Paris Saint-Germain FC

History

Main article: History of Paris Saint-Germain FC

Paris Saint-Germain were founded in 1970 following the merger of Paris FC and Stade Saint-Germain. PSG made an immediate impact, winning Ligue 2 and thus achieving promotion to Ligue 1 in their first season. Their momentum was soon halted, and the club split in 1972. Paris FC remained in the top flight, while PSG were relegated to Division 3. After two consecutive promotions, PSG quickly returned to the top flight in 1974 and moved to the Parc des Princes.{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080525204327/http://www.psg.fr/fr/Article/003002/Article/38609/1970-1978 | access-date = 27 June 2025 | archive-date = 25 May 2008 | access-date = 27 June 2025}}{{cite news | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425054650/http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuro/season=2016/teams/team=52747/profile/index.html | access-date = 2 April 2019 | archive-date=25 April 2018 }}{{cite news | access-date = 2 April 2019 | archive-date = 8 June 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170608011115/http://psg70.free.fr/historique.htm | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190624053721/https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/1135960/a-brief-history-of-psg | access-date = 16 December 2020 | archive-date = 24 June 2019

The club's first trophies arrived in the 1980s. Led by players such as Safet Sušić, Luis Fernandez and Dominique Rocheteau, the Parisians claimed back-to-back Coupe de France in 1982 and 1983, and their first Ligue 1 title in 1986. A steep decline followed, but the takeover by Canal+ in 1991 revitalized PSG. Led by David Ginola, George Weah and Raí, the club won nine trophies and reached five consecutive European semi-finals during the 1990s. Notably, Paris captured their second league title in 1994 and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1996, with the legendary Luis Fernandez now as manager.{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080525204332/http://www.psg.fr/fr/Article/003002/Article/38610/1978-1990 | access-date = 3 July 2025 | archive-date = 25 May 2008 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080528011623/http://www.psg.fr/fr/Article/003002/Article/38611/1990-2000 | access-date = 7 July 2025 | archive-date = 28 May 2008

At the beginning of the 21st century, the Parisians were struggling to get back to the top despite the magic of Ronaldinho and the goals of Pauleta. Five more trophies followed: three Coupe de France, a Coupe de la Ligue and a UEFA Intertoto Cup, but PSG became better known for struggling through one crisis after another. Inevitably, Canal+ sold the club to Colony Capital in 2006. However, the situation only worsened, and PSG spent the next two seasons avoiding relegation.

The club's fortunes changed dramatically with the arrival of Qatar Sports Investments as owners in 2011. Since then, PSG have invested heavily in signings of world-class players such as Zlatan Ibrahimović, Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappé, the latter two being the most expensive transfers in football history. As a result, PSG have dominated French football, winning 37 trophies: eleven league titles, eight Coupe de France, six Coupe de la Ligue and eleven Trophée des Champions. They have also become a regular in the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, reaching the final for the first time in their history in 2020 and winning their first title in 2025 as part of a continental treble.{{cite news | access-date = 12 July 2025}}{{cite news | access-date = 16 June 2025}}{{cite news | access-date = 8 June 2025}} The reigning European champions also claimed the 2025 UEFA Super Cup and the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, achieving an unprecedented sextuple.{{cite news | access-date = 14 August 2025}}{{cite news | access-date = 25 January 2026}}{{cite news | access-date = 25 January 2026}}

Identity

Colours and mascot

Since their foundation, Paris Saint-Germain have represented both the city of Paris and the nearby royal town of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. As a result, red, blue and white are the club's traditional colours. The red and blue are Parisian colours, a nod to revolutionary figures Lafayette and Jean Sylvain Bailly, and the white is a symbol of French royalty and Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

On the club's crest, the Eiffel Tower in red and the blue background represent Paris, while the fleur de lys in white is a hint to the coat of arms of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. The fleur de lys is a royal symbol as well and recalls that French King Louis XIV was born in the town. Throughout its history, PSG have brandished several crests, but all of them have featured the club's three historical colours.

Likewise, PSG's most distinctive shirts have been predominantly red, blue or white, with the remaining two colours included as well. The club's official mascot, Germain the Lynx, also sports PSG's traditional colours. It was unveiled during the 2010 Tournoi de Paris in commemoration of the club's 40th anniversary, and can be seen entertaining kids in the stands of the Parc des Princes or near the pitch with the players during the warm-up.

