Stadium in Saint-Denis, in the north of Paris, France
The Stade de France (French pronunciation: [stad də fʁɑ̃s], lit. 'Stadium of 🏀 France') is the national stadium of France, located just north of Paris in the commune of Saint-Denis. Its seating capacity 🏀 of 80,698 makes it the largest stadium in France. The stadium is used by the French national football and rugby 🏀 union teams for international competitions. It is the largest in Europe for track and field events, seating 78,338 in that 🏀 configuration. During other events, the stadium's running track is mostly hidden under the football pitch.
Originally built for the 1998 FIFA 🏀 World Cup, the stadium's name was recommended by Michel Platini, head of the organising committee. On 12 July 1998, France 🏀 beat Brazil 3–0 in the 1998 FIFA World Cup Final contested at the stadium. It will host the athletics events 🏀 at the 2024 Summer Olympics. After the 2024 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the 2024 UEFA Champions League Final was moved 🏀 from the Gazprom Arena to the Stade de France.
The Stade de France, listed as a Category 4 stadium by UEFA, 🏀 hosted matches at the 1998 FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Champions League finals in 2000, 2006 and 2024. It has 🏀 as well hosted the 1999, 2007 and 2024 Rugby World Cups, making it one of only two stadia in the 🏀 world to have hosted both a Football World Cup final and a rugby union World Cup final (along with Nissan 🏀 Stadium in Yokohama). It also hosted seven matches at UEFA Euro 2024, including the final, where France lost to Portugal 🏀 1–0 after extra-time. The facility also hosted the Race of Champions auto race in 2004, 2005, and 2006. The stadium 🏀 hosted the 2003 World Championships in Athletics and from 1999 to 2024 it hosted the annual Meeting Areva athletics meet.
Domestically, 🏀 the Stade de France serves as a secondary home facility of Parisian rugby clubs Stade Français and Racing 92, hosting 🏀 a few of their regular-season fixtures. The stadium also hosts the main French domestic cup finals, which include the Coupe 🏀 de France (both football and rugby), Coupe de la Ligue, Challenge de France, and the Coupe Gambardella, as well as 🏀 the Top 14 rugby union championship match.
History [ edit ]
The Stade de France visible from central Paris behind the basilica 🏀 of Sacré-Cœur.
The discussion of a national stadium in France came about as a result of the country's selection to host 🏀 the 1998 FIFA World Cup on 2 July 1992.[citation needed] As a result of the selection, the country and the 🏀 French Football Federation made a commitment to construct an 80,000+ capacity all-seater stadium with every seat in the facility being 🏀 covered. It was the first time in over 70 years since the construction of the Stade Olympique Yves-du-Manoir that a 🏀 stadium in France was being constructed for a specific event. Due to the magnitude and importance of the facility, the 🏀 Council of State was allowed first hand approach to how the stadium would be constructed and paid for. The Council 🏀 sought for the stadium to be built as close as possible to the capital of France, Paris, and that the 🏀 constructor and operator of the facility would receive significant financial contribution for a period of 30 months following the completion 🏀 of the stadium. The stadium's design was handled by the team of architects composed of Michel Macary, Aymeric Zublena, Michel 🏀 Regembal, and Claude Constantini who were associated with CR SCAU Architecture.[citation needed]
The stadium was officially ready for construction following the 🏀 government's selection of manufacturers, Bouygues, Dumez, and SGE, and the signing of building permits on 30 April 1995.[3][4] With only 🏀 31 months to complete the stadium, construction commenced on 2 May 1995. The laying of the first cornerstone took place 🏀 five months later on 6 September. After over a year of construction, over 800,000 m² of earthworks had been created 🏀 and as much as 180,000 m³ of concrete had been poured. The installation of the roof, which cost €45 million, 🏀 and the mobile platform also took more than a year to complete.
