2025–26 Championnat National 3
Football league season
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2025–26 Championnat National 3 is the ninth and last season of the fifth tier in the French football league system in its current format. The competition is contested by 112 clubs split geographically across 8 groups of 14 teams. The teams include amateur clubs (although a few are semi-professional) and the reserve teams of professional clubs. The competition started on 16 August 2025 and ended on 16 May 2026.[1] The fifth tier will keep its 8-group format for next season, but will be renamed to Championnat National 2, following the establishment of Ligue 3 for the 2026–27 season.[2]
Season2025–26
Dates16 August 2025 – 16 May 2026
PromotedTarbes
Poiré-sur-Vie
Pontivy
Racing Club
Lille (res)
ESTAC Troyes (res)
Hauts Lyonnais
Lyon La Duchère
Poiré-sur-Vie
Pontivy
Racing Club
Lille (res)
ESTAC Troyes (res)
Hauts Lyonnais
Lyon La Duchère
Relegated16 Teams + 1 Team dissolved
| Season | 2025–26 |
|---|---|
| Dates | 16 August 2025 – 16 May 2026 |
| Promoted | Tarbes Poiré-sur-Vie Pontivy Racing Club Lille (res) ESTAC Troyes (res) Hauts Lyonnais Lyon La Duchère |
| Relegated | 16 Teams + 1 Team dissolved |
← 2024–25 2026–27 (N2) → | |
Teams
On 17 July 2025, the FFF ratified the constitution of the competition, and published the groups.[3] Following Ajaccio's exclusion from national competitions, and ASPTT Dijon winning their appeal to the French National Olympic and Sports Committee, the Burgundian team will take the Corsican reserve team's place in Group H.[4][5]
Changes from the 2024–25 season were as follows:
- Teams joining the division
- Jura Sud, Anglet, Poiré-sur-Vie, Aubervilliers and Villers-Houlgate finished in relegation positions in 2024–25 Championnat National 2 (and weren't administratively relegated to regional leagues), FC Balagne was administratively relegated
- 13 teams gained promotion from the various Régional 1 leagues.[6]
| Region | Team | Method of qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Nouvelle-Aquitaine | Cestas | Champion, R1 Group B |
| Pays de la Loire | Les Sables-d'Olonne | Champion, R1 Group B |
| Centre-Val de Loire | Saran | Champion, R1 Centre-Val de Loire |
| Corse | Gazélec Ajaccio | Champion, R1 Corse |
| Méditerranée | Carnoux-en-Provence | Champion, R1 Méditerranée |
| Bourgogne-Franche-Comté | Chalon-sur-Saône | Champion, R1 Group B |
| Grand Est | Mulhouse | Champion, R1 Group C |
| Occitanie | Tarbes | Champion, R1 Group B |
| Hauts-de-France | Amiens (res) | Champion, R1 Group B |
| Normandy | Havre Caucriauville | Champion, R1 Group B |
| Brittany | Brest (res) | Champion, R1 Group A |
| Paris Île-de-France | Versailles (res) | Champion, R1 Group A |
| Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | Feurs | Champion, R1 Group A |
- Teams leaving the division
- Bayonne, Chauray, Lorient (res), Borgo, Dieppe, Montlouis-sur-Loire, Saint-Maur, Colmar, Limonest and Rousset were champions of each group, and were promoted to 2024–25 Championnat National 2.
