There’s barely nine months left until the first ball of Euro 2016 is kicked, and with England having already qualified and the other UK nations hot on their heels, it’s fair to say that football fever will once again grip the UK come June.
Of course, many England fans are already dusting off their passports and entering into pools to snap up tickets for the opening group games; the team are on form and there’s certainly a lot more optimism in the air than at the World Cup two years ago, if the bookies are anything to go by (check out EURO 2016 betting odds). With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the stadia and cities which could potentially host thousands decked out in shirts adorned with the three lions.
Parc des Princes
Home to current Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain, les Parc des Princes (which literally translates to ‘the park of princes’) is capable of hosting some 48,000 fans. Wives and girlfriends needn’t worry about becoming football widows here – Paris, known as the city of love, has plenty of sights to see and more than its fair share of cultural attractions.
Stade Vélodromede
Originally built as a venue for the 1938 World Cup, this magnificent stadium boasts an impressive 67,000 capacity and is home to Olympique de Marseille. Stade Vélodromede is located in a residential area of Marseille, with easy transport links to the centre and the coastline.
Grand Stade OL
Currently under construction, Grand Stade OL will hold 58,000 fans when complete and will be the new home of Olympique Lyonnais, situated just 10km from a city centre steeped in a 2,000 year rich cultural history. Lyon is also widely regarded as the gastronome capital of France.
Staude Pierre Mauroy
Named after the former mayor of Lille and Prime Minister of France, this 50,000-seater stadium boasts magnificent modern architecture, and is home to Lille OSC. Situated in the North of the country, Lille has a distinct Belgian influence and was originally home to the Gauls.
Matmut Atlantique
A modernist masterpiece, the Herzog & de Meuron designed Matmut Antique (previously known as Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux) is situated in the heart of France’s most-loved wine region, and has a capacity of 42,000 seats.
Stade Geoffroy-Guichard
One of the older stadia in use during Euro 2016, Stade Geoffroy-Guichard was opened in 1931 and has been home to Saint-Etienne ever since. The 41,500 capacity arena has seen numerous renovations throughout the years.
Stade de France
Given that it’s not taking place in Paris, many people are asking themselves “where is the Euro 2016 final being held?” – The answer is the Stade de France in St Denis, where the opening ceremony and first game are also set to take place. Home to the French national side, Stade de France is the largest stadium in the country, and has a whopping 80,000 capacity! Situated a short distance from Paris, it’s hard to imagine a more fitting setting for a final.