During the developmental phase, the stadium was referred to 🏀 in French as the Grand Stade ("large stadium" or "great stadium"). On 4 December 1995, the Ministry of Sport launched 🏀 a design competition to decide on a name for the stadium. The stadium was officially named the Stade de France 🏀 after the Ministry heard a proposal from French football legend Michel Platini, who recommended the name. The total cost of 🏀 the stadium was €364 million.[5][6]
The stadium was inaugurated on 28 January 1998 as it hosted a football match between France 🏀 and Spain. The match was played in front of 78,368 spectators, which included President Jacques Chirac, with France winning the 🏀 match 1–0 with Zinedine Zidane scoring the lone goal, and the first-ever in the Stade de France, in the 20th 🏀 minute.[7] Six months later, France returned to the stadium and defeated Brazil in the 1998 FIFA World Cup Final to 🏀 earn their first World Cup title. Stade de France has hosted group, quarter-final, semi-final and the final match of 1998 🏀 FIFA World Cup.[8] The national rugby team's first match in the facility was contested five days after its opening, on 🏀 2 February, with France earning a 24–17 win over England in front of 77,567 spectators.[9] Philippe Bernat-Salles converted the first 🏀 ever try at the stadium scoring it in the 11th minute of play.[10]
On 24 May 2000, the Stade de France 🏀 hosted the 2000 UEFA Champions League Final. In the match, which saw 78,759 spectators attend, Spanish club Real Madrid defeated 🏀 fellow Spanish club Valencia 3–0. In 2003, the Stade de France was the primary site of the 2003 World Championships 🏀 in Athletics. Three years later, the facility hosted another UEFA Champions League final with another Spanish club Barcelona defeating England's 🏀 Arsenal 2–1. On 9 May 2009, the Stade de France set the national attendance record for a sporting match played 🏀 in France with 80,832 showing up to watch Guingamp upset Brittany rivals Rennes 2–1 in the 2009 Coupe de France 🏀 Final. On 22 May 2010, the Stade de France hosted the 2010 Heineken Cup Final.[11] On 11 February 2012, a 🏀 Six Nations international rugby game between France and Ireland had to be cancelled just before kick-off due to the pitch 🏀 freezing as the stadium lacks under-soil heating.[12]
On 13 November 2024, in one of a series of coordinated shootings and bombings 🏀 across Paris, the Stade de France was targeted. Two explosions occurred outside the stadium during an international friendly between France 🏀 and Germany, with French President François Hollande in attendance. The terrorist, however, was unable to enter the stadium.[13] The explosion 🏀 was heard inside the stadium, and many thought it was a firework going off inside the stadium. The attacker wanted 🏀 to infiltrate the stadium, but was scared away when he saw security and was forced to detonate outside the park. 🏀 The authorities, aware of what had occurred outside the stadium, chose to continue the match out of concerns that cancelling 🏀 it would have caused a panic. The stadium has since improved its counter-attack training and strengthened its security.[14] There have 🏀 since been new guidelines issued by the French police, with mixed reactions.[15]
The opening ceremony of the 2024 European Football Championship
In 🏀 2024, the Stade de France was used as the central stadium for the 2024 Euros hosting seven matches.[16] The stadium 🏀 was used for the opening ceremony of the tournament which saw French DJ David Guetta perform at the stadium. At 🏀 the end of his set, Guetta invited Swedish singer Zara Larsson on stage to perform the tournament's official song "This 🏀 One's for You".[17][18] Following the ceremony the stadium was used for the tournament's opening game which saw France beat Romania 🏀 2–1.[19] Across the next month, the stadium was used for six other tournament matches including the UEFA Euro 2024 Final 🏀 between France and Portugal. The match followed the closing ceremony which again saw David Guetta perform.[20] Portugal defeated France, 1–0 🏀 in extra time, winning the tournament for the first time.[21]
The 2024 UEFA Champions League Final, between Liverpool F.C. and Real 🏀 Madrid CF, was delayed because of difficulties admitting fans, some of them having bogus tickets. Gérald Darmanin, the French interior 🏀 minister, blamed only Liverpool fans for the delay and difficulties, claiming that Liverpool fans were out of control and trying 🏀 to enter the stadium.[22] French police used tear gas and pepper spray to try to break up crowds. Several cases 🏀 of aggressions and robberies of fans attempting to leave the stadium occurred.[23] Several supporters, journalists, and political figures have disputed 🏀 French authorities' claims.
Architecture [ edit ]
Stade de France with uncovered athletics track during the 2003 World Championships
The Stade de France 🏀 has a movable stand which can be retracted to uncover part of the athletics track.[24] The stadium was notably designed 🏀 with the assistance of a software simulation of crowd in order to get an accurate observation of how it would 🏀 look fully developed. The facility was also intended to draw interest in and develop the area of the Plaine Saint-Denis, 🏀 which straddle the communes of Saint-Denis, Aubervilliers, and Saint-Ouen. The primary goal was to renovate the area by building new 🏀 residential and tertiary sites.
The stadium was built without any undersoil heating as noted when Ireland were due to play France 🏀 in the Six Nations Tournament rugby union match of 2012, in which the game had to be canceled.
In 2002, the 🏀 International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE) awarded a prize recognizing the unique structure of the Stade de France 🏀 commenting that the Stade de France exhibited "a construction of an attractive open architecture of the city, with an elegance 🏀 and natural lightness".
