Stade de France opened on 28 January 1998 in Saint-Denis, just north of Paris, and quickly became the centerpiece of French sport. Built for the 1998 FIFA World Cup at a cost of €364 million, it holds 81,338 spectators for football and rugby, making it the largest stadium in France.
Beyond match days, Stade de France is one of the most-visited sports venues in Europe, with daily guided tours, an on-site museum, and easy access by RER and metro from central Paris. This guide covers verified tour prices and schedules, how to get there, parking, seating categories, the bag policy, and accessibility, alongside the stadium’s World Cup, rugby, and Olympic history.
Quick Answer
Stade de France seats 81,338 for football and rugby (about 78,000 for athletics, and up to roughly 100,080 for large-scale concerts) at Place aux Étoiles, 93210 Saint-Denis, reachable in minutes from central Paris via RER B or D, or Metro Line 13 or 14. On non-event days you can book a 90-minute guided stadium tour through the official Stade de France tour page, where adult tickets are €18.50, ages 5–18 are €11.50, and the family rate (2 adults + 2 children) is €46, with children under 5 free.
Stadium Facts at a Glance
Stade de France was designed by architects Michel Macary, Aymeric Zublena, Michel Regembal, and Claude Constantini and built at a cost of €364 million ahead of the 1998 World Cup. Its bowl configuration is what makes it so versatile: the lower tier retracts to reveal an athletics track, allowing the same stadium to host football and rugby internationals (81,338 capacity), track and field (around 78,000), and, with a central stage and temporary floor seating, concerts for crowds approaching 100,000 — the stadium’s own attendance record stands at 100,080, set at a 2026 concert.
The stadium sits at Place aux Étoiles, 93210 Saint-Denis, about 20–30 minutes from central Paris by public transport, and is fully accessible to visitors with reduced mobility following a multi-year accessibility upgrade completed in 2022 and formally approved in 2023.
Tickets & Tour Prices
Two separate ticket types exist for Stade de France, and it’s easy to confuse them. Stadium tours are self-contained visits sold year-round on non-event days, while match and concert tickets are event-specific and go on sale separately through the organizer. Verified current tour pricing is €18.50 for adults, €11.50 for ages 5–18, €46 for a family of two adults and two children, and free for children under 5. Reservations are mandatory through the official booking partner, Cultival, linked from the official Stade de France tour page — always book there rather than through a third-party reseller, since prices and schedules can shift seasonally.
Match tickets for internationals are sold by the French Football Federation or French Rugby Federation, while concert tickets are handled by the promoter or the stadium’s own ticketing partners, all linked from the official Stade de France ticket office. Buying through official channels is the only way to guarantee a valid seat, since Stade de France events routinely attract resale activity at inflated prices.
Guided Tour: What to Expect & Hours
Tours run on days without a scheduled event (they pause on the eve of and on event days themselves) and last about 1 hour 30 minutes, following the route used by players and performers: the changing rooms, the tunnel to the pitch, presidential boxes, a climb through the stands, and a stop at the on-site museum, entering through Gate H. The museum’s permanent exhibition traces the stadium’s history through match-worn shirts, medals, and stage props from concerts held there.
French-language tours depart multiple times daily, generally between 11:00 and 16:00 depending on the season and day of the week. English tours run on a set seasonal schedule — for example, once daily in spring and winter, twice daily in peak summer — with Spanish, German, and Dutch offered on request, subject to availability; contact the stadium in advance if you need a specific language. Because timing changes by season, always confirm the day’s departure times on the official tour booking page before you go.
How to Get to Stade de France
The fastest routes from central Paris are by RER: RER B to La Plaine–Stade de France takes about 4 minutes from Gare du Nord (around 8 minutes from Châtelet–Les Halles), and RER D to Stade de France–Saint-Denis takes about 5 minutes from Gare du Nord (around 9 minutes from Châtelet). By Metro, Line 13 serves Saint-Denis–Porte de Paris, Line 12 serves Front Populaire, and Line 14 runs to Stade de France–Pleyel, all within a 10–30 minute ride depending on your starting point; tram Lines 1 and 8 also stop nearby.
