2020–21 Championnat National 3

The 2020–21 Championnat National 3 is the fourth season of the fifth tier in the French football league system in its current format. The competition is contested by 168 clubs split geographically across 12 groups of 14 teams. The teams include amateur clubs (although a few are semi-professional) and the reserve teams of professional clubs.

Championnat National 3

Season	2020–21
Dates	29 August 2020 – 5 June 2021
← 2019–20 2021–22 →

Teams

On 17 July 2020, the French Football Federation ratified the constitution of the competition, and published the groups as follows:[1]

• 120 teams that were not relegated or promoted from the 2019–20 Championnat National 3 groups.[lower-alpha 1]
• 11 teams relegated from 2019–20 Championnat National 2 after any reprieves.
• 1 team reprieved from relegation from 2019–20 Championnat National 3 groups.
• 36 teams promoted from Régional 1 leagues (as shown in the table below).

Teams promoted to Championnat National 3

Region	Team	Method of qualification
Nouvelle-Aquitaine[3]	Neuville	R1A champions
	Libourne	R1B champions
	Tartas	R1C champions
Pays de la Loire[4]	Poiré-sur-Vie	R1A champions
	Sautron	R1A runners up
	Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu	R2A champions
Centre-Val de Loire[5]	Déols	R1 runners up[lower-alpha 2]
	Amilly	R1 third
	Saint-Jean-le-Blanc	R1 fourth
Méditerranée-Corsica[6]	Corte	R1 Corsica champions
	Cannet-Rocheville	R1 Méditerranée champions
	Rousset	R1 Méditerranée runners up
Bourgogne-Franche-Comté[7]	Saint-Apollinaire	R1A champions
	Grandvillars	R1B runners up[lower-alpha 3]
	Paron	R1A runners up
Grand Est[8]	Épernay	R1A champions
	Nancy (res)	R1B champions
	Colmar	R1C champions
Occitanie[9]	Castanet	R1A runners up[lower-alpha 4]
	Narbonne	R1B champions
	Alberes Argelès	R1C champions
Hauts-de-France[10]	Wasquehal	R1A champions
	Chantilly	R1B champions
	Saint-Omer	R1B runners up (best runner up on PPG)
Normandy[11]	Bayeux	R1A runners up[lower-alpha 5]
	Romilly	R1B runners up[lower-alpha 6]
	Dives-Cabourg	R1A third[lower-alpha 7]
Brittany[13]	Milizac	R1A champions
	Guipry Messac	R1B champions
	Saint-Brieuc (res)	R1B runners up (best runner up on PPG)
Paris Île-de-France[14]	Meaux Academy	R1A champions
	Linas-Monthéry	R1B champions
	Brétigny	R1B runners up
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes[15]	Moulins	R1A champions
	Thonon Évian	R1B champions
	Velay	R1A runners up

1. There is an outstanding appeal by Hauts Lyonnais regarding the outcome of the 2019–20 season. The club may be promoted to Championnat National 2 instead of, or as well as, Rumilly-Vallières. The latter would lead to the reprieve of Thiers in Group M.[2]
2. R1 champions Blois (res) ineligible, due to the first team being in Championnat National 2
3. R1B champions Pontarlier (res) ineligible, due to the first team being in Championnat National 3
4. R1A champions Colomiers (res) ineligible, due to the first team being in Championnat National 2
5. R1A champions Granville (res) ineligible, due to the first team being in Championnat National 2
6. R1B champions Rouen (res) ineligible, due to the first team being in Championnat National 2
7. Mesnil-Esnard-Franqueville were best third placed team on PPG, but lost an appeal after the Ligue de Football de Normandie controversially promoted Dives-Cabourg.[12]

On 27 July 2020, the Appeals committee of the DNCG confirmed that Athlético Marseille would be allowed to play in Championnat National 2, thus temporarily leaving a vacant place in Group D.[16] Three days later, the disciplinary committee of the FFF announced that they were demoting the club back to National 3, due to the production of fraudulent documentation at the end of the 2018–19 season.[17]

Promotion and relegation

If eligible, the top team in each group is promoted to Championnat National 2. If a team finishing top of the group is ineligible, or declines promotion, the next eligible team in that group is promoted.

Generally, three teams are relegated from each group to their respective top regional league, subject to reprieves. Extra teams are relegated from a group if more than one team is relegated to that group from Championnat National 2. In the case that no teams are relegated to a group from Championnat National 2, one less team is relegated from that group to the regional league.[18]

Reserve teams whose training centres are categorised as category 2B or lower cannot be promoted to Championnat National 2 by the rules of the competition.

