Stade de France opened on 28 January 1998 in Saint-Denis, just north of Paris, and quickly established itself as the centerpiece of French sport. Built for the 1998 FIFA World Cup at a cost of €364 million, the stadium holds 81,338 spectators for football and rugby matches, making it the largest in France. Its four-tiered bowl, designed by architects Michel Macary, Aymeric Zublena, Michel Regembal, and Claude Constantini, surrounds the pitch on all sides and generates an atmosphere that has become legendary across European football and rugby.
The stadium earned global renown on the night it mattered most: on 12 July 1998, France defeated Brazil 3–0 in the FIFA World Cup final on home soil, igniting celebrations across the country. Since then, Stade de France has hosted UEFA Champions League finals in 2000, 2006, and 2022, two Rugby World Cups (2007 and 2023), UEFA Euro 2016, and the athletics and rugby sevens events at the 2024 Paris Olympics. It stands as one of only two stadiums in the world to have staged both a FIFA World Cup final and a Rugby World Cup final.
Stats at a Glance
- Teams: France national football and rugby union teams
- Location: Saint-Denis, Île-de-France, France
- Opened: 28 January 1998
- Capacity: 81,338 (football/rugby); 77,083 (athletics)
- Surface: Hybrid grass
- Construction Cost: €364 million
- Notable Distinction: One of only two stadiums to host both a FIFA World Cup final and a Rugby World Cup final
Iconic Moments in the Stadium’s History
Stade de France was christened on 28 January 1998 with a friendly between France and Spain, but its defining moment arrived five months later when it hosted the 1998 FIFA World Cup final. A crowd of around 75,000 watched Zinédine Zidane head in two goals as France lifted the trophy for the first time. The stadium has since welcomed three UEFA Champions League finals—2000, 2006, and 2022—plus the Rugby World Cup finals of 2007 and 2023. During UEFA Euro 2016, it hosted both the opening match and the final.
The 2024 Paris Olympics brought another celebrated chapter: Stade de France staged Olympic athletics and rugby sevens, featuring a striking purple running track designed with over 50% renewable materials—a deliberate nod to the ash-gray tracks used when Paris last hosted the Games in 1924. The stadium also hosted the closing ceremony of the 2024 Paralympic Games.
Architecture and Unique Features
Stade de France features a distinctive elliptical roof that covers all 81,338 seats while leaving the playing surface open to natural light. One of its most innovative engineering elements is a retractable lower stand: the 25,000-seat tier can slide up to 15 metres toward the pitch for football and rugby matches, then retract to reveal the athletics track beneath—allowing the venue to switch configurations without reconstructing the seating bowl.
The hybrid grass pitch measures 119 metres by 75 metres and is maintained to the highest standards for international competition. This flexible design has made Stade de France one of the most versatile major venues in Europe, equally capable of hosting a Champions League final, a Six Nations decider, or a sold-out concert by global headliners.
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Stade de France FAQs
Where is Stade de France located?
Stade de France is located in Saint-Denis, a commune in the Île-de-France region just north of central Paris. It is accessible by Paris Métro Line 13 (La Plaine–Stade de France station) and suburban RER B and D trains.
What is the seating capacity of Stade de France?
The stadium holds 81,338 spectators for football and rugby union matches, and 77,083 in athletics configuration when the retractable lower tier slides back to expose the running track.
Has Stade de France hosted a FIFA World Cup final?
Yes. On 12 July 1998, Stade de France hosted the FIFA World Cup final in which France defeated Brazil 3–0. It is one of only two stadiums in history to have staged both a FIFA World Cup final and a Rugby World Cup final, alongside Nissan Stadium in Yokohama.
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Photo: Zakarie Faibis / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.