Roof [ edit ]
The last part of the metallic construction of the roof, 1997
Construction of the Stade de 🏀 France's roof cost over €45 million. Its elliptical shape symbolizes the universality of sport in France. Its area of six 🏀 hectares and weight, 13,000 tons, is considered a technical marvel by many. It was designed to easily protect the 80,000 🏀 spectators without covering the playing field. All lighting and sound, which include 550 lights and 36 blocks of 5 speakers, 🏀 are housed inside to avoid obstructing visibility. The tinted glass in the center reduces the contrast and distributes natural light. 🏀 It filters out red and infrared radiation, however, it allows blue and green lights, due to their necessity involving the 🏀 health of the turf.
Interior [ edit ]
Visitors' changing room
Stands [ edit ]
The Stade de France is the biggest modular stadium 🏀 in the world with three galleries.
The forum is a low mobile platform of 25,000 seats. It is reached by level 🏀 1. It may fall 15 feet to reveal all of the running track and jumping pits. It then retains 22,000 🏀 seats. The movement lasts 80 hours, 40 people 20h/24h mobilized, and carried by ten distinct elements of 700 tons each.
Access 🏀 to the gallery is through with 22 bridges and can be found at level 3 with a concentration of restaurants, 🏀 entertainment areas, shops and central station security.
18 staircases lead viewers to the upper gallery located at Level 6.
The evacuation of 🏀 80,000 spectators on the porch out can occur in less than 15 minutes.[citation needed]
Field [ edit ]
Located at 11 meters 🏀 below the court, the playing area measures 9,000 square meters (120 meters long and 75 meters wide) to a grassed 🏀 area of 11,000 square meters. Nearly one billion seeds were sown to produce the first pitch in 1997. Today, the 🏀 grass comes in rolls of 1.20 m x 8 m. Changing the pitch calls for three days of preparation and 🏀 five days of installation. The change takes place several times a year, depending on the programming stage. Unlike many other 🏀 stadiums, the Stade de France was built without under pitch heating, as the stadium was constructed on the site of 🏀 an old gasworks,[25] and there were concerns[by whom?] it could cause an explosion.
Giant screens [ edit ]
As part of its 🏀 policy of renewing its infrastructure, the Stade de France added two new big screens in September 2006. The new displays 🏀 have a surface 58% greater than the previous screens installed in 1998. The newer giant screens are each composed of 🏀 4,423,680 light emitting diodes. They have faster response time and are brighter than the previous screens.[citation needed]
Major sports matches [ 🏀 edit ]
Sporting events held at the Stade de France include matches (preliminary contests as well as finals) of the 1998 🏀 FIFA World Cup, 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup, 2007 Rugby World Cup and UEFA Euro 2024. The 2024 Rugby World Cup, 🏀 including the final, and the MLB World Tour in 2025 is also planned for the venue. It also hosted the 🏀 2024 UEFA Champions League Final after being moved from the Gazprom Arena in Russia due to the Russian invasion of 🏀 Ukraine.[26]
Concerts [ edit ]
The stadium is also used for music concerts. Global acts such as The Rolling Stones, Beyoncé, Coldplay, 🏀 Depeche Mode, Muse, Metallica, Prince, U2, Mylène Farmer, Guns N' Roses, Rihanna, AC/DC, Justin Timberlake, Céline Dion, Tina Turner, Jay 🏀 Z, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eminem, Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, Madonna, The Police, BTS and Blackpink have performed here. [27]
Noise 🏀 record [ edit ]
On 12 May 2012, the French heavy metal band Gojira performed at the stadium as the opening 🏀 act for Metallica during their European Black Album Tour.[30] Gojira's concert was measured at 120 decibels in the corridors backstage,[30] 🏀 which broke the record for the loudest sound ever recorded at the Stade de France.[40]
On 11 April 2024, the crowd 🏀 noise produced by the 80,000 people at the Stade de France during the 2024 Coupe de la Ligue Final reached 🏀 109 decibels, which set the world record for the noisiest stadium recorded during a final match of a football tournament.[41]
Tenants 🏀 [ edit ]
The Stade de France has as a regular tenant only the national football and national rugby teams. Repeated 🏀 attempts to persuade a professional football or rugby team to move there have failed so far. Upon the construction of 🏀 the stadium, Paris Saint-Germain declined to move there, choosing to remain at the Parc des Princes under pressure from its 🏀 then-owner (pay-TV network Canal Plus) and the Paris city government.
