The top fixtures in the first half of the 2025‑26 Ligue 1 season:

Top, Unmissable Matches

• Le Classique: Paris Saint‑Germain vs. Olympique de Marseille
  Without doubt, Ligue 1’s biggest fixture. The current Champions League winners vs the only other French club to also win this prestigious trophy. Their first meeting is on Matchday 5 (Sept 21, 2025) and the return on Matchday 21 (Feb 8, 2026). This clash promises to be quite brutal, a fierce and fiery atmosphere that might determine the top spots in the league.

• PSG vs. Paris FC – The new Capital Derby
  Paris FC’s return to Ligue 1 introduces a derby played literally a street away from Parc des Princes, much like the famous derby between Racing vs Independiente de Avellaneda. First leg: Matchday 18 (Jan 4, 2026); second leg: Matchday 34 (May 16, 2026) closing the season, a derby that could determine the outcome of the Ligue 1 title.

• Choc des Olympique: Lyon vs. Marseille
  Two giants of French football that have a proud and long-standing rivalry rooted in club prestige. Their first choc is on Matchday 3, Sunday August 31, 2025. The return is on Matchday 24, March 1, 2026.

Classic Derbies Not to Miss

• Derby de la Côte d’Azur: Monaco vs. Nice
  The Riviera derby kicks off Matchday 7 (Oct 5, 2025) with a return on Matchday 21 (Feb 8, 2026).

• Lens vs. Lille – Derby du Nord
  Northern pride on the line. The first clash on Matchday 5 (Sept 21) and later on Matchday 28 (Apr 5, 2026) —very intense, very physical, and extremely fanatical support throughout.

• Breton Derby – Rennes, Nantes, Lorient, Brest
  These gritty rivals offer multiple local derbies across Brittany. But the one that stands out because of its long history is:
  • Nantes vs. Rennes (MD 5 & 31).

Some other Exciting Fixtures

• Marseille vs Paris FC – any team that comes from Paris and steps on the pitch in the Velodrome, is immediately an archrival of Marseille. Matchday 2, August 23, 2025.

• PSG vs Lens – Any match between the capital team and the two northern squads of Lille and Lens is a fierce offensive battle. Matchday 4, 9/13/25 Weekend.

• Special Derby/Classique Weekend – Matchday 5 - 9/20/25 Weekend:
  • Derby du Nord – Lens vs Lille
  • Derby Breton – Nantes vs Rennes
  • Le Classique

• Lille vs PSG – Matchday 7 – 10/4/25 Weekend.

• Lyon vs PSG – Matchday 12 – 11/8/25 Weekend.

• Monaco vs PSG – Matchday 14 – 11/29/25 Weekend.

• Marseille vs Monaco – Matchday 16 - 12/13/25 Weekend.

Top Matches - Summary Table – 1^st half of the season

So, buckle up, Ligue 1 fans—this season is a rollercoaster from the very first whistle. From the fire of Le Classique to the rebirth of the Paris Derby, every weekend holds a grudge match, a revenge plot, or a clash of titans. Whether it's Marseille welcoming Paris FC to the Velodrome cauldron, Lyon and PSG reigniting their battle for supremacy, or Lille and Lens turning the north into a football warzone, this is French football at full throttle. The calendar is stacked, the rivalries are real, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Mark your weekends—Ligue 1 2025–26 will not be watched. It will be lived.