Paris derby
| Teams | Paris FC Paris Saint-Germain |
|---|---|
| First meeting | Paris Saint-Germain 2–2 Paris FC 1978–79 French Division 1 18 August 1978 |
| Latest meeting | Paris Saint-Germain 0–1 Paris FC Coupe de France 12 January 2026 |
| Next meeting | Paris FC v Paris Saint-Germain Ligue 1 16 May 2026 |
| Stadiums | Stade Jean-Bouin (Paris FC) Parc des Princes (Paris Saint-Germain) |
| Statistics | |
| Meetings total | 4 |
The Paris derby (French: Derby de Paris) is a French football rivalry between clubs based in Paris, France. It most commonly refers to matches involving Paris Saint-Germain FC (PSG), the most successful club in French football, and other Parisian sides such as Paris FC, Red Star FC, and Racing Paris, which have historically challenged PSG's dominance in the capital.
Paris FC and Paris Saint-Germain,[1][2] which are two of the largest football clubs based in Paris.[3][4]
History
Standard, Rovers and Club Français
Since the origins of French football, several rivalries have existed within the capital city. The first French football championship, held in 1894, was limited to Paris and its surrounding areas and featured six Parisian clubs: Standard Athletic Club, International Athletic Club, The White Rovers, Neuilly Athletic Circle, Club Français, and Cercle pédestre d'Asnières. As a result, top-flight derbies were frequent during this early period. The most prominent rivalry involved Standard, the Rovers and Club Français, which emerged as the dominant teams of the era. These three clubs contested the first five league titles, with Standard winning four, Club Français claiming one, and the Rovers finishing runners-up on four occasions.[5][6]
Played in a knockout cup format, the first edition of the championship was won by Standard, which defeated the Rovers over two matches. A trophy for the newly created competition was donated by James Gordon Bennett Jr., a wealthy American patron of sport.[5][6] The Rovers entered the tournament as favourites, having defeated Club Français 1–0 in the semi-finals. The winning goal was scored by Mac Bain fifteen minutes from full time, from a corner kick taken by Jack Wood.[7] The final, played on 29 April 1894, ended in a 2–2 draw after extra time, prompting the two clubs to agree to a replay on 5 May, which concluded with a 2–0 victory for Standard. In 1895, Standard again defeated the Rovers 3–1 in the final.[5][6][8]
In 1896, the championship adopted a league format, while remaining restricted to the Paris region. The Rovers won seven of their eight matches, recording a goal difference of 35–2, with their only defeat coming against Club Français. They therefore finished runners-up for the third consecutive season. In 1897, the Rovers finished level on points with Standard at the top of the table. As goal difference was not used as a tiebreaker at the time, a play-off match was arranged to determine the champion. Although the Rovers had defeated Standard during the league season, they lost the play-off 3–2, leaving them without a title for the fourth consecutive year.[8] The Rovers subsequently declined, struggling to attract players. After two further seasons without contending for the title, the club was dissolved in 1899.[9]
Standard won the championship again in 1898 and, despite the competition being opened to clubs from outside Paris in 1899, claimed their fifth and final title in 1901. Standard withdrew from the French first division in 1928 after the French Football Federation (FFF) required all top-flight players to hold French residency, a condition that posed significant difficulties for a British-only club. The club has since remained absent from France's amateur leagues, continuing instead as a British social club in Paris.[6][10] During the amateur era, which comprised 25 championships between 1894 and 1932, clubs from the French capital won ten titles. These included five titles by Standard, one by Club Français, as well as one each by Gallia Club Paris, Racing Paris, CA Paris-Charenton, and Stade Français.[5][6] Club Français later added a second major honour by winning the Coupe de France in 1931, before dissolving due to financial difficulties in 1935.[11][12]
Racing, Red Star and Stade Français
