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NEWS
Populous complete Euro 2016 stadium in Lyon
POSTED 20 Jan 2016 . BY Kim Megson
The 59,186-capacity Grand Stade de Lyon is now officially open Credit: Populous
The largest stadium built for France's forthcoming UEFA Euro 2016 football championship has been completed in the city of Lyon.

The 59,186-capacity Grand Stade de Lyon, designed by global sports architects Populous and French group AIA Associés, celebrated its unveiling by hosting a league match between Olympique Lyonnais and Troyes in the French Ligue 1, followed by a 45-minute DJ set from music star will.i.am.

Costing an estimated €350m-€450m (£260.1m-£334.4m, US$380.3m-US$489m), the development includes sporting facilities, two hotels, a leisure centre, commercial and business offices and a museum. It is based in the Decines-Charpieu district of the city.

The most significant architectural feature is the 53,700sq m (570,000sq ft), roof – one of the largest for a sports stadium in the world – which is designed to echo the local forest canopy and extends over an external podium. A new area of public space has been created below, hosting pop-up events and an integrated bus and tram terminal linking the stadium with the city.

Other innovative features include a ‘green car park’, which is used as a public park when matches aren’t being held, and a private wifi network which will allow 20,000 people to be connected to the internet.

Meanwhile, the north and south stands are specifically designed to facilitate singing between the home fans of Olympique Lyonnais, improving the atmosphere in the ground.

The stadium can also be adapted into a concert venue for 60,000 spectators and is able to host a range of sports events. The European Rugby Champions Cup Final will take place there in May.

“We are very proud of the Grand Stade de Lyon, said Populous senior principal Nicholas Reynolds. “Working with Olympique Lyonnais on such a momentous project has been a fantastic experience, and has resulted in a stadium design which really speaks to the culture of both the club and the city. I am certain that it will become a real destination venue for the region.”

The French government green-lit seven new stadiums for Euro 2016. Work on Herzog & de Meuron’s 42,000-seat football stadium in Bordeaux was completed in May last year.

Populous have been selected to design the new French national stadium of rugby by the French Rugby Federation (FFR), which is expected to be completed by the end of 2017.

The overhanging roof has created a new public space around the ground Credit: Populous
The stadium features a ‘green car park’, which is used as a public park when matches aren’t being held Credit: Populous
RELATED STORIES
  will.i.am to help Olympique Lyonnais inaugurate 59,000-capacity stadium


French football club Olympique Lyonnais will open the doors to its new 59,000-capacity stadium this weekend – with the aid of music star will.i.am.
  Zinedine Zidane gives seal of approval to Herzog & de Meuron’s newly-completed Bordeaux stadium


Herzog & de Meuron’s 42,000-seat football stadium in Bordeaux, France, has been completed – with Zinedine Zidane the guest of honour at its inaugural match.
  Populous win contract for new French national rugby stadium


Olympic stadium designers Populous have been selected to design the new French national stadium of rugby by the French Rugby Federation (FFR).
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NEWS
Populous complete Euro 2016 stadium in Lyon
POSTED 20 Jan 2016 . BY Kim Megson
The 59,186-capacity Grand Stade de Lyon is now officially open Credit: Populous
The largest stadium built for France's forthcoming UEFA Euro 2016 football championship has been completed in the city of Lyon.

The 59,186-capacity Grand Stade de Lyon, designed by global sports architects Populous and French group AIA Associés, celebrated its unveiling by hosting a league match between Olympique Lyonnais and Troyes in the French Ligue 1, followed by a 45-minute DJ set from music star will.i.am.

Costing an estimated €350m-€450m (£260.1m-£334.4m, US$380.3m-US$489m), the development includes sporting facilities, two hotels, a leisure centre, commercial and business offices and a museum. It is based in the Decines-Charpieu district of the city.

The most significant architectural feature is the 53,700sq m (570,000sq ft), roof – one of the largest for a sports stadium in the world – which is designed to echo the local forest canopy and extends over an external podium. A new area of public space has been created below, hosting pop-up events and an integrated bus and tram terminal linking the stadium with the city.

Other innovative features include a ‘green car park’, which is used as a public park when matches aren’t being held, and a private wifi network which will allow 20,000 people to be connected to the internet.

Meanwhile, the north and south stands are specifically designed to facilitate singing between the home fans of Olympique Lyonnais, improving the atmosphere in the ground.

The stadium can also be adapted into a concert venue for 60,000 spectators and is able to host a range of sports events. The European Rugby Champions Cup Final will take place there in May.

“We are very proud of the Grand Stade de Lyon, said Populous senior principal Nicholas Reynolds. “Working with Olympique Lyonnais on such a momentous project has been a fantastic experience, and has resulted in a stadium design which really speaks to the culture of both the club and the city. I am certain that it will become a real destination venue for the region.”

The French government green-lit seven new stadiums for Euro 2016. Work on Herzog & de Meuron’s 42,000-seat football stadium in Bordeaux was completed in May last year.

Populous have been selected to design the new French national stadium of rugby by the French Rugby Federation (FFR), which is expected to be completed by the end of 2017.

The overhanging roof has created a new public space around the ground Credit: Populous
The stadium features a ‘green car park’, which is used as a public park when matches aren’t being held Credit: Populous
RELATED STORIES
will.i.am to help Olympique Lyonnais inaugurate 59,000-capacity stadium


French football club Olympique Lyonnais will open the doors to its new 59,000-capacity stadium this weekend – with the aid of music star will.i.am.
Zinedine Zidane gives seal of approval to Herzog & de Meuron’s newly-completed Bordeaux stadium


Herzog & de Meuron’s 42,000-seat football stadium in Bordeaux, France, has been completed – with Zinedine Zidane the guest of honour at its inaugural match.
Populous win contract for new French national rugby stadium


Olympic stadium designers Populous have been selected to design the new French national stadium of rugby by the French Rugby Federation (FFR).
MORE NEWS
Warner Bros Discovery collaborates on upcoming Pompeii attraction
A new immersive attraction designed to transport visitors into the final hours of ancient Pompeii is preparing to open near the world-famous archaeological site in southern Italy.
Bob Rogers hands BRC to long-serving leadership team
Experience design company, BRC Imagination Arts, has completed a transition that sees founder Bob Rogers pass ownership of the business to four long-serving senior executives, while remaining actively involved with the company.
Rainer Maelzer joins Therme Group as chief entertainment officer
Rainer Maelzer, an experiential entertainment innovator, has been appointed chief entertainment officer by Therme Group.
Movie Park Germany reveals new Paramount attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations
Movie Park Germany has opened a new Paramount Pictures-themed attraction as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations, using immersive storytelling and adaptive reuse to reinforce the park’s longstanding “Hollywood in Germany” positioning.
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COMPANY PROFILES
Sally Corporation

Our services include: Dark ride design & build; Redevelopment of existing attractions; High-quality [more...]
ProSlide Technology, Inc.

A former national ski team racer, ProSlide® CEO Rick Hunter’s goal has been to integrate the smoot [more...]
IAAPA EMEA

IAAPA Expo Europe was established in 2006 and has grown to the largest international conference and [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
+ More profiles  
FEATURED SUPPLIER

Iconic Liverpool attraction opens door to new operators
An opportunity to reimagine one of the UK’s most recognisable towers has been formally opened by Rivington Hark, as St Johns Beacon invites operators and partners to shape its next phase. [more...]
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

09-11 Jun 2026

World Sauna Forum 2026

Savutuvan Apaja, Haapaniemi, Finland
23-26 Aug 2026

Elevate Spa Riviera Maya Edition

The Riviera Maya Edition Kanai, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2026

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
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