Paris FC facts for kids
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| Full name | Paris Football Club | |||
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| Nickname(s) | Les Parisiens (The Parisians) Les Bleus (The Blues) |
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| Short name | Paris FC PFC |
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| Founded | 1 August 1969 | |||
| Ground | Stade Jean-Bouin | |||
| Capacity | 20,000 | |||
| Coordinates | 48°50′35″N 2°15′10″E / 48.84306°N 2.25278°E | |||
| Owner | Agache Sport (52.4%) Alter Paris (29.8%) Red Bull GmbH (10.6%) BRI Sports Holdings (7.2%) |
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| President | Pierre Ferracci | |||
| Head coach | Stéphane Gilli | |||
| 2021–22 | Ligue 2, 4th of 20 | |||
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Paris Football Club, often called Paris FC or simply PFC, is a professional football club from Paris, France. They play in Ligue 1, which is the top football league in France. They earned their spot in Ligue 1 for the 2025–26 season after doing well in the 2024–25 Ligue 2 season.
The club started in 1969. In 1970, it joined with Stade Saint-Germain to create Paris Saint-Germain. However, Paris FC later separated in 1972. The team is known as Les Bleus (The Blues) because of their blue shirts. Their club badge features the famous Eiffel Tower. Since 2025, Paris FC has played its home games at the Stade Jean-Bouin stadium.
After splitting from Paris Saint-Germain, Paris FC faced challenges. They mostly played in amateur leagues for many years. In 2015, they became a professional club again. After playing in Ligue 2 for ten years, they were promoted back to Ligue 1 in 2025. This was their first time in the top league in 46 years.
Since 2024, the Arnault family's company, Agache Sport, has owned most of Paris FC. They own 52.4% of the club. The Austrian company Red Bull GmbH owns 10.6%. Pierre Ferracci's company, Alter Paris, owns 29.8%, and BRI Sports Holdings owns 7.2%.
Contents
History of Paris FC
How Paris FC Started
In January 1969, the French Football Federation (FFF) wanted to create a big football club in Paris. The capital city did not have a top-level team. A special group was formed to make this happen. It was led by Fernand Sastre, Henri Patrelle, and Guy Crescent.
The FFF asked the public for ideas. They launched a campaign called "Yes to a great football club in Paris." People voted in newspapers and at stadiums. About 60,000 people responded. "Paris Football Club" was the most popular name. The club was officially created, and Guy Crescent and Pierre-Étienne Guyot became its first presidents. They faced money problems at first. But after meeting Real Madrid president Santiago Bernabéu, they decided to ask fans for money.
Paris FC wanted to join Division 1. They tried to merge with CS Sedan Ardennes, but Sedan said no. To get a top team in Paris, Paris FC merged with Stade Saint-Germain in 1970. This created Paris Saint-Germain. Fans helped pay for the club, which was new in France. Paris FC brought money, while Stade Saint-Germain provided players, their coach Pierre Phelipon, their training ground, and their spot in Division 2.
The Club Splits Up
In September 1971, the Paris City Council offered money to help PSG with its debts. But they wanted the club's name changed to "Paris Football Club." This was to show it was truly from the capital. President Guy Crescent agreed, but Henri Patrelle did not. Crescent resigned in December 1971, and Patrelle took over. But the city council insisted on the name change.
The two clubs, Paris FC and PSG, officially separated on June 1, 1972. Paris FC kept its spot in the first division and its professional players. PSG was moved down to Division 3 and lost its professional status.
Challenges and Changes (1972–2007)
At the start of the 1972–73 season, Paris FC was in the top league. They played at the Parc des Princes. Most players stayed with Paris FC, including captain Jean Djorkaeff. Two seasons later, Paris FC was moved down to Division 2. At the same time, PSG moved up to the top league and started playing at Parc des Princes.
Paris FC moved to a smaller stadium, Stade de la Porte de Montreuil. They lost their professional status and played with local and reserve players. After a fire at their stadium and many difficult years, they became professional again in 1976. They were promoted back to Division 1 for the 1978–79 season. But they finished last. A radio station, Europe 1, briefly supported the club and renamed it "Paris 1." However, after a big loss and losing in play-offs, they went back down. That season, a record 41,025 fans watched a match against Saint-Étienne.
