Parliament to decide on weekly free Ligue 1 match broadcasts this monday
The National Assembly is set to examine a proposal that could revolutionize how French football fans watch Ligue 1 matches. After multiple postponements, MPs will vote this Monday on a bill that includes an amendment mandating the free broadcast of at least one match per matchday. This initiative aims to make top-tier French football more accessible to the public.
Promoting national football through free access
Currently, fans need a subscription to Ligue1+, priced from €15 per month, to watch Ligue 1 games. The platform has around one million subscribers. Supporters of the amendment argue that the growing number of paid sports broadcasting platforms is pushing fans away from live events and fueling piracy. They propose that every broadcasting rights deal must include a clause for at least one free match per week to ensure broad access to professional competitions.
“This would undoubtedly boost the visibility of national football,” stated the MPs behind the proposal. The idea stems from a 2021 parliamentary report on the audiovisual broadcasting rights of sporting events, led by Deputy Cédric Roussel.
Sports economist Pierre Rondeau highlights the vast potential: “Two years ago, the LFP estimated 22 million French football enthusiasts, with only one million currently subscribed to Ligue1+. Free access could attract an additional one to four million viewers who might not otherwise tune in.”
Not everyone supports the idea. The LFP strongly opposes the amendment, warning that free broadcasts could devalue television rights, which account for over 50% of club revenues. The organization and broadcasters have been lobbying intensively since the proposal was revealed.
The bill, already approved by the Senate last year, was modified in May by the National Assembly’s commission, which added the free broadcast amendment. Following Monday’s debate, the proposal may still be revised by the joint committee on July 21. The broader text addresses several issues, including combating piracy, strengthening federations’ roles, regulating revenue redistribution, and capping executive salaries.