League tables

Group A: Nouvelle-Aquitaine

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion or relegation
1	Anglet	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Promotion to National 2
2	Bayonne	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Bordeaux (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Stade Bordelais	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Bressuire	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
6	Châtellerault	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	Chauvigny	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	Cognac	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
9	Lège Cap Ferret	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
10	Libourne	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
11	Neuville	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
12	Niort (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Relegation to Regional 1
13	Poitiers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
14	Tartas	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

First match(es) will be played on 29 August 2020. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw

Group B: Pays de la Loire

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion or relegation
1	Challans	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Promotion to National 2
2	Changé	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Fontenay	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	La Châtaigneraie	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	La Roche	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
6	Laval (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	Le Mans (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
9	Poiré-sur-Vie	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
10	Pouzauges	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
11	Sablé	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
12	Saumur	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Relegation to Regional 1
13	Sautron	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
14	Vertou	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

First match(es) will be played on 29 August 2020. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw

Group C: Centre-Val de Loire

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion or relegation
1	Amilly	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Promotion to National 2
2	Avoine Chinon	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Chartres (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Châteauneuf-sur-Loire	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Châteauroux (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
6	Déols	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	Montargis	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	Montlouis-sur-Loire	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
9	Orléans (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
10	Ouest Tourangeau	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
11	Saint-Jean-le-Blanc	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
12	Saran	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Relegation to Regional 1
13	Tours	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
14	Vierzon	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

First match(es) will be played on 29 August 2020. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw

Group D: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur-Corsica

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion or relegation
1	AC Ajaccio (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Promotion to National 2
2	Athlético Marseille	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Cannes	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Cannet-Rocheville	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Corte	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
6	Côte Bleue	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	Endoume Marseille	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	Furiani-Agliani	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
9	Istres	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
10	Lucciana	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
11	Mandelieu	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
12	Nice (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Relegation to Regional 1
13	Rousset	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
14	Saint-Jean Beaulieu	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

First match(es) will be played on 29 August 2020. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw

Group E: Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion or relegation
1	Besançon Football	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Promotion to National 2
2	Racing Besançon	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Dijon (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Grandvillars	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Gueugnon	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
6	Is-Selongey	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	Jura Dolois	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	Morteau-Montlebon	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
9	Montceau	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
10	Paron	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
11	Pontarlier	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
12	Saint-Apollinaire	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Relegation to Regional 1
13	Sochaux (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
14	Valdahon-Vercel	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

First match(es) will be played on 29 August 2020. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw

Group F: Grand Est

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion or relegation
1	Amnéville	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Promotion to National 2
2	Biesheim	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Colmar	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Épernay	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Illkirch-Graffenstaden	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
6	Mulhouse	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	Nancy (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	Prix-lès-Mézières	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
9	Raon-l'Étape	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
10	St-Louis Neuweg	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
11	Sarre-Union	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
12	RC Strasbourg (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Relegation to Regional 1
13	Thaon	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
14	ESTAC Troyes (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

First match(es) will be played on 29 August 2020. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw

Group H: Occitanie

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion or relegation
1	Agde	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Promotion to National 2
2	Alberes Argelès	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Alès	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Balma	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Stade Beaucairois	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
6	Blagnac	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	Castanet	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	Fabrègues	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
9	Montpellier (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
10	Muret	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
11	Narbonne	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
12	Nîmes (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Relegation to Regional 1
13	Rodez (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
14	Toulouse (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

First match(es) will be played on 29 August 2020. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw

Group I: Hauts-de-France

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion or relegation
1	Amiens AC	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Promotion to National 2
2	Amiens SC (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Boulogne (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Chantilly	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Croix	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
6	Feignies Aulnoye	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	Lille (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	Olympique Marcquois	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
9	Maubeuge	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
10	Saint-Omer	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
11	Le Touquet	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
12	Valenciennes (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Relegation to Regional 1
13	Vimy	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
14	Wasquehal	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

First match(es) will be played on 29 August 2020. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw

Group J: Normandy

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion or relegation
1	Alençon	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Promotion to National 2
2	Avranches (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	AG Caen	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Bayeux	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Cherbourg	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
6	Dieppe	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	Dives-Cabourg	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	Évreux	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
9	Le Havre (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
10	Oissel	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
11	Quevilly-Rouen (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
12	Romilly	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Relegation to Regional 1
13	Saint-Lô	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
14	Vire	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

