Stade de France

The Stade de France (French pronunciation: [stad 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.

Stade de France
Full nameStade de France
AddressPorte H - Avenue Jules Rimet, 93200
Saint-Denis
France
LocationZAC du Cornillon Nord
Saint-Denis, Île-de-France, France
Coordinates48.9245°N 2.3602°E / 48.9245; 2.3602
Public transit Paris Métro Line 13 Saint-Denis – Porte de Paris
RER D Stade de France – Saint-Denis
RER B La Plaine – Stade de France.
OwnerConsortium Stade de France
OperatorConsortium Stade de France
Type Football Stadium
Executive suites172
Capacity81,338 (football, rugby); 75,000 (athletics)[1]
Field size119 m × 75 m (130 yd × 82 yd)
SurfaceGrassMaster by Tarkett Sports
Construction
Built2 May 1995 (1995-05-02)
Opened28 January 1998 (1998-01-28)
Construction cost€364 million
ArchitectMichel Macary[2]
Aymeric Zublena[2]
Michel Regembal[2]
Claude Constantini[2]
Tenants
France national football team (1998present)
France national rugby union team (1998present)
Stade Français (selected matches)
Racing 92 (selected matches)
Website
stadefrance.com

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. It will also host matches for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the 2022 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 2022. As well as the 1999 and 2007 Rugby World Cup, 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 2016, 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 2016 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

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. 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.

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 2015, 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 2016 European Football Championship

In 2016, the Stade de France was used as the central stadium for the 2016 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 2016 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 2022 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. UEFA has commissioned an independent report into the event.

Architecture

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

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

Visitors' changing room

Stands

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.

Field

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 it could cause an explosion.

Giant screens

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.

Major sports matches

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 2016. The 2023 Rugby World Cup, including the final, and the MLB World Tour in 2025 is also planned for the venue. It also hosted the 2022 UEFA Champions League Final after being moved from the Gazprom Arena in Russia due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.[26]

Concerts

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, Bruno Mars, The Black Eyed Peas, Tina Turner, Jay Z, Red Hot Chili Peppers, One Direction, Eminem, Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, Madonna, The Police, BTS and Blackpink have performed here. [27]

