'s commentary team.
Premier League tests and high-profile encounters
Among the standout fixtures are nine meetings against Premier League opposition, giving several Ligue 1 sides the opportunity to test themselves against English clubs just weeks before the start of the season.
AS Monaco travel to Anfield to face Liverpool, while RC Strasbourg Alsace visit Newcastle United at St James' Park. RC Lens, meanwhile, will come up against Crystal Palace in a reunion with former coach Pierre Sage before also facing Sunderland during their English tour.
French football fans will also be treated to several all-Ligue 1 encounters, including the headline clash between Olympique de Marseille and OGC Nice on 25 July.
Several clubs will return to their home stadiums for prestigious friendlies, with Toulouse FC welcoming Hamburger SV to the Stadium, Stade Brestois 29 hosting EA Guingamp at Francis-Le Blé, and AS Monaco entertaining Getafe at the Stade Louis-II.
The final weekend before the start of the Ligue 1 McDonald's season promises to be particularly busy, with nine live friendlies scheduled across 15 and 16 August before attention turns to the Trophée des Champions.
RC Lens and Paris Saint-Germain will meet in the traditional curtain-raiser on 16 August, marking the final step before the Ligue 1 McDonald's campaign gets underway on 21 August.
A busy summer schedule
The action begins on 25 July with five live matches, including Olympique de Marseille against OGC Nice, Union Saint-Gilloise facing LOSC, RC Lens taking on Charleroi and Sporting CP hosting AS Monaco.
August features a series of attractive fixtures, including Galatasaray versus Stade Rennais FC, AS Monaco against Getafe, Liverpool hosting Monaco, Olympique de Marseille welcoming Athletic Club, Toulouse FC meeting Hamburger SV, and Newcastle taking on RC Strasbourg Alsace.
In total, supporters will be able to follow more than 30 pre-season matches before competitive football resumes with Ligue 3 on 7 August, the Trophée des Champions on 16 August and the opening weekend of the 2026-27 Ligue 1 McDonald's season beginning on 21 August.
