The LNB Élite, currently known for sponsorship reasons as Betclic Élite, is the top-tier men's professional basketball league in France. The competition has existed since 1921. Since 1987, the Ligue Nationale de Basket (LNB) has governed the league. Formerly known as the LNB Pro A, each season consists of 18 teams. The bottom two placed teams from each season are relegated to the second tier level Pro B. The winner of the play-offs of the league are crowned the French national champions.

Competition format

All 18 Pro A League teams play each other twice during the regular season. At the end of the regular season, the top eight teams qualify for the playoffs. The two teams with the worst regular season records are relegated to the 2nd-tier Pro B. Through the 1985–86 season, the league championship was determined by a one-off final, or solely by league play. Since then, the format for the league finals has changed many times: From the 2003–04 season, through the 2006–07 season, the Pro A League had 18 teams. Through the wild-card system, it will have 18 teams again from the 2014–15 season.

Current teams

Arena rules

Currently, LNB Pro A clubs must play in arenas that seat at least 3,000 people.

French League history

Title holders

Performance by club

Finals

Historical players

Players with the most French League championships won

French basketball clubs in European and worldwide competitions

Individual awards

In each Pro A season, individual honors are given to players and head coaches in the Pro A Awards ceremony who performed well during a given season. The awards that are handed out include:

LNB All-Star Game

Broadcasting

In July 2024, the LNB accounced it had signed an agreement until 2029 with DAZN which becomes the exclusive broadcaster for the Pro A. DAZN will broadcast all games, as well as the Leaders Cup and All-Star Game. The league's games are also accessible through the FIBA-operated Courtside 1891 platform.

Notes and references