With the 2016 European Championships just around the corner, excitement is building as the continent’s elite prepare to take centre-stage once again.
As is the case with any major tournament, the stadia is a topic which fans are eager to know about. Several of the venues in France needed further redevelopment after hosting the World Cup in 1998, but others have required upgrades to meet FIFA regulations and/or to look more modern. Outside90’s Anthony Margaretic takes a look at the stadiums that have seen makeovers ahead of the tournament.
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Stade Velodrome – Marseille
Home to Olympique Marseille, the Stade Veledrome is no stranger to international football after seven matches were held here during the 1998 World Cup. One major criticism which the venue faced was the lack of cover, hence the instillation of roofs at all four ends to make it look much more pleasing on the eye. In addition, an extra 7,000 seats have been added to increase the capacity to 67,000, making it the second largest at the tournament behind only the iconic Stade de France. The Stade Velodrome will host seven matches in total, including France against Albania and also one of the two semi-finals.
Stade de Lyon – Lyon
Plans for a new stadium in Lyon have been in the pipeline since 2007, and permission to begin building was granted after France were awarded hosting rights. Overall, construction lasted a little under four years and it was officially opened in January 2016. Parc Olympique Lyonnais has a capacity of 59, 000, and will host seven matches during the tournament that includes a mouthwatering group stage tie between Belgium and Italy, as well as the other semi-final alongside the Stade Velodrome.
Stade de Bordeaux – Bordeaux
Stade de Bordeaux, previously also known as Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux, is the recently opened new stadium of Girondins de Bordeaux. The first stone was laid in April 2013, and while scheduled to be completed late 2014, it took until May 2015 for it to be deemed ready. Stade de Bordeaux officially opened on 23 May 2015 with a capacity of 42,000, in a league match between Bordeaux and Montpellier in Ligue 1. The venue will host five matches during the tournament, including holders Spain against Croatia on matchday three, as well as a quarter-final.
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard – Saint-Etienne
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard originally opened on 13 September 1931. The stadium consisted of a single grand stand of 800 seats, several terraces, and a running track circling the pitch. Several upgrades have taken place during the years, as well as additional developments in preparation for Euro 2016. The project involved the rebuilding or renovation of all stands, which resulted in a 41,500 all-seater arena that was completed mid-2014. The Saint-Etienne venue will host four matches, the most noteworthy of which being a Round of 16 bout.
Stade de Nice – Nice
Nice had long tried to build a new stadium to replace their old and run down Stade du Ray. Earlier projects were abandoned in 2002 and 2006, and it was only after France was awarded the Euro 2016 tournament that significant progress was made.
Definite plans of the stadium were presented in the middle of 2010, and one year later in August 2011, construction started. The venue officially opened on 22 September 2013 with a capacity of 35,000, in a league match between Nice and Valenciennes. During the tournament, the Stade de Nice will host four matches in total that includes Spain vs Turkey and a Round of 16 tie.
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