Paris derby

The Paris derby (French: Derby de Paris), also referred to as Derby de Paris, Derby de la Capitale, or Le Derby Parisien, is a French football rivalry contested between Paris Saint-Germain FC (PSG) and Paris FC (PFC), the two largest professional clubs based in Paris, France. PSG, founded in 1970 through the merger of Paris FC and Stade Saint-Germain, has grown into the dominant club in both the capital and French football, regularly competing in Ligue 1 and European competitions. Paris FC, which split from PSG in 1972, spent decades in the lower divisions before returning to the top flight in 2025.

The rivalry traces its roots to the early history of football in the French capital, where historic clubs like Racing Club de France Football and Red Star FC once competed. PSG emerged from efforts by the French Football Federation (FFF) to create a major inner‑city club in the late 1960s, while Paris FC originally remained in Ligue 1 following the 1972 split. PSG quickly established itself as the capital's leading club, taking over the Parc des Princes and embarking on a period of sustained success that left Paris FC largely absent from the top tier. Consequently, first‑team meetings between the two were rare for decades.

Following Paris FC's promotion to Ligue 1 in 2025, the Paris derby returned as a significant fixture in French football. The two clubs' home stadiums—PSG's Parc des Princes and PFC's Stade Jean-Bouin—are separated by only a short distance, creating one of the closest geographic derbies in world football. The first top‑flight meeting since 1990 took place on 4 January 2026 at the Parc des Princes, with PSG winning 2–1 in a closely contested match. A subsequent Coupe de France encounter saw Paris FC secure a 1–0 victory, marking PSG's first home defeat in the competition in several years.

Beyond the men's game, the Paris derby extends to women's football, where Paris Saint-Germain FC (women) and Paris FC (women) also compete at the highest level, adding further depth to the rivalry. Paris FC, formerly known as Juvisy, was the capital's dominant women's club in the 1990s and 2000s, while PSG largely dominated the Paris derby (women) during the 2010s. In the early 2020s, Paris FC established itself as the third force in the league, highlighted by their victory over PSG in the 2025 Coupe de France Féminine final. Together with PSG, they the only clubs capable of contesting the dominance of OL Lyonnes.

By the late 1960s, Racing Club de France Football, based in the northwestern suburb of Colombes, and Stade Français were confined to the amateur leagues, while Red Star FC, located in the northern suburb of Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine, had passed its prime. To address this void, the French Football Federation (FFF) initiated the creation of a major inner-city club. Paris FC (PFC) was officially founded in 1969, initially without players, a stadium, or a place in any league. A year later, in 1970, Paris FC merged with Stade Saint-Germain, a club from the western suburb of Saint-Germain-en-Laye that was then competing in Ligue 2. This merger gave rise to Paris Saint-Germain FC (PSG).^[1][2][3]

PSG won Ligue 2 in their first season, earning promotion to Ligue 1.^[4] In their inaugural top-flight campaign, they finished 16th and retained their status.^[1][5][6] However, the Council of Paris was dissatisfied that the capital's main club was based in the suburbs and threatened to withdraw financial support unless it changed its name to Paris FC.^[4][7] PSG president Henri Patrelle refused, and the club split on 20 June 1972.^[4] PSG kept their name but were administratively relegated to Ligue 3, while Paris FC remained in Ligue 1 and moved into the Parc des Princes for the 1972–73 season.^[1][6][7] PSG returned to Ligue 1 in 1974, the same season Paris FC was relegated, subsequently taking full control of the Parc des Princes and establishing themselves as the dominant club in Paris.^[2][5][6]

PSG and Paris FC first faced each other as separate clubs during the 1978–79 season.^[5][6] The first match, attended by 25,000 spectators, saw Argentine striker Carlos Bianchi open the scoring from the penalty spot after being fouled, beating former PSG goalkeeper Michel Bensoussan. Early in the second half, Bernard Lech equalized for PFC, before Éric Renaut restored PSG's lead with a header from a Dominique Bathenay free kick. Paris FC responded quickly, however, as Nebojša Zlatarić scored an acrobatic equalizer, and the game concluded in a 2–2 draw.^[8]