- Trélissac, Stade Bordelais, Bordeaux (res), ESOF La Roche-sur-Yon, TA Rennes, Sablé, Flers, Plabennec, Saint-Lô, ASPTT Caen, Chatou, Grand-Quevilly, AG Caen, Lens (res), Sannois-Saint-Gratien, Calais, Valenciennes (res), Avoine Chinon, Moulon Bourges, Châteauneuf-sur-Loire, Vineuil, Montceau-les-Mines, Louhans-Cuiseaux, Gueugnon, Sarreguemines, Sarre-Union, Raon-l'Étape, Strasbourg Koenigshoffen, Chassieu, Clermont (res), Espaly-Saint-Marcel, Chambéry, Sud FC, Aigues-Mortes, Corte and EUGA Ardziv were relegated to Régional 1 for the 2025–26 season. AC Ajaccio (res) was relegated to lower leagues following the club's exclusion from national competitions[7][5]
- Name changes and fusion
- Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat became Riviera FC[8]
- Following Tours's dissolution, Ouest Tourangeau became UF Touraine[9]
- Relegated from National 2, Villers-Houlgate fused with and was absorbed by Trouville-Deauville. The new entity will compete as Trouville-Deauville-Villers.[10]
- Promoted from Régional 1, Saran altered its official denomination from USM Saran football to Saran FC.[11]
- Mâcon alters its official denomination from Union du Football mâconnais to Mâcon 71.[12]
Promotion and relegation
If eligible, the top team in each group is promoted to Championnat National 1. If a team finishing top of the group is ineligible, or declines promotion, the next eligible team in that group is promoted.
This season a total of 24 teams will be relegated to Régional 1. This will result in teams finishing in the bottom three places being relegated.[13] Initially, it was planned the worst eleventh was to be relegated, but the administrative relegation of AC Ajaccio changed that.[14]
Reserve teams whose training centres are categorised as category 2B or lower cannot be promoted to Championnat National 2 by the rules of the competition.
League tables
Group A
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tarbes (C, P) | 26 | 14 | 8 | 4 | 52 | 26 | +26 | 47[a] | Promotion to National 1 |
| 2 | Canet Roussillon[b] (P) | 26 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 37 | 22 | +15 | 45 | |
| 3 | Colomiers | 26 | 13 | 6 | 7 | 47 | 42 | +5 | 43[c] | |
| 4 | Onet-le-Château | 26 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 41 | 41 | 0 | 39 | |
| 5 | Pau (res) | 26 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 32 | 26 | +6 | 37 | |
| 6 | Anglet | 26 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 41 | 28 | +13 | 37[d] | |
| 7 | Bassin d'Arcachon | 26 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 38 | 36 | +2 | 36 | |
| 8 | Toulouse (res) | 26 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 32 | 28 | +4 | 33 | |
| 9 | Castanet | 26 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 27 | 32 | −5 | 32 | |
| 10 | Blagnac | 26 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 35 | 34 | +1 | 29[e] | |
| 11 | Lège Cap Ferret | 26 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 38 | 53 | −15 | 28 | |
| 12 | Cestas | 26 | 6 | 10 | 10 | 22 | 38 | −16 | 28 | |
| 13 | Agde (R) | 26 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 23 | 43 | −20 | 24 | Relegation to Régional 1 |
| 14 | Alberes Argelès (R) | 26 | 5 | 6 | 15 | 24 | 40 | −16 | 21 |
Updated to match(es) played on 16 May 2026. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- Following Bordeaux's exclusion from national championships, there was a missing team for the next National 1 season. Thus the best second from National 3 (calculated through results of the vice-champions against the teams placed first, third, fourth, fifth and sixth of their respective group) was also promoted.
- Anglet was deducted 6 points.
