The Official Journal publishes the Act No. 2026-725 of 3 August 2026 on the organisation, management and funding of professional sport. This landmark legislation brings about far-reaching reforms to the legal framework governing professional sport in France. Here are the key measures to note.
Governance and integrity of officials – The Act introduces disqualifications from office for officials of professional federations and leagues convicted of certain offences, subject to annual monitoring. Remuneration for federation officials is capped, and candidates standing for federation elections are prohibited from receiving any foreign funding.
Women’s sport – Equality between men’s and women’s sport becomes a legal obligation: mandatory financial solidarity, the possibility of establishing leagues or commercial organisations dedicated to women’s sport, and increased visibility of women’s sport in the media.
Reform of the status of sports agents – The ‘licence’ becomes a ‘professional card’. Sports agents are subject to compulsory continuing professional development (professional ethics, anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing, prevention of violence), a requirement for full transparency regarding their remuneration, and a commission cap set at 10 per cent. Criminal penalties are significantly increased, particularly in cases of practising as a sports agent illegally: up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine of 375,000 euros. Lawyers must resign from the bar if they wish to practise as sports agents.
The majority of the share capital of a sports agents’ company must be held by one or more individuals who hold the professional licence. The identities of shareholders, partners and directors, as well as any changes thereto, must be notified to the federation within one month of the law coming into force.
If an agent employs supervisors, their role is limited to administrative tasks and they are entitled to a percentage of the agent’s remuneration. A contract between the agent and the supervisor setting out this method of remuneration must be drawn up and may remain in force for a maximum period of three years from the date the agent signs a player contract, a transfer contract or a sponsorship contract.
An agent may not pay any sum to a commercial intermediary who has introduced a player or a manager to that agent, unless that commercial intermediary is themselves an agent (i.e. holds an agent’s professional card). In such a case, a commercial intermediation contract must be drawn up and signed.
Club oversight and protection of sporting integrity – Sporting integrity is enshrined in law as a fundamental principle. Transfers of shares in clubs are subject to enhanced scrutiny, with the possibility of rejection or suspension. Breaches of the rules on multiple ownership are now punishable by a fine of 2 per cent of global turnover, in addition to a ban from competition. The Court of Auditors may now audit sports federations, leagues and commercial sports organisations.
Anti-piracy – The system for dynamically blocking pirate websites in real time has been strengthened and given a legal framework. Criminal penalties now carry a maximum sentence of 7 years’ imprisonment and a fine of 750,000 euros in the case of organised crime.
Economic development – Organisers’ rights have been extended to include ticketing. A trial of virtual advertising will run from January 2027 to June 2028. Real-time sports data is protected against unauthorised use for betting purposes.
For further information, please contact:
Sam Durand, Bird & Bird
sam.durand@twobirds.com
