Where to watch Ligue 1 in 2026?
Ligue 1 is France's top professional football league. Since the latest rights cycle, its broadcasting is organised mainly around Ligue 1+, the channel operated by the Ligue de football professionnel (LFP). Ligue 1+ shows the vast majority of fixtures in each round: it is close to unavoidable for following the whole league. The approximate subscription price is around €14.99/month, varying by package and commitment.
Alongside Ligue 1+, beIN SPORTS generally keeps one fixture per round. A fan who wants every match involving their club therefore often combines Ligue 1+ (for most games) and beIN SPORTS (for the extra fixture). Neither service is free, and neither offers the whole league on its own.
Understanding how Ligue 1 is broadcast
Ligue 1's broadcasting has changed a lot in recent seasons, following successive tenders and deals between the LFP and broadcasters. After several changes, the league chose to run its own channel, Ligue 1+, to distribute most matches directly. That is why information from a previous season can be misleading: always refer to the situation in force when you subscribe. On this page we describe the split as it applies for the 2025-2026 season, for guidance only.
In practice, a Ligue 1 round has several matches spread across the weekend (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and sometimes midweek. The vast majority of these games are offered by Ligue 1+, while beIN SPORTS keeps one fixture. To miss nothing you therefore need to think in terms of a full round rather than match by match.
Channels and approximate prices
The table below summarises the official Ligue 1 broadcasters for the 2025-2026 season, with approximate prices. Prices change with every rights cycle and with promotions: always check the exact price on the broadcaster's official site before subscribing.
| Broadcaster | Approx. price | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| Ligue 1+ | ≈ €14.99/mo | The vast majority of fixtures each round |
| beIN SPORTS | ≈ €15/mo | Usually one fixture per round |
| Free-to-air channels | €0 | Highlights, magazine shows and news only |
Is Ligue 1 free?
No: there is no legal offer that lets you watch the whole of Ligue 1 for free. Free-to-air channels (TF1, M6, France Télévisions) may show highlights, magazine shows or league news, but not the live matches as a whole. To watch games live, a subscription to Ligue 1+ and/or beIN SPORTS is still needed.
The most economical option
If your budget is tight and you mainly follow one club, Ligue 1+ alone (≈ €14.99/month) covers the vast majority of matches. Adding beIN SPORTS is only worth it if you want to be sure never to miss a fixture, or if you also follow LaLiga, Serie A and the Bundesliga, which beIN carries separately.
Which devices can play Ligue 1?
The broadcasters' apps (Ligue 1+ and beIN Connect) work on iOS and Android phones and tablets, web browsers, smart TVs, Apple TV, Chromecast and Fire TV. No specific decoder is essential: an app and an internet connection are usually enough. The number of simultaneous screens depends on your package.
Before subscribing, check that the service works properly on your usual devices (your smart-TV model, your operator box) and that the picture quality on offer suits you. A good internet connection remains essential for smooth live viewing: on a high-stakes match, that often matters more than the choice of broadcaster itself, so it is worth testing your setup in advance.
Which offer to choose for your profile
For a Ligue 1 fan who wants most matches, Ligue 1+ is the most logical base. Add beIN SPORTS if you insist on seeing every single fixture, or if foreign leagues interest you. Finally, if you also follow the Champions League, plan for Canal+ (and Prime Video for the Tuesday tie), which are separate subscriptions.
In short, there is no single subscription covering all French and European football: each broadcaster holds a share of the rights. The right approach is to list the competitions you actually follow, then add up only the subscriptions you truly need. For many fans, Ligue 1+ alone, at around €14.99/month, is already an excellent balance between budget and league coverage.