Group B
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poiré-sur-Vie (C, P) | 26 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 45 | 24 | +21 | 57 | Promotion to National 1 |
| 2 | UF Touraine[a] | 26 | 17 | 5 | 4 | 49 | 18 | +31 | 56 | |
| 3 | Nantes (res) | 26 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 37 | 20 | +17 | 51 | |
| 4 | Challans | 26 | 12 | 10 | 4 | 52 | 26 | +26 | 46 | |
| 5 | La Châtaigneraie | 26 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 40 | 43 | −3 | 39 | |
| 6 | Fontenay | 26 | 9 | 5 | 12 | 30 | 38 | −8 | 32 | |
| 7 | Les Sables-d'Olonne | 26 | 9 | 5 | 12 | 39 | 40 | −1 | 32 | |
| 8 | Panazol | 26 | 11 | 3 | 12 | 36 | 35 | +1 | 32[b] | |
| 9 | Châteauroux (res) | 26 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 37 | 40 | −3 | 31 | |
| 10 | Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu | 26 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 32 | 44 | −12 | 30 | |
| 11 | Vertou | 26 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 32 | 38 | −6 | 28 | |
| 12 | Chauvigny | 26 | 4 | 12 | 10 | 30 | 42 | −12 | 24 | |
| 13 | Angers (res) (E) | 26 | 4 | 8 | 14 | 23 | 37 | −14 | 20 | Dissolved reserve team |
| 14 | Châtellerault (D) | 26 | 4 | 6 | 16 | 21 | 58 | −37 | 18 | Demoted to Régional 2 |
Updated to match(es) played on 16 May 2026. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw
(C) Champions; (D) Relegated then demoted administratively; (E) Dissolved; (P) Promoted
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw
(C) Champions; (D) Relegated then demoted administratively; (E) Dissolved; (P) Promoted
Notes:
- Promoted by decision by the French Football Federation.[15]
Group C
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pontivy (C, P) | 26 | 16 | 8 | 2 | 42 | 24 | +18 | 56 | Promotion to National 1 |
| 2 | Vire | 26 | 15 | 8 | 3 | 41 | 17 | +24 | 53 | |
| 3 | Vitré | 26 | 9 | 12 | 5 | 27 | 24 | +3 | 39 | |
| 4 | Laval (res) | 26 | 12 | 3 | 11 | 31 | 25 | +6 | 39 | |
| 5 | Guingamp (res) | 26 | 10 | 5 | 11 | 36 | 33 | +3 | 35 | |
| 6 | Cesson-Sévigné | 26 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 35 | 30 | +5 | 34 | |
| 7 | Lannion | 26 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 34 | 31 | +3 | 33 | |
| 8 | Brest (res) | 26 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 29 | 31 | −2 | 32 | |
| 9 | Milizac | 26 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 27 | 34 | −7 | 32 | |
| 10 | Alençon | 26 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 39 | 53 | −14 | 30 | |
| 11 | Rennes (res) | 26 | 6 | 11 | 9 | 32 | 26 | +6 | 29 | |
| 12 | Vannes | 26 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 32 | 39 | −7 | 29[a] | |
| 13 | Ergué-Gabéric (R) | 26 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 28 | 43 | −15 | 26[b] | Relegation to Régional 1 |
| 14 | Fougères (R) | 26 | 4 | 7 | 15 | 20 | 43 | −23 | 19 |
Group D
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Racing Club (C, P) | 26 | 16 | 8 | 2 | 54 | 21 | +33 | 56 | Promotion to National 1 |
| 2 | Aubervilliers | 26 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 34 | 24 | +10 | 47 | |
| 3 | SC Bastia (res) | 26 | 12 | 7 | 7 | 44 | 30 | +14 | 43 | |
| 4 | Linas-Montlhéry | 26 | 11 | 8 | 7 | 46 | 37 | +9 | 41 | |
| 5 | Versailles (res) | 26 | 11 | 5 | 10 | 39 | 33 | +6 | 38 | |
| 6 | Chartres | 26 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 45 | 38 | +7 | 38 | |
| 7 | Oissel | 26 | 11 | 5 | 10 | 29 | 35 | −6 | 38 | |
| 8 | Sainte-Geneviève | 26 | 10 | 2 | 14 | 37 | 40 | −3 | 32 | |
| 9 | Trouville-Deauville-Villers | 26 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 27 | 37 | −10 | 29 | |
| 10 | Brétigny | 26 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 31 | 39 | −8 | 28 | |
| 11 | SM Caen (res) | 26 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 27 | 36 | −9 | 28[a] | |
| 12 | Saint-Ouen-l'Aumône | 26 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 28 | 51 | −23 | 28 | |
