Decathlon Arena – Stade Pierre Mauroy

It is located in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, a municipality of the European Metropolis of Lille (Hauts-de-France), and is the main stadium of Lille. Initially named Grand Stade Lille Métropole, the stadium, shaped like a translucent vessel, was inaugurated in August 2012. It was built between 2008 and 2012 for an amount of 324 million euros.

It is one of the largest arenas in the world and is also the only stadium in France with a roof that can be closed or opened: it hosts the first official soccer and rugby matches to be played in a closed stadium on French soil.

It hosts the home matches of the soccer club LOSC Lille, whose former stadium was almost three times smaller. Last major project of Pierre Mauroy at the head of the metropolis, the stadium is selected from its conception by the French Football Federation to host 6 matches of the 2016 European Football Championship including a quarter-final.

The stadium is mainly served by the Quatre Cantons – Stade Pierre-Mauroy and Cité Scientifique – Professeur Gabillard metro stations.

Because of its multiple possible configurations and its large capacity of spectators, it is regularly chosen to host many important events, apart from soccer matches, such as concerts (Rihanna, Prodiges, North Summer Festival… ), supercross (Supercross Paris-Bercy), tennis matches (Davis Cup final 2014, semi-final and final 2017, semi-final and final 2018), basketball (EuroBasket final 2015), handball (World Handball Championship 2017), rugby (semi-finals 2014 Top 14), volleyball (World Championship 2018), etc.

It holds several records, including: with 27,372 spectators gathered in arena configuration to attend the final Spain – Lithuania of the 2015 European Championship, the stadium holds the European attendance record for a basketball game; or in 2014 when the record of spectators for a Davis Cup match is broken with 27,432 people attending the final. 28,010 spectators were also gathered for 2 matches of the French team during the 2017 handball world cup (world record). The largest choir on stage in the world was gathered during the televised concert Prodiges, with more than 10,000 young choristers.

The stadium is classified as a UEFA Category 4 stadium, the highest category, and is the fourth largest stadium in France in terms of seating capacity.

Who is Pierre Mauroy?

Pierre Mauroy, born July 5, 1928 in Cartignies and died June 7, 2013 in Clamart, is a French statesman. He was deputy of Nord between 1973 and 1992, mayor of Lille from 1973 to 2001, Prime Minister from 1981 to 1984 and Senator from 1992 to 2011.

What is Decathlon ?

Decathlon (or Oxylane from 2008 to 2014) is a French sports and leisure retailer, founded in 1976 by Michel Leclercq.