The 2026-2027 Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 seasons are drawing to a close, and one final question remains: which club will secure the last spot in France’s top flight? This Friday, May 29, Nice and Saint-Étienne face off in the second leg of their decisive playoff showdown. The victor will claim a place in Ligue 1, while the loser will be relegated to Ligue 2.
a tight first leg ends 0-0
The opening match at Geoffroy-Guichard Stadium concluded in a forgettable stalemate. Both teams struggled to create clear chances, with the scoreboard remaining blank throughout the 90 minutes. The result leaves everything to play for as the action shifts to the Allianz Riviera.
behind closed doors at nice
This return leg will unfold without a single fan in attendance. After pitch invasions by supporters during a recent league game against Metz, the club faced severe sanctions: two matches behind closed doors and a suspended point deduction for the 2026-2027 season. The ban means Nice will host Saint-Étienne in an eerily empty stadium.
The contrast between the two clubs is striking. While Saint-Étienne has yo-yoed between divisions in recent years—relegated in 2022, promoted in 2024, and relegated again in 2025—Nice has enjoyed uninterrupted top-flight football for over two decades. Their last stint in Ligue 2 dates back to the 2001-2002 season.
how the tie will be decided
In the event of another draw, the match will proceed to 30 minutes of extra time. If the deadlock persists, a penalty shootout will determine the winner. Note that the away goals rule has been abolished—so a 1-1 or 2-2 draw will not favor Saint-Étienne as it once did.
key details for the match
The kickoff is scheduled for 8:45 PM local time, with beIN Sports 1 providing live coverage of the high-stakes encounter.