Partial list of concerts[28]
Year Date Performer Opening act Tour / event Attendance Additional notes
199825 JulyThe Rolling StonesJean-Louis AubertBridges to Babylon Tour76,716First concert at the stadium
199919 JuneCéline DionDany BrillantLet's Talk About Love World Tour180,102[29]The concerts were filmed for the singer's concert film Au cœur du stade and recorded for the live album with the same name.
20 June
20005 JulyTina TurnerJoe CockerTwenty Four Seven Tour80,000
200122 JuneAC/DCThe Offspring, Pure RubbishStiff Upper Lip World Tour
200221 SeptemberVarious French rap artistsKery James Psy 4 de la Rime, Ärsenik, Fonky Family, Kool Shen, Joeystarr, B.O.S.S., Oxmo PuccinoUrban Peace
200324 MayBruce SpringsteenThe Rising Tour
9 JulyThe Rolling StonesStereophonicsLicks Tour75,517
200424 JunePaul McCartney2004 Summer Tour
20059 JulyU2Starsailor, Snow PatrolVertigo Tour160,349
10 JulySnow Patrol, The Music
200628 JulyThe Rolling StonesRazorlightA Bigger Bang62,761
200716 JuneStarsailor
22 JuneGeorge Michael25 Live63,583
29 SeptemberThe PoliceFiction PlaneThe Police Reunion Tour157,906
30 September
200817 MayÉmile et ImagesLio, Jean-Pierre Mader, Rose Laurens, Sabrina Salerno, Desireless, Jeanne Mas, Partenaire Particulier, Début de Soirée, Vivien Savage, Cookie Dingler, Jean Schultheis, Philippe Cataldo, Richard Sanderson, Murray Head, Opus, Léopold Nord & Vous, Kazino, RaftRFM Party 80
5 JulyDavid GuettaTiësto, Carl Cox, Joachim Garraud, Martin SolveigUnighted 2008
29 AugustAndré Rieu
20 SeptemberMadonnaBob SinclarSticky & Sweet Tour138,163
21 September
4 OctoberRohffKenza Farah, Sinik, Booba, Soprano, Psy4 de la Rime, TFL, Léa Castel, Kery James, Rim'K, Mala, Tunisiano, SefyuUrban Peace 2
200916 MayKassav'
12 JuneAC/DCThe Answer, Café BertrandBlack Ice World Tour74,549
27 JuneDepeche ModeM83Tour of the Universe65,005The concert was recorded for the group's live albums project Recording the Universe.
4 JulyDavid GuettaArmin van Buuren, Sven Vath, Axwell, Steve Angello, Cathy GuettaUnighted Energized
11 JulyU2Kaiser ChiefsU2 360° Tour186,544The performance of I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight from the concert was recorded for the group's live album From the Ground Up: Edge's Picks from U2360°.
12 July The performance of Angel of Harlem from the concert was recorded for the group's live album From The Ground Up: Edge's Picks from U2360°.
11 SeptemberMylène FarmerMylène Farmer en tournée163,457The concerts were filmed and recorded for the singer's concert film and live album N°5 on Tour.
12 September
201011 JuneMuseEditors, The Big Pink, I Am ArrowsThe Resistance Tour
12 JuneKasabian, White Lies, DeVotchKaThe performance of Stockholm Syndrome was recorded for the group's live EP Summer Stadiums 2010 EP. It was also filmed and released on the band's official YouTube channel.
18 JuneAC/DCSlash, Killing MachineBlack Ice World Tour76,375
26 JuneIndochineMeteor TourThe concert was filmed and recorded for the group's concert film and live album Putain de stade.
18 SeptemberU2InterpolU2 360° Tour96,540The performance of Moment of Surrender from the concert was recorded for the group's live EP Wide Awake in Europe.
201111 JuneManu Dibango, Petit Pays, Fally Ipupa, Jessy Matador, Passi, Werrason, Patience Dabany, Sekouba Bambino, Mory Kanté, Alpha Blondy, Magic System, Meiway, Mokobé, Oumou Sangaré, Negro pou la vi, Coumba Gawlo, Baaba MaalNuit Africaine
22 JuneThe Black Eyed PeasDavid GuettaThe Beginning
24 JuneNatalia Kills
25 June
30 JunePrinceWelcome 2
201212 MayMetallicaGojira, The Kills2012 European Black Album Tour72,975Noise record (Gojira).[30]
30 JuneRed Hot Chili PeppersThe VaccinesI'm With You World TourThe concert was recorded for the group's live albums project Red Hot Chili Peppers Official Bootlegs.
14 JulyMadonnaMartin Solveig, will.i.amMDNA Tour62,195
2 SeptemberColdplayMarina and the Diamonds, Charli XCXMylo Xyloto Tour77,813Part of the concert was filmed and recorded for the group's concert film and live album Coldplay Live 2012. Rihanna appeared onstage for two songs.
22 SeptemberLady GagaLady Starlight, Rerelolewa OyedeleThe Born This Way Ball70,617
20138 JuneRihannaDavid Guetta, WE ARE GTADiamonds World Tour75,841At that time, Rihanna became the youngest act ever to headline the stadium.
15 JuneDepeche ModeDouglas McCarthyThe Delta Machine Tour67,103
21 JuneMuseParamore, fun.The 2nd Law World Tour150,936
22 JuneBiffy Clyro, Dizzie Rascal, Polly Money
29 JuneBruce SpringsteenWrecking Ball World Tour61,867
22 AugustEminemKendrick Lamar, Earlwolf, Earl Sweatshirt, Tyler, The Creator, Slaughterhouse71,542
21 SeptemberRoger WatersThe Wall Live69,119
28 SeptemberSexion d'AssautIAM, Orelsan, Psy 4 de la Rime, La Fouine, YoussouphaUrban Peace 3
201426 AprilJustin TimberlakeThe 20/20 Experience World Tour57,286
13 JuneThe Rolling Stones14 On Fire76,495
20 JuneOne DirectionMcBustedWhere We Are Tour114,172
21 June
27 JuneIndochineBlack City TourTwo concerts were filmed and recorded for the group's concert film and live album Black City Concerts.
28 June
12 SeptemberBeyoncé and Jay ZOn the Run Tour147,012[31]The concerts were aired by HBO. Nicki Minaj appeared on stage for one song.
13 September
201523 MayAC/DCRock or Bust World Tour150,000
26 May
11 JunePaul McCartneyOut There
201621 JulyBeyoncéChloe x Halle, IngridThe Formation World Tour75,106[32]
30 JulyRihannaBig Sean, DJ MustardAnti World Tour
20171 JulyDepeche ModeAlgiersGlobal Spirit Tour58,199
7 JulyGuns N' RosesBiffy ClyroNot in This Lifetime... Tour60,438
15 JulyColdplayTove Lo
Lyves
A Head Full of Dreams Tour235,611The shows grossed $19.8 million in total.[33]
16 July
18 July
25 JulyU2Noel Gallagher's High Flying BirdsThe Joshua Tree Tour 2017154,486
26 July
15 SeptemberLes InsusDernier Appel
16 September
2018 30 JuneBruno MarsDNCE, DJ Rashida24K Magic World Tour
6 JulyEd SheeranAnne Marie, Jamie Lawson÷ Tour153,065
7 July
14 JulyBeyoncé and Jay ZOn the Run II Tour111,615[34]
15 JulyThe 2018 FIFA World Cup Final was broadcast live before the start of the concert.
2019 12 MayMetallicaGhost
Bokassa
WorldWired Tour74,889
7 JuneBTSBTS World Tour Love Yourself: Speak Yourself107,328
8 June
29 JuneRockin' 1000
5 JulyMuseWeezer, Mini MansionsSimulation Theory World Tour131,321Clips of the performances of Propaganda, Thought Contagion and Algorithm were released on the group's official YouTube channel.
6 JulySWMRS, Mini Mansions
29 NovemberMaître GimsFuego Tour72,000
20204 JulyRockin' 1000
2022 21 May IndochineCoach PartyCentral Tour
8 July[35]Red Hot Chili PeppersAnderson .Paak & the Free Nationals
Thundercat
2022 Global Stadium Tour136,512
9 July
16 JulyColdplayH.E.R.
Gaumar
Music of the Spheres World Tour318,331Coldplay holds four records at the venue:
  • Fastest sales of all time (over 200,000 tickets in one morning).[36]
  • First act in history to sell over 300,000 tickets on a single tour.[37]
  • First act in history to perform four shows on a single tour.[38]
  • Biggest attendance of all time, with 318,331 concert goers in total.[39]
17 July
19 JulyLondon Grammar
Lous and the Yakuza
20 July
24 July Lady Gaga The Chromatica Ball 78,866
29 JulyEd SheeranMaisie Peters, Griff+–=÷x Tour166,764
30 July
3 September Booba SDM & Green Montana
2023 17 MayMetallicaFive Finger Death Punch
Ice Nine Kills
M72 World Tour
19 MayArchitects
Mammoth WVH
26 May Beyoncé Renaissance World Tour 68,624
1 JuneHarry StylesWet LegLove On Tour132,880
2 June
24 June Depeche Mode Jehnny Beth Memento Mori World Tour
8 July Muse Royal Blood Will of the People World Tour
15 July Blackpink

