The legacy of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games is also being built in training centres and sports clubs. In 2026, alternance in sport and animation remains a highly sought-after pathway: the “5,000 sports grounds” plan has multiplied local facilities, pass Sport has been renewed for the 2026-2027 season, and clubs and local authorities alike are looking for qualified educators. The BPJEPS, the DEJEPS, the DEUST STAPS and sport degrees can be prepared through apprenticeship, from bac level up to bac+5.
In short: alternance in sport and animation in 2026 is driven by the JOP 2024 legacy and by a structural need for educators in clubs, schools and local authorities. The key degrees are the BPJEPS (level 4), the DEJEPS and the DEUST STAPS (level 5), then STAPS or professional licences (bachelor's level, level 6). The reference OPCOs are AFDAS and Uniformation. Pay follows the legal scale (from 27% to 100% of the SMIC depending on age and contract year), and most positions are in clubs affiliated to a federation, associations and local authorities.
Why is the JOP legacy boosting alternance in sport?
Three dynamics are combining to support recruitment in alternance in sport in France:
- The JOP 2024 effect: the media coverage of the Games has boosted the appeal of sport and animation careers, and many young people want to turn their passion into a job.
- The “5,000 sports grounds” plan: launched as part of the Games legacy, it has funded local sports facilities all over France (urban sports areas, multi-sport pitches, open-access equipment…). These facilities need educators, animators and managers.
- The requirement to be qualified to supervise: teaching, leading or supervising a physical or sporting activity for pay requires a diploma, a professional title or a CQP recognised by the French Sports Code (code du sport, article L. 212-1). Clubs that want to employ educators therefore readily train their future coaches through apprenticeship.
To give yourself every chance, prepare your CV with our effective templates and our interview tips before applying.
Which sport and animation degrees can be prepared through alternance?
Sport and animation offer a real bridge between passion and career, provided you choose the right degree. Here are the main options through alternance:
| Degree | Level | Duration | Main specialties | Typical employers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BPJEPS | Bac (lev. 4) | At least 600 h in a training centre, often over 10 to 24 months | Sports educator or animator, around forty mentions (APT, fitness, social animation…) | Clubs, associations, MJC |
| DEJEPS | Bac+2 (lev. 5) | Varies by training provider | Sports development, socio-educational or cultural animation | Clubs, federations, animation organisations |
| DEUST STAPS | Bac+2 (lev. 5) | 2 years | Animation, education, sports supervision | Local authorities, clubs, associations |
| STAPS licence or professional licence | Bac+3 (lev. 6) | 1 year (professional licence) | Adapted physical activity and health (APAS), sport management, fitness careers | Health facilities, sport-health organisations, clubs |
| Master STAPS | Bac+5 (lev. 7) | 2 years | Sport management, event engineering | Federations, events, local authorities |
💡 To remember: the BPJEPS is the king of sport alternance degrees. This level-4 State diploma has two specialties (“sports educator” and “animator”) and around forty mentions, with at least 600 hours of training in a centre. It is the one that allows you to become a sports educator in a club or an animator in a leisure centre.
For those already in post or experienced practitioners, the sport branch's CQP (Certificates of Professional Qualification) offer a shorter certification focused on one activity, but with more limited supervision rights than a BPJEPS. To move on to coaching or coordination, the DEJEPS (level 5) and then the DESJEPS (level 6) take over.
How much does a sport apprentice earn in 2026?
Pay follows the legal apprenticeship scale; the national collective agreement for sport (IDCC 2511) applies to the sports clubs and associations covered by it. Since 1 June 2026, the SMIC has stood at €1,867.02 gross per month: here are the legal minimums for a BPJEPS apprentice.
| Situation | % of SMIC | Minimum gross monthly pay (since 1 June 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| 16-17, year 1 | 27% | €504.09 |
| 18-20, year 1 | 43% | €802.82 |
| 21-25, year 1 | 53% | €989.52 |
| 26+, year 1 | 100% | €1,867.02 |
| 18-20, year 2 | 51% | €952.18 |
| 21-25, year 2 | 61% | €1,138.88 |
| 26+, year 2 | 100% | €1,867.02 |
⚠️ Landmark: the monthly gross SMIC has been €1,867.02 (€12.31/hour) since 1 June 2026. From age 21, the percentage applies to the minimum wage set by the collective agreement if it is more favourable. For an exact calculation, use our alternance pay simulator.
For a DEUST STAPS or a professional licence, the grids are the same as for any apprenticeship contract. Beyond pay, sport apprentices often benefit from sector advantages: kit provided, federation licence paid, access to federation training courses, and sometimes meal vouchers.
Which jobs and employers recruit through alternance?
