The 5️⃣ favourites for promotion to Ligue 1 🔥

Ligue 2 officially returns this Saturday, August 8.

After a fiercely contested 2025-26 season, it is now time for the uncertainty of this new campaign.

Who will be promoted to Ligue 1 next season? Maybe we do have a gift for seeing the future after all…

Saint-Étienne

Saint-Étienne came within a whisker of promotion. Unfortunately, the playoffs went in favor of OGC Nice, who kept their place in Ligue 1.

📸 JEFF PACHOUD – AFP or licensors

Now, ASSE has only one thing on its mind: fighting back. This season, they will need to stay focused and avoid letting precious points slip away, as we saw in 2025-26. Everything has to be rebuilt, but with a stadium like Geoffroy-Guichard, how could they not raise their game?

After a very difficult season in Ligue 1, it is time for revenge. This year in Ligue 2 could well give Les Canaris the push they need to get back on track.

📸 FRED TANNEAU – AFP or licensors

There is no time to waste, so they need to get back to work very quickly. The arrivals of Lucas Perrin, Mathieu Cafaro, Wilitty Younoussa and Killian Corredor should give the club’s attack a real boost.

As a team freshly relegated to Ligue 2, Nantes is often listed among the favorites to return to Ligue 1 in 2026-27.

Montpellier HSC

Montpellier are preparing to begin their second straight season in Ligue 2. It took time to adapt, but now it is time to get serious.

MHSC has everything it needs to roar again; all it needs is a clear goal and a united squad. Will 2026-27 be the season that sees them shine again? We will find out very soon…

Stade de Reims

Reims finished 6th last season. It was a solid campaign, even if frustrating in some respects. Everything suggests that Stade de Reims will try to do better than in 2025-26. They will still need to be wary of the competition in this Ligue 2.

The club has put together a very nice transfer window in the hope of reaching the podium. Stade de Reims will clearly be one to watch in 2026-27.

📸 FRANCOIS NASCIMBENI – AFP or licensors

What would promotion predictions for Ligue 1 be without FC Metz? If they are not included, it is because they are in the predictions for relegation to Ligue 2.

The club has been bouncing between divisions for several seasons now, so it is impossible not to include them here. However, FC Metz rarely disappoints in Ligue 2. So it is easy to imagine a strong season for Les Grenats.