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Ligue 2

Ligue 2 is the second division of professional football in France.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ligue 2 is the second division of professional football in France. It is organised alongside Ligue 1 by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with France’s top and third tiers. The league was founded in 1933 as Division 2 and later adopted the Ligue 2 name.

History

Ligue 2 traces its origins to 1933, when it was created as Division 2, one year after the formation of the French first division. It later adopted the Ligue 2 name and has remained France’s second tier since then.

Format

The league currently features 18 clubs playing a double round-robin schedule for 34 matches each season. Teams are ranked by points, with promotion and relegation determining movement between divisions.

Organisation

Ligue 2 is run by the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the same body that oversees Ligue 1. The competition is part of the professional league structure in French football.

Promotion and relegation

The best-placed clubs move up to Ligue 1, while the lowest-placed clubs move down to the third tier. Current sources also describe playoff matches connected to promotion and relegation.

Key facts

  • Ligue 2 is the French men’s second-division football league.
  • The competition is contested by 18 clubs, each playing 34 matches in a home-and-away round robin season.
  • The top teams are promoted to Ligue 1, while the lowest-placed teams are relegated to the third tier.
  • The league was founded in 1933 as Division 2 and is administered by the LFP.
  • It is also known as Ligue 2 BKT for sponsorship reasons.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know Ligue 2 as a major European feeder league that develops players and clubs for higher-profile competitions, including Ligue 1 and other international leagues.

Frequently asked questions

What is Ligue 2?
Ligue 2 is France’s second-tier professional men’s football league.
How many teams play in Ligue 2?
Ligue 2 is currently contested by 18 clubs.
Who runs Ligue 2?
It is organised by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP).
When was Ligue 2 founded?
The league was founded in 1933 as Division 2.
What happens to teams at the top of the table?
The leading teams are promoted to Ligue 1, subject to the league’s promotion rules and playoff structure.
What is the sponsorship name for Ligue 2?
It is also known as Ligue 2 BKT for sponsorship reasons.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ligue_2
    Supports: Founding year, league level, organisation by LFP, 18 clubs, promotion/relegation, season structure, sponsorship name
  2. SportMonks — https://www.sportmonks.com/glossary/french-league-2/
    Supports: 18 clubs, 34-match format, points system, promotion and relegation structure
  3. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ligue_2
    Supports: Second division status, 18 clubs, promotion/relegation
  4. Wikipedia (Polish) — https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ligue_2
    Supports: Founded in 1933, LFP administration, historical naming