Top 10 Biggest Stadiums In France

This is the top 10 largest football stadiums in France. These are the biggest grounds by capacity.

However, are the 10 considerable size football fields in France;

1. Stade de France
2. Stade Vélodrome
3. Parc Olympique Lyonnais
4. Stade Pierre-Mauroy
5. Parc des Princes
6. Matmut Atlantique
7. Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
8. Stade Bollaert-Delelis
9. Stade de la Beaujoire
10. Allianz Riviera

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Let’s dive right in.

1. Stade de France ( 81, 338 Capacity )

Stade de France stadium is so large that it can fit 80,698 fans, making it the biggest football stadium in France. This ground is also used by the French national football and rugby teams.

It is even bigger when it’s time for track and field events, like those races you see in the Olympics, as It can hold up to 78,338 people for those events, and the running track is hidden under the football field.

In 1998, the field was built for the FIFA World Cup tournaments And it has seen memorable days like when France won the World Cup, beating Brazil 3–0.

2. Stade Vélodrome ( 67, 394 Capacity )

Stade Vélodrome stadium has seen the rise of champions and the roar of the crowd for decades and is located in Marseille, France. The Stade Vélodrome, which is now known as the Orange Vélodrome is a multi-purpose ground.

In 1937, the first-ever match played on this ground was between Marseille and Torino. Also, it has recorded the biggest football competitions like the FIFA World Cup, and UEFA European Championship.

Did you know that the 20th stage of the 2017 Tour de France, a famous cycling race, started and ended there? That’s part of the memories the stadium has experienced.

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3. Parc Olympique Lyonnais ( 59, 186 Capacity )

Parc Olympique Lyonnais, also known as the Groupama Stadium, is one of the biggest fields in Lyon, France. With 59,186 seats, it is a sea of excitement whenever a game is on.

Before this fantastic stadium, OL used to play at the Stade de Gerland. But in January 2016, the Parc Olympique Lyonnais took its place, giving fans a new place to cheer their team.

The very first game here was a success, with OL winning 4–1 against Troyes. This stadium has hosted some major events. It was part of the ground they used during UEFA Euro 2016 and was chosen for the 2017 Coupe de la Ligue Final, plus, the 2018 UEFA Europa League Final

Furthermore, it was one of the main stadiums in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, hosting the semi-finals and the final matches. Then again, fans would support their side during the football events at the 2024 Summer Olympics at the Groupama Stadium.

That reminds me, the French team played an amazing game here during UEFA Euro 2016, defeating the Republic of Ireland in the last 16.

4. Stade Pierre-Mauroy ( 50, 186 Capacity )

Stade Pierre-Mauroy Stadium hosts sports and entertainment and is one of the largest stadiums in France. This high-tech field was opened in August 2012 and became Lille OSC’s home.

After the former Mayor of Lille and Prime Minister of France, Pierre Mauroy passed away in 2013, the stadium was renamed in his honor. One of the coolest things about this field is its retractable roof.

it can open and close in just 15 minutes. Plus, half of the field can move up to create a lower-level space called the Boîte à Spectacles, where basketball, tennis, and music shows can happen.

The stadium is also super environment-friendly with solar panels and windmills that provide electricity. It’s easily accessible by metro and road, and there are 7,000 parking spots.

This stadium has hosted the French national football and rugby teams, as well as exciting matches during UEFA Euro 2016. In all, this stadium could be your favorite spot for basketball, handball, and even concerts.

It’s so good that it was chosen as one of the venues for the 2023 Rugby World Cup and the 2024 Olympic Games for handball and basketball tournaments.

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5. Parc des Princes ( 47, 929 Capacity )

Parc des Princes is an all-seater stadium in Paris, with a total of 47, 929 seats. Since 1974, this stadium has been the ground where PSG plays their home games.

Even before the Stade de France was built, it was where France’s national football and rugby teams played their games. The Parc des Princes began in 1897 when the first stadium was originally called Stade Vélodrome du Parc des Princes.

Years back, it transformed, and by 1932, the second version with a capacity of 45,000 seats emerged. The stadium has four incredible stands, Tribune Borelli, Tribune Auteuil, Tribune Paris, and Tribune Boulogne.

The Parc des Princes you see today is the result of a dream by architects Roger Taillibert and Siavash Teimouri. In 1972, this plan officially became reality, opening its doors to fans at 80–150 million francs.

