The French Liqui Moly Starligue is on the brink of a historic format change, with playoffs set to determine the league champion from the 2026–27 season.
After more than four decades of crowning the title via regular season standings, the top flight is moving toward a semifinal and final structure to boost excitement and competitive drama, this according to L’Equipe.
The Ligue Nationale de Handball (LNH) has reached a consensus to introduce playoffs for the 2026–27 Liqui Moly Starligue season, marking a significant departure from the traditional single-table format in place since 1984.
Under the plan, the top four teams from the regular season would advance to a playoff bracket featuring two-legged semifinals and a one-off final at a major arena, such as Accor Arena in Paris or similar venues.
Format common in other French sport leagues
This potential overhaul reflects a broader effort to inject late-season suspense into France’s premier men’s handball competition and to elevate its media appeal – a format already common in other French professional leagues like rugby, basketball and volleyball.
Clubs had been hesitant, but many ultimately supported the move as a way to renew interest and create high-stakes matches beyond the traditional league round robin.
As currently envisioned, only four clubs will contest the postseason, keeping the structure compact while preserving the importance of regular-season performance. Discussions continue around details such as scheduling and qualification, with a formal vote expected by the LNH’s governing bodies.
Source. L’Equipe