Anthems and mottos

"Allez Paris!", recorded by Belgian actress and singer Annie Cordy in 1971, was the club's first official anthem. A PSG fan from the very beginning, she was part of an association of hundreds of celebrities who contributed to the club's founding in 1970. At the time, an appeal was made to anonymous people to buy season tickets at newsstands. A year later, Cordy was named PSG's official godmother and recorded the aforementioned anthem.{{cite news | access-date = 5 September 2020 | archive-date = 1 October 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201001024117/https://www.bide-et-musique.com/song/7218.html | url-status = live | access-date = 5 September 2020 | archive-date = 17 January 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210117040816/https://rmcsport.bfmtv.com/football/l-hommage-du-psg-a-annie-cordy-qui-avait-chante-le-premier-hymne-du-club-1972560.html | url-status = live

The club's second anthem, "Allez Paris-Saint-Germain!" by Les Parisiens, was recorded in 1977, replacing Cordy's version. It was produced and released by long-time PSG leader and music producer Charles Talar.{{cite news | access-date = 27 December 2019 | archive-date = 11 August 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210811074018/https://beta.bide-et-musique.com/song/3522.html | url-status = live | access-date = 27 December 2019 | archive-date = 27 December 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191227235705/http://www.sportune.fr/article/psg-ecoutez-lhymne-des-parisiens-chante-par-les-joueurs-55990 | url-status = live | access-date = 10 March 2019 | archive-date = 6 August 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200806042258/https://www.nouvelobs.com/sport/20060531.OBS9778/chronologie.html | url-status = live

"Ô Ville Lumière", set to the tune of "Flower of Scotland", is another authentic club anthem for PSG fans.{{cite news | access-date = 17 July 2017 | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160412034709/http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Comment-o-ville-lumiere-est-en-train-de-pousser-phil-collins-vers-la-sortie/617650 | archive-date = 12 April 2016 | access-date = 28 December 2019 | archive-date = 28 December 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191228011002/https://www.francebleu.fr/sports/football/videos-les-plus-beaux-meilleurs-chants-hymnes-ambiances-des-supporters-dans-les-stades-de-foot-en-1517311777 | url-status = live | access-date = 27 December 2019 | archive-date = 27 December 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191227235702/http://www.sportune.fr/sport-business/ecoutez-et-apprenez-o-ville-lumiere-lhymne-du-paris-saint-germain-psg-126403 | url-status = live | access-date = 24 September 2019 | archive-date = 9 August 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190809034854/https://www.sofoot.com/blogs/marxist/kop-of-boulogne-the-story-122994.html | url-status = live | access-date = 27 December 2019}}{{cite news | access-date = 15 May 2025}} "Who Said I Would" by English musician Phil Collins is also a traditional fan anthem. The song has accompanied the players' entrance onto the field since 1992. Collins was preceded by French singer Michel Fugain and his 1972 song "Attention, Ladies and Gentlemen".{{cite news | access-date = 4 August 2025}}

"Ici, c'est Paris" and "Paris est magique" are also the club's most iconic mottos.{{Cite news | access-date = 13 July 2015 | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150714142147/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/ae88a0b2-b53a-11e3-af92-00144feabdc0.html | archive-date = 14 July 2015 | access-date = 28 December 2019 | archive-date = 28 December 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191228014809/https://lagrinta.fr/les-supras-auteuil-1991-et-le-psg-en-justice%267245/ | url-status = live | access-date = 28 December 2019 | archive-date = 28 December 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191228014812/https://lagrinta.fr/ici-cest-paris-fin-du-differend-entre-les-supras-et-le-psg%267245/ | url-status = live

Iconic shirts

For its first three seasons, Paris Saint-Germain's home shirt was red with blue and white detailing on the sleeves and collar to unify the club's three colours: the red and blue of Paris and the white of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. During the 2010–11 season, PSG wore a red shirt for home matches to mark its 40th anniversary. French fashion designer Daniel Hechter took over as president of PSG in 1973, and designed the club's traditional home kit that same year: a blue shirt with a red vertical stripe flanked by two thinner white stripes (blue–white–red–white–blue).

