Lens

RC Lens Féminin has its roots in Arras Football Association, where the women's section was founded in 2001. The club operated as Arras FCF from 2011 after becoming independent, before being taken over by Racing Club de Lens in 2020 in a merger deal that brought the women's team under the Lens banner. The 2025-26 season marks a historic milestone: Lens women's first top-flight campaign under the Lens name since 2015 after finishing second in the 2024-25 Seconde Ligue to earn promotion. The journey to the top flight spans over two decades of steady development. Arras won their regional championship in 2002, earned promotion to Division 3 in the same year, and climbed to Division 2 by 2009-10. Following the merger with Lens, the club gained access to greater resources and infrastructure while maintaining the competitive spirit built during the Arras years. The promotion to France's top division represents the culmination of a patient long-term project. RC Lens women play their Première Ligue home matches at the Stade François Blin in Avion, part of the La Gaillette Gervais Martel Technical and Sports Center that serves as the club's training base. As newly promoted members, Lens bring the passionate support of the Artois region to the Première Ligue, adding another northern French club to the growing constellation of professional women's football teams in France.