In the Coupe de France, the Parisian clubs were just as dominant, winning the 15 of the first 32 editions, including the first six. Olympique de Paris won the inaugural tournament in 1918, followed by CASG Paris in 1919 and CA Paris in 1920. CASG Paris added a second cup title and Club Français also won it, but the 1920s were Red Star FC's period of success, with the club winning four Coupe de France during that decade.[11][13]
In 1932, Red Star and Racing were among the pioneers of the professional league launched in 1932–33, although they did not compete in the same group during the inaugural season. Those two were at the center of the Parisian rivalry during the 1930s, which saw Racing win the domestic double in 1936, clinching both the French championship and the Coupe de France. Between the 1940s and 1960s, the Paris derby once again became a three-horse race when Stade Français returned to the top-flight, a period which saw Racing win the cup four more times, the last coming in 1949, and Red Star once in 1942, their last titles to date.[6][11][14]
PSG, PFC and Red Star
By the late 1960s, Paris no longer had any clubs competing in the top tier of French football. Racing and Stade Français were long gone from the top tier of French football, while Red Star was in decline and had moved in 1909 from the city center to the northern suburb of Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine. To address this absence, the French Football Federation (FFF) initiated the creation of a major inner-city club. Paris FC (PFC) was officially founded in 1969, initially without players, a stadium, or a place in any league. One year later, in 1970, Paris FC merged with Stade Saint-Germain, a club from the Parisian suburbs that was then competing in Ligue 2. This merger led to the creation of Paris Saint-Germain FC (PSG).[5][14][15][16]
PSG would go on to win the Ligue 2 title and achieve promotion to Ligue 1 in their first season.[17][18][19] PSG finished 16th, securing top-flight status in their inaugural Ligue 1 campaign, as well as winning their first Parisian derby against Red Star 4–1 at the Stade Yves-du-Manoir in front of 8,305 spectators. The second match ended in a goalless draw.[5][14][20][21] After the end of the season, the merger ended abruptly. The Council of Paris, unhappy that the capital's club was based in the suburbs, threatened to withdraw their financial support unless the club changed its name to Paris FC, stripping it of its Saint-Germain roots.[5][13][14][16][17][18][22] PSG vice-president and former Stade Saint-Germain president Patrelle refused, and on 20 June 1972, the club split in two.[18][23]
PSG kept the name but was administratively relegated to the third tier, while Paris FC retained Ligue 1 status and moved into the Parc des Princes, winning both derbies against Red Star during the 1972–73 season.[5][13][14][16][22] History would quickly turn as PSG won back-to-back promotions to the top-flight, including four matches against Red Star; two against its reserve team in Division 3 and two more in Ligue 2 against its first team. They won twice, one of them being their first game at the Parc des Princes. On 10 November 1973, PSG defeated promotion rivals Red Star 3–1, with Othniel Dossevi scoring the club's first goal at the stadium.[17][24][25][26][27][28] Both teams ended up in Ligue 1 in 1974, the same season Paris FC was relegated. PSG took ownership of the Parc des Princes and never looked back, while Paris FC saw their professional structure absorbed by a revived Racing Paris project and was sent tumbling down to the fourth division.[5][14][22]
The first Parisian derby in Ligue 1 for PSG saw them defeat Red Star 2–0 at the Parc des Princes in front of 27,840 fans. A draw in the second match marked the last time they faced each other, as Red Star was relegated at the end of the 1974–75 season and has not returned since.[5][14][29][30]
Racing win the French championship in 1936, making it one of only two Paris-based clubs to have won the national title during the professional era, alongside Paris Saint-Germain FC (PSG). They also won the Coupe de France, clinching the domestic double, the only capital side to achieve it until PSG in 2015.[14][11][5]
Paris Football Club were founded in 1969 in a period where the capital's historic clubs were in decline: Racing Club de France had moved to the Eastern suburbs, and Red Star FC were considered too attached to their roots in the Northern Parisian suburb of Saint-Ouen (and were for a significant period of time under the stewardship of the French Communist Party mayorship of the town).