First worn in the 1973–74 season, the so-called "Hechter shirt" has remained PSG's classic identity ever since. The famous shirt was debuted against Red Star in November 1973. This was also the club's first match at the Parc des Princes. PSG won 3–1 with Othniel Dossevi scoring the club's first goal in a Hechter shirt. PSG stars from the 1990s and 2000s such as Raí, Ronaldinho and Pauleta are associated with this kit. In it, the club reached five consecutive European semi-finals between 1993 and 1997, lifted the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1996 and achieved eight consecutive victories against arch-rivals Marseille between 2002 and 2004.

It is commonly believed that Hechter based his design on the red-and-white jersey worn by Ajax, the dominant European club at the time. Hechter himself denied this, stating that he was inspired by the Ford Mustang, transposing the car's hood stripes onto the jersey and using the club's three colors. The design has two alternate versions: the "Reverse Hechter" (red–white–blue–white–red), introduced in the 1974–75 season, and the "White Hechter" (white–blue–red–blue–white), which debuted in the 1994–95 season.

However, it was in the club's most distinctive away kit that fans saw PSG's first great team, who won their first Coupe de France titles in 1982 and 1983, enjoyed their first European campaign in 1983, and clinched their first Ligue 1 crown in 1986. The shirt was white with blue and red vertical stripes down the left side. Like Hechter's shirt, it debuted in the 1973–74 season as the away kit. Promoted by PSG president Francis Borelli, the white shirt was the club's home identity from 1981 to 1990. Now known as the "Borelli shirt", it is synonymous with 1980s PSG legends such as Safet Sušić, Luis Fernández and Dominique Bathenay.

Crest evolution

Following the merger of Paris FC (PFC) and Stade Saint-Germain to create Paris Saint-Germain, the club's first crest was the same as the original PFC logo. It featured a blue football and a red sailing ship with its sails billowing in the wind. This ship is a historical symbol of Paris and is present on the city's coat of arms with its motto "Fluctuat nec mergitur" ("[She] is tossed [by the waves], but does not sink"). After separating from PFC in 1972, PSG needed a new crest. Representing both Paris and Saint-Germain-en-Laye, the club's second crest became the basis of the one fans know today, featuring the Eiffel Tower in red against a blue background and, below, two symbols of Saint-Germain in white: a fleur-de-lis and the cradle of Louis XIV. This crest was first used in 1972 and was created by Christian Lentretien, a former PSG director and advertising professional.

In 1982, an image of the club's stadium, the Parc des Princes, was added to the bottom of the crest, remaining there until 1990, when it was removed and the crest reverted to its original form. Two years later, in 1992, the crest was radically modified by the club's owners, Canal+. The new design featured the initials "PSG" in white on a blue, white, red, white, and blue background, mimicking the design of the Hechter shirt, with "Paris Saint-Germain" below, also in white on a black background. Following pressure from the fans, the traditional crest returned in 1995 with "Paris Saint-Germain" above the tower and "1970" below the cradle. In 2002, it underwent a minor modification, primarily the addition of a darker shade of blue.

At the request of the club's Qatari owners, the traditional crest was significantly redesigned in 2013. Now, the word "Paris" is written in large, bold white letters above the Eiffel Tower, clearly emphasizing the "Paris" brand rather than "Paris Saint-Germain." Below, "Saint-Germain" is written in smaller letters beneath the fleur-de-lis. The cradle of Louis XIV and the club's founding year, "1970," have been omitted. PSG deputy general manager Jean-Claude Blanc stated: "We are called Paris Saint-Germain but, above all, we are called Paris".