In the second derby, both sides were hampered by the pressure of the occasion, with PSG and Paris FC occupying 17th and 15th place in the league respectively. The match lacked intensity, prompting audible dissatisfaction from the crowd at half-time. Just before the hour mark, PSG opened the scoring through Carlos Bianchi, although the goal was contested by Paris FC defenders, who appealed for offside. PSG then appeared content to defend their narrow lead, but Paris FC eventually equalized when Daniel Alberto scored from a corner, left unmarked in the center of the penalty area.^[9] PFC was relegated at the end of that campaign, leaving PSG as the capital's sole top-flight club.^[5][6] Consequently, the rivalry remained relatively subdued for decades, marked by infrequent encounters and limited supporter hostility.^[2]

Paris FC spent decades in obscurity, drifting through the lower divisions before re-emerging as Ligue 2 regulars in the 2010s. In 2024, the club was acquired by France's wealthiest family, the Arnaults of luxury empire LVMH, in partnership with Red Bull. Under this new ownership, PFC earned promotion to Ligue 1 in 2025 for the first time in 46 years.^[3][10] PSG, meanwhile, has been bankrolled by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) since June 2011, becoming one of the richest clubs in the world and claiming a record number of league titles and domestic cups, in addition to winning the UEFA Champions League in 2025. By contrast, PFC has never won a league or cup.^[1][11][12] Following promotion, PFC moved to the Stade Jean-Bouin, just 20 meters from the Parc des Princes. The proximity makes it the closest professional derby in the world, with the two stadiums separated by a single street.^[10][13][14]

On 4 January 2026, PSG faced Paris FC at the Parc des Princes in the first top-flight Paris derby since 1990, when Racing had defeated PSG at the same venue 36 years earlier. None of the starters on either side had been born at the time of that match. PSG supporters welcomed Paris FC with a tifo reading "Paris is ours." The match was closely contested, with PSG edging a 2–1 victory. Désiré Doué opened the scoring before Paris FC equalized after half-time through a Willem Geubbels penalty. Parity lasted only two minutes, however, as Ousmane Dembélé scored the decisive goal.^[10][12] The teams met again a week later in the Coupe de France at the same venue, where PSG were eliminated. Former PSG Youth Academy graduate Jonathan Ikoné scored a late winner to secure a 1–0 victory for Paris FC. The defeat marked PSG's first home loss in the competition since 2022 and their first elimination at the round of 32 since 2014.^[11][15]

As of 12 January 2026.^[16]

  Paris Saint-Germain   Paris FC   Draw

As of 12 January 2026.^[16]

  Paris Saint-Germain   Paris FC   Draw

As of 12 January 2026.^[16]

  Paris Saint-Germain   Paris FC   Draw

A total of 37 players have played for both clubs during their careers.^[27]

Both Étoile Sportive de Juvisy-sur-Orge and Paris Saint-Germain FC (women) were founded in 1971, making them among the oldest clubs in French women's football. During the 1990s and 2000s, Juvisy established itself as the dominant Parisian side, regularly competing for national championships alongside OL Lyonnes and benefiting from consistent support from the Essonne departmental council. PSG, in contrast, remained a mid-table club for much of this period, undergoing a squad overhaul in 2005 to promote young talent and restructure the team. Juvisy's sustained strength was highlighted by decisive victories over PSG, illustrating the club's superior resources and squad depth.^[28]

PSG gradually closed the gap after 2009, strengthened by key signings and the 2012 takeover by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), which bolstered the squad and allowed the club to challenge Lyon and assert dominance in the Paris derby (women). Juvisy's absorption into Paris FC (women) in 2017 created a new dynamic, with PFC seeking to compete with the top teams despite initial difficulties. Throughout the 2010s, PSG largely dominated the derby, while Paris FC emerged as a third force in French women's football during the 2020s.^{[1][28][29][30]}

• PSG.FR | Official site of Paris Saint-Germain
• Paris FC: Certifié Paris