Ligue 1 (1st day 1st installment): Program and referees

Information and details of the first round

Ligue 1 returns this weekend with the first round of matches. After a summer of transfer activity, all 20 teams will be looking to start the season with a win.

The opening game

The opening game of the season will see promoted Clermont hosting Troyes on Friday night. Clermont finished second in Ligue 2 last season, while Troyes finished third.

Promoted teams

Other promoted teams include Toulouse, who will host Nice on Saturday evening. Auxerre, who finished fourth in Ligue 2, will travel to Lille for their first match back in the top flight.

Title contenders

Paris Saint-Germain will be looking to win a record-equaling 11th Ligue 1 title this season. The French champions have added the likes of Vitinha, Hugo Ekitike, and Nordi Mukiele to their squad this summer.

Marseille and Rennes

Marseille and Lyon are expected to be PSG's main challengers for the title. Marseille finished second last season, while Lyon finished third. Both teams have made some impressive signings this summer, and they will be looking to push PSG all the way.

Rennes finished fourth last season and will be looking to challenge for a place in the Champions League this time around. The club has signed the likes of Amine Gouiri and Arnaud Kalimuendo this summer, and they will be hoping to make a big impact in the new campaign.

The fixtures

• Friday, August 5
• Clermont vs Troyes (8pm)
• Saturday, August 6
• Toulouse vs Nice (7pm)
• Lens vs Brest (7pm)
• Montpellier vs Auxerre (7pm)
• Lille vs Auxerre (9pm)
• Sunday, August 7
• Paris Saint-Germain vs Clermont (7pm)
• Bordeaux vs Strasbourg (7pm)
• Angers vs Nantes (7pm)
• Marseille vs Reims (8:45pm)

The referees

• Friday, August 5
• Clermont vs Troyes: Benoît Bastien
• Saturday, August 6
• Toulouse vs Nice: Antony Gautier
• Lens vs Brest: Florent Batta
• Montpellier vs Auxerre: Romain Lissorgue
• Lille vs Auxerre: Jérôme Brisard
• Sunday, August 7
• Paris Saint-Germain vs Clermont: Clément Turpin
• Bordeaux vs Strasbourg: Hakim Ben El Hadj
• Angers vs Nantes: Mikael Lesage
• Marseille vs Reims: François Letexier

The first round of Ligue 1 matches is set to be an exciting one. With so many new faces and teams to watch, there is sure to be plenty of drama and excitement throughout the season.