File:PSG logo 1970.png|1970–1972 File:PSG logo 1972.png|1972–1982 1990–1992 File:PSGFC logo 1982.png|1982–1990 File:Logo Paris SG 1992.svg|1992–1996 File:PSG logo 1996.png|1996–2002 File:PSG logo 2002.png|2002–2013 File:Paris Saint-Germain F.C..svg|2013–Present

Friendly tournaments

Main article: Tournoi de Paris, Tournoi Indoor de Paris-Bercy

Paris Saint-Germain used to host two famous invitational competitions: the Tournoi de Paris and the Tournoi Indoor de Paris-Bercy. Considered the most prestigious friendly tournament in French football, the Tournoi de Paris is regarded as the precursor to both the Intercontinental Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. PSG began organizing it in 1975 and have been crowned champions a record seven times. Held at the Parc des Princes, the Tournoi de Paris was last organized in 2012. The Tournoi Indoor de Paris-Bercy was an indoor football tournament founded by PSG in 1984 and held annually until 1991 at the AccorHotels Arena. The Parisians have lifted the trophy twice, more than any other club.

Grounds

Stadiums

Main article: Parc des Princes, Stade Georges Lefèvre

Since its inception, Paris Saint-Germain have played in five main stadiums: the Stade Jean-Bouin, the Stade Georges Lefèvre, the Stade Bauer, the Stade Yves-du-Manoir, and the Parc des Princes, their current home ground. PSG took on Ligue 2 promotion rivals Red Star on 10 November 1973, for the club's first match at the Parc des Princes. PSG moved into the ground upon its return to Ligue 1 in July 1974, ironically the same year that Paris FC were relegated. Up until that point it had hosted Paris FC.

From that moment on, the Parc des Princes has been the home stadium of PSG. Its most prolific season in terms of average attendance was 2024–25, during which an average of 47,639 spectators went to the stadium for each match.{{cite news | access-date = 20 July 2021}} The attendance record for a PSG match dates back to 13 March 1983, with 49,575 spectators present in the stands of the Parc des Princes. This match pitted PSG against Belgian side Waterschei for the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup quarterfinals. The final score was a 2–0 victory for the Parisians.

The club played at the Stade Jean-Bouin, concurrently with the Stade Georges Lefèvre, in 1970–71, as it attracted significantly higher levels of fan support. The Georges Lefèvre regularly hosted PSG matches from 1972 to 1974 as well. Between 1904 and 1970, it was the home of Stade Saint-Germain, club which merged with Paris FC to form PSG in 1970. PSG played again at the Jean-Bouin in 1973–74, alternating their home games with the Georges Lefèvre and the Parc des Princes. PSG played at the Stade Bauer for the first time in 1971–72. It was used again by the club once in 1976–77 and 1977–78, and twice in 1978–79 due to construction work on the lawn of the Parc des Princes. Similarly, the Stade Yves-du-Manoir welcomed PSG for three matches in 1971–72, once more in 1974–75, and one last time in 1975–76 because the Parc des Princes was under renovation.

Training facilities

Main article: Campus PSG, Camp des Loges

Campus PSG, located in Poissy, has been the club's training ground since 2023. Owned and funded by the club, it houses the men's football team, the women's football team, and the football academy, as well as the handball and judo teams and their academies. Campus PSG will feature a stadium that will complement the club's stadium, the Parc des Princes, which will be built during the second phase of the project, after 2024. PSG's male team moved into Campus PSG on 10 July 2023. They completed their first group training session there on 18 July 2023, and played their first game on 21 July 2023. It was a friendly match against Le Havre which ended in a 2–0 victory for PSG.

Camp des Loges, located in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, was previously the club's training facility from July 1970 until July 2023. Its main stadium, the Stade Georges Lefèvre, served as the home ground for the men's team between 1972 and 1974. Camp des Loges also hosted the training sessions of the club's academy and women's team until 2024. The men's team moved to Campus PSG in July 2023. The academy and women's team followed in January 2024. However, the Camp des Loges remains the headquarters of the Association Paris Saint-Germain, as has been the case since 1970.{{cite news | access-date = 19 January 2024}}

Statistics

Records

Main article: List of Paris Saint-Germain FC records and statistics

Paris Saint-Germain hold numerous records, most notably being the most successful French club in history in terms of official titles, with 58.{{cite news | access-date = 19 March 2020 | archive-date = 1 April 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200401162029/https://www.psg.fr/the-club/histoire | url-status = live

