34 | SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 www.stadiaworld.com OPERATION tion are among the mandatory tasks these days and are topics that are also high on the agenda at the Paris venue. To enhance the fan experience, the operators are always getting creative and coming up with something new. Examples of this include new B2B suites and a coworking space for networking, a brand-new after-show club on around 3,500 m², a basketball court, and a wide variety of entertainment options around the actual event. Since July 2023, there is also performances in an open-air cinema. “We want to keep investing in the fan experience,” says Dupeux, “in order to keep up with the ever-increasing expectations of visitors.” Dupeux describes Accor Arena’s VIP strategy as “bold and innovative”. The CEO explains: “We want to rethink traditional hospitality codes by offering our customers a new and contemporary way of networking and enjoying an event full of emotion. For this reason, we offer three different VIP categories in the Accor Arena to allow maximum customisation to the different needs of our B2B clients.” Three venues in the portfolio The Accor Arena is owned by the city. Nominally responsible for operating the Accor Arena is the Paris Entertainment Company, which since 2021 has also figuratively united the more than 150-year-old Bataclan concert venue and the adidas arena (under construction) under one roof. The company was only founded in 2022. According to Dupeux, “global communication across the three venues via the same channel was becoming increasingly complex. Therefore, it was necessary to have a group – an overarching brand – that talks about cross-company issues. In this way, we can serve as a reference through a unique model, increase our market share by covering a wide range of customer needs, and finally offer three additional ways to enjoy a unique experience. And all of this is achieved through the same point of contact. This is why we created Paris Entertainment Company in 2022.” The Porte de la Chapelle arena (officially adidas arena) is still under construction in the 18th arrondissement in northeast Paris. Primarily, the indoor venue – located about 2.5 km from the Olympic or Paralympic Village – will be used for the 2024 Olympic Games. The gates are scheduled to open in January 2024. The naming rights contract with Adidas was signed in 2022 and will run for five years. “This future central venue brings together sports, music, culture and lifestyle for all,” judges Nicolas Dupeux. “The capacity is unique and will meet a real need among producers and event organisers – especially in the 7,000 to 9,000 seat range.” “A partnership that makes sense” Dupeux says he is “very proud of the historic naming.” It is “a partnership that makes sense because it is built on shared values such as inclusion and creativity, but also on the common desire to actively participate in the transformation of an entire neighborhood.” In addition to the Olympic Games, the programming focus in the new adidas arena will be STADIAWORLD: If you were to describe the Accor Arena in three words, which would you choose? Dupeux: Iconic, mythical, and audacious. STADIAWORLD: How do you view the competitive situation in Paris concerning its sports venues? Dupeux: In reality, there is room for everyone: Paris is a dynamic city that hosts a variety of sporting events. The adidas arena will provide a new capacity of 8,000 pax that previously didn’t exist in Paris, to host indoor competitions ranging from 7,000 to 9,000 spectators: the Paris Basketball Club, Handball, Rock climbing, Skateboarding, Badminton ... It will truly complement the Accor Arena. STADIAWORLD: What do you do differently in comparison to other venues? Dupeux: In order to meet the new consumption needs of the audience, we created activities that enable the audience to have a comprehensive experience, before and after the actual main event. STADIAWORLD: At the Olympic Games 2024 there are several competitions planned in the Accor Arena. How are the preparations going? Dupeux: Exactly, the Accor Arena will host the finals of the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, as well as the men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball tournament. But also Nicolas Dupeux “Iconic, mythical and audacious“ In this interview, Nicolas Dupeux, CEO of the Accor Arena as well as the adidas arena and the Bataclan, talks about the venue landscape in Paris, the preparations for the 2024 Summer Olympics and his goals for the future. Picture: Nicko Guihal
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