Born Pink World Tour

22 July Rammstein Rammstein Stadium Tour
29 July The Weeknd Kaytranada
Mike Dean
After Hours til Dawn Tour 150,610 / 150,610 $15,858,993
30 July
2024 27 September Mylène Farmer Nevermore 2023/2024
28 September
1 October

Noise record

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 2015, the crowd noise produced by the 80,000 people at the Stade de France during the 2015 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

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 2022 (Real Madrid 1 Liverpool 0),

Future developments

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 2017,[44] but completion was later pushed back to the 2021/2022 time frame.[47] FFR officially abandoned the stadium project in December 2016.[48]

Access

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]

Public transport stations serving Stade de France
Station Line
La Plaine – Stade de France RER B
Stade de France – Saint-Denis RER D
Saint-Denis – Porte de Paris Paris Métro Line 13 and Tramway Line 8
La Plaine – Stade de France RATP 139, 153, 173, 239, 253
Saint-Denis – Porte de Paris RATP 153, 154, 168, 170, 239, 253, 254, 255, 256, 268
Delaunay-Rimet RATP 239, 253

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Events and tenants
Preceded by FIFA World Cup
Opening venue

1998
Succeeded by
Preceded by FIFA World Cup
Final venue

1998
Succeeded by
Preceded by UEFA Champions League
Final venue

2000
Succeeded by
Preceded by
International Stadium
Yokohama
FIFA Confederations Cup
Final venue

2003
Succeeded by
Preceded by IAAF World Championships in Athletics
Main venue

2003
Succeeded by
Preceded by UEFA Champions League
Final venue

2006
Succeeded by
Preceded by Rugby World Cup
Final venue

2007
Succeeded by
Preceded by UEFA European Championship
Final venue

2016
Succeeded by
Preceded by UEFA Champions League
Final venue

2022
Succeeded by
Atatürk Olympic Stadium
Istanbul
Preceded by
International Stadium
Yokohama
Rugby World Cup
Final venue

2023
Succeeded by
TBD
Preceded by Summer Olympics
Athletics competitions
Main venue

2024
Succeeded by

48°55′28″N 2°21′36″E

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