PSG's triumph in the 1995–96 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup made them the only French club to win the competition and one of just two French teams to have claimed a major European competition.{{cite news |access-date = 6 December 2020}} By winning the 2024–25 UEFA Champions League title, alongside the 2024–25 Ligue 1 and the 2024–25 Coupe de France, the club became the first French side to achieve a continental treble. With victories in the 2025 UEFA Super Cup and the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup, PSG became the first French club to win both trophies and delivered the first club world title in French football history.{{cite news | access-date = 25 January 2026}} Having also lifted the 2024 Trophée des Champions, PSG completed an unprecedented sextuple, a feat previously achieved only by Barcelona in 2009 and Bayern Munich in 2020.{{cite news | access-date = 25 January 2026}}

The Parisians are the club with the most consecutive seasons in the top-flight (51 seasons in Ligue 1 since 1974–75),{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240519113519/https://www.psg.fr/equipes/the-club/content/50e-saison-en-ligue-1-pour-le-paris-saint-germain-2022-2023 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2024-05-19 | access-date = 6 August 2022}}{{cite news | access-date = 11 February 2021}} and the only side to have won the Ligue 1 title while leading the table from the first to the final round (2022–23), the Coupe de France without conceding a single goal (1992–93 and 2016–17), five Coupe de la Ligue in a row (2014–2018), four back-to-back Coupe de France (2015–2018), and eight consecutive Trophée des Champions (2013–2020).

Influential officials and players in the club's history include most decorated president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, most decorated manager Laurent Blanc, record appearance maker Marquinhos, top scorer Kylian Mbappé, assist maestro Ángel Di María, clean sheet leader Bernard Lama, most capped and longest-serving captain Thiago Silva, Ballon d'Or winners George Weah, Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembélé, and world-record transfer Neymar.

Seasons

Main article: List of Paris Saint-Germain FC seasons

Paris Saint-Germain have played 55 seasons, of which 52 have been played in the top division of French football, the Ligue 1. In the remaining three seasons, the club have played twice in the second division, the Ligue 2, and once in the third division, the Division 3.{{cite news | access-date = 6 February 2020}} In the 2024–25 season, PSG celebrated their 51st consecutive Ligue 1 campaign, making them the longest-serving club in the competition. The club played its first competitive match on 23 August 1970, drawing 1–1 away to Poitiers in the opening matchday of Ligue 2.{{cite news | access-date = 6 August 2022}} PSG won the Ligue 2 title at the end of the campaign, earning promotion to the top flight. The Parisians made their Ligue 1 debut on 11 August 1971, in a 2–0 away defeat to Angers. Their momentum soon came to a halt and the club split in June 1972, with Paris FC remaining in Ligue 1 and PSG being administratively relegated to Division 3.{{cite news | access-date = 29 April 2020 | archive-date = 20 June 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190620102103/http://www.paris-canalhistorique.com/20-juin-1972-il-y-43-ans-le-divorce-psg-pfc-est-consomme/ | url-status = live

After two consecutive promotions, PSG returned to Ligue 1 in the 1974–75 season and never looked back. Since then, the club have won a record thirteen league titles, finishing first more often than in any other position. Having finished second in nine league campaigns, PSG have regained the top two places on 22 occasions. They have also reached the top five 30 times, representing more than half of the club's seasons in Ligue 1. PSG's lowest ever finish is 16th, achieved in both the 1971–72 and the 2007–08 seasons, when they escaped relegation on the final day with a 2–1 win at Sochaux.

PSG enjoyed their best season to date in the 2024–25 campaign, winning the continental treble by lifting the UEFA Champions League title, the league championship and the Coupe de France. They played a record 65 matches, winning 48 of them, and averaged a record attendance of 47,639 per home league game.{{Cite news | access-date = 8 June 2025}} The club also set several records during the 2015–16 season: PSG collected 96 points, their highest total in Ligue 1, while conceding just 19 goals, and Zlatan Ibrahimović became the player with the most goals scored in a single season, scoring 50. Other notable records across all competitions include the 28 goals conceded in the 1993–94 season and the 171 goals scored in the 2017–18 season.{{cite news

