Football fans across France, including those supporting clubs like Olympique Lyonnais, will have to wait longer for free access to top-flight matches. On Monday evening, the National Assembly rejected a proposed amendment that would have required one Ligue 1 fixture to be broadcast without subscription every week of the season.

The measure, previously approved in committee, was intended to be part of a broader law reforming professional sports. Its goal was to ensure a television channel could air a Ligue 1 game each weekend, improving accessibility for supporters.

Backers of the amendment argued that the growing number of broadcasters and subscription packages was alienating some fans from domestic competitions. They proposed creating a separate package in future rights auctions so a channel could show one match per round. Proponents also believed such exposure could help combat piracy. The push came at a time when followers must juggle multiple services to watch the entire championship.

LFP opposed the move

The option did not enjoy unanimous support within professional football. Several club executives and the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) feared that a free weekly game would devalue audiovisual rights. For clubs already facing declining television revenues in recent years, the economic dimension remained crucial. A free-to-air broadcast would have required a new tender lot, with no guarantee of additional income. The amendment’s rejection means the broadcast landscape for Ligue 1 will remain unchanged in the short term. The Ligue 1+ platform will continue to carry all fixtures. Although the debate appears settled for now, the issue of accessibility in French football may quickly return to the table in upcoming discussions on television rights.