RC Lens

Industrial club from northern France, founded in 1906 in the mining region of Pas-de-Calais. Ligue 1 champion in 1998 and symbol of French working classes, Lens returned to the European scene in 2023-24 by competing in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League.

History

Founded in 1906 as Racing Club Lensois, the club grew as a symbol of miners and workers in northern France, with one of the most fervent fan bases in French football at Stade Bollaert-Delelis, inaugurated in 1933. Its greatest historical moment came in 1997-98, when it won Division 1 by overcoming Metz in the last round by goal difference. After years between divisions, it returned to Ligue 1 in 2020 and experienced a new peak by securing a spot in the Champions League 2023-24.