In short: yes, Ligue 1 does have a winter break. Every season in France’s top flight includes a pause over the December–January period. This break allows players, staff, and clubs to rest over the festive season, regroup during the transfer window, and prepare for the second half of the campaign. In this article, CanLinkCup will walk you through how long the break lasts, when it takes place, reasons behind it, and how it compares to other leagues.
What exactly is the winter break in Ligue 1
Ligue 1’s winter break is a scheduled cessation of league matches over the Christmas and New Year period. Clubs generally stop playing after mid-December and resume in early January. The exact number of matchdays played before and after can vary depending on the season calendar and any external disruptions, but the concept remains constant.
When does the winter break happen
Here are some recent and upcoming dates so you can see the pattern:
- For the 2024-25 season, the break began after Matchday 15 in the weekend of 14 December 2024, and play resumed for Matchday 16 in the weekend of 4 January 2025.
- Looking ahead to 2025-26, Matchday 16 will be played on the weekend of 14 December 2025, and Ligue 1 will pick back up with Matchday 17 on the weekend of 4 January 2026.
So typically, Ligue 1’s winter break lasts about three weeks. Sometimes a bit less or a bit more, depending on calendar alignment and international breaks.
Why Ligue 1 has this winter break
There are several key reasons for the break:
- Player rest & recovery: The calendar is packed with league matches, domestic cups, and sometimes European fixtures. A winter break gives players time to recover physically and mentally.
- Holiday period: Christmas and New Year is a major holiday season in France. It makes sense to give space during these dates for families, travel, and local traditions.
- Transfer window & administrative reset: January is a key time for transfers. During the pause, teams can evaluate their performance so far and make squad changes. Also, scheduling, ticketing, and logistics reset more easily during a break.
- Weather & logistics: Some fixtures are harder to manage in cold or snowy conditions. Having a break during the coldest part of the year reduces risks related to travel, pitch conditions, etc.
Comparison with other European leagues
How does Ligue 1’s winter break compare to what’s done elsewhere?
- Bundesliga (Germany) tends to have a longer winter break — often around 4 weeks.
- La Liga (Spain) has more limited breaks, often centered around Christmas/New Year but shorter or partial. ky Sports)
- Premier League (England) does not have a formal winter break in the same sense. Matches often happen around Christmas and New Year (Boxing Day, New Year’s Day), though fixture congestion sometimes leads to lighter schedules.
So, Ligue 1 sits somewhere in the middle: a clearly defined winter break, but not as extended as some leagues.
Practical implications for teams and fans
Here are what both sides should expect:
- For clubs & players: The break is a chance to recover, assess first-half form, plan transfers, perhaps adjust tactics. Training continues but often in a lighter, less match-intensive way.
- For fans: Fewer matches around Christmas, but anticipation builds for the January return. Also, the break often overlaps with media stories about transfer rumours. Match tickets and travel plans need to account for the pause.
- For broadcasters / media: This is a slower period for league coverage; but non-league competitions or international fixtures often fill the void. Then, there’s buzz when Ligue 1 resumes.
Recent trends & changes
- The winter break has been stable in recent seasons: starting mid-December, resuming early January.
- The LFP (France’s league organizer) has made official announcements in advance about Matchday 16 being last before break, and Matchday 17 being the restart.
- Externally, international breaks sometimes overlap the winter break, and calendar pressures (European matches, transfer windows, other competitions) are always in play when deciding the exact dates.
How long is the current winter break
For the 2025-26 Ligue 1 season, the current winter break lasts from the end of Matchday 16 (weekend of 14 December 2025) until the start of Matchday 17 (weekend of 4 January 2026). That gives approximately three weeks off for the league.
Why fans care
- Helps with planning: knowing when children’s school holidays, travel, or weather may affect attendance.
- Affects player form: some players come back refreshed; others might lose momentum.
- Transfer rumours tend to peak during the break and early January — always dramatic.
Conclusion
Does Ligue 1 have a winter break? Absolutely — a consistent mid-December to early-January pause is built into every season. It gives players, clubs, and fans a much-needed breather, a chance to reset, and space for major moves in the transfer window. For the 2025-26 campaign, that break runs from around 14 December 2025 to 4 January 2026.
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