Paris arena "Stade de France": history and useful information about the object

The football stadium "Stade de France" is considered the largest in France, it is a national sporting asset and pride. Here the French soccer team arranges its most important matches. On the same stadium rugby competitions are arranged. This multifunctional arena is located in the municipality of Saint-Denis, in the northern suburbs of the French capital. In terms of capacity, this stadium occupies the sixth place on the European continent: it accommodates more than 81 thousand spectators.

History of the world famous stadium

The "Stade de France" was built in 1998. Its erection timed to the World Cup. In Paris there is another arena - "Park de Prens", but it can not accept more than 50 thousand guests. Therefore, it was decided to build a sports complex, which would be able to accommodate 80 and more thousands of people.

The construction of the "Stade de France" (Paris) began in 1995 - three years before the cherished date. It lasted more than 30 months. At the end of January 1998, the arena was inaugurated. At the opening ceremony, journalists, fans, sportsmen and first persons of France saw that the country received a well-equipped sports complex, which can be a concert venue of world significance.

The opening of the stadium "Stade de France" was accompanied by a friendly match between the teams of Spain and France. It was during her time that the only legendary goal in the match was scored by Zinedine Zidane. During the 1998 World Cup, nine matches were played in the arena, in addition, a couple of Champions League finals were held here. The European Football Championship in 2016 was also held at this stadium.

Arena construction

In the vicinity of Paris it was extremely difficult to find a place for the construction of the arena, so the stadium "Stade de France" was decided to erect in the suburbs of the metropolis. Initially, it was planned to place the complex in Melun-Senar, but the organizers of the World Cup received many complaints that it would be too far away. So it was decided to build a future attraction in the burial place of French kings - in Saint-Denis.

On the territory of abandoned gas development, construction work began on the construction of the stadium. Several French architects became ideologists of the arena project. Their names are known to many. They are Rezhambal Michel, Claude Constantine, Michelle Macari and Eimerik Zublen. The design of the complex is influenced by the Roman Colosseum.

The designers have done everything in such a way that, if necessary, you can disassemble one of the stands of the stadium. This is necessary when it is necessary to make room for the arrangement of treadmills and track and field sectors. The lower ranks of the stands in the arena are mobile and easily cleaned. In this stadium will accommodate 70 thousand spectators. Also, the architects have provided a dismountable roof over the stadium, which protects athletes and fans from various weather phenomena.

Construction of the stadium cost 285 million euros.

Interesting facts about the stadium

Stadium "Stade de France" - this is the only arena on the planet that has hosted the world championships in rugby and football.

May 9, 2009 was recorded a record attendance of the complex. Then there was the final of the French Cup between the teams "Gengham" and "Rennes". The game was viewed by 80 056 fans.

Despite the fact that there is a stadium in the suburbs of Paris, it is very easy to get to it. Near the main roads and a couple of metro stations. Also from the capital there are buses and trains.

The field of the stadium is located below the level of the Earth at 11 meters.

Stadium as a tourist attraction

"Stade de France" has already become a landmark, so it is regularly arranged tours. During a small trip, tourists can visit the president's box, visit the locker rooms, where the stars of world sports dress before the tournaments. Visitors also have the opportunity to walk through the players tunnel and visit the museum dedicated to the construction of the stadium and the famous sports events of the world championships. The whole tour takes about an hour, and then the tourists are allowed another half an hour to walk around the museum.

From September 1 to March 31, all days except Monday, guided tours to the arena "Stade de France." Tours are conducted in English, and for the ticket you will have to pay 15 €. Tourists do not have the right to come on excursions only one day before the upcoming sports event and the day after it.

If there was no football

Where is the "Stade de France", the reader is already aware, but the question remains open as to what is going on at the stadium when there are no football matches. After all, they are arranged here infrequently. So, in the arena in due time were spent motocross race of champions. In 2003, the complex was the site for the World Athletics Championships.

From time to time the main Parisian rugby club conducts home matches in the arena. A variety of shows and concerts are also arranged in this stadium. There were many pop stars, among them - Madonna, "Rolling Stones", Milen Farmer, U2 and others.