The French Football League’s disciplinary committee has confirmed Le Mans FC’s victory in Bastia on the final matchday of Ligue 2, securing the club’s promotion to Ligue 1 after a 16-year absence from the elite.
Official confirmation arrived this Wednesday: Le Mans FC is promoted to Ligue 1. The team from the Sarthe region finished second in the 2025-2026 Ligue 2 season following their 2-0 away win against Bastia on Saturday, May 9. The result had been pending after the match was halted due to flare incidents in stoppage time, with referee Ruddy Buquet failing to blow the final whistle despite not resuming play.
The disciplinary committee of the French Football League (LFP) was tasked with validating the match outcome and determining sanctions against Bastia, whose supporters disrupted play. The Corsican club has been handed a two-match ban and a suspended one-match stadium closure at the Armand-Césari ground.
Le Mans FC president announced the promotion to a celebratory crowd of nearly 24,000 fans gathered at the Marie Marvingt stadium, where supporters erupted in joy as the news broke.
From division d’honneur to Ligue 1: Le Mans FC’s remarkable journey
The club’s return to the top flight marks the culmination of a 16-year journey that saw them drop to the fifth tier before rebuilding their way back up. This season, Le Mans FC defied expectations by finishing second in Ligue 2, behind only the champions, with a squad composed largely of promoted players.
Their promotion was secured on the final day of the season in dramatic fashion. Despite the chaotic finish in Bastia, where flares were thrown onto the pitch, the disciplinary committee ruled in favor of maintaining the 2-0 scoreline, validating the victory that guaranteed Le Mans FC’s second-place finish.