Starting from the 2026-2027 season, the French Women’s Handball League is implementing a new competition format for the Butagaz Energy League, approved on Wednesday, April 15 by the FFHandball Executive Board.
Developed in consultation with all stakeholders in women’s handball, this new two-phase format – regular season and finals – aims to enhance the intensity, clarity, and competitiveness of the championship. The clear ambition is to offer a more engaging competition where every match counts until the end.
The championship will feature 12 clubs competing in a regular season of 22 matchdays. Following this initial phase, three distinct paths will be set up to maintain sporting stakes for all teams.
For the title, teams ranked from 1st to 4th place will advance to the final phase for the title of French Champion, with semi-finals and a final played in a two-leg format.
Teams placed from 5th to 8th will compete in a dedicated final phase to determine the 5th place, which signifies serious European ambitions.
Teams from 9th to 12th will participate in a final phase for relegation, with the losing team being relegated to Division 2.
In case of a tie during the finals, criteria such as goal difference, away goals, and penalty shootouts will be used to determine the winner.
Qualification rules for European competitions are also outlined, ensuring that teams are awarded placements in the EHF Champions League and EHF European League based on their performance and ranking.
With this new format, each team will have meaningful encounters throughout the season, from title races to survival battles, making every match crucial.
Nodjialem MYARO, President of the French Women’s Handball League, expressed the importance of this new format in creating a more engaging and competitive competition that elevates the level of women’s handball in France and aims to enhance the league’s European presence.
[*Approval received from the LFH Executive Committee and the LFH General Assembly.
**Working groups comprised of various handball organizations and entities.]