However, the Paris rugby club Stade Français have now established themselves 🏀 as a semi-regular tenant. They began by scheduling their Top 14 home fixture on 15 October 2005 against Toulouse at 🏀 Stade de France. Stade Français's president, Max Guazzini, publicly said that the club would have to sell 25,000 to 30,000 🏀 tickets to break even. Three weeks before the match, 61,000 tickets had been sold, setting a French record for tickets 🏀 sold to a league match for any sport, including football. The final attendance was 79,454, smashing the national attendance record 🏀 for a league match in any sport by more than 20,000. Five minutes before the end of the Toulouse match, 🏀 Guazzini announced to the crowd that Stade Français's scheduled home fixture against Biarritz in March 2006 would also be held 🏀 at Stade de France.[42] The Stade-Biarritz match broke the attendance record from earlier in the season, with 79,604 present.
Guazzini then 🏀 booked the Stade de France for the same two league fixtures in 2006–07. The Biarritz match on 16 October 2006 🏀 drew 79,619, making this the third consecutive Stade Français fixture at the Stade de France to set an all-time French 🏀 attendance record. The record was broken yet again at a match against Toulouse on 27 January 2007, with 79,741 filling 🏀 the stands. Stade Français went on to schedule three home matches at Stade de France in the 2007–08 season. For 🏀 the 2008–09 season, they booked Stade de France for three home league matches and a Heineken Cup pool match. The 🏀 number of Stade Français home matches at Stade de France increased again for 2009–10, with five Top 14 fixtures already 🏀 announced for the stadium.
Even with the lack of a regular league tenant, the stadium's revenue increased greatly in 2007, as 🏀 it was used extensively during the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, where it hosted numerous pool matches, a quarterfinal 🏀 match, both of the semi-finals and the final.
The Lille OSC football team played all its "home" games in European competition 🏀 during the 2005–06 season, both in the UEFA Champions League and the UEFA Cup, at the Stade de France because 🏀 its own stadium was then under renovation, and the only nearer alternative on French soil, Stade Félix-Bollaert, was not available 🏀 as that ground's occupant, Lille's local rival Lens, was also participating in the UEFA Cup. The Stade de France has 🏀 hosted the Champions League final on three occasions: 2000 (Real Madrid 3 Valencia 0), 2006 (Barcelona 2 Arsenal 1), and 🏀 2024 (Real Madrid 1 Liverpool 0),
Future developments [ edit ]
France's governing body for rugby union, the French Rugby Federation (FFR), 🏀 announced in November 2010 that it would not renew its deal to use Stade de France for international rugby matches 🏀 when it expires in 2013. FFR also stated that it planned to build a new stadium of its own in 🏀 the Paris region.[43]
Reportedly, the FFR had become increasingly frustrated with several aspects of the deal. According to rugby journalist Ian 🏀 Moriarty, "The deal with the Stade de France has been a disaster for the FFR financially over the years, forcing 🏀 France's powerbrokers to look across the English channel at the RFU's Twickenham cash cow with ever increasing envy."[44] Reports vary 🏀 widely as to how much the FFR must spend to rent out the stadium, but estimates range from €3 million[44] 🏀 to €5 million[45] per match. Although the Stade de France and Twickenham are roughly the same size, the rental expense 🏀 means that the FFR reportedly makes about one-third as much from a Stade de France sellout as does the RFU 🏀 from a sellout at Twickenham.[45] In addition, the national rugby team does not enjoy primacy at the Stade de France; 🏀 the national football team and major concerts take priority. FFR had to move two of its 2010–11 home Tests to 🏀 Montpellier and Nantes due to fixture clashes with the national football team.[44] Also, former FFR president Serge Blanco claimed that 🏀 the 2009 Top 14 final had to be moved from May to June because of a conflict with a Johnny 🏀 Hallyday rock concert.[43]
In June 2012, FFR announced that it had selected the site for its new ground, tentatively known as 🏀 Grand Stade FFR.[46] The 82,000-seat stadium, featuring a retractable roof and slide-out pitch, was to be built on a former 🏀 horse racing track in Évry, about 25 km (16 mi) south of Paris. The new stadium, estimated to cost €600 🏀 million, was originally scheduled to open in 2024,[44] but completion was later pushed back to the 2024/2024 time frame.[47] FFR 🏀 officially abandoned the stadium project in December 2024.[48]
Access [ edit ]
Although located at the crossroads of auto-routes A1 and A86, 🏀 it is not advisable to go there by car unless one has reserved parking. The stadium was built with a 🏀 very limited number of parking spaces, which is why public transportation is considered the primary means of getting to the 🏀 stadium. River shuttles are provided by the Canal Saint-Denis.
As part of the Grand Paris Express project and 2024 Olympic and 🏀 Paralympic Games, a new station at Saint-Denis Pleyel is under construction, connected by a bridge to the Stade de France–Saint-Denis 🏀 station. Initially served by Line 14 in time for the Games, the station will eventually serve 4 different Métro lines.[49][50]
See 🏀 also [ edit ]