| 13 | Dives-Cabourg (R) | 26 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 32 | 41 | −9 | 26 | Relegation to Régional 1 |
| 14 | Havre Caucriauville (R) | 26 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 26 | 37 | −11 | 8[b] |
Group E
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lille (res) (C, P) | 26 | 15 | 3 | 8 | 56 | 34 | +22 | 48 | |
| 2 | Croix | 26 | 14 | 4 | 8 | 37 | 20 | +17 | 46 | |
| 3 | Pays du Valois[a] | 26 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 42 | 26 | +16 | 46 | Promotion to National 1 |
| 4 | Charleville Prix-lès-Mézières | 26 | 12 | 5 | 9 | 29 | 28 | +1 | 40[b] | |
| 5 | Vimy | 26 | 11 | 6 | 9 | 40 | 33 | +7 | 39 | |
| 6 | Saint-Quentin | 26 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 28 | 26 | +2 | 37 | |
| 7 | Drancy | 26 | 10 | 5 | 11 | 43 | 38 | +5 | 35 | |
| 8 | Gazélec Ajaccio | 26 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 32 | 36 | −4 | 34 | |
| 9 | Metz (res) | 26 | 10 | 3 | 13 | 38 | 42 | −4 | 33 | |
| 10 | FC Balagne | 26 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 27 | 29 | −2 | 33 | |
| 11 | Neuilly-sur-Marne | 26 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 29 | 42 | −13 | 31 | |
| 12 | Pays de Cassel (D) | 26 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 29 | 44 | −15 | 29 | Demoted to Régional 2 |
| 13 | Amiens (res) (R) | 26 | 8 | 5 | 13 | 31 | 44 | −13 | 29 | Relegation to Régional 1 |
| 14 | Reims (res) (R) | 26 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 21 | 40 | −19 | 20[c] |
Updated to match(es) played on 16 May 2026. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw
(C) Champions; (D) Relegated then demoted administratively; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw
(C) Champions; (D) Relegated then demoted administratively; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- Pays du Valois was initially penalized by the FFF, with a 1 point deduction and a game loss for their match at home against Gazélec Ajaccio (end score: 3-2 for the home team). However, following an appeal, the Paris administrative tribunal suspended the sanction. Following the decision, the club would be virtually first with 49 points. The FFF took note of the decision, and Lille didn't contest it. Thus Pays du Valois was promoted to National 1, but the FFF didn't change the official standings.
- Charleville Prix-lès-Mézières was deducted 1 point.
Group F
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ESTAC Troyes (res) (C, P) | 26 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 54 | 32 | +22 | 51 | Promotion to National 1 |
| 2 | Thonon Évian | 26 | 13 | 7 | 6 | 43 | 31 | +12 | 46 | |
| 3 | Chalon-sur-Saône | 26 | 12 | 9 | 5 | 41 | 29 | +12 | 45 | |
| 4 | Racing Besançon | 26 | 11 | 10 | 5 | 38 | 24 | +14 | 43 | |
| 5 | Jura Dolois | 26 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 37 | 31 | +6 | 42 | |
| 6 | Torcy | 26 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 32 | 30 | +2 | 37 | |
| 7 | Pontarlier | 26 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 38 | 31 | +7 | 36 | |
| 8 | Ivry | 26 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 26 | 29 | −3 | 35 | |
| 9 | Thaon | 26 | 9 | 5 | 12 | 44 | 42 | +2 | 32 | |
| 10 | Belfort | 26 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 37 | 34 | +3 | 30 | |
| 11 | Mulhouse | 26 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 35 | 46 | −11 | 30 | |
| 12 | RC Strasbourg (res) | 26 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 28 | 48 | −20 | 28 | |
| 13 | Sochaux (res)[a] | 26 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 37 | 44 | −7 | 27 | |
| 14 | Besançon Football (R) | 26 | 2 | 7 | 17 | 18 | 57 | −39 | 13 | Relegation to Régional 1 |
Updated to match(es) played on 16 May 2026. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw
(C) Champions; (P) Promoted; (R) Relegated
Notes:
- Maintained as best thirteenth (through a ranking based on their results against the teams ranked eighth to twelfth in their respective group).
