On 12 August 1970 the Paris police prefecture approved the name of a new club: Paris Saint-Germain Football-Club. That is the official founding date of Paris Saint-Germain, which turns 57 on 12 August 2027. For such a young club, it has already gathered stories that others took a century to write.

A big club for the capital

The French Football Federation wanted a major club in Paris and gave the task to Paris FC, which had been partly funded by a public collection. In May 1970 Paris FC voted unanimously to merge with Stade Saint-Germain from neighbouring Saint-Germain-en-Laye.

Paris FC brought the money, while Saint-Germain brought its place in the second division, the Camp des Loges training centre and most of the players. Pierre-Étienne Guyot became the first president, and the club started out as a fan-owned association with about 18,000 members.

The 1972 split

The start was impressive, with the second-division title and promotion in the very first season. In 1972, however, the marriage broke down: the Council of Paris wanted the name changed to Paris FC, the members did not approve, and the two sides split.

Paris FC kept the professional team and the top-flight place, while Paris Saint-Germain started again in the third division with its amateur side. In 1974 it was back in the top flight, and since July that year its home has been the Parc des Princes.

Red and blue for Paris, white for Saint-Germain

The colours tell the story of the merger. Red and blue are the colours of Paris, while white refers to Saint-Germain-en-Laye and French royalty.

The club's most famous shirt is the work of fashion designer Daniel Hechter. Blue, with a broad red vertical band in the middle flanked by two white stripes, it first appeared in the 1973-74 season and became known as the "Hechter shirt".

Hechter also became club president in 1974, leading a group of investors. His spell ended badly in 1978, when the federation banned him from football administration over a ticketing affair at the Parc des Princes.

The Eiffel Tower and a royal cradle

The badge shows the Eiffel Tower in red on blue, together with a white fleur-de-lis. The 1972 version also featured the cradle of Louis XIV.

In the 2013 redesign the cradle and the "1970" date were removed, while the word "PARIS" became far more prominent.

From the first title to the top of Europe

The first major trophy was the 1982 Coupe de France, won on penalties against Saint-Étienne, and the first league title came in 1986 under Gérard Houllier. In 1996 the club won the Cup Winners' Cup.

Stars such as Safet Sušić, George Weah, Raí, Ronaldinho, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Neymar, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé have all played in Paris. Since 2011 the club has been majority-owned by Qatar Sports Investments.

The big moment came on 31 May 2025, with a 5-0 win over Inter in Munich and a first Champions League. A year later, on 30 May 2026 in Budapest, the club retained it by beating Arsenal on penalties, and in 2025-26 it also won a fifth straight Ligue 1 title.

Celebrate with us

Only 57 years old and already a two-time European champion: Paris Saint-Germain has proved that history is not measured in years alone. Happy birthday, Paris, on your 57 years!

See our Paris Saint-Germain jerseys at sportarena.gr.

Photo: The Parc des Princes during a Ligue 1 match – Kilyac, Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.