Jean-Michel Aulas reports growth in French women's football

Jean-Michel Aulas, Vice-President of the FFF and former president of Olympique Lyonnais, has highlighted a significant shift in the dynamics of French women's football. Ahead of the Arkema Première Ligue season restart, Aulas noted substantial growth in the sport's professionalization.

Key indicators of this progress include a 40% increase in attendance between 2025 and 2026, with total attendance multiplying by 2.5 since the creation of the Ligue Féminine de Football Professionnel (LFFP). Financial metrics also show upward trends, with the median player salary rising by 30% over three years and median club budgets increasing by 25% in two years.

Efforts to professionalize the league include improving infrastructure, coaching, and team environments. Additionally, the implementation of VAR across all Arkema Première Ligue matches this season marks a step toward aligning the women's league with professional standards.