Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian defender #05 Marquinhos (C) lifts the trophy as PSG celebrate their championship title following the French L1 football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and AJ Auxerre at The Parc des Princes Stadium in Paris on May 17, 2025. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
The Paris Saint-Germain made history once again this week, clinching its 14th Ligue 1 championship after a commanding 2-0 victory at RC Lens. With the title secured, attention now turns to the celebration—and crucially, the timing of the trophy presentation.
The traditional ceremony at Parc des Princes, typically held after the final home game of the season, won’t happen this year. The Parisians were officially crowned champions after their last match at the stadium, a 1-0 win over Brest on May 10.
This leaves just one fixture remaining: Sunday’s Paris derby against Paris FC at Jean-Bouin. While technically an “away” game, the match is played just 50 meters from the Parc des Princes. Paris FC, celebrating its own survival in Ligue 1, has already planned post-match festivities for its fans—and has shown little enthusiasm for sharing the spotlight with PSG’s trophy ceremony on its turf.
LFP rules dictate the path forward
According to Ligue de Football Professionnel regulations (Article 523-5), the organizing body is responsible for planning trophy ceremonies, notifying clubs in advance, and ensuring they participate and adhere to the event’s protocol. The rules leave no ambiguity: clubs are expected to host and attend these ceremonies as part of their championship obligations.
Yet this season’s scenario presents an unprecedented challenge. The LFP faces a dilemma: either impose the ceremony on Paris FC—potentially disrupting their planned celebrations—or delay the presentation until after the final matchday, likely at Parc des Princes. However, timing is tight, as Paris gears up for a Champions League final on May 30.
A rare but not unique situation
Championships decided on the final day are uncommon in Ligue 1, making this a logistical puzzle. The last two instances—Montpellier in 2012 and Lille in 2021—saw both clubs celebrate their titles after their final away matches. Montpellier held a public ceremony in front of 30,000 fans at Place de la Comédie, while Lille organized a private event before parading through the city.
For PSG, the options are limited. A forced ceremony at Jean-Bouin could sour the atmosphere, while a delayed presentation risks overshadowing the buildup to Europe’s biggest club final. The club’s leadership and the LFP must now navigate these constraints to ensure the historic milestone is properly honored.
