Ligue 3

Ligue 3 (English: League 3 or Ligue 3 Betclic for sponsorship reasons from 2026 onwards), formerly known as the Championnat National (English: French National Championship), is a professional men's football league that serves as the third tier of the French football league system, behind Ligue 1 and Ligue 2. Contested by 18 clubs, Ligue 3 operates on a system of promotion and relegation with Ligue 2 and the Championnat National 1, the fourth division of French football. Seasons run from August to May, with teams playing 34 games each, totalling 306 games in the season. Most games are played on Fridays and Saturdays, with a few games played during weekday evenings. Play is regularly suspended the last weekend before Christmas for two weeks before returning in the second week of January. Ahead of the 2026–27 season, the Championnat National was reformed to create a professional Ligue 3.