Group G
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hauts Lyonnais (C, P) | 26 | 17 | 7 | 2 | 48 | 20 | +28 | 58 | Promotion to National 1 |
| 2 | Mâcon | 26 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 52 | 23 | +29 | 54 | |
| 3 | Dijon (res) | 26 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 44 | 35 | +9 | 40 | |
| 4 | Romorantin | 26 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 42 | 30 | +12 | 37 | |
| 5 | Orléans (res) | 26 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 39 | 37 | +2 | 36 | |
| 6 | Auxerre (res) | 26 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 31 | 31 | 0 | 35 | |
| 7 | Saran (R) | 26 | 9 | 7 | 10 | 42 | 45 | −3 | 34 | Administrative relegation to Régional 1 |
| 8 | Vierzon | 26 | 10 | 3 | 13 | 42 | 53 | −11 | 33 | |
| 9 | Feurs | 26 | 7 | 11 | 8 | 42 | 46 | −4 | 32 | |
| 10 | Chamalières | 26 | 8 | 6 | 12 | 33 | 35 | −2 | 30 | |
| 11 | Saint-Étienne (res) | 26 | 7 | 9 | 10 | 28 | 35 | −7 | 30 | |
| 12 | Moulins Yzeure (R) | 26 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 26 | 45 | −19 | 29 | Administrative relegation to Régional 1 |
| 13 | Jura Sud (R) | 26 | 7 | 5 | 14 | 25 | 41 | −16 | 26 | Relegation to Régional 1 |
| 14 | Cosne-sur-Loire (R) | 26 | 4 | 8 | 14 | 26 | 44 | −18 | 20 |
Group H
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lyon La Duchère (C, P) | 26 | 16 | 4 | 6 | 54 | 30 | +24 | 52 | Promotion to National 1 |
| 2 | Fos-sur-Mer | 26 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 53 | 31 | +22 | 51 | |
| 3 | Alès | 26 | 16 | 4 | 6 | 56 | 27 | +29 | 50[a] | |
| 4 | Bourgoin-Jallieu | 26 | 13 | 8 | 5 | 36 | 25 | +11 | 47 | |
| 5 | Marseille (res) | 26 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 39 | 25 | +14 | 42 | |
| 6 | Cannet Rocheville | 26 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 34 | 33 | +1 | 36 | |
| 7 | Montpellier (res) | 26 | 11 | 2 | 13 | 35 | 45 | −10 | 35 | |
| 8 | Riviera FC | 26 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 32 | 36 | −4 | 33 | |
| 9 | Beaucaire | 26 | 9 | 6 | 11 | 27 | 35 | −8 | 33 | |
| 10 | Lucciana | 26 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 36 | 34 | +2 | 32 | |
| 11 | Olympique Lyonnais (res) | 26 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 37 | 50 | −13 | 29 | |
| 12 | ASPTT Dijon | 26 | 5 | 8 | 13 | 27 | 43 | −16 | 23 | |
| 13 | Seyssinet-Pariset (R) | 26 | 6 | 3 | 17 | 37 | 58 | −21 | 21 | Relegation to Régional 1 |
| 14 | Carnoux-en-Provence (R) | 26 | 4 | 7 | 15 | 37 | 68 | −31 | 15[b] |
Season outcomes
Promotion
Tarbes, Poiré-sur-Vie, Pontivy, Racing Club, Pays du Valois, ESTAC Troyes (res), Hauts Lyonnais and Lyon La Duchère were champions of each group, and were promoted to 2026–27 Championnat National 1. Canet Roussillon and UF Touraine were also promoted.
Relegation
A total of 18 teams were relegated:
- Group A
Agde, Alberes Argelès
- Group B
Angers (res) (dissolution), SO Châtellerault (demotion to R2)
- Group C
Ergué-Gabéric, Fougères
- Group D
Dives-Cabourg, Havre Caucriauville
- Group E
Pays de Cassel (demotion to R2), Amiens (res), Reims (res)
- Group F
- Group G
Saran (administrative relegation), Moulins Yzeure (administrative relegation), Jura Sud, Cosne-sur-Loire
- Group H
Seyssinet-Pariset, Carnoux-en-Provence