In the years that followed, the club almost went down even further. They also had many debts. A businessman named Jean-Luc Lagardère wanted to build a big club in Paris. He bought Paris FC. The club was renamed "Racing Paris 1." In 1983, its main team joined with Racing's team. The remaining Paris FC club, called "Paris FC 83," was moved down to the fourth division.
With few resources, they dropped to the fifth division. But they climbed back to Division 3 in 1988. In 1996, the club became "Paris FC 2000." They stayed in Division 3 and were a founding member of the Championnat National. In 2000, they were moved down to the Championnat de France amateur. In 2005, the club went back to its original name, "Paris Football Club." In 2006, they won their group and returned to the Championnat National. In 2007, they moved into the Stade Sébastien Charléty.
New Owners and Ligue 1 Return (2007–Present)
After returning to the third division, Paris FC aimed to reach Ligue 2 by 2009. This plan did not work, and the club stayed in the third division for several years. In the 2014–15 season, they finally earned promotion to Ligue 2. This was after 32 years away from the second division. The next season, they were moved back down to the Championnat National.
In the 2016–17 season, Paris FC played in the promotion play-offs but lost. However, they were then moved up to Ligue 2 anyway. This happened because another club, Bastia, was moved down due to money problems. In the 2017–18 Ligue 2 season, Paris FC finished 8th.
In July 2020, the Kingdom of Bahrain became a new partner for Paris FC. They invested money to help the club grow. Bahrain bought 20% of the club. Pierre Ferracci, who owned the club through his Alpha Group, remained the main owner with 77%. The Kingdom of Bahrain also became the club's main sponsor.
In October 2024, news came out that the Arnault family would buy most of Paris FC. Red Bull GmbH would also buy a smaller part. On November 29, 2024, this was made official. The Arnault family bought 52.4% through their company, Agache Sport. Pierre Ferracci kept 29.8% through Alter Paris. Red Bull GmbH bought 10.6%, and BRI Sports Holdings held 7.2%.
On February 12, 2025, Paris FC agreed with the rugby union club Stade Français to move to their Stade Jean-Bouin stadium. This move happened before the 2025–26 season. On May 2, 2025, Paris FC was promoted to Ligue 1. This marked their return to the top French football league after 46 years.
Club Identity
Club Names
Paris FC's name has changed a lot over time. These changes show its history and its connection to Paris. The club started in 1969 to create a big Parisian team. In 1970, it merged with Stade Saint-Germain to form Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). But this merger did not last long.
In 1972, the Paris City Council wanted the club to be more connected to the city. They insisted the two clubs split. Paris FC then made several changes to its name to show its link to Paris. In the late 1970s, it was briefly called "Paris 1." In the early 1980s, it became "Racing Paris 1" after joining with Racing Club de France's team. This was part of a plan to create a strong Parisian club.
Later, the club was called "Paris Football Club 83." In the 1990s, it changed again. In 1991, it became "Paris FC 98" to support France's bid for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. In 1996, it was renamed "Paris FC 2000." Finally, in 2005, the club went back to its original name, "Paris Football Club."
Team Colors
Paris FC's team colors have also changed over the years. When it first merged with Stade Saint-Germain to form PSG in 1970, the team wore red and blue. Red and blue represented Paris, and white stood for Saint-Germain-en-Laye.
After splitting from PSG in 1972, Paris FC wore orange kits. This was because of their sponsor, Bic. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the club switched to sky blue. This color was a nod to its past links with Racing Club de France, which also wore sky blue. In the early 2000s, Paris FC started wearing dark navy blue. This color connects to Paris's history, as the Eiffel Tower and the Paris coat of arms use similar shades.
Club Badges
The club's first badge was a blue football with a simple white ship. This ship is a symbol from the Paris city coat of arms. It represents the boatmen who were important in Paris long ago. The circle around the ship was blue with red and white lines, like the French flag.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Paris FC used a more detailed badge shaped like a football. It had dark blue and black colors. At the top, there was a detailed Eiffel Tower, showing the club's Paris identity. The ship symbol stayed in the middle.
Since 2011, Paris FC has used a new logo. It is a navy blue shield with rounded sky blue edges. A simple, elegant Eiffel Tower design is at the top. This shows the club's strong connection to Paris. The ship symbol is at the bottom, with "Paris FC" written above it.