International football

Main article: Paris Saint-Germain FC in international football

Paris Saint-Germain are the most successful French club in international competitions. They have won four European titles (the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1996, the UEFA Intertoto Cup in 2001, the UEFA Champions League in 2025, and the UEFA Super Cup in 2025) as well as the 2025 FIFA Intercontinental Cup. PSG are also the only French side to have won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and the first to win the continental treble and the Super Cup. They were runners-up in the 1996 UEFA Super Cup, the 1996–97 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, the 2019–20 UEFA Champions League, and the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.{{cite news | access-date = 6 December 2020}}{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100503062924/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/ecwc/history/season%3D1996/intro.html | url-status= dead | archive-date = 3 May 2010 | access-date = 17 January 2021}}{{cite news | access-date = 6 October 2020}}{{cite news | access-date = 16 July 2025}}

The Parisians made their international debut in the 1982–83 season, qualifying for the now-defunct Cup Winners' Cup as Coupe de France winners. Their first match was against Lokomotiv Sofia and reached the quarter-finals, where they were eliminated by Waterschei Thor.{{Cite news | access-date = 14 December 2020}}{{Cite news | access-date = 6 December 2020}} PSG subsequently competed in the UEFA Europa League in the 1984–85 campaign, before taking their first steps in Europe's premier club competition, the Champions League, in the 1986–87 season.{{cite news | access-date = 17 December 2020}}{{cite news | access-date = 6 December 2020}}{{cite news | access-date = 6 December 2020}}

Between 1992 and 1997, the club reached five consecutive semi-finals: three in the Cup Winners' Cup, one in the Champions League, and one in the Europa League.{{cite news | access-date = 17 June 2025}}{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230605063124/https://en.psg.fr/teams/club/content/paris-saint-germain-and-their-semi-finals-episode-6-rb-leipzig-uefa-champions-league-final-8-lisbon-ucl | access-date = 23 January 2021 | archive-date = 5 June 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100503064844/http://en.archive.uefa.com/competitions/ecwc/history/season=1995/intro.html | url-status= dead | archive-date = 3 May 2010 | access-date = 15 December 2020}} This victory allowed PSG to compete in the UEFA Super Cup, where they lost to Juventus. They reached a second consecutive Cup Winners' Cup final in 1997, this time losing to Barcelona. PSG played in the now-defunct Intertoto Cup once. They did so in 2001, winning their second continental trophy against Brescia on away goals in the two-legged final.{{cite news | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060513092828/http://www.uefa.com/competitions/IntertotoCup/history/Season=2001/intro.html | url-status= dead | archive-date = 13 May 2006 | access-date = 12 December 2020}}

PSG reached their first UEFA Champions League final in 2020, where they were defeated by Bayern Munich, marking their first European final appearance since 2001.{{cite news | access-date = 14 May 2018}} The club went on to win their first Champions League title in 2025, defeating Inter Milan in the final.{{cite news | access-date = 25 June 2025}} As reigning European champions, Paris competed in the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup.{{cite news | access-date = 25 June 2025}} They finished runners-up in the Club World Cup, losing the final to Chelsea, but secured victories in both the Super Cup, defeating Tottenham Hotspur on penalties, and the Intercontinental Cup, also winning on penalties against Flamengo.{{cite news | access-date = 16 July 2025}}

Supporters

Main article: Paris Saint-Germain FC supporters

Paris Saint-Germain are the most popular football club in France, accounting for 22% of the country's fan base.{{cite news | access-date = 12 September 2019 | archive-date = 11 September 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190911140903/http://www.onzemondial.com/france/france-psg-club-prefere-francais-165699 | url-status = live | access-date = 12 September 2019 | archive-date = 20 September 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190920192825/https://travel.zeelo.co/the-top-15-biggest-and-most-supported-football-teams-in-the-world/ | url-status = live | access-date = 2 March 2017 | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170303123745/https://billetterie.psg.fr/fr/plan-du-parc | archive-date = 3 March 2017 | access-date = 7 February 2025}}{{cite news | access-date = 7 February 2025}}{{cite news | access-date = 7 February 2025}} Other, more welcoming and family-oriented fan groups have regularly gathered in the stands of Paris and the Borelli, including the club's first supporters' group, Les Amis du PSG, founded in 1975.{{cite news | access-date = 19 February 2025}}{{cite news | access-date = 20 September 2019 | archive-date = 20 September 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190920192825/https://parisunited.fr/oeil-du-supporter/1973-1978-naissance-dune-ferveur/ | url-status = live

