Stade de France facts for kids
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| Full name | Stade de France |
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| Location | ZAC du Cornillon Nord Saint-Denis, France |
| Coordinates | 48°55′28″N 2°21′36″E / 48.92444°N 2.36000°E |
| Public transit |   Saint-Denis – Porte de Paris  Stade de France – Saint-Denis  La Plaine – Stade de France |
| Owner | Consortium Stade de France |
| Operator | Consortium Stade de France |
| Executive suites | 172 |
| Capacity | 80,698 (football, rugby) 75,000 (athletics) |
| Field size | 119 m × 75 m (130 yd × 82 yd) |
| Surface | GrassMaster by Tarkett Sports |
| Construction | |
| Built | 2 May 1995 |
| Opened | 28 January 1998 |
| Construction cost | €290 million |
| Architect | Michel Macary Aymeric Zublena Michel Regembal Claude Constantini |
| Tenants | |
| France national football team (1998–present) France national rugby union team (1998–present) Stade Français (selected matches) Racing 92 (selected matches) |
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The Stade de France is the main national stadium for France. It is located just north of Paris in a town called Saint-Denis. This huge stadium can hold 80,698 people, making it the eighth-largest stadium in Europe!
The stadium is super important for French sports. Both the France national football team and the French rugby union team play their international games here. It's also the biggest stadium in Europe for track and field events, with space for 78,338 fans. Even though it's great for athletics, the running track is usually hidden under the football field.
The Stade de France was built for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. The famous football player Michel Platini suggested its name. On July 12, 1998, France won the World Cup final against Brazil right here! This stadium will also host the opening and closing ceremonies, plus the athletics events, for the 2024 Summer Olympics. It will also be a key venue for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
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Major Events and Competitions
The Stade de France is a top-rated stadium by UEFA. This means it meets high standards for hosting big matches.
Football and Rugby World Cups
This stadium has hosted many important football and rugby games. It was a main venue for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. It also hosted the UEFA Champions League finals in 2000 and 2006.
The Stade de France is special because it's the only stadium in the world to have hosted both a Football World Cup final and a Rugby World Cup final. It hosted the Rugby World Cup in 1999 and 2007 Rugby World Cup. In UEFA Euro 2016, it hosted seven matches, including the final. France played against Portugal in that final, but unfortunately, France lost 1-0 after extra time.
Other Sports and Events
Beyond football and rugby, the Stade de France has hosted other exciting events. It held the Race of Champions auto race in 2004, 2005, and 2006. This race brings together top drivers from different motorsports.
The stadium also hosted the 2003 World Championships in Athletics. From 1999 to 2016, it was home to the yearly Meeting Areva athletics competition.
Domestic French Competitions
In France, the Stade de France is also used by Parisian rugby clubs like Stade Français and Racing Métro 92 for some of their games. It's also where many major French cup finals are played. These include the Coupe de France (for both football and rugby), the Coupe de la Ligue, and the Top 14 rugby union championship match.
The stadium is owned and managed by a group called the Consortium Stade de France.
Images for kids
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The Stade de France visible from central Paris behind the Sacré-Cœur
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The opening ceremony of the 2016 European Football Championship
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Stade de France with uncovered athletics track during the 2003 World Championships
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The last part of the metallic construction of the roof, 1997
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Visitors changing rooms
See also
In Spanish: Estadio de Francia para niños
