Stade de France tour in Saint-Denis: behind the scenes in 2027
On match nights, up to 80,000 people fill the stands; on a guided tour, you walk in through the players' entrance. Just north of Paris, in Saint-Denis, the Stade de France opens its behind-the-scenes areas almost all year round: dressing rooms, tunnel, stands and a superb view over the pitch. For football, rugby and athletics fans, but also for anyone curious about architecture, it makes an unusual outing, easy to reach by RER and simple to slot in between two of the capital's more classic sights. Here is what to expect, what it costs and how to choose the right day.
The Stade de France: a stadium steeped in history
Inaugurated on 28 January 1998 by President Jacques Chirac, the stadium was designed by the architects Michel Macary, Aymeric Zublena, Michel Regembal and Claude Costantini to host the football World Cup. A few months later, on 12 July 1998, France beat Brazil 3-0 in the final there and won their first star.
Key dates in Stade de France history
- 2003: World Athletics Championships.
- 2007 and 2023: Rugby World Cup finals.
- 2016: UEFA European Championship.
- 2024: athletics, rugby sevens and the closing ceremony of the Olympic Games.
The stadium describes itself as the only venue to have hosted a football World Cup final, a Rugby World Cup final and the Olympic Games. Owned by the French state, it has no resident club; since 2025 it has been run by GL events under a thirty-year concession.
What you see on the Stade de France tour
Led by a guide, visitors follow the route usually reserved for teams and officials. The circuit, which lasts around an hour and a half, links several highlights, each with its own atmosphere and its share of stories from the great nights of French sport.
Dressing rooms and players' tunnel on the Stade de France tour
Stepping into the dressing rooms is often the supporters' favourite moment. You then walk down the tunnel leading to the pitch, the very one the players take before kick-off, before emerging pitchside beneath the vast sweep of the stands.
Stands, hospitality boxes and the stadium museum
The tour then climbs into the stands and passes through the guest hospitality areas, with a sweeping view over the arena. According to the published descriptions, the visit also includes the podium and a museum space displaying signed shirts and mementoes of the stadium's great evenings. The exact content may vary depending on what is happening at the stadium on the day you visit.
Architecture to admire on a Stade de France tour
Beyond the sporting memories, the tour helps you understand a few technical feats. The roof, suspended 46 metres above the pitch, is held up by 18 cables attached to masts 61 metres high: seen from the stands, it seems to float in mid-air.
The retractable stands of the Stade de France
Unusually, the lower tier is movable: it slides back 15 metres to uncover the athletics track. Thanks to this system, the stadium switches from a football or rugby layout, with around 80,700 seats, to an athletics meeting configuration. For concerts, capacity exceeds 100,000 spectators.
Looking at these empty volumes, without the crowd or the noise, gives you a very different impression from that of a match night: the sheer scale of the structure becomes obvious, and the guide's explanations help you picture how the bowl changes from one event to the next.
Prices and tickets for the Stade de France tour
The prices published for 2026 serve as a guide. As an indication (checked October 2026):
| Category | Official price (indicative) |
|---|---|
| Full price | €18.50 |
| Reduced price | €17 |
| Child (under 18) | €11.50 |
Family and group rates are also available. Prices for 2027 may change: the one shown in the calendar on this page corresponds to the day you select.
Minimum age and tour languages at the Stade de France
The tour is recommended from the age of 5. Several languages are offered, including French, English and Spanish; check the language of your time slot when you book.
Stade de France tour days and times
Tours run all year round, with several departures a day and a wider choice during the French school holidays. Times vary from one period to another, so refer to the time shown when you book.
The Stade de France tour on event days
The stadium lives first and foremost for its matches and concerts. On event days, and often the day before while a stage is being set up, the tour programme may be changed or suspended, and some areas may be closed off. A few public holidays, such as 1 January, 1 May and 25 December, are also announced as having no tours.
Worth knowing: a tour held while a concert is being prepared may treat you to the unusual sight of a stage under construction, but pitchside access is not guaranteed at such times.
