Euro 2016: Stade Bollaert-Delelis stadium seating chart, parking, capacity and history

Fun Facts4,000 - The Stade Bollaert-Delelis has a maximum capacity of 41,229; that’s about 4,000 more than the population of Lens!1974 - In the year 1974, a new stand was added that changed the stadium from an oval to a square8 - The French national team have played 8 matches there - they’re unbeaten in all!1 - In 2007, it was the setting for a scene in France’s all-time highest performer at the box office, “Bienvenue Chez Les C’chtis”. How to reach Stade Bollaert-Delelis Stadium, Paris? Reaching the Stade Bollaert-Delelis entails getting to the centre of Lens, roughly a kilometre north-west of the city centre and the central railway station. Otherwise, one can take a train from Lille, which can be found at any hour. Once can also take the TGV from Paris - both journeys will take just about at hour or so. Stade Bollaert-Delelis Tourist InformationStaying near the Stade Bollaert-Delelis is not too difficult, with a number of small B&Bs available at a decent rate. There are a few good hotels around the town as well, like the Hotel Bollaert, Hotel De France or Hotel Le Jardin. Food & drinks can be obtained at the city centre, where once can visit the Boulevard Basly for a number of resturants. The Louvre museum has opened a branch just opposite the stadium as well, so one can grab a different type of ‘art’ after enjoying the football. Stade Bollaert-Delelis Map, Seating Arrangement & Car Parking

Those driving to the venue will be happy to know that the Stade Bollaert is situated very close to numerous dedicated parking spaces. The biggest one can be reached via the Rue Mansart on Route de Bethune. For seating, there are 4 stands with prices behind the goal around 10 euros cheaper than seats beside the lateral lines of play.

Stade Bollaert-Delelis Pitch & ArchitectureThe Stade Bollaert-Delelis has 4 main stands, with each named after a major figure of RC Lens’ footballing history:- Henry Trannin (former goalkeeper at the club for 18 years before serving as a sporting director for another four years)- Anton Marek (played and managed at Lens from 1941-1947)- Elie Delacourt (a former president of the RC Lens fans group)- Max Lepagnot (a former president of the Artois district)Although seating is available in every stand, the fans in the Marek stand generally keep the atmosphere pumping by standing & chanting throughout the match. The pitch is made of natural grass and underwent numerous works in preparation for the Euro 2016. Stade Bollaert-Delelis HistoryRC Lens’ home stadium, the Stade Bollaert-Delelis took 2 years to construct, opening in 1933. At the time, it was a 12,000-seater, with one major, covered stand flanked by a few smaller terraces. It was built by a set of unemployed miners, who even found old shells & explosives at the building site. Its very first name was the Stade Felix Bollaert, after the football-crazy mining director who strove to promote sports in the small city of Lens. For almost 4 decades it saw little structural change, before its brand new stand was unveiled in 1976. It was this addition that changed the stadium’s shape from oval to rectangular. The other stands quickly followed as more renovations got underway.

When France hosted the 1984 Euros, the stadium was renovated and modified to boost its capacity from the original 39,000 to a swollen 51,000 people. However, it would later be downgraded again for security reasons. By 2004, more corporate boxes and facilities were added to boost revenue, bringing the maximum capacity down to just 41,000. It has also hosted Its highest-ever attendance figure was set in 1992 when Marseille & Lens faced off in front of 48,912 fans - in a city of just 34,000 people! 2 years ago, the Lens city mayor Andre Delelis passed away - the stadium was renamed after him as one of their biggest fans. For the Euro 2016, the French authorities have increased its size and made new renovations, forcing home club Lens to play a season (2014-2015) away from it.