Cyclists can reach the stadium from northern Paris via dedicated cycle paths in roughly 20 minutes. Free, self-service bike parking for around 1,000 bikes is available on Rue de Brennus, less than 200 metres from the stadium, with several bike-share stations and fee-based secure lockers at nearby RER stations.
Parking at Stade de France
The stadium’s official car parks (lots P1, P2, and P3) accommodate vehicles up to about 2 to 2.1 metres in height and open from 8 a.m. until 1 a.m. for evening events, or until 9 p.m. for daytime matinee events. Parking tickets must be bought online in advance through the stadium’s official ticketing partners — none are sold at the gate on event day — so drivers should reserve a space before travelling.
Motorcycles have covered parking areas, plus free on-street motorcycle parking near lot P4 and along Rue Henri Delaunay. By car, the stadium is accessed from the A1 motorway (exit signposted ‘Stade de France’) or the A86 motorway (exit signposted ‘Saint-Denis–La Plaine Stade de France’). Given limited on-site capacity relative to a sold-out crowd, public transport is generally the more reliable option on event days.
Seating Chart & Categories
Stade de France’s bowl is divided into numbered stands arranged around the pitch, with match tickets typically sold in categories (1 through 4, plus premium hospitality tiers) based on proximity to the pitch and sightline quality — lower-tier seats closest to the halfway line command the highest category, while upper-tier and corner seats are priced lower. The stadium’s own ‘Where’s My Seat’ tool lets ticket holders enter their stand, row, and seat number to preview the exact view before attending.
Because the lower tier is retractable, sightlines for football and rugby differ slightly from the athletics configuration, when the rear sections drop and the inner ring pulls back to expose the track. For concerts, the layout changes again: floor-level categories closest to the stage (often branded as gold pit or gold square zones) are usually standing, side lower-tier stands offer a clear seated view of the stage and screens, and hospitality boxes provide a premium, private viewing option. Category names and pricing tiers vary by event, so always check the seating map for the specific show or match before buying.
Bag Policy & Stadium Rules
Standard backpacks are allowed up to 15 litres; suitcases of any size, hiking bags, sports holdalls, and large tote bags are refused at the gate and cannot be checked in. A free left-luggage point operates beside each entrance gate for smaller items that don’t fit the policy, subject to available space.
Everyone entering is subject to bag inspection and may be asked to pass through a metal detector. Professional cameras with detachable or long lenses, GoPros, tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks are banned, as are sharp objects and outside food or drink, including sealed water bottles. Only folding umbrellas are permitted, there’s no re-entry once you leave, and smoking is restricted to designated outdoor zones. Full details are on the official prohibited items page.
Accessibility
Stade de France completed a major accessibility upgrade in 2022, formally approved in 2023, covering wheelchair-accessible seating platforms, dedicated entrances, adapted restrooms, and companion seating throughout the bowl. Visitors with reduced mobility or specific access needs should contact the stadium’s accessibility service in advance of their visit — whether for a match, concert, or guided tour — to arrange assistance and confirm the best entry gate for their seating area.
Stade de France FAQs
How much are Stade de France tour tickets?
Guided stadium tour tickets are €18.50 for adults, €11.50 for ages 5–18, €46 for a family of two adults and two children, and free for children under 5, booked through the official Stade de France tour page.
What is the capacity of Stade de France?
Stade de France holds 81,338 for football and rugby, around 78,000 in its athletics configuration, and up to roughly 100,080 for its largest concerts, making it the biggest stadium in France.
Can you tour Stade de France on match days?
No. Guided tours only run on days without a scheduled event, and they pause on the eve of an event as well as the event day itself, so check the calendar before booking.
How do I get to Stade de France from central Paris?
The quickest options are RER B or RER D from Gare du Nord (about 4–5 minutes to the nearest station) or Metro Line 13 or 14, both of which drop you within a short walk of the stadium gates.
What bags are allowed inside Stade de France?
Backpacks up to 15 litres are permitted; suitcases, hiking bags, sports bags, and large totes are refused, though a free left-luggage point sits beside each entrance gate for smaller items.
Is Stade de France accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes. The stadium completed a full accessibility upgrade in 2022, approved in 2023, with wheelchair platforms, adapted entrances, and companion seating; contact the stadium’s accessibility service ahead of your visit to arrange assistance.
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