Stade Bollaert-Delelis

The Stade Bollaert-Delelis (French pronunciation: [stad bɔlaʁt dələlis]) is the main football stadium in Lens, France, that was built in 1933. It is the home of RC Lens. The stadium's capacity is 38,223 – about 7,000 more than the city's population. The stadium was originally named after Félix Bollaert, a director of Compagnie des Mines de Lens who was anxious to promote the development of sports clubs in the city. Construction began in 1931, but Bollaert had died shortly before the stadium's inauguration. It was renamed Stade Bollaert-Delelis in 2012 after the death of André Delelis, the former mayor of the city who was politician who served as the Minister of Commerce under President François Mitterrand.

Stade Bollaert-Delelis
Former namesStade Félix-Bollaert (1933–2012)
LocationLens, France
Coordinates50°25′58″N 2°48′54″E
Capacity38,223 (after renovation)
Construction
Opened18 June 1933
Renovated2014–2015
Tenants
RC Lens

History

The stadium has hosted matches in the following major international tournaments:

Architecture
The renovated stadium.

The stadium is constructed in the English style with four separate stands dedicated respectively to:

  • Henri Trannin, native of Bully-les-Mines, Goalkeeper at the club for 18 years, sports director for Lens from 1952 to 1956, passing away in July 1974; it was dedicated on 4 December 1976
  • Tony Marek, former player and coach, international in the 1950s (lower part) and Xercès Louis, former player, first French international player from the Antilles (upper part);
  • Élie Delacourt, former fans' group president;
  • Max Lepagnot, former president of the district of Artois.

Until 15 September 2018, all parts of the stadium contained seating. However, most supporters in the Marek, being a side stand, used to keep standing during the games as it is considered the kop and are considered as the most fervent supporters in the stadium, which makes the stadium different from most of the other stadiums, as the most fervent fans tend to usually sit behind the nets. Since 15 September 2018, the Marek contains a standing area again, as well as the lower parts of the Trannin and Delacourt stands since the start of the 2022–2023 season. The stadium's capacity is now 38,223.[1]

Events

UEFA Euro 1984
Date Team #1 Res. Team #2 Round
13 June 1984 Belgium2–0 YugoslaviaGroup A
17 June 1984 West Germany2–1 RomaniaGroup B

1998 FIFA World Cup

The stadium was one of the venues of the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and held the following matches:

Date Team #1 Res. Team #2 Round
12 June 1998 Saudi Arabia0–1 DenmarkGroup C
14 June 1998 Jamaica1–3 CroatiaGroup H
21 June 1998 Germany2–2 FR YugoslaviaGroup F
24 June 1998 Spain6–1 BulgariaGroup D
26 June 1998 Colombia0–2 EnglandGroup G
28 June 1998 France1–0 ParaguayRound of 16

1999 Rugby World Cup
Date Team #1 Res. Team #2 Round
20 October 1999masum. Ireland24–28 ArgentinaPlay-off Stage

2007 Rugby World Cup
Date Team #1 Res. Team #2 Round
8 September 2007 England28–10 United StatesGroup A
22 September 2007 South Africa30–25 TongaGroup A
26 September 2007 Georgia30–0 NamibiaGroup D

UEFA Euro 2016

In May 2011, the stadium was designated to host the 2016 European Football Championship. To be renovated, the stadium was closed during the 2014-2015 season.

Date Time (CET) Team #1 Result Team #2 Round Attendance
11 June 201615:00 Albania0–1  SwitzerlandGroup A33,805
16 June 201615:00 England2–1 WalesGroup B34,033
21 June 201621:00 Czech Republic0–2 TurkeyGroup D32,836
25 June 201621:00 Croatia0–1 PortugalRound of 1633,523

Other uses

The France national team has played eight matches at the stadium without defeat. Lille played two UEFA Champions League campaigns there when their own stadium was deemed inadequate, in (2001–02 and 2006–07). It hosted the Johnny Hallyday concert in 2009 and a Jehovah's Witnesses gathering in 2006, which created controversy. The stadium is the setting for a scene in the movie Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis, shot during a match between Lens and Nice in April 2007. The song "Les corons" is sung by the public at the end of halftime break.

In 2012 the Stadium held a rugby League match between France and Wales as part of an Autumn International Series match. 11,278 fans came to watch the game.

References
  1. Official RC Lens web site (in French). rclens.fr.
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