By entrusting the operation of the Stade de France to the company GL Events last June, the French state pushed the French Football Federation to reach an agreement with the company regarding the organization of matches for the French team. It’s done, since the FFF published a press release formalizing a 30-year agreement.
The Blues will play again at the Stade de France from October 2, with the France-Italy scheduled in the Nations League. And from January 2031 until 2055, “the Federation undertakes to organize at the Stade de France the six best posters of the French Team per period of two sporting seasons, as well as the final of the Coupe de France Crédit Agricole each year», We can read in the FFF press release.
The full press release from the French Football Federation:
“The French Football Federation and GL events formalized this Friday, April 3, the signing of a contract relating to the operation of the Stade de France for the next thirty years, as part of the new concession awarded by the State to the GL events group in June 2025.
This agreement, which marks the return of the French team to its historic venue next fall, will be divided into two phases: the first before the renovation and modernization work on the Stade de France planned by the GL events group which should be finalized no later than December 31, 2030; and a second later.
First phase:
From this season and until December 2030, the FFF will be able to organize matches of the French team and the finals of the Coupe de France Crédit Agricole at the Stade de France, depending on opportunities, the availability of the stadium and depending on the progress of the renovation work carried out by GL events.
The Blues’ next meeting at the Stade de France is already set: France-Italy in the 2027 Nations League, next Friday October 2.
Before these reunions, the final of the Coupe de France Crédit Agricole 2026 will be held in the Dionysian venue on Friday May 22 at 9:00 p.m., preceded as tradition dictates by the final of the Coupe Gambardella Crédit Agricole at 5:15 p.m.
Second phase:
Once the work is completed, from January 2031 and until 2055, the Federation undertakes to organize at the Stade de France the six best posters of the French team per period of two sporting seasons, as well as the final of the Coupe de France Crédit Agricole each year.
Concretely, this represents six matches for the Blues and two Coupe de France Crédit Agricole finals (i.e. eight matches at least) every two years, according to a calendar which will be automatically renewed in a cycle of twenty-four months.
A symbolic place steeped in history, scene of 116 matches for the Blues since its inauguration in January 1998 and unforgettable encounters including the 1998 FIFA World Cup, won in the final against Brazil, the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis, remains an emblematic setting for the French team and French football.