Paris Saint-Germain was founded in 1970 and entered Ligue 2. The team won promotion to Ligue 1, France's top flight, during their first season, but was relegated back to Ligue 2 the following season.[31]
Paris FC, established in 1969, remained a local club until 1972.[clarification needed] They joined Ligue 1 in the 1972–73 season but was relegated to Ligue 2 the next season. During 1973–74, Paris Saint-Germain managed to secure promotion from Ligue 2 to Ligue 1.[32]
Paris FC competed in Ligue 2 from 1973 to 1977 and finally achieved promotion to Ligue 1 in the 1977–78 season. The first Paris Derby took place in 1978–79. This match was held on 18 August 1978, at Paris Saint-Germain's Parc des Princes, and ended in a 2–2 draw.[33] The return fixture was played on 17 December 1978 at Paris FC's home ground, Stade Déjerine, and finished in a 1–1 draw.[34][citation needed] By the end of that season, Paris FC was relegated back to Ligue 2.[citation needed]
On 16 December 2022,[35] a friendly match between both was held at Camp des Loges,[36][37] ending in a 2–1 victory for Paris Saint-Germain.[38][39]
In the 2024–25 Ligue 2 season, Paris FC won promotion to Ligue 1 after 46 years,[40][41] marking the return of the Paris derby.[42][43][44]
Head-to-head
- As of match played 12 January 2026
Statistics
| Competition | Played | Paris FC wins | Draws | Paris Saint-Germain wins | Paris FC goals | Paris Saint-Germain goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ligue 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 5 |
| Coupe de France | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| All competitions | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Friendly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| All matches | 5 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 7 |
List of matches
- League
| # | Season | Date | Competition | Stadium | Home Team | Result | Away Team | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1978–79 | 18 August 1978 | French Division 1 | Parc des Princes | Paris Saint-Germain | 2–2 | Paris FC | 25,000 |
| 2 | 17 December 1978 | Stade Déjerine | Paris FC | 1–1 | Paris Saint-Germain | 21,996 | ||
| 3 | 2025–26 | 4 January 2026 | Ligue 1 | Parc des Princes | Paris Saint-Germain | 2–1 | Paris FC | 47,892 |
| 4 | 16 May 2026 | Stade Jean-Bouin | Paris FC | – | Paris Saint-Germain |
- Cup
| # | Season | Date | Competition | Stadium | Home Team | Result | Away Team | Attendance | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2025–26 | 12 January 2026 | Coupe de France | Parc des Princes | Paris Saint-Germain | 0–1 | Paris FC | 47,000 | Round of 32 |
- Friendly
| # | Date | Stadium | Home Team | Result | Away Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16 December 2022 | Camp des Loges | Paris Saint-Germain | 2–1 | Paris FC |
References
- ↑ "Paris derby to stoke up French football". Coliseum. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ↑ "France: Stadiums 30 meters apart - Paris could host the closest derby ever". StadiumDB. 18 February 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ↑ Lasry, Alexandre (6 May 2025). "Paris FC's rise to Ligue 1 means the world's closest derby in 2025". Paris Secret. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ↑ "The capital derby for PSG, Arnault's team climbs to France. The stadiums are separated by a road". CNA. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ↑ 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 "PSG and PFC set to relaunch long-lost Parisian Ligue 1 derby". Kuwait Times. 3 January 2026. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 "France - List of Champions". RSSSF. 26 May 2025. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ↑ "White Rovers 1–0 Club Français review". babel.hathitrust.org/ (in français). 28 April 1894. Archived from the original on 25 November 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ 8.0 8.1 "France 1892-1919". RSSSF. 29 October 2025. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ↑ "The father of French football: a tailor from Worcester". www.scottishsporthistory.com. 8 February 2016. Archived from the original on 5 February 2023. Retrieved 24 November 2022. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Standard Athletic Club: France's first football champions now enjoying an amateur existence". Sports Gazette. 27 May 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2026.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 "France - List of Cup Finals". RSSSF. 26 May 2025. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ↑ "Club Français (1890 - 1935)". Pari-et-gagne. 27 January 2026. