History of Paris FC in Timeline

Paris FC, also known as PFC, is a professional football club located in Paris, France. The team competes in Ligue 1, the highest level of French football. As a professional sports organization, Paris FC is involved in competitive matches and represents the city of Paris in national football leagues.

January 1969: French Football Federation Plan

In January 1969, the French Football Federation (FFF) initiated a plan to establish a major club in Paris, leading to the formation of a committee and a public campaign to name the club.

1969: Formation of Paris FC

In 1969, Paris FC was formed through a French Football Federation initiative to establish a major Parisian club.

1969: Club Founded

In 1969, Paris FC was founded, marking the beginning of the club's history.

1970: Merger to Form PSG

In 1970, Paris FC merged with Stade Saint-Germain to form Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).

1970: Merger with Stade Saint-Germain

In 1970, Paris FC merged with Stade Saint-Germain to form Paris Saint-Germain F.C., but Paris FC quickly left the merger.

1970: Adoption of Red, Blue, and White

In 1970, following the merger with Stade Saint-Germain to form Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), the team adopted red and blue to represent Paris and white to symbolize the royal town of Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

September 1971: Paris City Council Offer

In September 1971, the Paris City Council offered 850,000 francs to cover PSG’s debt, demanding the name be changed to "Paris Football Club."

December 1971: Resignation of Guy Crescent

In December 1971, President Guy Crescent resigned from Paris FC, and Henri Patrelle took over the position.

June 1, 1972: Official Split of Paris FC and PSG

On June 1, 1972, the split between Paris FC and PSG became official, with Paris FC retaining the first division status while PSG was relegated.

1972: Paris FC in Top Flight

At the start of the 1972–73 season, Paris FC were in the top flight, playing at the Parc des Princes.

1972: Home Games at Parc des Princes

From 1972 to 1974, Paris FC played its home games at the newly rebuilt Parc des Princes.

1972: Spin-off from Paris Saint-Germain

In 1972, Paris FC eventually spun off from Paris Saint-Germain, re-establishing itself as a separate club.

1972: Split from PSG

In 1972, Paris FC split from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) under pressure from the Paris City Council.

1972: Adoption of Orange Kits

In 1972, after the split from PSG, Paris FC chose orange kits, influenced by their sponsor Bic.

1973: Attendance numbers

In the 1973 season, the first after leaving the merger with Stade Saint-Germain, Paris FC averaged an attendance of 13,202.

1974: Move to Stade de la Porte de Montreuil

Following the club's relegation in 1974, the team moved to the aging Stade de la Porte de Montreuil.

1976: Return to Professionalism

In 1976, after a stadium fire and years of instability, Paris FC returned to professionalism.

1978: Rebrand as Paris 1

During a brief return to the top flight in 1978–79, Paris FC temporarily rebranded as "Paris 1" with backing from Europe 1 radio and the city council.

1978: Promotion Back to Division 1

In 1978, Paris FC earned promotion back to Division 1 for the 1978–79 season.

1978: Return to Parc des Princes

In 1978–79, during its brief spells in Division 1, Paris FC shared the ground with Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes.

1983: Merger with Racing Club de France

In 1983, Jean-Luc Lagardère bought Paris FC and renamed it "Racing Paris 1", with the first team merging with Racing’s. The remaining club, "Paris FC 83”, was relegated to the fourth division.

1988: Return to Division 3

In 1988, after dropping to the fifth tier, Paris FC climbed back to Division 3.

1990: Failed Promotion Attempt

In 1990, Businessman Bernard Caïazzo aimed for promotion, but the club only finished 12th.

1991: Rename to Paris FC 98

In 1991, the club became "Paris FC 98" to align with France's bid to host the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

1992: Missed Promotion

In 1992, Paris FC narrowly missed promotion.

1996: Rename to Paris FC 2000

In 1996, Paris FC was renamed "Paris FC 2000".

1998: Support of FIFA World Cup Bid

In 1998, Paris FC supported France’s 1998 FIFA World Cup bid.

1998: Renamed Paris FC 98

In 1998, Paris FC was renamed "Paris FC 98" in support of France’s 1998 FIFA World Cup bid.

