French National Football Team Secures 30-Year Return to Stade de France

The French Football Federation (FFF) has officially signed a 30-year agreement with GL Events, the concessionaire now managing Stade de France, guaranteeing that the French national football team will play at the stadium until 2055. This landmark deal was announced on April 3, 2026, and marks the return of Les Bleus to their historic venue starting October 2, 2026, when France will face Italy in the Nations League — their first match in Saint-Denis since November 2024.

The agreement is structured in two phases. Until 2030, match scheduling will depend on the stadium’s availability amidst ongoing renovations and modernization efforts led by GL Events. After renovations conclude at the end of 2030, the FFF commits to hosting six of the men's national team’s top matches every two years at the Stade de France, alongside holding the annual Coupe de France final at the venue through 2055.

Philippe Diallo, president of the FFF, expressed enthusiasm about the return, highlighting the Stade de France as a "historic venue where the French team has achieved many great victories," and emphasized the partnership’s benefits for enhancing the federation’s visibility and revenues. Despite significant transport line construction around the stadium, the 2026 Coupe de France final is scheduled to take place at Stade de France on May 22.

This agreement ensures the Stade de France remains the spiritual home for French football for the next three decades, reinforcing its role in hosting key national and cup matches. The phased approach allows the FFF to maintain a presence at the stadium during renovation works while securing stable, long-term access moving forward.