How And Where To Watch: Saint-Étienne vs Nice LIVE On beIN SPORTS In The Ligue 1 Playoff

Saint-Étienne is just two matches away from returning to Ligue 1, but first must overcome a Nice side fighting to stay in the French top flight.

Saint-Étienne hosts Nice this Tuesday, May 26 at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in the first leg of the 2026 Ligue 1 promotion and relegation playoff. Coverage begins at 2:40 PM ET / 11:40 AM PT and the match will air LIVE on beIN SPORTS.

WATCH: Saint-Étienne vs Nice LIVE on beIN SPORTS in the Ligue 1 Playoff

How Saint-Étienne arrives

The historic French club is now just two matches away from returning to the top flight after spending two seasons in Ligue 2.

Saint-Étienne reached this stage after eliminating Rodez in the semifinals through a dramatic penalty shootout that kept its promotion dream alive. The team also finished third in Ligue 2, avoiding an earlier playoff round and arriving with strong competitive momentum.

Now, Les Verts will try to repeat the successful path they followed in 2024 and reclaim their place among France’s elite clubs.

Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Paris St Germain v AS Saint-Etienne - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - January 12, 2025 AS Saint-Etienne's Mickael Nade looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier

How Nice arrives

Meanwhile, Nice enters the series under enormous pressure following an inconsistent Ligue 1 campaign.

Although the French side managed to reach the domestic cup final and partially saved itself thanks to a string of draws late in the season, the club remains far from the competitive level it displayed in recent years.

With greater experience in high-pressure scenarios and a squad accustomed to top-level football, Nice will attempt to impose its quality and secure another season in Ligue 1.

A historic and high-pressure showdown

The matchup promises to become one of the most emotional and intense playoff series French football has seen in recent years.

Saint-Étienne, one of the most historic clubs in France, is fighting to return to the division where it believes it belongs, while Nice is desperate to avoid a relegation that would represent a massive blow to the club’s sporting project.

With promotion and survival both at stake, the pressure will be enormous from the opening whistle at Geoffroy-Guichard.