As the biggest stadium in the country, the Stade de France can accommodate more than 80,000 people at maximum capacity. Football- and rugby-obsessed kids (and grown-ups) will absolutely love the behind-the-scenes tours here. After a quick scan of the museum (photos, football shirts, electric guitars from the rock stars who also play here), the tour begins by sitting in the stands and ends with a run out through the tunnel to the sound of applause. On the way, you can visit the changing and shower rooms and learn about the on-site hospital and prison cells. Tickets are best bought online beforehand. For obvious reasons, tours are not available on event days.
Visiting the Stade de France during the Paris 2024 Olympics
The Stade de France will be transformed into an Olympic stadium for Paris 2024 and will host various iconic events of the Games.
Situated in Saint-Denis, the stadium will be conveniently close to the Olympic Village, just two kilometres away from the stands, as well as other key Olympic venues like the Aquatics Centre and the shooting range in La Courneuve.
Events held at the Stade de France will include rugby (Jul 24-30) and 48 athletics events – sprints, relays, 100-metre hurdles, pole vault and more (Aug 2-10). The Olympic closing ceremony will also be held here on August 11.
Want tickets? If you registered before April 20 on the official ticketing platform and are lucky enough to be selected, you’ll receive an email with your individual ticket purchasing window. Otherwise, tickets to attend the events will be available for purchase in late 2023 or early 2024. Be quick during this final phase of ticket sales, as they’ll be sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
What to do near the Stade de France
Make the most of your visit to the Stade de France by exploring the vibrant Seine-Saint-Denis region in the northern suburbs. From the legendary flea markets of Saint-Ouen to the magnificent Basilique de Saint-Denis, there’s no shortage of things to see. The area is also packed with arty stuff, including a street art trail along the Canal Saint-Denis and the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire. If you’re into trendy spots, you’ll be delighted to know that new creative spaces are popping up fast: 6b, Mains d’Œuvres, Hasard Ludique, l’Éclair... For some greenery, head to the Parc des Chanteraines or the Parc de la Légion d’honneur.
Where to eat near the Stade de France
If you get hungry on your way, one of the best options in Saint-Denis is its market, one of the largest in the region. As for restaurants, some of the highlights are a bit further south, in Saint-Ouen: try Jeanjean or Bonne Aventure. It’s also worth noting that the largest food court in Île-de-France will open in September 2023 at the Docks de Saint-Ouen. It’s only two metro stops away from the Stade de France and the Olympic Village, meaning it could well become a semi-official dining spot for the Olympics.
How to get there
The Stade de France is very well connected by public transport, with two train stations named after it, reachable on lines RER B (La Plaine – Stade de France station) and RER D (Stade de France – Saint-Denis station). You can also access it by metro via line 12 (Front Populaire) and line 13 (Saint-Denis Porte de Paris), and soon through line 14 with a new stop that organisers of the Games recommend using (Saint-Denis Pleyel station). Note that Stade de France’s official car park only has 3,000 spaces, so considering its potential maximum capacity, travelling there by car might be risky.