On 14 June 2025, the LFFP Executive Committee approved the format of the competition, which consists of two phases: a group stage () and a knockout stage (). The top three
Première Ligue clubs participating in European competitions during the season receive a bye directly to the final phase. ;Group stage The remaining 21 clubs (9 from Première Ligue and 12 from
Seconde Ligue) are drawn into five groups of four or five teams, balanced by division and geographical proximity. Each team plays the others once. Matches between divisions are normally hosted by the Seconde Ligue club, while ties between teams from the same division have home advantage decided by draw. The five group winners advance to the knockout stage. ;Knockout stage The quarter-finals are contested by the five group winners and the three European participants. Home advantage is awarded to the three clubs participating in European competitions and the best group winner, determined by average points per match. The quarter-final draw also sets the semi-finals and final. All knockout ties are single matches, with the final potentially staged at a neutral venue, including outside France. ==Group stage==