When the European club competition was first established in 1955, it was known as the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, which later evolved into the UEFA Cup and the Europa League.
As the title suggests, the competition was initially created to promote European trade fairs, enforcing a strict rule of ‘one club per city.’ Therefore, this week’s Champions League match between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain can be seen, in essence, as a classic encounter. Based on the number of domestic titles achieved, this fixture features the most successful club from each of Europe’s two largest cities (excluding Russia).
However, several factors complicate this scenario.
Firstly, although PSG is currently regarded as France’s leading club, they did not exist back in 1955, being founded 15 years later.
Secondly, in the 2024-25 season, Arsenal is one of seven top-flight clubs in London, often trailing Chelsea and Tottenham in recent seasons. In contrast, PSG has been the sole top-flight club in Paris for the past three decades.
The contrast in average attendances among the largest clubs in both cities last season is also striking.
What accounts for the significant differences in how club football operates in these two major cities of Western Europe? More specifically, why does Paris support only one major club?
The British clubs
London stands out uniquely with its abundance of major football clubs. When we broaden our interpretation of city limits slightly, we see that cities like Madrid and Lisbon each boast four top-flight teams, Athens appears to have five this season, and Istanbul features six. However, London’s total of seven is quite extraordinary, with an additional three London clubs—Charlton Athletic, Queens Park Rangers, and the former Wimbledon FC—having participated in the Premier League since its inception in 1992. Millwall was also present in the top division from 1988 to 1990.
Similar to numerous other prominent European cities, the initial football clubs in Paris were established by British expatriates. Clubs with English names such as the Standard Athletic Club and White Rovers emerged in the late 19th century, primarily featuring players from Britain. Unlike Nordic, Mediterranean, and Central European nations, the development of football in France was relatively sluggish. Authorities viewed the rugby variant of football as more refined, resulting in association football being rarely played in schools.
The inaugural Olympic football tournament took place in Paris in 1900, with Great Britain claiming victory — or more accurately, an amateur team from East London known as Upton Park, which had no affiliation with West Ham. At that time, professional athletes were barred from Olympic competition. Britain had already established a dominant presence in Parisian football.
Furthermore, as highlighted by Chris Lee in his book ”Origin Stories,” when France established a cup competition in 1910, there was such a lack of quality and interest domestically that the event was opened to English teams. Consequently, this was distinct from the Coupe de France, which was inaugurated in 1917. The first three champions of this major Parisian cup were Swindon Town, Clapton Orient (currently known as Leyton Orient), and Fulham, who triumphed over Barnsley, Millwall, and QPR respectively at the Parc des Princes, the same venue where PSG competes today, between 1910 and 1912.
In this context, it’s reasonable to assert that London had a greater influence than Paris on the development of French football. Although Henri Delaunay, after whom the European Championship trophy is named, played a pivotal role in France’s delayed football evolution, he was motivated by attending the 1902 FA Cup final at Crystal Palace, which featured Sheffield United and Southampton.
The French clubs
So, what about the actual clubs in Paris?
Another prominent innovator in French football during this era—who also has a significant international trophy named in his honor—was Jules Rimet. In 1897, he established Red Star, a multi-sport club based in Paris. They have remained the only consistent presence over the past 125 years.
When Ligue 1 was established in 1932, Red Star was among four Parisian clubs competing in the top division. The other three clubs were Club Francais (notably the first Paris club founded by French players, which represented France in the 1900 Olympics), Cercle Athletique de Paris, and Racing Club de Paris.
However, these clubs faced challenges in their growth. With the inception of the Tour de France in 1903, cycling became the dominant sport in France. Sports like rowing and gymnastics were also popular, and rugby retained a significant following. In contrast to England, football was not regarded as the game of the working class; it was favored by the anglophile, liberal metropolitan elite of the early 20th century. Paris was undoubtedly at the center of this elite culture, yet football was treated more as a hobby than a foundation for building a community.
Cycling became France’s most important sport in the 20th century, not football (AFP via Getty Images)
Intra-city rivalries did not develop significantly throughout France. Early French competitions often accepted only one club per region, paired with a lack of public backing and dependence on local councils for funding and venue construction, which led clubs to find that mergers were more effective for achieving success than establishing rivalries. Of the four clubs mentioned, Club Francais was relegated in the first season of Ligue 1 and eventually ceased to exist following a merger in 1935. Cercle Athletique de Paris also faced relegation swiftly,“`html
Lagardere invested heavily in the club, signing notable players such as David Ginola, Luis Fernandez, Pierre Littbarski, and Enzo Francescoli. He even appointed Artur Jorge as the manager immediately after leading Porto to victory in the European Cup in 1987. Lagardere was genuinely committed to Racing Club, despite its limited fanbase. After a failed attempt to enhance the club’s profile and promote his brand by renaming it Matra Racing, Lagardere ultimately gave up and withdrew his funding. As a result, the club suffered relegation from Ligue 1 in 1990 and faced further issues that led to a double relegation to the third tier.
