Jean-Michel Aulas Launches Mayoral Campaign for Lyon 2026

Jean-Michel Aulas, the former president of Olympique Lyonnais, has officially declared his candidacy for the mayoral election in Lyon, scheduled for March 2026. His debut campaign meeting took place on September 26, 2025, drawing a crowd of approximately 1,000 attendees, with another 400 outside, showcasing significant initial public interest. Aulas, 76, indicated that he aims to challenge the current ecologist leadership of Grégory Doucet, emphasizing his commitment to representing the citizens of Lyon.

During his address, Aulas referenced the historic victory of Olympique Lyonnais against Real Madrid in 2005, suggesting that such moments of success could inspire Lyonnais to believe anything is possible under his leadership. Although Aulas is more accustomed to boardrooms than political assemblies, he managed to engage the audience effectively, delivering a 40-minute speech that left a strong first impression, despite admitting to being somewhat uneasy with the public speaking format.

Aulas, who has had a long-standing influence in the sporting arena, hopes to harness his fame and connections to build a movement capable of taking on the current administration. This year's municipal elections could potentially pivot Lyon’s political landscape, as Aulas represents a shift towards a candidate perceived as part of the civil society, striving to bring change to local governance.