The men’s softball D1 is going to undergo a change this year. The reform is based on a simple observation: the D1 2025 was dominated by two locomotives, Nice and Évry Courcouronnes, while the D2 offered a pool of competitive clubs in search of a more structured framework. The merger makes it possible to stabilize the championship, raise the general level and give real visibility to emerging clubs.
A season structured in three acts
The championship brings together eight teams, engaged in a three-phase process that punctuates the sports year. The first stage, called the qualifying phase or first regular season phase, divides the clubs into two pools of four. Each team plays six matches, organized over three days, with a demanding format: two games of seven innings per day. The matches are mainly played on Sunday at 11am and 1.30pm, with a strict interval of 45 minutes. However, flexibility is provided: clubs can request the Federal Sports Commission (CFS) to schedule a match on Saturday at the end of the afternoon, under certain conditions.se joue à domicile pour l’équipe qui a terminé en tête de sa poule, le second week-end se déroule à l’extérieur. Les deux équipes sont alors à égalité de points, et c’est la meilleure performance qui détermine le vainqueur du championnat.Groupe An
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- Rouen Huskies
- Pharaons d’Évry‑Courcouronnes
- Bandits de Nogent
- Paris Université Club
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Groupe Bn
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- Cavigal de Nice
- Grizzlys de Grenoble
- Stade Toulousain
- Cobras de Bordeaux
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nContes
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seulement quatre équipes, l’ouverture à davantage d’adversaires apporte un souffle nouveau. Le groupe aurait aimé un volume de matchs plus important, mais se réjouit déjà de pouvoir évoluer dans un cadre plus riche et de disputer une nouvelle Supercup, un rendez-vous toujours très attendu.
The Stade Toulousain will be back in the Top 14 in 2026 after a one-year break. The team was excluded from the competition in 2021 for financial reasons. The club has been working hard to get back on track and is ready to take on the challenge. The team has recruited two reinforcements from Lunéville, Johantan Berg and Frédéric Hartoin, but Lucas Mangle and Vincent Ferreira have joined the group, while Olivier Rollin has strengthened the staff and is expected to bat.
At the national level, the new format with two geographical pools reflects a softball in transition. The federation has relaxed its requirements to adapt to a limited number of teams, at the cost of a less demanding overall level.
In terms of sports, the ambitions are clear: to aim for the double. After a first season in D1 where the group came close to the national title and narrowly missed the Challenge final, the accumulated experience and targeted reinforcements have fostered confidence.
For Guillaume Jouhanneau, team manager, 2026 should be the year when promises become results. The message is simple: the team is ready to take a step forward.
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Stade Toulousain: after a break in 2025, the team is ready to take on the challenge again in 2026.Contes is back in D1 in 2026 with a reinforced team. Sébastien Neumann returns after the 2025 sports break, while Valentin Foulon, who arrived from Pessac, joins the rotation as a JFL pitcher, a profile actively sought by the club.Team: Cobras de Contes
The Cobras de Contes are a softball team based in Contes, France. They are a Division 1 team and are looking to build a new cycle. Two senior players have retired but will remain involved with the team, while four 16-year-olds have joined the senior squad, marking the emergence of a new generation. The team’s coach-manager, Jean-Marc, is leading a reconstruction process with the help of his assistant coach, his daughter Manon. The team is looking to build a stable and fully integrated squad.
Rouen (Team Profile)
The Cobras de Contes are a softball team based in Contes, France. They are a Division 1 team and are looking to build a new cycle. Two senior players have retired but will remain involved with the team, while four 16-year-olds have joined the senior squad, marking the emergence of a new generation. The team’s coach-manager, Jean-Marc, is leading a reconstruction process with the help of his assistant coach, his daughter Manon. The team is looking to build a stable and fully integrated squad.
2025 in D2: 8-4
Rouen Huskies enter 2026 with a solid foundation and a convincing 2025 season. With 8 wins and 4 losses, the Rouennais dominated their division with one of the most effective offenses in the league. Raphaël Bénard was the standout player of the season, with an impressive .488 batting average and formidable power. Alongside him, René Maza Marquez, Robin Prouet and Mathys Brouard delivered high-level performances, giving the lineup rare depth.
