The 2026 pétanque licence is attracting the attention of all fans of the game. The FFPJP is continuing its efforts to modernise boules. With more than 300,000 licence holders, boules is gaining ground in France. The French Federation therefore has no choice but to accelerate its digital transition. The 2026 pétanque licence application process still follows the 2025 procedure, but digitisation is progressing. The QR Code is becoming a central part of the process. Clubs are adapting… and so are licence holders!
How do you apply for a 2026 pétanque licence? Is this document now mandatory in digital form? FAC takes stock.
Last update: 11 February 2026 – Includes the latest details on the medical certificate and the official QR code.
Summary of this article
- Why is the 2026 licence raising so many questions?
- Official procedure for obtaining a licence
- Medical certificate and health
- FFPJP digitisation: what’s changing?
- Digital licence: how does it work?
- Geslico and licence management
- Registering for competitions with the 2026 licence
- Essential resources for your 2026 season
- Frequently asked questions
Why is the 2026 pétanque licence raising so many questions?
The switch to a digital pétanque licence in 2026 is disrupting the habits of petanque players. Some players welcome this modernisation, while others regret the gradual disappearance of paper licences. Others, particularly veterans, wonder whether they will be able to keep up with this new trend. But one thing is certain: the subject is fuelling discussions in boules courts at the end of the 2025 season.
What will change for 2026 licence holders? The 2026 petanque licence finally introduces a QR code that can be used in boules competitions. The change seems simple, but it affects a ritual that has been ingrained in pétanque enthusiasts for several decades.
Official procedure for obtaining a 2026 petanque licence
In practical terms, what procedure should be followed to obtain a pétanque licence in 2026? Generally, pétanque players follow the same process as last year.
- The licence holder must complete the licence application form and provide a recent passport photo.
- Payment completes the application form.
- The player submits the entire file to the pétanque club where they wish to obtain a licence.
- The club then forwards the documents to the Departmental Committee, then to the French Federation of Petanque and Provençal Games (FFPJP).
- The federation validates and issues the 2026 FFPJP licence.
Medical certificate and health: what you need to know for the 2026 petanque licence
The French Federation (FFPJP) has confirmed the renewal of the administrative simplification measures initiated in 2025. The aim is to streamline the licensing process while making players more responsible for their own health. But beware! Each player must comply with the QS Sport requirements. Without this document, the application cannot be validated in Geslico.
For adult players (seniors and women)
Good news: a medical certificate is no longer systematically required to obtain or renew your pétanque player licence. However, each licence holder is encouraged to self-assess regularly.
Did you know? If you answer ‘YES’ to any question in the health questionnaire (available via the app or Geslico), consulting a doctor is strongly recommended to ensure safe practice.
The specific case of Veterans
Although the simplification rule applies to everyone, the Veteran category is given special attention. Departmental committees often point out that the physical effort involved in competition — long days on your feet, heat, stress of the games — requires increased vigilance.
Attention Veterans : For players over 60 years of age, departmental committees may apply additional requirements. An annual medical check-up remains the best way to start the 2026 season safely and with peace of mind. Check with your local committee to find out the exact conditions applicable in your department.
For Minors (Youth and Hopefuls)
The French Petanque Federation’s rules remain strict but simplified. Minors are not required to provide a medical certificate, provided they complete and validate the ‘QS Sport’ health questionnaire. This document must be submitted to the club when applying for a licence, along with a passport photo and the application form.
Download the official documents
To save time when registering with a club, download the official documents below :
QS Sport health questionnaire (FFPJP)
FFPJP digitisation: what will change in 2026
The digitisation of petanque continues apace. Indeed, the 2026 petanque licence will be available in QR Code format. The reason is simple: the French Pétanque Federation wants to reduce its dependence on paper. To further modernise and become even more accessible, the FFPJP is preparing to roll out a dedicated app. This will provide easy access to the digital licence.
So, is this good news or bad news for petanque enthusiasts? The debate is open. Boules players who are attached to paper are cautious, while others welcome the speed, security and practicality of the QR code. In any case, at FAC, we believe that the 2026 season marks a step towards digitalisation, rather than a complete break with French pétanque tradition.
2026 digital petanque licence: how does it work?
Once validated by the FFPJP, the 2026 FFPJP licence will be available in digital format. Licence holders (junior, senior, veteran or female) will be able to download their licence via the official app (iOS or Android). The QR code displayed on a smartphone will replace the traditional plastic licence.
For boules players who prefer a physical copy, the club or boules committee can provide a paper version containing the same QR code. Each team member will therefore be able to choose between a paper licence and a digital licence in 2026. Both formats will remain valid. However, the QR code will become the common feature. The FFPJP federation recommends the digital format to simplify checks, reduce printing costs and limit losses before an official petanque competition.
Geslico: role of the system in managing 2026 licences
Geslico remains the administrative heart of the federation. The Committee enters all 2026 petanque licence renewals into the system. The system centralises validations. It then generates the QR Code licence. This platform ensures consistent management throughout France. It prevents errors and speeds up processing. However, the petanque club or association remains the player’s direct point of contact.
2026 petanque licence: how to register for competitions
There will be three ways to register for boules tournaments in 2026. The procedure is the same for both inter-club petanque matches and departmental tournaments.
1 – Manual registration : the player presents their paper or digital licence. The QR code is required.
2 – Registration via app : the player puts together their team and generates a team QR code.
3 – Automated QR code scanning : the score table uses a scanner to register players.
Essential resources to prepare for the 2026 season
With your 2026 pétanque licence in hand, you have everything you need to play. But to be fully prepared, here are the key topics that our players consult most before the start of the season.
Changing clubs?
Want to join a new club for the 2026 season? Find out all the steps involved in transferring your 2026 petanque licence: deadlines, forms and transfer conditions.
New rules for 2026
Some aspects of the rules are changing in 2026. Before your first competitions, read our comprehensive guide to the petanque rules to watch out for in 2026 so you can play without any nasty surprises.
Choosing your boules
For your first competitions with your new licence, check out our selection of competition boules for beginners and our guide to choosing a petanque boule in 5 steps.
Clothing
Not sure what you can wear in competition? The FFPJP has specific rules. Find out everything you need to know in our article on FFPJP regulations on clothing.
Frequently asked questions about the 2026 petanque licence
How do I obtain the 2026 petanque licence?
To obtain the 2026 petanque licence, you must go through your FFPJP club. The club will check your medical certificate or health certificate and then register your application. The licence is then activated in the official app.
Will the digital petanque licence become mandatory?
No, the paper licence will still be valid in 2026. However, the FFPJP is rolling out digitalisation with the QR Code. Players can show their licence via smartphone or via a printed QR Code. Both formats are accepted in competitions.
How do I use the QR Code petanque licence?
The QR Code serves as official proof. Simply display it on the app or in printed form. Organisers will scan the code to verify your identity and the validity of the 2026 season.
How much does the 2026 petanque licence cost?
The price depends on the club and the departmental committee. Rates vary according to region and category. The amount remains similar to previous years. To find out the exact price, contact your club or your FFPJP committee.
Where can I download the petanque licence app?
The official app is available on the App Store and Google Play. It gives you access to your digital licence, QR code and FFPJP information. Log in to your licence holder account to activate the 2026 version.
What happens if I lose my 2026 petanque licence?
With digitalisation, losing your licence is much less of a problem. If you use the digital version, simply log back into the official FFPJP app to retrieve your QR code. If you have a paper licence, contact your club or departmental committee to obtain a duplicate.