A major shift occurred in French women’s football last summer with the launch of the Ligue Féminine de Football Professionnel (LFFP), the country’s first professional league structure for the women’s game. The move united the top two divisions under a single professional banner, aiming to raise standards and foster competitiveness beyond dominant forces Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
The LFFP, led by former Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas, introduced a rebranding of both tiers, a league-wide budget increase into the tens of millions, and strict new requirements for clubs. Every top-flight team must now have at least 11 full-time players, while second-tier sides must employ a minimum of 11 part-time contracted players. Clubs can also now sign a fourth non-EU player, and organizers have borrowed ideas from other countries—such as allowing Champions League teams rest days and polling fans for the best kickoff times.
Despite the new structure, with only two games remaining, it’s still Lyon and PSG leading the charge—little has changed at the very top. But beneath the surface, clubs across the league are welcoming the transformation, even those unlikely to reach the elite level soon.
Among the most notable are Dijon and Fleury. Dijon sits fourth in the second division and is on track for its first playoff spot. Fleury, just behind in fifth, famously knocked Lyon out of the domestic cup last season and reached their first final.
Both clubs are overachieving compared to their men’s teams, which play in the third and fourth tiers, and sit ahead of bigger names like Montpellier, Nantes, and Saint-Étienne. Yet, both clubs are embracing the professional era.
“There has already been really good communication with the LFFP,” said Sylvain Carric, who oversees women’s football at Dijon. “We never had that with the FFF (French Football Federation). We now receive support on marketing, performance, and medical tools, including deals with companies like Catapult and MyCoach.”
Carric believes the main challenge ahead is creating financial independence for clubs. Dijon has already gone fully professional, with 19 professional players, six technical staff, and three medical staff. For Fleury, however, the transition has been harder.
Fleury lost head coach Fabrice Abriel and key players to PSG last summer. “A higher standard is expected now,” said Fleury president Pascal Bovis. “We must improve infrastructure, medical care, coaching qualifications, and our media and communications. But this evolution is necessary. A professional league will generate revenue that benefits the clubs directly.”
Despite PSG and Lyon’s continued dominance, Bovis believes the rising standards are closing the gap. He pointed to Fleury’s recent performances against PSG, including three 2–1 away losses and a thrilling 4–4 home draw three years ago. He also noted that Paris FC, now backed by luxury giant Louis Vuitton, is joining the top tier’s powerhouses.
Dijon’s improved structure has helped them climb from eighth to fourth this season, while Fleury continues adapting to the new demands. “We don’t benefit from the infrastructure other clubs have through their men’s teams,” Bovis said. “That’s our weakness. But we’re overcoming it, and our technical and medical staff are among the best.”
Bovis doesn’t fear the rise of bigger clubs like Nantes, Marseille, or Lens. Instead, he sees their growth as an opportunity. “This makes the league more attractive,” he said. “It’s up to us to be smart in recruitment, preserve our spirit, and keep performing. That’s the magic of football—and why we love it.”
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