The 110th edition of the Coupe de France has officially reached its regional knockout phase, with regional leagues across France releasing their pairings and schedules for the second round. According to reports from regional organizers and tournament documentation, more than 7,000 clubs have entered this season’s competition, which for the first time incorporates teams across all three professional rungs of French football—Ligue 1 McDonald’s, Ligue 2 BKT, and Ligue 3 Betclic—into its overarching framework.
Pays de la Loire Regional Phase Opens with Vendée Fixtures
In the Pays de la Loire league, 48 clubs from the Vendée department entered the tournament draw for the second round. Action got underway on Saturday, August 29, 2026, though the opening day delivered early exits for higher-tier regional sides. Montaigu and Pays de Chantonnay, both competing in Régional 2, suffered elimination right out of the gate, according to regional tournament updates. The remainder of the Vendée fixtures—including 14 direct departmental duels—were scheduled for Sunday, August 30, with kickoffs set for 15:00 local time (CET).
Additional fixtures highlighted by regional league previews across Pays de la Loire included Saint-André-Goule-d’Oie (D3) facing FC Beaupréau-La Chapelle (R2), La Gaubretière-Saint-Martin (D3) meeting André-Jub-Jallais (R3), Angers HSA (D3) taking on Saint-Sylvain-d’Anjou (R2), and FC Pierre-Bleue Saffré (D3) clashing with Loireauxence Varades (R3).
National Calendar and Professional Entry Points
While regional districts manage the preliminary and early knockout rounds—with matches scheduled through the weekends of mid-to-late August—the broader national calendar dictates the entry points for professional clubs. Clubs from Ligue 2 enter the competition at the seventh round, scheduled for November 14, 2026. The eighth round follows on November 28, serving as the final hurdle before Ligue 1 clubs enter the bracket during the round of 32 on December 20, 2026.
The competition timeline progresses through January and February 2027:
- Round of 32: December 20, 2026 (Ligue 1 clubs enter)
- 8es de finale: February 3, 2027 (16 teams qualified)
- Quarts de finale: March 3, 2027
- Demi-finales: April 21, 2027
The showcase final is set for Saturday, May 15, 2027, at the Stade de France. beIN SPORTS holds the official broadcasting rights for the tournament, while RC Lens enters the 2026-2027 edition as the defending champion following a 3–1 victory over OGC Nice in the previous tournament final.
Regional Variations and Matchday Logistics
Across other French football leagues, scheduling varies to accommodate local entries. In the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, the LAuRAFoot league announced 267 separate fixtures. While those matches were programmed by default for Sunday, August 30, at 14:30 local time, clubs were permitted to request adjustments to dates, kickoff times, or venues. Similarly, district fixtures in regions such as the Gers featured staggered matchups spanning Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon.
Governing bodies and regional leagues have repeatedly emphasized that local match times and venues remain subject to change. Teams and supporters have been advised to consult official league and district portals ahead of matchdays to verify pitch availability and precise kickoff schedules.
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