The Association nationale des supporters published a comprehensive national survey revealing that the average satisfaction rating for away match conditions in French football sits at 2.71 out of 4, driven down by intensive security protocols and deteriorating stadium infrastructure.
National Survey Details Away Match Satisfaction Ratings
Published on Thursday, the extensive investigation by the Association nationale des supporters (ANS) gathered 1,526 responses covering 298 away trips across Ligue 1, Ligue 2, National, and the Coupe de France. These trips represent the journeys of roughly 57,000 supporters during the 2025–2026 season. Among the respondents, 82 percent belong to an organized supporters group, meaning the dataset primarily captures the experiences of active, traveling fans.
Double Patdowns Penalize Visitor Experience
The survey isolates four main security-related factors that degrade the visitor experience: double patdowns, membership in a supporters group, travel restrictions imposed by administrative orders, and attending a Ligue 1 fixture. Double patdowns—conducted sequentially by private security stadiers and then by law enforcement officers—affect 37 percent of survey respondents and rank as the single most penalizing factor. The report outlines numerous accounts of intrusive body searches, particularly around intimate areas. Furthermore, 16 percent of female respondents reported a complete absence of female personnel to carry out physical patdowns.
Administrative Orders Restrict Fan Mobility
Administrative measures heavily restrict fan mobility across the country. The ANS documented 327 prefectural or ministerial travel restriction orders during the previous season, with 192 of those targeting Ligue 1 fixtures alone. Overall, 59 percent of the documented away trips faced such administrative orders, a figure that surges to 63 percent specifically within Ligue 1. Friction with authorities remains a persistent issue, as law enforcement personnel received lower ratings from supporters—averaging 2.62 out of 4—compared to club stadiers and personnel, who scored 2.92 out of 4. Nearly 21 percent of respondents described the behavior of law enforcement officers as very poor, while 19 percent rated their conduct as very correct.
Material Conditions and Infrastructure Deficiencies inside Visitor Enclosures
Stadium infrastructure within away sections (parcages visiteurs) fares poorly across multiple basic amenities. Fewer than half of the surveyed supporters reported access to a free water point at 45 percent, functional flushing toilets at 46 percent, or toilet paper at 41 percent. Soap was observed by only 28 percent of respondents. The investigation also found significant accessibility barriers for disabled supporters, structural challenges for families with young children, and frequent restrictions preventing fans from using restrooms or refreshment stands during and after matches. Meanwhile, Supporter Liaison Officers (SLOs)—officials tasked with easing relations between clubs and visiting fans—remained largely invisible, with only 32 percent of respondents noting their presence and availability before, during, and after fixtures.
Constructive Examples and Association Recommendations
Despite widespread shortcomings, the ANS emphasizes that high-quality hosting remains achievable even under strict security frameworks, highlighting clubs such as Amiens and Guingamp for positive away-supporter management. To address the reported deficiencies, the association recommends limiting double patdowns to genuinely justified situations, guaranteeing that female personnel conduct body searches for women, rationalizing administrative travel restrictions, and upgrading facilities inside visitor sectors. The organization also calls for the systematic, visible presence of SLOs, guaranteed free access to drinking water, fully equipped sanitary facilities, and protective barriers that preserve clear sightlines to the pitch.
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