Caen – Vichy kicks off an increasingly competitive ELITE 2 season
The curtain rises tonight at the Palais des Sports in Caen. In front of an expected large crowd, Caen BC faces JA Vichy for the first tip-off of Elite 2. The Normandy team, now openly aiming for the top spots with a budget of around 4 million euros, wants to make a strong statement from the start. But this matchup is just a preview of what promises to be a particularly competitive season.
𝕦𝕣 𝕕𝕖 𝔻𝔹𝔼 🤩
It’s here! First game of the season this Thursday night!
🎟️ Only a few tickets left 📷
🌋 Arena opens at 6:30 PM
⌚️ Tip-off at 8 PM
📺 Live on https://t.co/BJVOHNs5PcGo CBC 💪#CBCFamily pic.twitter.com/Te29gaJkJu
— Caen Basket Calvados (@CaenBC14) September 18, 2025
Fierce Competition
The division has reached a new level. As Julien Monclar, Blois’ general manager, points out in La Nouvelle République: « Today, we’re the best second division in Europe… in terms of national leagues, Elite 2 is close to the top 10. » The numbers prove it: in five years, the average budget has increased by nearly 80%. Élan Béarnais (5.7M€), Orleans and Roanne lead the pack, but clubs like Blois, Caen or SCABB are also well-equipped. La Rochelle, recently relegated, or Antibes could also play spoiler roles.
At the Palais tonight, Caen will showcase a largely revamped team, with recruits Siyani Chambers at point guard, Sofiane Briki at shooting guard and captain Clément Cavallo. « We’ve recruited experienced players who know how to win, » says coach Stéphane Eberlin in Ouest-France. Facing them, a JAV forced to reinvent itself after losing key players like Lucas Dufeal and Assémian Moularé. « Dounia (Issa) has built a young roster with the idea of significantly improving the team throughout the year, » explained president Guillaume Sereaud in La Montagne.
First game of the season tonight 🔥
Caen vs Vichy, available for free on LNB TV 🍿
See you at 8 PM! #Élite2 pic.twitter.com/hty1unMeSR
— ÉLITE 2 (@ELITE2_officiel) September 18, 2025
Elite 2’s appeal continues to grow. Last season, average attendance reached 2,785 spectators (76% capacity), with CBC leading (4,216, 100%). All games will again be broadcast free on LNB TV, with some matches on France 3’s regional channels.
The calendar remains unchanged: 20 clubs, 38 game days, first place directly promoted to Betclic Elite, last two relegated to Nationale 1. Promotion playoffs will include teams ranked 2nd through 6th plus the 15th from the elite division. A play-in will offer two additional spots (7th to 10th). The Leaders Cup will involve the top 4 at mid-season, with the final scheduled for February 22 in Poitiers.
Western clubs aim to shake up the hierarchy
Projects are flourishing everywhere: Nantes focuses on youth to revitalize its momentum; Quimper is scaling up with its new 3,500-seat arena, an immediate economic boost; Élan Béarnais Pau-Lacq-Orthez aims to level up under Mickaël Hay; limited by its arena, La Rochelle returns to a more suitable division, targeting the play-in.
Season highlights:
Kickoff this Thursday, September 18: Caen – Vichy (8 PM).
20 clubs, 38 game days: 1st promoted, 19th-20th relegated.
Promotion playoffs for places 2-6 + 15th from Betclic plus two teams qualified via play-in (7th-10th).
Leaders Cup: final on February 22 in Poitiers.
All games broadcast free on LNB TV.
20 clubs, one goal: write a new chapter in French basketball history 🇫🇷
Who do you see going up this year? 👀#Élite2 #Basketball pic.twitter.com/bdPswKoMSR— ÉLITE 2 (@ELITE2_officiel) September 17, 2025
Commentaires