38 | SPORTS VENUES 2023/24 www.stadiaworld.com OPERATION play, Céline Dion or the Rolling Stones have all played here. As part of the 2023 Rugby World Cup (September/ October 2023), Groupama Stadium will host 5 matches – and at the next Olympic Games in 2024, Lyon will host the most soccer matches outside of Paris (11). In addition to Olympique Lyon’s matches, Groupama Stadium has hosted major soccer competitions such as the Women’s World Cup (semifinals and final), UEFA EURO 2016 and the UEFA Europa League (final), as well as international matches. In addition, the stadium was converted during the Corona pandemic: In partnership with the authorities, the building was used as a public vaccination center from April 2021 to February 2022. During this period, more than 350,000 vaccine doses were distributed. OL Groupe employs around 500 people in the administration, commercial, technical and soccer departments. The venue also uses subcontractors for security, maintenance and catering. On match days, Pierrot says up to 2,000 additional people work at the venue – in security and food and beverage. In December 2022, OL Groupe was acquired by Eagle Football Holdings Bidco Limited, a London-based group founded by digital entrepreneur John Textor. Among other things, investor John Textor already has a stake in Premier League club Crystal Palace and other clubs in Brazil and Belgium. “John Textor is the new majority shareholder of OL Groupe, which includes the club and facilities such as the stadium, the professional training center, the soccer academy and the future LDLC Arena,” tells Xavier Pierrot. John Textor himself spoke of a “new beginning” for Olympique Lyonnais, a “historic club that deserves a global stage.” Further attraction in the starting blocks Just a stone’s throw away from the Groupama Stadium, the LDLC Arena is currently being built as the next attraction in Lyon. This event arena is also fully privately financed and owned by OL Groupe. Xavier Pierrot summarizes the idea of the new venue as follows: “It is a complementary event venue that will host music events and concerts, but also Euroleague basketball games, futsal, tennis and many other indoor sports. Thanks to the U-concept, the capacity can be adapted to different configurations – from small shows to 12,000 seats for sports competitions and up to 16,000 seats for concerts thanks to retractable stands.” With the LDLC Arena under construction, those responsible will benefit from the infrastructures that already exist, such as the tramway station that is already in place, the parking lots and so on. According to Xavier Pierrot, the previously “polluted industrial wasteland” is currently being upgraded and rethought: The new LDLC Arena will be based on a comprehensive sustainability program, of which geothermal energy, LED lighting and solar cells are just a few components. The opening of the high-tech arena, which will cost around 141 million euros, is scheduled for the end of 2023. Xavier Pierrot is certain: “The experience of our organizational teams will pay off at this venue.” The LDLC Arena is scheduled to open in December 2023. Picture: Populous Key facts: Groupama Stadium City: Décines-Charpieu Owner: Olympique Lyonnais Main tenant: Olympique Lyonnais Operator: Olympique Lyonnais Costs: 410 million euros Construction: 2013 – 2016 Capacity: 60,000 Business seats: 6,000 Boxes: 105 Architect: Populous General contractor: Vinci SA
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