Ligue 1 football club Paris Saint-Germain is continuing to explore plans for major renovation work at the Parc des Princes despite uncertainty over its future at the 48,000-capacity stadium.
French newspaper L’Équipe has reported that PSG would consider adding a roof and a retractable pitch to the Parc des Princes as part of an ambitious expansion project. The stadium is owned by the City Council of Paris and PSG would need to acquire the venue in order to carry out any major renovation work.
PSG has a number of options on the table and L’Équipe’s report added that the club is still keen on submitting a bid to buy the Stade de France. PSG would have to submit a bid to buy the Stade de France by January 3.
In March, PSG launched a consultation with its fans over the club’s stadium options, with four possibilities outlined. Options included a “significant” renovation of the Parc des Princes, a move to a renovated Stade de France, a new stadium to the west of Paris, and a new venue within a 20km radius of the Parc des Princes that could encompass the commune of Poissy.
L’Équipe reported yesterday (Sunday) that an expansion of the Parc des Princes could increase the capacity of the stadium to 60,000. PSG is said to be in talks with Pierre Ferret and Populous over the potential design of a revamped Parc des Princes.
Back in January, PSG threatened to leave the Parc des Princes after the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, insisted the stadium was not for sale. PSG has played at the stadium since 1974 but feels restricted by its 48,000 capacity, with matches at the venue constantly sold out.
If the club is unable to complete a deal to purchase the Parc des Princes, it could look to acquire the Stade de France or switch to one of two new sites in the city.
The Stade de France is currently owned by the French government through the Consortium Stade de France. Through an agreement with the consortium formed by construction firms Vinci and Bouygues, the state granted the management of the 77,083-capacity stadium to the two companies in 1995.
The contract with Vinci and Bouygues is set to end on July 1, 2025. The price to acquire the venue would reportedly be around €600m (£525m/$657m), with further investment required to convert it to the outright needs of a football club.
