Paris Basketball and Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University are joining forces in a groundbreaking partnership

Published on March 19, 2026

Paris Basketball and Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University announce the signing of a multi-year partnership agreement—a first in the university’s history, as it had never before entered into a partnership with a professional sports club. Neighbors since the opening of the new university campus at Porte de la Chapelle, the two institutions are joining forces around a shared vision: to connect sports, knowledge, and the local community.

A Natural Partnership

The opening of the new Paris 1 campus at Porte de la Chapelle has paved the way for a natural partnership. Now neighbors, the club and the university have chosen to put this geographical proximity to practical use, thereby affirming their shared roots in Paris’s 18th arrondissement.

The signing of the agreement, which took place on March 12 at the adidas Arena, carried strong symbolic significance: more than 1,000 members of the university community—including 800 students and 200 faculty members—gathered that evening to cheer on Paris Basketball as it defeated ASVEL in the EuroLeague.

On Monday, March 16, President David Kahn gave a lecture to more than 250 students at the Sorbonne, thereby officially launching the academic and educational aspects of this partnership.

A Multi-Faceted Partnership

Beyond providing access to games – which will allow students and university staff to attend the club’s matches each season at discounted rates – the agreement commits both institutions to collaboration in the scientific, educational, and professional spheres. Paris Basketball will make certain data available for research, participate in conferences on the links between sports and society, and offer Paris 1 students opportunities for internships, projects, and assignments.

In conjunction with the club’s endowment fund, joint charitable initiatives will also be carried out, particularly to support students in the most vulnerable situations.

“I am very proud to have signed this partnership agreement with Paris Basketball on behalf of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne. This partnership gives very concrete meaning to our close ties and illustrates our commitment to establishing a new local presence in the 18th arrondissement. It goes far beyond ticket sales: it encompasses scientific, educational, and professional dimensions, and will enable us to carry out solidarity initiatives in support of the most vulnerable students. It is a comprehensive and ambitious partnership, a first in the history of our university.”

Christine Neau-Leduc, President of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University

“This partnership with Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne is a source of pride for Paris Basketball. We share the same community, the same values of excellence and openness, and now a shared vision. Seeing more than a thousand students and researchers in our stands on the evening of the signing is the best proof that this connection was natural and long-awaited. Thanks to this partnership, Paris Basketball and Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University will also be able to strengthen their mutual commitment to revitalizing the neighborhood and improving living conditions in the Porte de la Chapelle area for the benefit of its residents.”

David Kahn, President of Paris Basketball

About Paris Basketball

Founded in 2018 and based at the adidas arena, Paris Basketball competes in the Betclic ÉLITE and the EuroLeague, Europe’s top competition. Driven by an ambitious athletic and branding initiative, the club has established itself as a major player in Parisian sports.

About Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University

As the successor to the Sorbonne, founded in 1257, Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University is one of France’s leading universities in law, economics, and the humanities. Each year, it welcomes more than 45,000 students and 2,000 faculty members across its various Parisian campuses.