Mayors and Federations Issue Urgent Appeal Over Missing Decree
Local elected officials and sports organizations in France have called on the government to publish the rules for the upcoming Pass’Sport program without delay. The annual decree outlining the operational details for the youth sports subsidy, typically released in July, remains unpublished ahead of the school year.
Around 300 signatories, including mayors, territorial elected officials, and sports organization representatives from bodies such as Ville & Banlieue, the CNOSF, and the French Judo Federation, signed a public appeal published on Friday in Le Monde to press the Ministry of Sports for immediate clarification. The delay has created uncertainty for families, clubs, and municipalities trying to prepare sports registrations.
Clubs Face Registration Paralysis as Term Approaches
Sports clubs across the country rely on the Pass’Sport initiative to help families cover membership costs. With the new school term approaching, the lack of an official decree leaves local organizations unable to quote exact prices or set registration campaigns.
The collective of municipal leaders and sports groups warned that the silence from the ministry threatens to disrupt youth sports access. The Caisse nationale des allocations familiales is reportedly lined up to manage the rollout, but local stakeholders report a complete absence of guidance on timelines and tools.
Finance Bill Restores Pass'Sport Access for Children
The program has undergone several modifications since its launch in France in 2021. For the 2025-2026 season, it had been announced that the Pass’Sport would be restricted exclusively to young people aged 14 to 17 who receive the allocation de rentrée scolaire (ARS); young people with disabilities up to age 30, covering ages 6 to 19 for the AEEH and ages 16 to 30 for the AAH; and scholarship-holding students and recipients of an annual Crous grant under the age of 28.
Following advocacy from local groups, an amendment to the 2026 finance bill restored Pass’Sport access for children aged 6 to 13. However, the operational framework for this restored bracket remains undefined in official texts.
Ministry Prepares Revised Format Amid Local Pressure
Marina Ferrari, the minister of Sports, Youth and Associative Life, stated that the Pass’Sport will return for the start of the school year in a revised format. The ministry is currently finalizing the operational procedures with partner organizations to ensure an effective rollout.
Local authorities now await the publication of the official decree in the Journal officiel to confirm the exact implementation timeline, eligible age groups, and administrative procedures for clubs and families.
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