First match(es) will be played on 29 August 2020. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw

Group K: Brittany

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion or relegation
1	Brest (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Promotion to National 2
2	Saint-Brieuc (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Dinan-Léhon	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Fougères	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Guipry Messac	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
6	Lannion	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	Plouzané	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	Pontivy	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
9	Stade Pontivyen	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
10	Rennes (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
11	Saint-Colomban Locminé	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
12	Milizac	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Relegation to Regional 1
13	TA Rennes	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
14	Vitré	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

First match(es) will be played on 29 August 2020. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw

Group L: Île-de-France

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion or relegation
1	Aubervilliers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Promotion to National 2
2	Blanc-Mesnil	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Brétigny	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Racing Colombes	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Créteil (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
6	Drancy	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	Ivry	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	Les Mureaux	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
9	Linas-Monthéry	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
10	Mantes	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
11	Meaux Academy	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
12	Paris FC (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Relegation to Regional 1
13	Paris Saint-Germain (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
14	Les Ulis	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

First match(es) will be played on 29 August 2020. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw

Group M: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes

Pos	Team	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Promotion or relegation
1	Aurillac	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Promotion to National 2
2	Ain Sud	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
3	Bourgoin-Jallieu	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	Chambéry	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
5	Clermont (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
6	Hauts Lyonnais or Thiers[lower-alpha 1]	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
7	Limonest	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	Sporting Club Lyon (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
9	Montluçon	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
10	Moulins	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
11	Saint-Étienne (res)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
12	Thonon Évian	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	Relegation to Regional 1
13	Vaulx-en-Velin	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
14	Velay	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

First match(es) will be played on 29 August 2020. Source:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head-to-head results; 3) head-to-head goal difference; 4) goal difference; 5) number of goals scored; 6) fair play points; 7) draw
Notes:

1. see note in #Teams section

References

1. "National 3 : les groupes pour la saison 2020-2021 dévoilés" (in French). foot-national.com. 17 July 2020.
2. "Hauts Lyonnais Promuen National 2 cet Après-Midi?" (in French). actufoot.com. 17 July 2020.
3. "Classements 2019/2020 - Sommarie" (PDF) (in French). Ligue de Football de Nouvelle-Aquitaine. 27 April 2020.
4. "Châteaubriant en National 2, Le Poiré, Sautron et Saint-Philbert en National 3" (in French). footamateur.fr. 5 May 2020.
5. "Commission Régional Sportive et des Calendriers, Réunion du 2 Juin 2020" (PDF) (in French). Ligue Centre-Val de Loire de Football. 2 June 2020.
6. "Commisssion Féderale des Pratiques Seniors, Section Masculine, Réunion du 12 Mai 2020" (PDF) (in French). FFF.fr. 12 May 2020.
7. "Commission Sportive, Réunion du 2 July 2020" (PDF) (in French). Ligue de Football Bourgogne-Franche-Comté. 2 July 2020.
8. "Classements Saison 2019-2020" (PDF) (in French). Ligue du Grand Est de Football. 16 May 2020.
9. "Seniors" (PDF) (in French). Ligue de Football d'Occitanie. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
10. "Saison 2019-2020 Classements N3-R1-R2-R3" (PDF) (in French). Ligue de Football des Hauts-de-France. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
11. "La Ligue de Normandie officialise ses classements… sans surprise" (in French). footamateur.fr. 16 May 2020.
12. "Le TA rejette la demande de l'US Mesnil-Esnard Franqueville" (in French). footamateur.fr. 19 July 2020.
13. "Football. Le Stade briochin (B) accède au National 3, l'US Montagnarde reste en Régional 1" (in French). Ouest France. 12 May 2020.
14. "Championnat Seniors Classement 2019/2020" (PDF) (in French). Ligue de Paris Île-de-France. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
15. "Annexe au communiqué Bureau Plénier de la LAuRAFoot du 04/05/2020" (PDF) (in French). Ligue Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes de Football. 4 May 2020.
16. "L'Athlético Marseille est intégré en National 2" (in French). footamateur.fr. 27 July 2020.
17. "L'Athlético Marseille de nouveau rétrogradé en National 3" (in French). footamateur.fr. 30 July 2020.
18. "Réglément du Championnat de National 3 2020-2021" (PDF) (in French). FFF.fr. Retrieved 20 July 2020.