This Monday, France’s National Assembly will deliberate on a groundbreaking proposal to transform how football fans watch Ligue 1. The draft law, aimed at reshaping the professional football landscape, includes a controversial clause: the free-to-air broadcast of one match per matchday.

Currently, accessing Ligue 1 matches requires a subscription to Ligue 1+, priced from €15 per month. With roughly one million subscribers, the platform has become the exclusive gateway to France’s top football league. However, lawmakers argue that the growing number of paid sports broadcasting subscriptions is pushing fans away from live football—and fueling the rise of illegal streaming.

Why a free Ligue 1 match could change the game

Advocates of the proposal highlight a stark reality: while Ligue 1 captures the attention of 22 million French football enthusiasts, only one million are currently paying subscribers. The amendment, inspired by a 2021 parliamentary report led by Deputy Cédric Roussel, argues that a weekly free match could significantly boost the sport’s visibility and accessibility.

“The fragmentation of sports broadcasting rights across multiple paid platforms is pricing fans out of the action,” noted the report. “To democratize access to professional competitions, every television rights package should include at least one match per week available for free. Such a move would unquestionably enhance the profile of French football.”

Economist Pierre Rondeau echoed this sentiment, suggesting that even a fraction of the 21 million non-subscribers could be drawn to the free broadcast. “If we tell them it’s free, millions might tune in—perhaps two, three, or even four million,” he said.

LFP and broadcasters push back against the plan

The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) has fiercely opposed the amendment, warning that free broadcasts could devalue television rights—a cornerstone of club revenues, accounting for over 50% of their income. Intensive lobbying has already begun, with both the LFP and broadcasters engaging deputies ahead of Monday’s debate.

The draft law, already approved by the Senate last year and by a National Assembly commission in May, addresses broader issues beyond broadcasting. It proposes stricter anti-piracy measures, enhanced oversight of professional leagues by federations and the Ministry of Sports, and capped executive compensation. After Monday’s discussion, further revisions may occur during a joint parliamentary committee meeting scheduled for July 21.

While the proposal’s fate remains uncertain, one thing is clear: the future of Ligue 1 broadcasts could be on the brink of a major shift—one that pits accessibility against revenue, and fans against industry stakeholders.