Although the rotation sometimes struggled, it showed character. Mickaël Demanneville signed 6 wins and took on his role as a leader on the mound, while Hacquard-Sierra and Prouet brought presence and competitiveness. In defense, Rouen could count on reliable players, such as Prouet, Demanneville or Brouard, who all had a very clean season.
With an explosive offense, a disciplined defense and a young group that continues to progress, the Huskies enter 2026 with the ambition to confirm their potential and challenge the hierarchy.leur statut. Une équipe dangereuse, capable de frapper fort et de s’inviter dans la course aux premières places.
PUC (Fiche 2025 en D2 : 6–6) : régulier, expérimenté, toujours dangereux dans les matchs serrés.
L’intersaison a été mouvementée, mais maîtrisée : quatre joueurs ont quitté l’effectif, remplacés par Max, Melvine, Pierre et Mattéo. Le staff a également évolué : Enrique Villalba prend désormais en charge le fielding et le batting, tandis que Sébastien Nuzzo pilote l’entraînement des lanceurs. Une réorganisation pensée pour gagner en précision et en efficacité.
Côté championnat, la nouvelle formule à deux poules fait consensus. Fruit d’un travail collectif entre les clubs et la CFS, elle répond aux réalités financières et logistiques du softball français. Des déplacements plus courts, des effectifs plus disponibles : un modèle pragmatique, salué par tous.
Les objectifs, eux, sont clairement affichés. D’abord, accrocher l’une des deux premières places de la poule Nord et accéder aux playoffs. Ensuite, prouver que le PUC est une équipe de haut niveau, capable de rivaliser avec les meilleurs. Et pourquoi pas, aller chercher le titre de champion de France ? Tout est possible dans le softball, et le PUC est prêt à relever le défi.
« Ça va être un très beau championnat, intense du premier au dernier match », prévient Matthieu Romero Larrea, confiant dans la capacité de son groupe à répondre présent.
Grenoble (Fiche 2025 en D2 : 5–7) : en progression, capable de coups d’éclat.
L’intersaison s’est déroulée dans une grande stabilité pour le groupe masculin. Aucun mouvement majeur n’est venu bouleverser l’effectif, même si plusieurs joueurs issus du groupe mixte régional ont rejoint l’équipe, apportant énergie et renforts bienvenus.
La progression de l’équipe est évidente, comme en témoigne la cinquième place de la saison dernière en D2. Elle a été construite sur une défense solide et une attaque efficace, avec des victoires contre des équipes de haut de tableau comme Toulouse ou Nice.
Cette année, l’objectif est de confirmer et de viser plus haut. Le Challenge de France est à portée de main, mais la concurrence sera rude. Les Bandits de Nogent-sur-Marne montent en puissance, les Pharaons restent l’armada à battre, et les Huskies, champions de D2 2025, avancent masqués mais dangereux.
Ensuite, viser le top 3 national. Un défi d’autant plus relevé que la poule Sud affiche un niveau impressionnant : Nice, tenant du titre, Contes, plus solide que jamais, Grenoble, en pleine ascension, et Toulouse, séduisant en pré-saison.
« Ça va être un très beau championnat, intense du premier au dernier match », prévient Matthieu Romero Larrea, confiant dans la capacité de son groupe à répondre présent.
Nogent (Fiche 2025 in D2: 5–7): gripping, unpredictable, often involved in the most disputed matches.
The Bandits of Nogent begin 2026 with the image of an unpredictable and dangerous team. Their 2025 season, concluded with 5 wins out of 7 defeats, revealed a collective capable of spectacular feats, carried by determined players who know how to seize every opportunity. The team has a lot of potential and can surprise many opponents this season.
Their coach, Julien, is confident about the team’s chances:
“We have a good mix of experienced players and young talent. We have been working hard during the offseason to improve our skills and fitness. We are ready to compete at a high level and we believe we can achieve our goals this season.”
The Bandits of Nogent will face tough opponents in their pool, but they are ready to fight for every point and show that they belong at the highest level of the competition.
“We know that it will not be easy, but we are confident in our abilities. We have a strong team spirit and we are determined to achieve our goals. We want to make our fans proud and show that we are a force to be reckoned with in the D2 league,” says Julien.
The Bandits of Nogent are ready to start their season with a positive attitude and a lot of determination. They will be a team to watch this season.
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Une saison 2026 plus ouverte que jamaisSébastien Dondé.
Thank you to the clubs, presidents, coaches and players for their availability.
