Before each major event, PSG fans can look in the rear-view mirror and contemplate the club’s 55-year history. From the early days to the heights of Europe, here’s Paris Saint-Germain in ten key dates.
August 12, 1970 – Club founded
Paris Saint-Germain Football Club is officially founded following the merger of Stade Saint-Germain (Saint-Germain-en-Laye) and a club project in Paris. This was the birth of the professional club we know today.
June 4, 1974 – Ascension to the top flight
In 1974, as PSG competed for promotion to Division 1, Valenciennes were beaten 2-1 in the first leg. On the return leg, in front of 19,500 fans at the Parc des Princes, the Rouge et Bleu put on a show, winning 4-2 to secure their ticket to the top flight. They will remain there until today.
May 15 1982 – The first major title
Having reached the final of the 1982 French Cup, PSG set their sights on the title against Platini‘s Saint-Étienne. Trailing 2-1 in extra time, PSG managed to equalize in the last minute through Dominique Rocheteau. The pitch was then invaded and Francis Borelli kissed the Parc’s turf. Once calm had returned, Paris won on penalties to claim their first major title.
1986 – The first French championship
16 years after its creation, PSG clinched its first French championship thanks to a season led by legends Joël Bats, Luis Fernandez and Safet Susic, with Gérard Houllier on the bench.
March 18, 1993 – “Golden helmet
Still regarded to this day by many fans as the greatest European match in PSG’s history, this quarter-final second leg against Real Madrid is forever etched in the memory. After a 3-1 defeat in the first leg, Paris turned the tables in the return and went into extra time. In the 96th minute, Antoine Kombouaré’s mythical header sealed qualification for the Red and Blue, earning him the nickname “Golden Helmet”.
May 8, 1996 – First European title
After a fine run of victories over Celtic, Parma and La Coruna, PSG, coached by Luis Fernandez, reached the final of the Cup Winners’ Cup. On their way to the title are surprise package Rapid Vienna. The hero of the evening was Bruno N’Gotty, who scored the only goal of the match with a cannonball into the net. PSG will lift their first European title after this match.
May 17 2008 – The saviour Amara Diané
In the epilogue to one of the worst seasons in their history, PSG are still in danger of relegation when they take on Sochaux at the Stade Bonal. In a tense match, a 1-1 draw put the capital club in serious jeopardy. But Amara Diané, already on target, scored the 1-2 goal with a (very) slow ball in the 83rd minute. With PSG’s hopes intact, the whole of Paris can take a breather.
June 30, 2011 – A new era for PSG
In the summer of 2011, Qatari investment fund QSI buys a 70% stake in the club. As a result, Paris Saint-Germain made a number of notable arrivals and set itself a gargantuan new ambition: to “dream bigger” and go for the Champions League.
August 23, 2020 – First Champions League final
9 years after the arrival of the Qataris and numerous disappointments in Europe’s greatest competition, PSG reach the Champions League final for the first time in their history in a special “Final 8” due to the Covid pandemic. Unfortunately, the Parisians fell at the final hurdle to Bayern and former red and blue Kingsley Coman.
May 31st 2025
After a slow start to the league phase (a new format), Luis Enrique’s PSG finally triumphed against some of Europe’s greats, reaching yet another Champions League final. This time, it will be Inter who will assume the role of last line of defence between the Parisians and the ultimate goal. On May 31, 2025, Paris has the opportunity to write the most beautiful page in its history.
Honorable mentions:
1972 – Divorce with PFC, the club officially becomes Paris Saint-Germain
1991 – Canal + buys the club
2010 – Leproux plan and dissolution of Ultras groups
August 4, 2017 – Signing of Neymar Jr and most expensive transfer in soccer history