David Ginola playing for Matra Racing in the 1980s (Marc Francotte/TempSport/Corbis via Getty Images)
A broader question arises regarding the true passion for football in France compared to other European countries. The nation failed to capitalize on its national team’s impressive third-place finish at the 1958 World Cup, and it did not qualify for any major tournaments between 1966 and 1978. David Goldblatt, in his influential book *The Ball is Round*, states, “While in Britain the new youth and musical cultures of the 1960s interacted with football, in France they stood as an alternative and an opponent. The counter-cultures of the late 1960s explicitly rejected football and its antiquated provincial hierarchies.”
The pivotal moments came with the national team’s triumphs on home soil in 1984 and 1998. Yet, the resultant boosts to domestic football—and particularly to local support—were minimal. The stars of those teams quickly moved abroad, if they had not already emigrated, partly due to high tax rates in France.
The modern clubs
So, how did PSG originate?
In one view, it emerged as a new club, while in another perspective, it represents a merger. Although often criticized for its perceived lack of heritage—even prior to the Qatari acquisition in 2011—PSG’s formation is“`html
The 1990s marked a new era when television conglomerates, including Canal+, took control, yet attendance figures remained relatively low given the city’s size. PSG stands out from other London clubs as they prominently bear the city’s name, a branding strategy they have increasingly leveraged over the past decade. The club has enhanced the visibility of ‘Paris’ on its crest and prefers its name to be abbreviated as ‘PAR’ instead of ‘PSG’ in television graphics.
PSG won the Coupe de France three times in the 1990s (Christian Liewig/TempSport/Corbis via Getty Images)
Also noteworthy is US Créteil, located in the southeastern suburbs of Paris. Established in the 1930s, the team regularly participated in the second tier at the beginning of the century and even played there as recently as 2016, albeit with average attendances of about 2000. They have now returned to the fourth tier.
At present, Parisian football enjoys its strongest period in decades. Red Star secured the third-tier Championnat National title last season and is now competing in Ligue 2 alongside Paris FC, which currently leads the table and aspires to promote to Ligue 1 for the first time since being relegated in 1979. Paris FC boasts a competitive women’s team that consistently finishes third in the Première Ligue (formerly known as Division 1 Féminine), trailing only PSG and Lyon, and they managed to eliminate Arsenal in last season’s Champions League qualifiers, though they suffered a comprehensive defeat to Manchester City this year.
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Red Star’s players celebrate winning the 2023-24 Championnat National (ANTONIN UTZ/AFP via Getty Images)
Despite their achievements, both clubs continue to face challenges in garnering local support. Paris FC averaged an attendance of 5,500 last season, ranking 13th among the 20 teams in Ligue 2. In comparison, Red Star drew roughly 3,500 fans. Their simultaneous rise can be attributed less to local enthusiasm and more to what many perceive as the unsavory aspects of contemporary football: government ownership and multi-club ownership practices.
Since 2020, 20 percent of Paris FC has been owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain, a decision likely influenced by PSG’s dominance under Qatari ownership. Bahrain has also taken on the role of the club’s main sponsor. “They have joined us with various goals in mind—primarily to enhance the image of Bahrain in France and Europe,” stated director general Fabrica Herrault during an interview following the acquisition.
The situation at Red Star mirrors this scenario and feels disheartening, considering the club’s long-standing history as a left-wing institution. In May 2022, Red Star was acquired by the American investment firm 777 Partners, which also has stakes in clubs including Genoa, Hertha Berlin, and Vasco da Gama. This led to substantial backlash from fans, with protests that resulted in the postponement of a league match two years ago.
Recently, Red Star has attracted interest from another American investor, Steve Pagliuca, who owns Atalanta and is a part-owner of the Boston Celtics. As reported by Bloomberg, Pagliuca “identified opportunities to invest in French football, where lower broadcasting revenues have created a need for capital.”
Current average attendances in French football are encouraging. Last season, Ligue 1 reached its highest-ever attendance at 27,100, while Ligue 2 boasted an average of 8,650—the best figure in 15 years—though this was in part due to traditional clubs like Saint-Etienne and Bordeaux, unexpectedly playing in the second tier. stadiums in Ligue 2 were only about 55 percent occupied.
In the capital, Paris FC’s stadium, which has a capacity of 20,000, is only filled to about a quarter of its capacity most weeks, while Red Star at least manages to fill their modest 5,600-capacity venue in the northern suburbs.
Although the ownership structures of these clubs are relatively recent, they reflect the longstanding narrative of football in Paris. Financial backing often arrives prior to any genuine local support—if such support ever materializes. PSG, for instance, has secured 10 of the last 12 Ligue 1 titles and enjoys an average attendance exceeding 45,
Arsenal’s Ian Wright taking on PSG in March 1994 (Anton Want/Getty Images)
French clubs continue to face challenges in generating their own revenue. The new television rights deal for Ligue 1 reflects a 12 percent decrease compared to the prior agreement, which was made jointly with DAZN and BeIN Sports. Given that BeIN Sports is owned by Qatar, it seems less likely that they will maintain their involvement if Qatar’s investment in PSG diminishes. Unlike in England, football has not achieved the status of must-watch television in France.
