History and description

The stadium, which seats just over 30,000 spectators, is nicknamed le Stade du Roi (the King's Stadium) in reference to its traditional association with Racing Club de Paris. The Stade Chaban-Delmas was built in the 1930s and has been widely known as the Parc Lescure. The stadium seats just under 30,000 spectators and is nicknamed le Stade du Roi (the King's Stadium) due to its traditional association with Racing Club de Paris. Parc Lescure officially opened on June 12, 1938. The first match was the World Cup quarter-final between Brazil and Czechoslovakia (1-1).

Parc Lescure remained largely unchanged in the next fifty years, setting its record attendance in 1985 when 40,200 people visited a match between Girondins and Juventus.

The stadium underwent its first major redevelopment in 1987 when the cycling track was removed and the stands were extended towards the pitch. Further renovations were made in the mid-1990s to prepare the stadium for the 1998 World Cup.

The stadium was renamed Stade Chaban-Delmas in 2000 in honour of Jacques Chaban-Delmas, former mayor of Bordeaux.

Stade Chalban-Delmas has the longest players tunnel of any stadium in Europe. It measures 120 meters in total.

In 2015, the new Matmut Atlantique stadium was built to provide Bordeaux with better facilities and as a playing venue for the Euro 2016 tournament. Stade Chaban-Delmas has since exclusively hosted rugby matches, and it will continue to do so in the future.

How to get to Stade Chaban-Delmas

Stade Chaban-Delmas is located towards the east of the city centre of Bordeaux, close to City Hall or Place de la Victoire. The walk should take about 20 minutes. The distance to Gare St-Jean, the main railway station in Bordeaux, is slightly longer, about 3.5 kilometres.

From the historic city centre, the stadium can be easily reached by tram. Take tram A from the Cours d'Alsace Lorraine in the direction of Mérignac Centre and get off at stop Stade Chaban-Delmas. The journey will take 10 to 15 minutes.

From Gare St-Jean, take bus 9 in the direction of Brandenburg. The bus will stop at stop Stade Chaban-Delmas. The ride will take 20 to 25 minutes. Buses go every 10 minutes.

Take the bus 49 from the airport into town. Get off at stop Hôpital Pellegrin, and walk the further 5 minutes to the stadium.

If arriving by train, take the train to Gare Saint-Jean and follow the signs. The Stade Chaban-Delmas lies along the "Boulevards of Bordeaux," which circle around the city center. If arriving by car, head for the boulevards and follow the signs to Centre Hospitaliers. If arriving by train, take the train to Gare Saint-Jean and follow the signs.

Address: Place Johnston, 33000 Bordeaux

Eat, drink, and sleep near Stade Chaban-Delmas

Although situated in a residential area, the Stade Chaban-Delmas is always full of life with its cafés, brasseries, and restaurants. In contrast, it may be a better idea to find something to eat and drink in Bordeaux's city centre as there is always something going on there. There are a few hotels located near the stadium, which include La Maison Cachée, Hôtel Alton, the All Seasons Bordeaux Meriadeck.

Alternatively, you can find a hotel in Bordeaux city centre. If you choose something in the south-west of the centre, you can even walk to the stadium. Hotels tend to be somewhat cheaper near Gare St-Jean, which also has a spot of nightlife close near the docks.

Useful Internet links

The Bordeaux tourist office website is official and provides information on the city and its tourist attractions. The public transport information website, InfoTBC, provides useful information on how to get around Bordeaux by bus, train, taxi or bike. Photo credits: TaraO

David Wise went to see the stadium in July 1966 when he stayed in nearby Mèreignac with his family's former au-pair girl. He found it quite impressive.

I went to see the stadium in July 1966 when I stayed nearby at my family's former au-pair girl's house. I was quite impressed.