The stadium holds stories of heroic matches. In 1983, 49,575 fans were present as PSG triumphed over Waterschei in the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-finals.

But in 1989, the France national rugby union team recorded 50, 370 fans when they defeated Wales. In 2013, PSG and the Paris City Council extended their stadium lease.

With a €75 million upgrade, the stadium got a modern facelift, more comfortable seats, and enhanced facilities. PSG’s plans for the future include increasing the stadium’s capacity to 60,000, aiming to establish the Parc des Princes as a European football powerhouse.

6. Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux ( 42, 115 Capacity )

The Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux ground is where Ligue 2 club FC Girondins de Bordeaux play their home games. In November 2012, the first brick was laid, and it was finally unveiled in April 2015.

Then on 23 May 2015, the stadium hosted the inaugural match featuring Bordeaux against Montpellier. Diego Rolan’s two goals secured Bordeaux’s 2–1 victory.

And ever since, the stadium has been a versatile arena, hosting all kinds of event It hosted the semi-finals of the 2014–15 Top 14 rugby union season, and the ground hosted four matches during UEFA Euro 2016.

Even the French-Canadian sensation Céline Dion kicked things off with the first concert on 29 June 2017. Also, the hard rock legends Guns N’ Roses tilted the stadium during their Not In This Lifetime…Tour on June 26, 2018.

This stadium was part of Paris’s bid for the 2024 Summer Olympics, and after France’s successful bid, it was confirmed as one of the venues for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

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7. Stade Geoffroy-Guichard ( 41, 9615 Capacity )

Stade Geoffroy-Guichard is a multi-purpose stadium that’s woven into the fabric of sports history. It’s where AS Saint-Étienne, the local football team, has made its legacy.

The UEFA Euro 1984 and 2016, the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup have all graced its grounds. During Saint-Étienne laurels days, the stadium’s record attendance was about 47,000 in 1985.

Its current capacity, 42,000 seated spectators, is a result of renovations that finished in recent years. If you check out, you will see that the stadium is a masterpiece in its layout.

Built-in the “English style,” it features no corner stands, ensuring an uninterrupted view for every fan. The four stands, Charles Paret, Jean Snella, Pierre Faurand, and Henri Point are the pillars of support and energy.

8. Stade Bollaert-Delelis ( 38, 223 Capacity )

The Stade Bollaert-Delelis stadium has a capacity of 38,223, and it can hold about 7,000 more people. In 2012, the stadium paid tribute to André Delelis, the city’s former mayor and a notable politician.

Stade Bollaert-Delelis has been the ground for memorable moments, from the 1984 European Championship to the 2016 European Championship, and even the 1998 FIFA World Cup, 1999 Rugby World Cup, and 2007 Rugby World Cup.

The stadium’s architecture is a tribute to its legends, Henri Trannin, Tony Marek, Xercès Louis, Élie Delacourt, and Max Lepagnot. This stadium has the Marek stand, known as the kop, supporting RC Lens, which adds a unique flavor.

Unlike many stadiums, this is where the most passionate fans stand, infusing the air with energy.

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9. Stade de la Beaujoire ( 37, 473 )

Stade de la Beaujoire made it to the list, having 37, 473 breadth. The stadium was named after Louis Fonteneau, FC Nantes’ president from 1969 to 1986.

In its early days, the stadium had a capacity of 52,923, witnessing its highest turnout in a France-Belgium clash in 1984, where 51,359 fans came to watch the game.

However, this arena has seen International rugby matches, including France against New Zealand. Also, the 2007 Rugby World Cup saw Wales, England, and Fiji battle on the ground.

The stadium even saw the Top 14 semi finals and hosted Racing Métro 92’s final “home” bout against Clermont. During UEFA Euro 1984, the stadium witnessed Michel Platini’s brilliance, with France triumphing over Belgium 5-0.

How about the 1998 FIFA World Cup? The field hosted six matches, including the quarter-final clash between Brazil and Denmark. And In Euro 1984, Stade de la Beaujoire hosted France vs. Belgium and Portugal vs. Romania.

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10. Allianz Riviera ( 36, 178 Capacity )

Allianz Riviera is a massive multi-use stadium in Nice, France, where moments of triumph, and defeat come to life. It’s one of the largest football stadiums in France, with a capacity of 36,178.

The Allianz Riviera got international attention as one of the venues for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Also, the ground witnessed UEFA Euro 2016 special clashes and moments.