Home Stadiums
Where Paris FC Plays
Since it started, Paris FC has played in several stadiums. These include the Parc des Princes, Stade Déjerine, Stade Charléty, and now the Stade Jean-Bouin.
The club played its home games at the Parc des Princes from 1972 to 1974, and again in 1978–79. This was during its short times in Division 1, and they shared the stadium with Paris Saint-Germain. After the club was moved down in 1974, the team moved to the old Stade de la Porte de Montreuil, later called Stade Déjerine. This was a small stadium with limited space. Paris FC stayed there for many years, even after a fire destroyed the changing rooms in 1974–75.
In 1999, Paris FC temporarily moved to the Stade Charléty. This was part of their effort to become a professional club again. But after being moved down, they returned to Déjerine until 2007. That year, they permanently moved to Stade Charléty. In 2013, because not many fans were coming to games, the club briefly returned to Déjerine.
In February 2025, Paris FC made a big agreement with the rugby union club Stade Français. They moved into the Stade Jean-Bouin for the 2025–26 season. This stadium is in the 16th area of Paris, right across from the Parc des Princes. Jean-Bouin is a better stadium for football. Jürgen Klopp, who works for Red Bull's football division, strongly supported this move. He felt that Charléty's distant seats made it hard for fans to feel close to the game. He believed the move would help create a strong home atmosphere for Paris FC.
Supporters
When the club first started, it was very popular. Over 20,000 people were members.
In 1970, the club merged with Stade Saint-Germain to form Paris Saint-Germain F.C.. But Paris FC quickly left the merger. In the 1973 season, after the split, about 13,202 fans still came to their games on average. However, after that, the two clubs went in different directions. PSG became very popular, while Paris FC became less known and played in amateur leagues. Their popularity only started to grow again when they reached the third tier. Now, thousands of fans come to each league match.
In the 2000s, the club had a supporter group called Blue Wolves, started in 2008. They were officially not involved in politics, but they often had right-wing views. This group was stopped in 2010 after several hooligan incidents.
They were replaced by a group called Old Clan, started in 2010. An ultras group called Ultras Lutetia also started in 2014. After some PSG fans were not allowed into Parc des Princes in 2010, some of them started supporting Paris FC. This included some from the left-wing group Virage Auteuil and a few from the right-wing group Boulogne Boys.
Paris FC fans are friends with fans of Colmar and Hereford. In the past, they were also friends with fans of Reims.
The club has rivalries with nearby teams Créteil and Red Star. These are called Parisian derbies. Even though both clubs officially avoid politics, the derby with Red Star is very intense. This is because Red Star fans tend to have left-wing political views, and Paris FC's past groups had right-wing views. The derby with Créteil is a rivalry because both clubs played in the southern suburbs of Paris.
Current Players
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Players on Loan
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Famous Past Players
Here are some well-known players who have played for Paris FC since 1969. To be on this list, a player must have played in at least 80 official matches for the club.
For a full list of Paris FC players, see Category:Paris FC players
Jean-François Beltramini- Georges Eo
- Bernard Guignedoux
- Fabrice Moreau
- Jimmy Modeste
- Philippe Prieur
Lamri Laachi
Omar da Fonseca
Armand Ossey
Dragoslav Šekularac
Club Management
Who Runs the Club
- As of August 1, 2020
| Position | Name |
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| President of the club | Pierre Ferracci |
| General Manager | Fabrice Herrault |
| Sportive Director | Frederic Hebert |
| Head coach | Stéphane Gilli |
| Assistant coach | Fabien Lefèvre Armand Séné |
| Goalkeeper coach | Mickael Boull |
| Performance manager | Christophe Manouvrier |
| Doctor | Nicolas Jubin |
| Physio | Erwann Le Corre Stephen Hall Brice Chevalier |
| Osteopath | Geoffroy Kevorkoff |
| Masseur | Hervé Gallorini |
| Intendant | Pierre Garbin Souleymane Samassa |
| Team Manager | Olivier Perez |
| Director of academy | Jean-Marc Nobilo |
Club Achievements
League Titles
- Ligue 2 (second division)
- Second Place (2): 1977–78 (Group B), 2024–25
- Championnat National (third division)
- Second Place: 2014–15
- Championnat National 2/French Division 4
- Winners: 2005–06 (Group D)
- Second Place: 1988–89
See also
In Spanish: Paris Football Club para niños
