Stade de France, National stadium in Saint-Denis, France
The Stade de France is a national stadium in Saint-Denis near Paris, built to host football, rugby, and track and field events. A movable tier with 25,000 seats adjusts to optimize viewing angles depending on the sport or performance taking place.
Construction began in 1995 and was completed in time for the 1998 FIFA World Cup, which concluded with France defeating Brazil 3-0 in the final. Since then, it has served as the venue for numerous international sporting events and major concerts.
The stadium has no resident club: it is state-owned and hosts the finals of the Coupe de France and Coupe Gambardella in football and rugby, plus the Top 14 final. Its name was proposed by Michel Platini, and the first goal scored there was Zinedine Zidane's in the 20th minute of the 1998 opening match.
The venue sits roughly 10 kilometers from central Paris and can be reached via two RER train stations and several bus lines. Visitors should arrive early on major event days, as entry points require time to process large crowds.
The roof structure covers 6 hectares (about 15 acres) and weighs 13,000 tons, yet appears to float above the arena thanks to 18 steel pylons that support it. This design allows spectators in the upper tiers to maintain an open view of the sky.
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