Should Paris FC maintain their strong performance this season, it will lead to a top-flight Parisian derby in Ligue 1 next season, a first since Racing Club’s relegation in 1990. In contrast, London, with seven top-tier clubs, features 42 derbies each year. This disparity can be attributed to various factors, including historical competition structures and clubs’ dependency on local government funding.
Ultimately, this situation showcases the starkly different levels of enthusiasm for football.
(Header photo: Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
Capital Conflicts: The Divergent Paths of Football in Paris and London
The Historical Context of Football in London and Paris
Football, known as soccer in some parts of the world, has roots deeply embedded in the cultural and social fabric of Europe. In the late 19th century, two capitals—London and Paris—emerged as central hubs for the development of this beloved sport. Understanding the distinct paths taken by these cities reveals much about the cultural, social, and economic influences that shaped football’s evolution.
The Birth of Modern Football
Modern football began to take shape in the 1860s, with the establishment of formal rules and organized clubs. In London, the Football Association (FA) was founded in 1863, leading to the creation of standardized rules known as the Laws of the Game. This was a pivotal moment, as it marked the transition of football from informal street games to a structured sport. Conversely, in Paris, the football scene was influenced by a different set of values, emphasizing elegance and style, which intertwined with the French cultural identity.
London: The Working-Class Game
- Grassroots Origins: Football in London originated among the working class, who played in parks and streets.
- Industrial Influence: The rise of factories and urbanization led to the formation of football clubs based on local communities.
- Social Mobility: Football became a means for social advancement, providing a platform for talented players from humble beginnings.
Paris: The Sport of the Elite
- Chic Sporting Culture: Football in Paris was initially embraced by the elite, with clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) representing affluence.
- Art and Sport: The French approach to football highlighted aesthetic appeal and the artistry of play, reflective of broader cultural trends in the arts.
- Club Identity: Parisian clubs often sought to establish a strong brand, focusing on style and prestige rather than just competition.
The Role of Class and Culture in Football
The divergent paths of football in these two cities can be largely attributed to the differing class structures and cultural attitudes towards sport. In London, football developed as a working-class sport that emphasized community, competition, and social mobility. In contrast, Paris initially positioned football as a sport for the upper class, linking it to fashion and social status.
Key Differences in Football Culture
Fan Engagement and Club Rivalries
London football clubs have a history of fierce local rivalries, with matches often viewed through the lens of class and regional pride. Clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur exemplify this intense local competition, with fans deeply invested in their club’s success.
In Paris, while rivalries exist, they are often characterized by a more cosmopolitan feel, with clubs like PSG drawing international attention and embodying a blend of local pride and global appeal. The fan culture is often intertwined with fashion and lifestyle, showcasing a different kind of passion for the sport.
Media Representation and Branding
The representation of football in media has also differed significantly between London and Paris. In London, football is often depicted as a hard-fought battle, emphasizing grit, determination, and the underdog spirit. Media coverage frequently focuses on the narratives surrounding players’ struggles and triumphs.
Conversely, Parisian media often highlights the glamour and aesthetics of football, focusing on the charisma of star players and the stylish atmosphere of matches. This reflects a broader cultural emphasis on art and beauty that permeates French society.
Modern Developments in Football
Globalization and Commercialization
As football has evolved into a global phenomenon, the commercialization of the sport has impacted both London and Paris. The English Premier League (EPL) has become a powerhouse in terms of global viewership and financial investment, attracting top talent from around the world.
In Paris, the acquisition of PSG by Qatar Sports Investments in 2011 marked a significant shift, elevating the club to international prominence and showcasing the increasing influence of foreign investment in football. This commercialization has led to a blend of the working-class roots of football in London with the elite notions of Parisian clubs.
Case Studies of Iconic Clubs
Arsenal vs. Paris Saint-Germain
| Feature | Arsenal | Paris Saint-Germain |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1886 | 1970 |
| Stadium | Emirates Stadium | Parc des Princes |
| Fan Base | Strong local and global following | International appeal, especially post-2011 |
| Historical Achievements | 13 league titles, 14 FA Cups | 9 league titles, multiple domestic cups |
Benefits of Understanding Football’s Divergent Paths
- Cultural Appreciation: Understanding the roots of football in both cities enhances appreciation for the sport’s cultural significance.
- Social Insights: The contrasting histories provide insight into class dynamics and social issues reflected in sport.
- Enhanced Viewing Experience: Knowledge of club backgrounds and rivalries can enrich the experience of watching matches.
First-Hand Experiences and Observations
Fans who have attended matches in both London and Paris often note the distinct atmospheres. In London, the energy is raw and passionate, with chants and community spirit dominant. In Paris, the experience can feel glamorous, with an emphasis on fashion and lifestyle, often making matches social events as much as competitive ones.
Visitors frequently remark on the differences in fan engagement—London fans are known for their unwavering loyalty and vocal support, while Parisian fans blend enthusiasm with a sense of style and social presence.
Conclusion
Understanding the divergent paths of football in London and Paris provides valuable insights into how culture, class, and economics shape sports. As football continues to evolve, the historical roots and cultural identities of these two capitals remain crucial to appreciating the beautiful game.
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