Reaching the Stade de France from Paris for your tour
The stadium stands on Avenue Jules-Rimet, 93200 Saint-Denis, just a few stops from central Paris.
RER B, RER D and metro to the Stade de France
- RER B: La Plaine – Stade de France station, the first stop after Gare du Nord heading north.
- RER D: Stade de France – Saint-Denis station, direct from Gare de Lyon, Châtelet-Les Halles or Gare du Nord.
- Metro line 13: Saint-Denis – Porte de Paris station, then a few minutes on foot.
- Tram T8: Saint-Denis – Porte de Paris stop.
A standard ticket is all you need, as the town is served by the Île-de-France urban network. Allow a few minutes to walk around the stadium to the meeting point shown on your ticket.
Tips to make the most of your Stade de France tour
Accessibility on the Stade de France tour
The route is described as accessible to wheelchair users with a companion, thanks to an adapted path and lifts. Mention your needs when you book so that the guide can organise the circuit accordingly.
Clothing, bags and photos at the Stade de France
- Comfortable shoes: the tour alternates between stairs, concourses and outdoor sections.
- A warm layer in winter, as the stands are exposed to the wind.
- A small bag rather than a large one: there may be a check at the entrance.
- A charged camera: the tunnel and the pitchside are the most sought-after shots.
Young sports fans love this outing; for the youngest, bear in mind the minimum age of 5.
Book your Stade de France tour with the calendar
On this page, a calendar shows the days of 2027. Click on the date that suits you, then on "Check availability": we will tell you whether places are still open for the tour that day, along with the corresponding price. And if the slot is full or not yet on sale, leave your email address and we will let you know as soon as availability appears.
Choosing the right date for a Stade de France tour
Cross-check your date with our 2027 sport and concert listings for Paris: you will see whether an event is scheduled on the day itself or the day before, and can opt for a quiet day to enjoy the pitchside to the full.
After the Stade de France tour: Saint-Denis and Paris
One metro stop from the stadium, the Basilica of Saint-Denis houses the tombs of the kings of France, a natural follow-on for anyone tracing the thread of the nation's history. Back in Paris, the RER B or D quickly drops you at Gare du Nord, a stone's throw from the slopes of Montmartre and the Sacré-Cœur. Fans of big collective occasions can carry on to the Arc de Triomphe, at the top of the Champs-Élysées, where major celebrations come to a close each year. And to experience the stadium for real, our listings of 2027 matches and concerts set out the evenings scheduled in Saint-Denis.
Stade de France tour: practical information
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Stade de France tour FAQ
How long does the Stade de France tour last?
The guided tour lasts about an hour and a half. It takes in the dressing rooms, the players' tunnel, the pitchside, the stands, the guest hospitality areas and a museum space. Add the time for the RER journey and the walk around the stadium.
How much does the Stade de France tour cost?
The prices published for 2026 were €18.50 full price, €17 reduced and €11.50 for under-18s, as an indication. The price for the day you choose is shown in the calendar on this page.
Does the Stade de France tour run on match days?
The programme may be changed or suspended on match and concert days, and sometimes while stages are being set up. Some public holidays also have no tours. It is best to check the events calendar before settling on your date.
How do I get to the Stade de France tour?
The RER B stops at La Plaine – Stade de France and the RER D at Stade de France – Saint-Denis. Metro line 13 and tram T8 serve Saint-Denis – Porte de Paris, a few minutes on foot from Avenue Jules-Rimet.
Is the Stade de France tour suitable for children?
Yes, it is offered from the age of 5, with a reduced price for under-18s. Young fans particularly enjoy the dressing rooms and walking through the tunnel out to the edge of the pitch.
More things to do in Paris near Stade de France tour
Stade de France tour calendar 2026-2027: pick your day
Tap a day to check availability and get the email alert. on sale · not open yet (we’ll alert you) · checked 13 October 2026.