FFF locks in 30-year Stade de France deal with GL Events

The French Football Federation has agreed a 30-year contract with GL Events to secure the Stade de France as the long-term venue for France’s flagship home matches and the Coupe de France final.The deal aligns with GL Events’ own 30-year concession with the French government to operate the stadium, ending a period of uncertainty that pushed the national team into alternative venues.The federation said the agreement will be delivered in two phases, reflecting planned renovation and modernisation works at the venue until the end of 2030.FFF president Philippe Diallo said: “We are delighted to see the French national team return to the Stade de France this autumn, its historic home where it has achieved so many great victories. This agreement with GL Events marks the beginning of a new era for the federation.”The first phase runs from the current season until December 2030 and gives the federation the ability to stage men’s national team matches and the Coupe de France final at the stadium subject to availability and the progress of works.The second phase runs from January 2031 until 2055 and includes a commitment from the federation to stage the top six France matches across each two-season cycle at the Stade de France, plus the Coupe de France final every season.Diallo said the commercial case is central to the partnership, pointing to enhanced visibility and additional revenue that can be recycled into football development.“It offers enhanced visibility for both the federation and the French national team, and represents a new source of revenue that will allow us to continue developing our initiatives in support of French football, from the grassroots level to the highest level,” Diallo said.The Stade de France has been without France men’s matches since March 2025, with recent home fixtures moved to Parc des Princes and upcoming friendlies scheduled in Nantes and Lille.France’s return to the Stade de France is set for October 2 against Italy in the UEFA Nations League, giving GL Events an early anchor event as it begins its long-term operational cycle.The venue has hosted 116 France men’s internationals since opening in January 1998, making it the federation’s core inventory for premium ticketing, hospitality and sponsorship delivery.GL Events president Olivier Ginon said: “This agreement with the French Football Federation marks the beginning of a partnership we hope will be fruitful and long-lasting. The Stade de France is entering a new era, and GL Events is delighted to be building it with the French Football Federation.”The agreement gives the federation greater predictability over its largest matchday revenues and offers the stadium operator a stable pipeline of major events while it executes a renovation programme that is expected to reshape the venue’s commercial offer ahead of 2031.