For several years, the Professional Football League (LFP) has organized the “Pitch Quality Championship” in Ligue 1. Paris Saint-Germain, often first in sporting results and pitch quality, only manages 4th place in this ranking for the quality of the pitch at their Parc des Princes. OGC Nice came out on top.
The ranking is based on evaluations from clubs, referees, and TV directors using five criteria:
- For clubs and the referee:
- Ball trajectory on the ground,
- Softness/Hardness of the pitch,
- Quality of footing (change of direction, acceleration, stopping, etc.),
- Quality of the turf (density, color, uniformity, etc.),
- Overall assessment of the playing area and its surroundings (assistant referee lanes, warm-up areas, markings, etc.).
- For the TV director:
- Color (quality of the green, uniformity, etc.)
- Pitch density (presence of damaged or patched areas, etc.)
- Mowing pattern (clearly defined transverse stripes, respecting the markings)
- Tackling performance (stability underfoot, presence of clumps)
- Overall assessment of the playing area and its surroundings (quality of the markings, technical areas, etc.)
The final standings for the 2025-2026 season:
We had become accustomed to seeing PSG in first place for a while, so it’s almost strange to see them in 4th. However, there are some positives to consider. Paris hasn’t really declined in quality; the pitch at the Parc des Princes is still beautiful. Even if the season’s overall performance could have been better, we can see that the average pitch in Ligue 1 has seen a significant increase in recent years.
Furthermore, the LFP specifies that the 2025-2026 season ends with the best average pitch quality for Ligue 1 since the league’s inception. This is excellent news for the level of Ligue 1, and we appreciate seeing the work of each club. It also demonstrates that it’s not just a matter of budget or region.
