Snow Disruptions and Key Sporting Events Shape January 2026 Sports in France

January 2026 presents a packed sports calendar across France, with significant attention on football and multi-sport events amid challenging weather conditions. The Coupe de France Round of 16 matches scheduled from January 10 to 13 face disruptions due to unexpected snowfall in Paris and northern France, where 38 departments are under orange alert. Iconic venues including Parc des Princes and Stade de France are blanketed in snow, complicating play as footballers prefer avoiding harsh cold environments. Notably impacted matches include Sochaux-Lens, Metz-Montpellier, and Lille-Lyon. Weather forecasts predict further snow on Wednesday, with rain expected to replace snow in eastern regions by Saturday afternoon, while northeastern areas remain at risk through Sunday.

Despite these conditions, the first weeks of January are dense with major sports events. The Trophée des Champions will feature a high-profile clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille on January 8. The biathlon world cup resumes after its winter break, broadcasting on L'Équipe and Eurosport from January 8 to 25. The Futsal Euro 2026 tournament runs January 21 to February 7, preceded by France’s preparatory match against Belgium on January 15. The Rallye Dakar continues until January 17 and attracts significant coverage. Other scheduled events across basketball, rugby, badminton, table tennis, and Formula E, including the Supercoupe d'Espagne semi-finals and final, highlight France’s diverse sporting engagement.

These developments underscore the dual challenge French sports face: maintaining rich sporting traditions and schedules even as unpredictable winter weather threatens to disrupt marquee football fixtures and other competitions.