Lacking a large and passionate following, the club began offering cheaper season tickets to young fans in 1976. They were housed in Kop K, located in the blue K section of the Paris stand at the Parc des Princes. Following increased ticket prices, fans in Kop K moved to the Boulogne stand in 1978, and the Kop of Boulogne was born.{{cite news | access-date = 11 October 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120131083608/http://theclassical.org/articles/paris-is-earning | archive-date = 31 January 2012 | url-status = dead | access-date = 20 September 2019 | archive-date = 20 September 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190920192825/https://parisunited.fr/le-club/periode-1978-1991-lambiance-du-parc/ | url-status = live | access-date = 22 September 2018 | archive-date = 23 September 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180923005530/https://www.lookleftonline.org/2013/12/how-psg-lost-its-soul/ | url-status = live | access-date = 24 September 2019 | archive-date = 24 September 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190924103953/https://www.90min.com/fr/posts/6330336-ultras-une-breve-histoire-des-supporters-du-psg | url-status = live | access-date = 24 September 2019 | archive-date = 29 March 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190329175326/http://www.sofoot.com/la-nouvelle-cartographie-des-groupes-de-supporters-parisiens-165643.html | url-status = live

In response, the club's owners, Canal+, encouraged non-violent KoB fans to gather at the other end of the stadium, giving rise to the Virage Auteuil in 1991, spearheaded by the ultra groups Supras Auteuil, Lutece Falco and Tigris Mystic.{{cite news | access-date = 20 September 2019 | archive-date = 20 September 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190920192828/https://parisunited.fr/le-club/periode-1991-1998-lemergence-des-groupes-de-supporters/ | url-status = live | access-date = 7 October 2019 | archive-date = 8 June 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200608225453/https://www.sofoot.com/boulogne-et-auteuil-histoire-d-une-opposition-151225.html | url-status = live | access-date = 22 November 2016 | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20161123133720/http://www.espnfc.com/club/paris-saint-germain/160/blog/post/2994952/why-the-return-of-paris-saint-germains-ultras-is-such-a-big-deal | archive-date = 23 November 2016 | access-date = 4 May 2025}}

Based in Auteuil, the CUP are currently the only officially recognized ultra group by the club.{{cite news | access-date = 30 November 2019 | archive-date = 6 October 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181006135148/http://www.leparisien.fr/sports/football/psg/incidents-face-a-l-etoile-rouge-qui-sont-les-ultras-du-psg-05-10-2018-7912179.php | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060524161021/http://psg.fr/fr/supporters/associations.html | access-date = 12 February 2025 | archive-date = 24 May 2006 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080414232450/http://psg.fr/fr/supporters/associations.html | access-date = 12 February 2025 | archive-date = 14 April 2008 | access-date = 15 September 2025}} Instead, PSG allowed the CUP to take over the Boulogne stand starting in the 2025–26 season.{{cite news | access-date = 2 August 2025}}{{cite news | access-date = 4 August 2025}} Hooligan firm Karsud are also still active, but have been banned from all club matches since 2017.{{cite news | access-date = 11 August 2017 | url-status=live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170811225435/http://www.espnfc.com/paris-saint-germain/story/3122681/paris-saint-germain-ultras-lose-two-supporter-groups | archive-date = 11 August 2017 | access-date = 30 November 2019 | archive-date = 3 December 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20191203224235/http://www.leparisien.fr/sports/football/psg/psg-menaces-de-mort-et-gardes-a-vue-au-sein-du-collectif-ultras-paris-14-06-2017-7051005.php | url-status = live

Rivalries

Le Classique

Main article: Le Classique

Paris Saint-Germain shares an intense rivalry with Olympique de Marseille; matches between the two teams are known as Le Classique. They are the two most successful clubs in French football and the only French teams to have won major European trophies. Therefore, this matchup is considered the biggest rivalry in France.

PSG and OM were the dominant teams before the emergence of Olympique Lyonnais in the 2000s, and are the most followed French teams internationally. Both clubs lead or come close to the top of French attendances each season. Their clashes during the 1970s gave little indication that they would become major adversaries. The newly formed Parisians were trying to form a competitive team, while the Olympians were Ligue 1 contenders.

