In the wake of the stumbling blocks in Paris Saint-Germain’s efforts to buy their Parc des Princes home from the city authorities of the French capital, the Ligue 1 leaders look set to focus on alternative venues.
According to L’Équipe tonight, the club will submit an application to buy the Stade de France, the 80,000 national team stadium located in Saint-Denis, directly north of Paris.
The club were looking expand the Parc des Princes’ capacity to in order to increase matchday revenue – an option which remains their priority – while president Nasser Al Khelaifi was hoping to welcome a Champions League final, an event that would require 60,000 seats, while their current home only holds 48,500.
The Stade de France is currently controlled by the Vinci-Bouygues consortium, with their concession expiring in 2025. The French state, which owns the stadium, put out a call for bids in March to find the venue’s next operator. PSG are set to submit their application on the April 27 deadline, and will be the only club to bid – FIFA, investmend funds, and entertainment companies are also candidates.
L’Équipe add that PSG have carried out studies which show that the stadium will still be able to host football and rugby national team games, a requirement set out by the state. The sale, which would require a vote from lawmakers to unlist the building itself, could also see the club bring the capacity down to 70,000 and bring the stands closer to the pitch.
GFFN | Raphaël Jucobin