1999: Temporary Move to Stade Charléty

In 1999, Paris FC temporarily moved to the Stade Charléty as part of a bid to return to professional football.

2000: Continuation as Paris FC 2000

In 2000, Paris FC continued as "Paris FC 2000".

2000: Relegation to Championnat de France amateur

In 2000, Paris FC was relegated to the Championnat de France amateur.

2005: Return to Original Name

In 2005, the club returned to its original name, "Paris Football Club".

2005: Reversion to Paris Football Club

In 2005, the club reverted to the name "Paris Football Club".

2006: CFA Group D Win

In 2006, under Jean-Marc Pilorget, Paris FC won CFA Group D and returned to the Championnat National.

2007: Move to Stade Sébastien Charléty

In 2007, Paris FC moved into the Stade Sébastien Charléty.

2007: Permanent Settlement at Stade Charléty

In 2007, Paris FC permanently settled at Stade Charléty.

2008: Blue Wolves supporter group founded

In 2008, the Blue Wolves supporter group was founded. It was officially apolitical, but its members tended to have right-wing views.

2009: Failed Promotion Goal

Following its return to the third tier of French football, Paris FC's goal of promotion to Ligue 2 by 2009 failed.

2010: Disbandment of Blue Wolves

In 2010, the Blue Wolves supporter group was disbanded after several hooligan incidents, the last of which occurred during a match against Gueugnon.

2010: Founding of Old Clan

In 2010, the supporter group Old Clan was founded. After the expulsion of PSG fans from Parc des Princes in 2010, PFC attracted some of that support, particularly from the left-wing group Virage Auteuil, but also a few from right-wing group Boulogne Boys.

2011: Introduction of New Logo

From 2011 onwards, Paris FC introduced a logo is shaped like a navy blue shield with rounded sky blue contours, exuding a professional and polished appearance. A stylized Eiffel Tower dominated the design.

2013: Survival of Relegation

In 2013, Paris FC miraculously survived relegation to the CFA (now Championnat National 2) due to the administrative relegation of CS Sedan Ardennes.

2013: Return to Déjerine

In 2013, due to low attendance and loosened FFF regulations, Paris FC returned again to Déjerine for a short period.

2014: Promotion to Ligue 2

After a successful 2014–15 campaign, Paris FC gained promotion to Ligue 2, alongside its local rival Red Star.

2014: Founding of Ultras Lutetia

In the summer of 2014, the ultras group Ultras Lutetia was founded.

2015: Regaining Professional Status

In 2015, Paris FC regained professional status after playing mostly in amateur divisions since splitting from Paris Saint-Germain.

2016: Relegation Back to Championnat National

In the 2016–17 season, Paris FC was relegated back to the Championnat National.

2017: Administrative Promotion to Ligue 2

In the 2017-18 season, Paris FC were administratively promoted to Ligue 2 after Bastia were demoted to the third division for financial irregularities.

July 2020: Partnership with Kingdom of Bahrain

In July 2020, the Kingdom of Bahrain joined Paris FC as a new strategic economic partner to support the club's development, investing capital to improve finances and becoming the main sponsor.

October 2024: Reports of Arnault Family Purchase

In October 2024, reports surfaced that the Arnault family would purchase a majority ownership stake in Paris FC, along with a minority stake by Red Bull.

November 2024: Acquisition by Arnault Family Official

On 29 November 2024, the acquisition of Paris FC was made official, with the Arnaults buying a 52.4% stake through their holding company Agache Sport. Pierre Ferracci retained 29.8% via Alter Paris, while Red Bull acquired 10.6% and BRI Sports Holdings held 7.2%.

2024: Promotion to Ligue 1

In 2024, Paris FC were promoted back to Ligue 1 after a 46-year absence, finishing as runners-up in Ligue 2 for the 2024-25 season.

2024: Majority Ownership by Agache Sport

Since 2024, Paris FC has been majority-owned by the Arnault family's Agache Sport, which currently holds 52.4% of the shares. Red Bull GmbH owns 10.6%, Alter Paris led by Pierre Ferracci owns 29.8%, and BRI Sports Holdings owns 7.2% of the club's shares.