By finishing third in the 2025–2026 regular-season standings, Paris Saint-Germain qualified for the second edition of the Arkema Première Ligue play-offs. Last season, Paulo César's players also faced Paris FC at the semi-final stage and provided excellent entertainment value for the Parc des Princes crowd in the process, dominating their rivals to earn a 3-0 victory, with Romée Leuchter and Sakina Karchaoui putting in standout performances despite the pouring rain in the French capital.
The clashes between the women’s teams of Paris Saint-Germain and Paris FC have been thrilling from start to finish across all competitions this season, and tomorrow, Les Rouge et Bleue will be contesting their fifth derby of the campaign against their very close neighbours. In addition to their two meetings during the 2025–2026 Arkema Première Ligue regular season, Paulo César’s players have also faced off against Sandrine Soubeyrand’s side in the Coupe de France Féminine and in the inaugural edition of the Coupe LFFP.
So far, these derbies have largely gone in favour of Sakina Karchaoui and her teammates. Although the two sides drew in the league the first time around, Merveille Kanjinga and Romée Leuchter led the way a few months later at the Stade Charléty to secure a flawless 3-0 victory. Then, less than a week later, it was at home that Leuchter and Kanjinga as well as Rasheedat Ajibade put on a show in the Coupe LFFP semi-final, securing Paris Saint-Germain’s place in the competition's final in Abidjan. Finally, just last month, at the same stage of the Coupe de France Féminine, Les Parisiennes earned a come-from-behind 2-1 win to set up yet another cup-final appearance. So, tomorrow, it's a third semi-final against PFC that awaits Les Rouge et Bleue, who will be looking to keep this fine run going.
Exceptionally, this Arkema Première Ligue play-off semi-final will not be held at the Stade Charléty but instead at the Stade Jean Bouin. Just a few metres from the Parc des Princes and on the eve of Luis Enrique’s men’s final league match of the season, Les Rouge et Bleue will be aiming to secure their place in the play-off final, which will take place on Friday 29th May against the winner of the other semi-final, which is between OL Lyonnes and FC Nantes.
Our women are no strangers to the Stade Jean Bouin, either, as this is where they used to play their UEFA Women's Champions League matches before moving to PSG Campus. With their last match at the ground in the city's 16th arrondissement dating back to November 2023, Les Parisiennes are now set to return there, this time as the away side!
