Parc des Princes is a football stadium in the 16th arrondissement of Paris, France, best known today as the home of Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain. The current stadium is actually the third structure to occupy the site, which first opened on July 18, 1897, as a velodrome for cycling races, including finishes of the Tour de France from 1903 to 1967.
The present-day arena was designed by architects Roger Taillibert and Siavash Teimouri and completed in 1972 after the second stadium was demolished. Its distinctive concrete facade and sweeping cantilevered roof made it one of the most advanced stadiums in Europe at the time. Before the Stade de France opened in 1998, Parc des Princes served as France’s primary national stadium for both football and rugby, hosting the opening match of the 1938 FIFA World Cup, the 1975 European Cup final, and the UEFA Euro 1984 final.
Stats at a Glance
- Team(s): Paris Saint-Germain (since 1974)
- Location: 16th arrondissement, Paris, France
- Opened: July 18, 1897 (current structure completed 1972)
- Capacity: About 47,900
- Architect: Roger Taillibert and Siavash Teimouri
- Notable fact: Hosted the 1938 World Cup opening match and Euro 1984 final
The Ride Experience
Matchday at Parc des Princes is defined by its steep, close-to-the-pitch stands, a legacy of Taillibert’s design that keeps every one of the roughly 48,000 seats near the action. The four covered stands, including the famously loud Auteuil end where PSG’s ultras gather, create an intense atmosphere for Ligue 1 and Champions League nights.
Beyond football, the stadium’s rugby heritage lingers in its bones, having hosted French national team matches for decades, including the all-time attendance record of 50,370 spectators for a France versus Wales match in 1989 before seating was reconfigured.
History and Future
The site’s cycling origins gave way to football and rugby dominance through the 20th century, and the current concrete-and-glass structure remains a protected architectural landmark, limiting major expansion. It returned to the world stage in 2024, hosting football matches during the Paris Olympics.
Because its capacity is comparatively modest for a club of PSG’s ambitions, the club has explored building a new, larger stadium after Paris city officials rejected a proposed sale of Parc des Princes to PSG in 2024, leaving the venue’s long-term future uncertain.
Explore more: Explore more legendary stadiums.
Parc des Princes FAQs
Who plays at Parc des Princes?
Paris Saint-Germain has played its home matches at Parc des Princes since 1974, and the stadium has also historically hosted the French national football and rugby teams.
How many people can Parc des Princes hold?
The stadium’s current capacity is approximately 47,900, making it one of the smaller top-flight stadiums among Europe’s biggest clubs.
When was Parc des Princes built?
The site first opened as a cycling velodrome in 1897. The current, third version of the stadium was designed by Roger Taillibert and completed in 1972.
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Photo: Agence Rol, photographie de presse (auteur inconnu) / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.