Move to Parc des Princes (1974)

Lore & Background

The stadium's name derives from the area once being a forest that served as a private recreation area and hunting ground for the king's sons (the princes) for centuries. In 1852, the area was transferred to the Council of Paris. The first Parc was built there in 1897 as a velodrome, hosting prestigious cycling competitions including the Tour de France. Expanded in 1932, the second Parc adopted a more modern design to focus on other sports such as football, rugby union, and rugby league. Instigated by French president Charles de Gaulle and Minister of Sports Maurice Herzog, a project to rebuild the stadium began on 8 July 1967, under the direction of Roger Taillibert and Siavash Teimouri. Georges Pompidou inaugurated the stadium on 4 June 1972. The third Parc was one of the most advanced stadiums in Europe at the time.

Reader's Guide

The all-time attendance record at the Parc des Princes is 50,370 spectators, set during the French rugby union team's 31–12 victory over Wales in the 1989 Five Nations Championship. PSG's record attendance at the Parc dates back to their 2–0 victory over Waterschei in 1983 in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in front of 49,575 spectators. The French football team's record attendance at the stadium was set in 1993, when 48,402 spectators watched their 2–1 FIFA World Cup qualification defeat by Bulgaria.

Did You Know?

• The Parc des Princes was originally built as a velodrome in 1897 and hosted the finish of the Tour de France from 1903 to 1967.
• Before the opening of the Stade de France in 1998, the Parc was the home stadium of the France national football team and the France national rugby union team.

Royal Origins to Cycling Cradle

The site now known as Parc des Princes possesses a lineage rooted in the private hunting grounds of French royalty, specifically serving as a recreation area for the king's sons within the Forest of Rouvray. For over six decades, the stadium's distinctive pink cycle track served as the grand finish line for this prestigious race, hosting numerous UCI Track Cycling World Championships and solidifying its reputation as a historic hub before football eventually took center stage.

Architectural Renaissance and Modernization

By the mid-20th century, the aging facility required a complete overhaul to meet contemporary standards, prompting a massive reconstruction project instigated by President Charles de Gaulle and Sports Minister Maurice Herzog. Although President Georges Pompidou officially inaugurated this modernized complex on June 4, 1972, its impact extended beyond aesthetics; it featured formidable acoustics and advanced engineering that made it one of Europe's most sophisticated arenas upon completion. This reconstruction marked a definitive shift from the venue's earlier multi-sport utility to a dedicated focus on football and rugby, creating an all-seater environment with four distinct covered stands: Tribune Auteuil, Tribune Paris, Tribune Borelli, and Tribune Boulogne, setting the stage for its future role as a premier national stadium.

National Hub Before Stade de France

While club teams like Racing Paris had called it home since the early 20th century, the stadium's prestige was cemented by its role in hosting major international fixtures during the mid-to-late 1900s.

Paris Saint-Germain and Record Crowds

The stadium entered a new era of club dominance when Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) adopted it as their permanent home ground in July 1974. This move transformed the venue into the beating heart of French club football, hosting memorable matches that drew massive crowds and defined the club's early identity. Since becoming PSG's fortress, the Parc has maintained its status as one of the most iconic stadiums in Europe, bridging its rich history of cycling and national team glory with the modern commercial success and fervent support of Parisian club football.