Bordeaux sold for €1 — Park Bench buys club, team to restart in sixth tier
After bankruptcy and a symbolic €1 sale to Park Bench, Bordeaux will rebuild from the sixth level while a reported €18 million debt is assumed.
September 30, 2026 — Bordeaux, one of France's historic clubs, has been sold to a US investment fund and will restart competition from the sixth tier after declaring bankruptcy.
The club was transferred for a symbolic price of €1 to the American fund Park Bench, while the new owners assume responsibility for the club’s debts. The move ends the five-year tenure of owner G e9rard Lopez.
"This transaction (the sale) was concluded for a symbolic euro and the assumption of debts," Bordeaux said, describing the sale as "an important step for the club's future."
What changes with the new ownership
Officials have not released a detailed plan for immediate sporting or financial restructuring. According to reports, the club currently carries roughly €18 million in liabilities. The sale to Park Bench is presented as a way to stabilise the club's finances and enable a long-term rebuild.
Under the agreement, Bordeaux will drop into the sixth level of the French league system. That represents the lowest competitive tier the club has occupied since its professional era, and it will force a full sporting reset, from player contracts to youth development.
The transfer of control marks the end of G e9rard Lopez's period at the club. Supporters welcomed news of a takeover and the chance to preserve the club’s identity, though significant work remains before Bordeaux can climb back up the pyramid.
Photo: press material from the event
