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The 2026–27 Ligue 1 McDonald’s season kicks off on Friday, August 21, 2026, running through Saturday, May 29, 2027.
Reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain enter the campaign chasing a historic sixth consecutive title, fresh off a dominant Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League double.
Meanwhile, top-flight football returns to ESTAC Troyes and Le Mans FC following their promotion from Ligue 2, taking the places of relegated sides FC Nantes and FC Metz.
You can watch French Ligue 1 in Ireland on Ligue 1+ (no VPN needed), or via DAZN’s Ligue 1+ bundle in France using a VPN. I have also added a free unofficial mobile method to the blog.
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Since the 2026/27 season, DAZN is a non-exclusive distributor of Ligue 1+ in France, offering 8 of the 9 matches each matchday plus the season’s biggest fixtures. The DAZN + Ligue 1+ bundle in France starts at €14.99/mo.
Since this bundle isn’t offered directly in Ireland, you’ll need a VPN connected to a French server to sign up and watch. Here’s how to watch French Ligue 1 in Ireland via DAZN:
Step 1: Subscribe to a safe VPN service. (Surfshark is our #1 choice)
Step 2: Download and install the Surfshark VPN App on your device.
Step 3: Connect to the French server.
Step 4: Go to the DAZN official website and scroll down.
Step 5: Choose the DAZN + Ligue 1+ bundle from the list of plans.
Step 6: Log in with your Email/Google account/Facebook/Apple ID.
Step 7: If selected, sign up via your Google account, then choose your email address.
Step 8: Choose a preferred payment method to purchase the DAZN + Ligue 1+ bundle.
Step 9: Once subscribed, enjoy watching Ligue 1 live games!
You can stream every Ligue 1 match on your mobile using SportzX, an unofficial sports streaming app offering live coverage of multiple sports.
It’s strongly recommended to use a VPN like Surfshark to keep your browsing private and secure.
Follow these steps to watch Ligue 1 live for free in Ireland on mobile:
Step 1: Download and install the Surfshark VPN App and connect to the French server.
Step 2: Download and install SportzX APK.
Step 3: Open the SportzX app.
Step 4: Go to categories on the bottom right corner and select World Sports.
Step 5: Select France from the Countries and select a Ligue 1 stream.
Step 6: Enjoy the live stream!
Ligue 1+ is the league’s own streaming platform and is available directly in the UK and Ireland — no VPN required. It carries every Ligue 1 McDonald’s match live with English commentary, plus original shows, replays, and documentaries.
A subscription costs £9.99/month or £49.99 for a full season pass. Selected big matches are also available on a pay-per-view basis via Amazon Prime Video for £2.49 per game, with no Prime membership required.
Here are the 18 Ligue 1 clubs for the 2026/27 season. Troyes and Le Mans FC return to the top flight, replacing relegated sides Nantes and Metz:
Here is the schedule for the opening matchdays of the 2026/27 Ligue 1 season, in Irish time.
| Date | Match | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Matchday 3 | ||
| September 3 | Toulouse FC vs. LOSC Lille | 7:45 PM |
| September 4 | Olympique Lyonnais vs. AJ Auxerre | 6:00 PM |
| September 4 | Paris Saint-Germain vs. AS Monaco | 8:05 PM |
| September 5 | RC Lens vs. FC Lorient | 4:15 PM |
| September 5 | OGC Nice vs. Le Mans FC | 7:45 PM |
| September 5 | Le Havre AC vs. Stade Brestois 29 | 7:45 PM |
| September 6 | ES Troyes AC vs. RC Strasbourg Alsace | 2:00 PM |
| September 6 | Angers SCO vs. Stade Rennais | 4:15 PM |
| September 6 | Olympique de Marseille vs. Paris FC | 7:45 PM |
| Matchday 4 | ||
| September 11 | Stade Rennais vs. Olympique de Marseille | 7:45 PM |
| September 12 | RC Strasbourg Alsace vs. AS Monaco | 4:15 PM |
| September 12 | Le Havre AC vs. Angers SCO | 7:45 PM |
| September 12 | AJ Auxerre vs. OGC Nice | 7:45 PM |
| September 12 | FC Lorient vs. Toulouse FC | 7:45 PM |
| September 12 | Paris FC vs. Olympique Lyonnais | 7:45 PM |
| September 13 | LOSC Lille vs. ES Troyes AC | 2:00 PM |
| September 13 | Le Mans FC vs. RC Lens | 4:15 PM |
| September 13 | Stade Brestois 29 vs. Paris Saint-Germain | 7:45 PM |
| Matchday 5 | ||
| September 18 | AS Monaco vs. RC Lens | 7:45 PM |
| September 19 | Paris FC vs. RC Strasbourg Alsace | 4:15 PM |
| September 19 | Le Mans FC vs. FC Lorient | 7:45 PM |
| September 19 | Olympique Lyonnais vs. Stade Rennais | 7:45 PM |
| September 19 | Toulouse FC vs. Le Havre AC | 7:45 PM |
| September 19 | Angers SCO vs. ES Troyes AC | 7:45 PM |
| September 20 | AJ Auxerre vs. Stade Brestois 29 | 2:00 PM |
| September 20 | OGC Nice vs. LOSC Lille | 4:15 PM |
| September 20 | Olympique de Marseille vs. Paris Saint-Germain (Le Classique) | 7:45 PM |
The new season brings plenty of storylines for Irish fans to follow closely:
Broadcast Shake-Up: Ligue 1+ becomes the league’s sole primary broadcaster with all 9 matches per matchday.
Lens Push for the Title: Runners-up in 2025–26, RC Lens finished just six points behind PSG and lifted the Coupe de France, a genuine threat to the champions this season.
New Faces in the Top Flight: Troyes and Le Mans FC return to Ligue 1 after years away, adding fresh intrigue to the relegation battle.
Paris Saint-Germain enter the 2026/27 season as five-time consecutive champions, having claimed their 14th Ligue 1 title and completed a Ligue 1–Champions League double in 2025–26. This remarkable run reflects their consistent excellence and investment in top talent.
| Season | Ligue 1 Champion |
|---|---|
| 2025-26 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 2024-25 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 2023-24 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 2022-23 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 2021-22 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 2020-21 | Lille OSC |
| 2019-20 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 2018-19 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 2017-18 | Paris Saint-Germain |
| 2016-17 | AS Monaco |
| 2015-16 | Paris Saint-Germain |
If you’re a sports fan, here’s a list of top international sports leagues you can catch in Ireland.
1. When does the 2026/27 Ligue 1 season start?
The season kicks off on Friday, August 21, 2026, and concludes on Saturday, May 29, 2027.
2. Who are the defending Ligue 1 champions?
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are the defending champions, having won their 14th Ligue 1 title and completed a Champions League double in 2025–26.
3. How can I watch French Ligue 1 in Ireland?
You can watch every match live on Ligue 1+, available directly in Ireland with no VPN needed, from £9.99/month.
4. Which clubs were promoted and relegated?
Troyes and Le Mans FC were promoted to Ligue 1, while Nantes and Metz were relegated to Ligue 2.
The 2026/27 Ligue 1 season runs from August 21, 2026 through May 29, 2027, with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain.
You can watch French Ligue 1 in Ireland directly on Ligue 1+ or via DAZN’s Ligue 1+ bundle in France using a VPN like Surfshark to ensure secure browsing.
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