Sport and animation recruit in three main employer worlds, and each has its own codes:
- Clubs and affiliated associations (FFF, FFHandball, FFJudo, FFNatation, FSCF, UFOLEP, FSGT federations, etc.): these are the first employers of BPJEPS apprentices. Positions range from sports educator to section coordinator. Benefits: passion, club atmosphere, direct contact with practitioners. Drawbacks: short contracts, sometimes modest pay.
- Local authorities (town halls, intermunicipal bodies, departmental councils): they recruit apprentice educators for multi-sport schools, leisure centres, municipal swimming pools and after-school activities. Apprenticeship there requires no competitive exam; the ETAPS exam is only needed to become a civil servant afterwards.
- Socio-cultural animation structures (MJC, social centres, popular education associations, collective minors' centres): they recruit apprentices on the BPJEPS “animator” specialty (social animation, leisure for all audiences mentions…). The September back-to-school and school holidays are recruitment peaks.
To refine your project, browse our verified offers in sport, animation and social and our guide to finding a company step by step.
How do you fund your BPJEPS through alternance?
Good news: in apprenticeship, training is free for the apprentice. The costs are funded by the employer's OPCO (or, for a public employer, according to the rules specific to the public sector). Here are the main contacts depending on the employer:
- AFDAS (OPCO for, among others, the sport, culture and media branches): the reference OPCO for sports clubs, associations and companies, including professional sport. Site: afdas.com.
- Uniformation (OPCO for social cohesion): for animation organisations, popular education associations and the social economy.
- CNFPT (National Centre for the Territorial Civil Service): it is not an OPCO, but it contributes to funding the training of apprentices in local authorities.
For individual support, sport apprentices can also draw on several schemes:
| Support | Amount / cap | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Local authority driving licence aid | Varies by region, department or municipality | The €500 State aid was abolished in 2026: see our guide |
| Mobili-Jeune | €10 to €100/month | Alternant under 30, renting, employed by a private non-agricultural employer |
| Pass Sport | €50 (2026-2027 season) | Discount on sports membership, subject to conditions (family quotient, AEEH, AAH, grant) |
| Student trade card (carte d'étudiant des métiers) | free | Any apprentice, no age limit |
How to apply for a sport alternance in 2026?
Competition is strong for prestigious clubs, but positions remain plentiful if you broaden your scope. Here is a 5-step action plan:
- Identify your BPJEPS specialty and mention according to your project: the physical activities for all (APT) mention for multi-sport animation, social animation for the social sector, a discipline-specific mention (football, swimming, judo…) for a club, fitness activities for fitness clubs.
- Choose a recognised CFA: accredited courses are listed by the DRAJES (regional academic delegations for youth, civic engagement and sport) and in the Ministry of Sport's training calendar. Prefer a CFA with a good employment rate (InserJeunes data, available on the Onisep website).
- Prepare a solid application: specialised CV, cover letter, PSC1 certificate (first aid), copy of your latest diploma, medical certificate of no contraindication to sport. Attach an undertaking letter from a club or association, which will significantly increase your chances of admission to the CFA.
- Activate your local network: clubs often recruit by co-option. Attend sport-employment forums (Studyrama, l'Étudiant), CREPS open days, and follow clubs on LinkedIn.
- Stand out with voluntary animation experience (BAFA, civic service, club volunteering) or a federation path (referee, young official, high-level athlete).
To prepare your applications, browse our verified offers in sport and animation and our tips for a successful job dating. To bounce back after a refusal, our guide to finding a last-minute alternance details the levers you can use in the middle of summer.
What career moves after a sport alternance?
A BPJEPS through apprenticeship quickly opens onto a first position as a sports educator or animator. With experience and, often, an additional diploma, several career moves are possible:
- Section coordinator in a multi-sport club (often with a DEJEPS or a bac+2): team management, project follow-up, interface with the municipality.
- Director of an association (often with a DEJEPS or a DESJEPS): overall responsibility for a club, budget management, people management.
- Territorial educator of physical and sports activities (ETAPS, category B, by competitive exam), then territorial advisor for physical and sports activities (category A) in a local authority.
- Sports facility manager (swimming pools, sports complexes): technical, HR, safety, operational management.
- Entrepreneur: individual coaching, sports school, event organisation (subject to checking the regulations on paid teaching).
📊 Good reflex: before choosing your CFA, compare the employment rates at 6 and 12 months published by the InserJeunes system for each apprenticeship course.
The legacy of the 2024 Olympic Games is now being played out in clubs, associations and local authorities. Alternance is the fastest way to enter the sector, getting a foot in working life while obtaining a recognised degree. Whether you aim for football, handball, swimming, fitness, social animation or sport-health, the spots are waiting to be taken from the September 2026 back-to-school.