Stade Félix-Bollaert
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| Full name | Stade Bollaert-Delelis |
|---|---|
| Location | Lens, France |
| Coordinates | 50°25′58″N 2°48′54″E / 50.43278°N 2.81500°ECoordinates: 50°25′58″N 2°48′54″E / 50.43278°N 2.81500°E |
| Capacity | 38,223 (after renovation) |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 18 June 1933 |
| Renovated | 2014–2015 |
| Tenants | |
| RC Lens | |
The Stade Bollaert-Delelis (French pronunciation: [stad bɔlaʁt dəlelis]) is the main football stadium in Lens, France, that was built in 1933. It is the home of RC Lens. The stadium's capacity is 41,229 – about 4,000 more than the city's population. The stadium was originally named after Félix Bollaert, a director of Compagnie des Mines de Lens, who was anxious to promote the development of sports clubs in the city. Construction began in 1931, though Bollaert died shortly before the stadium's inauguration. It was renamed Stade Bollaert-Delelis in 2012 after the death of André Delelis, a politician who served as the Minister of Commerce under President François Mitterrand.
The stadium has hosted matches in the following major international tournaments:
The stadium is constructed in the English style with four separate stands dedicated respectively to:
All parts of the stadium contain seating. However, most supporters in the Marek, being a side stand, keep standing during the games as it is considered the kop and are considered as the most fervent supporters in the stadium, which makes the stadium different from most of the other stadiums, as the most fervent fans tend to usually sit behind the nets.
The stadium was one of the venues of the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and held the following matches:
In May 2011, the stadium has been designated to host the 2016 European Football Championship. To be renovated, the stadium will be closed during the 2014-2015 season.
The France national team has played eight matches at the stadium without defeat. Lille played two UEFA Champions League campaigns there when their own stadium was deemed inadequate, in (2001-02 and 2006-07). It hosted the Johnny Hallyday concert in 2009 and a Jehovah's Witnesses gathering in 2006, which created controversy. The stadium is the setting for a scene in the movie Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis, shot during a match between Lens and Nice in April 2007. We hear "Les corons" sung by the public at the end of halftime song.
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