Stade Bollaert-Delelis

Stade Bollaert-Delelis
Former names Stade Félix-Bollaert (1933–2012)
Location Lens, France
Coordinates 50°25′58″N 2°48′54″E / 50.43278°N 2.81500°E / 50.43278; 2.81500Coordinates: 50°25′58″N 2°48′54″E / 50.43278°N 2.81500°E / 50.43278; 2.81500
Capacity 38,223 (after renovation)
Construction
Opened 18 June 1933[1]
Renovated 2014–2015
Tenants
RC Lens

The Stade Bollaert-Delelis (French pronunciation: ​[stad bɔlaʁt dəlelis]) is the main football stadium in Lens, France, that was built in 1933. It is the home of RC Lens. The stadium's capacity is 41,229 – about 4,000 more than the city's population. The stadium was originally named after Félix Bollaert, a director of Compagnie des Mines de Lens, who was anxious to promote the development of sports clubs in the city. Construction began in 1931, though Bollaert died shortly before the stadium's inauguration. It was renamed Stade Bollaert-Delelis in 2012 after the death of André Delelis, a politician who served as the Minister of Commerce under President François Mitterrand.

History

The stadium has hosted matches in the following major international tournaments:

Architecture

The renovated stadium.

The stadium is constructed in the English style with four separate stands dedicated respectively to:

All parts of the stadium contain seating. However, most supporters in the Marek, being a side stand, keep standing during the games as it is considered the kop and are considered as the most fervent supporters in the stadium, which makes the stadium different from most of the other stadiums, as the most fervent fans tend to usually sit behind the nets.

Events

UEFA Euro 1984

Date Team #1 Res. Team #2 Round
13 June 1984 Belgium2–0 YugoslaviaGroup A
17 June 1984 West Germany2–1 RomaniaGroup B

1998 FIFA World Cup

The stadium was one of the venues of the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and held the following matches:

Date Team #1 Res. Team #2 Round
12 June 1998 Saudi Arabia0–1 DenmarkGroup C
14 June 1998 Jamaica1–3 CroatiaGroup H
21 June 1998 Germany2–2 YugoslaviaGroup F
24 June 1998 Spain6–1 BulgariaGroup D
26 June 1998 Colombia0–2 EnglandGroup G
28 June 1998 France1–0 ParaguayRound of 16

1999 Rugby World Cup

Date Team #1 Res. Team #2 Round
20 October 1999 Ireland24–28 ArgentinaPlay-off Stage

2007 Rugby World Cup

Date Team #1 Res. Team #2 Round
8 September 2007 England28–10 United StatesGroup A
22 September 2007 South Africa30–25 TongaGroup A
26 September 2007 Georgia30–0 NamibiaGroup D

UEFA Euro 2016

In May 2011, the stadium was designated to host the 2016 European Football Championship. To be renovated, the stadium was closed during the 2014-2015 season.

Date Time (CET) Team #1 Result Team #2 Round Attendance
11 June 2016 15:00  Albania 0–1   Switzerland Group A 33,805
16 June 2016 15:00  England 2–1  Wales Group B 34,033
21 June 2016 21:00  Czech Republic 0–2  Turkey Group D 32,836
25 June 2016 21:00  Croatia 0–1  Portugal Round of 16 33,523

Other uses

The France national team has played eight matches at the stadium without defeat. Lille played two UEFA Champions League campaigns there when their own stadium was deemed inadequate, in (2001-02 and 2006-07). It hosted the Johnny Hallyday concert in 2009 and a Jehovah's Witnesses gathering in 2006, which created controversy. The stadium is the setting for a scene in the movie Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis, shot during a match between Lens and Nice in April 2007. We hear "Les corons" sung by the public at the end of halftime song.

In 2012 the Stadium held a rugby League match between France and Wales as part of an Autumn International Series match. 11,278 fans came to watch the game.

References

  1. ↑ http://www.worldofstadiums.com/europe/france/stade-bollaert-delelis/
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