EAG were officially founded in 1912 but it was not until 1972 that they entered the French leagues, under the guidence of new club president Noel Le Graet. In the season 1972-73 the club reached the qtr finals of the Coupe de France, where they knocked out four teams from the French 2nd division before being beaten by Rouen.

The club continued to progress and played their first season in the second divsion during the 1977-78 season. The club then adopted the professional status in 1984.

Club president Noel Le Graet left the club in September 1991 to become the president of the national league of football in France, after guiding EAG to 15 consecutive seasons in the second division. Bertrand Solomon is elected as president to replace Noel Le Graet.

Guingamp spent the 1993-94 season in the third division, they went on to get promoted to the second division in the 93-94 season and then a successive promotion in the 94-95 season saw them reach Ligue 1 for the first time in the clubs history.

The club spent 3 seasons in the top division 95-96, 96-97, 97-98. The club also competed in the Intertoto Cup, UEFA Cup and reached the final of the Coupe de France. During their spell in the UEFA Cup the club played a high-profile game against Italian side Inter Milan.

The club were relegated back to the second division in 1998, but rejoined Ligue 1 in 2000. They finished the 00-01 season in 10th place, just behind Paris St Germain. Guingamp then survived the 01-02 season with a victory in the last game of the season against Troyes. Guingamp were relegated back to the second division in 2004 where they have remained until the present day.

In the 2008-09 season Guingamp won the Coupe de France for the first time in their history, beating fierce rivals Rennes 2-1 at the Stade de France. The granted EAG qualification to the Europa League in 2009-10.