Ligue 3 signs Betclic naming deal, but betting on the competition will not be permitted | OneFootball

France’s newly created third division will be known as Ligue 3 Betclic from the 2026-2027 season after the French Football Federation agreed a three-year naming-rights partnership with the gambling company.

However, despite the competition carrying the name of one of France’s leading bookmakers, supporters will not initially be able to place bets on Ligue 3 matches.

The agreement was officially announced on Thursday and will run for a minimum of three seasons, according to Ouest-France. It extends Betclic’s existing relationship with the FFF, which already includes partnerships involving the Coupe de France, France’s national teams and the Arkema Première Ligue.

“When I decided to create Ligue 3, the project interested Betclic as a way of extending its partnership with the FFF,” said federation president Philippe Diallo. “This adventure marks an important step for the federation, and Betclic wanted to be part of it.”

Betclic Group CEO Julien Brun described the division as representing “local football”, highlighting the presence of several historic clubs and comparing its make-up to that of Ligue 1 a decade ago.

Yet the National Gambling Authority has not authorised betting markets on the league for its inaugural campaign. Bets will only be available on the promotion and relegation play-offs at the end of the season.

“We asked for betting to be opened, but we did not receive authorisation,” Brun told Ouest-France. “It is a little unfortunate to have to wait until the end of the competition for a championship that is just being launched.”

Betclic intends to submit another request following the conclusion of the 2026-2027 season. The sponsorship therefore leaves French football with the unusual situation of a league named after a betting company while betting on the competition itself remains prohibited.GFFN | George Boxall