RC Lens opened its French Ligue 1 season on Saturday, August 22, 2026, hosting AJ Auxerre at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens, France. The match kicked off at 11:05 a.m. ET and gave both clubs an early look at where they stood after very different finishes to the 2025-2026 campaign.
RC Lens arrived as one of the league's top sides after finishing No. 2 with 70 points, a 22-4-8 record and a place in the upcoming UEFA Champions League. AJ Auxerre entered the new season after ending last year in No. 15 with 34 points, narrowly avoiding relegation to Ligue 2. That contrast made Lens Vs Auxerre an early indicator of whether Lens could carry its strong form forward and whether Auxerre could build more stability.
What fans in Canada needed to know
The matchup also served as a viewing guide for fans in Canada. The broadcast options included Fubo, beIN SPORTS DRM and beIN SPORTS En Español DRM, giving viewers multiple ways to follow the season opener live.
Lens did not have much time to enjoy the opener before turning to its next league test. The RC Lens was scheduled to play Strasbourg at Stade de la Meinau on August 29th. AJ Auxerre, meanwhile, was set to play Angers next Saturday afternoon at Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps.
Key name to watch
AJ Auxerre also entered the season with Kévin Danois highlighted as the France U-21 star midfielder leading the team into the new campaign. For Auxerre, that kind of midfield presence could be important as the club looks to move farther away from the relegation line. For Lens, the opener was another chance to show why a second-place finish and Champions League qualification were no fluke.
