The Stade de France, located in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, is the largest stadium in France and one of the most iconic in the country. Built for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, it is a central venue for many major sporting events, concerts and shows.
Features of the Stade de France:
Inauguration and 1998 World Cup: The Stade de France was inaugurated on January 28, 1998, specifically to host the FIFA World Cup of the same year. It immediately acquired a place in the history of French sport when the French football team won its first World Cup by beating Brazil 3-0 in the final, an unforgettable moment for the French.
Capacity and architecture: With a capacity of 80,000 seats, the Stade de France is one of the largest stadiums in Europe. Designed by architects Michel Macary, Aymeric Zublena, Michel Regembal, and Claude Constantini, the stadium is distinguished by its modern and functional design. It has an elliptical roof, floating above the stands, but not covering the pitch, to leave a feeling of openness towards the sky.
Versatility: The Stade de France is designed to host both football and rugby events and large-scale concerts. Thanks to an ingenious system of retractable stands, it can go from a football/rugby field to an athletics track in a few days. It is the stadium where the matches of the French football and rugby teams take place, but it has also hosted many world sporting events such as the Champions League finals and the World Athletics Championships.
Concerts and shows: In addition to sporting events, the Stade de France is a stage for the greatest international artists. Legends such as U2, Beyoncé, The Rolling Stones, Coldplay and Madonna have performed here in front of massive crowds, making it a must-see venue for major concerts in Paris.
2024 Olympic Games: The Stade de France will play a crucial role in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, hosting the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as several sporting events, such as athletics, further cementing its status as a world-class stadium.