Could Paris FC Challenge PSG for Domination in French Football?

French football has often found itself at the center of criticism. Many of our discussions highlight the challenges the league faces—from the collapse of the Mediapro TV deal, the exit of Bordeaux from the professional game, to the deep financial struggles most clubs face—unless, of course, you're Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

However, there might just be a glimmer of hope for French domestic football. A potential challenger to PSG’s long-standing dominance may be on the horizon, and it comes in the form of a club with a deep historical connection to PSG: Paris FC.

A Brief History of Paris FC

Paris FC was founded in 1969, just a year before PSG came into existence following the merger of Stade Saint-Germain and Paris Football Club. However, after a split with PSG in 1972, Paris FC became a separate entity once more. Since then, the club has struggled to make a significant mark on French football. Paris, as a city, had long been underrepresented in the sport, with the last Paris-based French champions being Racing Club in 1936. Although Racing Club is more famous for its rugby department today, it was the last team from the capital to win a major football title.

By the time PSG clinched their first league title in 1986, Saint-Étienne, a dominant force in French football, had already won ten league titles. Despite their historical struggles, Paris FC is now finding itself in a promising position, thanks in part to new investors that might just have the ambition—and the financial muscle—to give PSG a run for their money.

A Ligue 2 match featuring Paris FC at their current home the Stade Charléty, Zakarie Faibis, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The Power Behind Paris FC: The Arnault Family & Red Bull

Paris FC's new owners include some very powerful figures, beginning with the Arnault family, France’s wealthiest. Bernard Arnault, the patriarch of the family, is the owner of LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy), a conglomerate that includes luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Moet & Chandon, and Dior. Arnault has consistently ranked among the wealthiest people globally, even briefly surpassing Elon Musk as the richest person in the world in 2024. The Arnault family’s net worth is reported at $233 billion, surpassing the net worth of PSG’s chairman, Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who is valued at $182 billion.

But the Arnaults aren’t alone in this venture. Austrian energy drink giant Red Bull, one of the world’s most influential marketing companies, has also invested in Paris FC. Red Bull has begun acquiring minority stakes in clubs globally as part of its multi-club ownership strategy. Like with other Red Bull-affiliated clubs, Paris FC will gain access to a vast and sophisticated scouting network that spans across Brazil, the United States, Austria, Germany, England, and now, France. This collaboration could give Paris FC a significant advantage in talent identification and player development.

The Paris FC Vision: A Different Approach

Unlike PSG, which has spent massive amounts on acquiring global superstars in their pursuit of the Champions League, Paris FC is unlikely to follow the same path. Paris FC has observed the shortcomings of PSG’s “Galactico” model, particularly its failure to secure European glory despite enormous spending. PSG, having recalibrated their strategy, is now focusing on developing homegrown talent to reduce their wage bill while maintaining competitiveness. This is the blueprint that Paris FC is likely to emulate, aiming to secure the best young players from Paris and beyond.

The key for Paris FC will be to first earn promotion to Ligue 1. As of now, they sit third in Ligue 2, so their immediate goal is to move up to the top division. In the event of promotion, Paris FC will face PSG in a Parisian derby for the first time since the 1989-1990 season when PSG faced Racing Club.

A New Stadium and a New Chapter

In a move that signals their intentions to grow, Paris FC has already announced plans to leave their current home, Stade Sébastien Charléty, and move to a new stadium located right next to the Parc des Princes—home of PSG. The new venue, the Stade Jean-Bouin, is currently the home of the Stade Français rugby team, and it’s only a street away from PSG’s iconic stadium.

The potential for a thrilling Paris derby in Ligue 1 is now closer than ever. If Paris FC can achieve promotion, it will set the stage for one of the most exciting and fiercely competitive derbies in French football, potentially altering the power dynamics in Parisian football for the first time in decades.

Conclusion: Can Paris FC Topple PSG?

While PSG’s dominance in French football remains unchallenged for now, the rise of Paris FC, fueled by powerful investors and a fresh approach to development, could spark a new era in Parisian football. If Paris FC can successfully navigate their way into Ligue 1 and start building their competitive squad, French football may soon see a rivalry that could rival the giants of PSG. Time will tell if Paris FC can make their ambitions a reality, but for the first time in many years, PSG may finally have a legitimate threat from their very own city.