Stade de France
History
The Stade de France is a national stadium located in Saint-Denis, a suburb of Paris. It was built for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and is the largest stadium in France, with a seating capacity of 80,698. The stadium is used by the France national football team and French rugby union team for international competition. It has also hosted several major concerts, as well as the 2003 World Championships in Athletics.
The decision to build the Stade de France was made in 1995 by the French Football Federation. The stadium was designed by a consortium of architects, including Michel Macary, Aymeric Zublena, Michel Regembal, and Claude Costantini. The construction of the stadium was completed in 1998, just in time for the World Cup.
Design and Construction
The design of the Stade de France is unique and innovative. The elliptical shape of the stadium ensures that all spectators have an unobstructed view of the field. The roof, which covers the seating area but not the field, is suspended from an independent structure, giving the impression that it is floating above the stadium.
The construction of the Stade de France was a massive undertaking, involving more than 800 companies and 3,300 workers. The stadium was built on a former gasworks site, which required extensive decontamination before construction could begin. The total cost of the project was estimated at €290 million.
Events
Since its opening, the Stade de France has hosted a variety of events, including football and rugby matches, concerts, and athletic competitions. The stadium was the main venue for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, hosting seven matches including the final. In 2000, it was the site of the UEFA Champions League final. The Stade de France has also hosted the Rugby World Cup final in 2007, and the annual French rugby union final of the Top 14 since 1998.
In addition to sports events, the Stade de France has also been a popular venue for concerts. Some of the world's biggest music stars, including Madonna, U2, and the Rolling Stones, have performed at the stadium.
Future
The future of the Stade de France is currently uncertain. There have been discussions about renovating the stadium or even building a new one. However, no concrete plans have been made yet.