The rivalry began in earnest in 1986, when PSG won their first championship and Bernard Tapie bought OM. By the end of the decade, PSG were battling Tapie's Marseille for the 1988–89 title. PSG president Francis Borelli's accusations of match-fixing against Tapie and OM during that season contributed to their growing rivalry.

In the 1990s, tensions between the two teams escalated. French media company Canal+ bought PSG in 1991 with the aim of breaking Marseille's hegemony, but later agreed with Tapie to emphasize the animosity between them as a way to promote the league. With equivalent financial backing, PSG and OM became the main contenders for the title. Both teams were less successful in the late 1990s and 2000s, but the rivalry remained strong. Since the 2010s, PSG have dominated the duel, and the significant investment from their Qatari owners has created a significant rift between the clubs.

Paris derby

Main article: Paris derby

Paris Saint-Germain also have a rivalry with fellow Parisian side Paris FC. Paris FC competed in Ligue 2 from 1973 to 1977 and finally achieved promotion to Ligue 1 in the 1977–78 season. The first Paris Derby took place in 1978–79. This match was held on 18 August 1978, at Paris Saint-Germain's Parc des Princes, and ended in a 2–2 draw. The return fixture was played on 17 December 1978 at Paris FC's home ground, Stade Déjerine, and finished in a 1–1 draw. By the end of that season, Paris FC were relegated back to Ligue 2.

In the 2024–25 Ligue 2 season, Paris FC won promotion to Ligue 1 after 46 years, marking the return of the Paris derby. With Paris FC's move to the Stade Jean-Bouin, the Paris Derby became the closest distance derby in the world (excluding clubs that share the same stadium), with the Stade Jean-Bouin and the Parc des Princes only being 0.12 miles (193m) apart; this record was previously held by FC Copenhagen and Boldklubben af 1893, whose grounds were separated by 0.13 miles (209m).

Ownership and finances

Main article: Paris Saint-Germain FC ownership and finances

Paris Saint-Germain were initially fan-owned and had 20,000 members. The club was run by board members Guy Crescent, Pierre-Étienne Guyot and Henri Patrelle. A group of wealthy French businessmen, led by Daniel Hechter and Francis Borelli, would then buy the club in 1973. PSG changed hands in 1991, when Canal+ took over, and then again in 2006, with the arrival of Colony Capital. Qatar Sports Investments (QSI) have been the majority owners of PSG since 2011, currently holding 87.5% of the shares. Arctos Partners owns the remaining 12.5%.

Backed by the Qatari government, QSI acquired a majority stake in 2011 and then became the Parisian outfit's sole owner in 2012. PSG are therefore a state-owned club, which makes them one of the wealthiest teams in the world. In 2023, Arctos Partners acquired a minority stake in the Qatar-funded French team. QSI chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi has been PSG president since the takeover. However, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, has the final word on every major decision of the club. He is both the chairman of the QIA and the founder of QSI.

Upon its arrival, QSI pledged to form a team capable of winning the UEFA Champions League. PSG have spent billions on player transfers since the summer of 2011.{{cite news | access-date = 19 September 2025}} These massive expenditures have translated in PSG's domination of French football but have also caused problems with UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations.

In January 2026, PSG ranked fourth in the footballing world by revenue, with annual earnings of €837 million according to Deloitte, and were valued as the seventh-most valuable football club globally at $4.6 billion by Forbes.{{cite news | access-date = 26 January 2026}} This financial growth has been driven by sustained investment from the club's Qatari owners, continued on-pitch success, the recruitment of high-profile players,{{cite news | access-date = 26 January 2026}} Meanwhile, PSG's handball team has operated with a budget exceeding €17 million, the largest in European handball.{{cite news

Honours

|- |}

• shared record

Players

Main article: List of Paris Saint-Germain FC players, List of Paris Saint-Germain FC players (25–99 appearances), List of Paris Saint-Germain FC players (1–24 appearances)

Current squad

| access-date = 19 September 2025}}

Out on loan

| access-date = 30 January 2026}} | access-date = 31 January 2026}} | access-date = 30 January 2026}} | access-date = 30 January 2026}} | access-date = 30 January 2026}}

Personnel

Management

Technical staff

References

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