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 "After waiting 36 years, French soccer fans finally have a capital city derby again as PSG faces PFC". FOX Sports. 1 January 2026. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 14.6 14.7 "Avec la montée du PFC, retour d'un derby à Paris après 35 ans". Ligue 1. 5 May 2025. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ↑ "Paris Saint-Germain – Paris FC : entre histoire". Ville de Paris. 2 January 2026. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 "PSG / Paris FC : 6 choses à savoir sur les deux clubs". Ville de Paris. 29 December 2025. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 "L'historique du club de la saison 1970/1978". PSG.FR. 25 May 2008. Archived from the original on 25 May 2008. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 "50 years of PSG: A look back at the rise of France's wealthiest club". France 24. 23 August 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
- ↑ "A brief history of PSG". ESPN.com. 17 August 2012. Archived from the original on 24 June 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- ↑ "13/10/1971 PSG - Red Star". Paris.canal-historique. 26 January 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ↑ "26/03/1972 Red Star – PSG". Paris.canal-historique. 26 January 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 "Derby Day: Paris FC and PSG reunited after 53 years". Ligue 1. 2 January 2026. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ↑ "20 juin 1972, il y a 47 ans : le divorce PSG-PFC est consommé…". Paris.canal-historique. 20 June 2019. Archived from the original on 20 June 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2020. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "12/11/1972 PSG – Red Star (B)". Paris.canal-historique. 4 February 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ↑ "07/04/1973 Red Star (B) – PSG". Paris.canal-historique. 4 February 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ↑ "10/11/1973 PSG – Red Star". Paris.canal-historique. 6 February 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ↑ "21/04/1974 Red Star – PSG". Paris.canal-historique. 6 February 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ↑ "Millième au Parc des Princes : ces dix matches qui ont fait l'histoire du PSG". Europe1. 9 September 2016. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2019. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "24/11/1974 PSG – Red Star". Paris.canal-historique. 11 February 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ↑ "03/05/1975 Red Star – PSG". Paris.canal-historique. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
- ↑ Escribano, Javier (14 February 2025). "Paris hasn't had a derby since 1990, but that could change dramatically next year". Gamereactor UK. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ↑ "PSG vs. Paris FC: A look at the history and future of the Paris derby". Nogomania. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ↑ Loic (24 December 2013). "PSG - Paris FC 2-2, 18/08/78, Division 1 78-79". Histoire du #PSG (in français). Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ↑ Loic (23 December 2013). "Paris FC - PSG 1-1, 17/12/78, Division 1 78-79". Histoire du #PSG (in français). Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ↑ "Summary and highlights of PSG 2-1 Paris FC in Friendly Match | 12/16/2022". VAVEL. 16 December 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ↑ "PSG 2-1 Paris FC (Dec 16, 2022) Final Score". ESPN. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ↑ "Friendly Match". Sky Sports. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ↑ "Paris Saint-Germain vs Paris FC - 2022 Club Friendly - Football Match Summary". LiveSports360. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ↑ "Paris Saint Germain vs Paris Fc 16-12-2022 | Live Scores & Result". Xscores. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ↑ "Paris FC Return To Ligue 1 After 46 Years, Reignite Derby Dream With Paris Saint-Germain". Times Now. 4 May 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ↑ "What is the longest gap between European top-flight football derbies?". The Guardian. 23 July 2025. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ↑ "Soccer: Paris FC rises to Ligue 1, soon a derby in Ile-de-France with PSG". Sortiraparis. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ↑ "Paris Derby Will Be Presented In Ligue 1 Next Season". VOI - Waktunya Merevolusi Pemberitaan. 3 May 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
- ↑ "For the first time since 1979, Ligue 1 will feature a Paris derby". Dailysports. 2 May 2025. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
External links
- Official websites
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