Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) is poised to depart from the Parc des Princes after facing obstacles in their attempt to purchase the stadium, according to club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi. The Paris mayor’s decision to block the sale has prompted PSG to explore alternative options for a new home, with four potential venues under consideration.
Al-Khelaifi expressed frustration with the situation, stating, “It’s too easy to say now that the stadium is not for sale anymore. We know what we want, we wasted years to try and buy it. It’s easier for us now, we know what we want. It’s over for us. We want to move out of the Parc.”
This development coincides with PSG’s anticipation of losing star player Kylian Mbappe to Real Madrid when his contract expires in the summer.
Read More: Top 10 Most Expensive MLS Players of All Time
Parc des Princes Saga: PSG’s Quest for a New Home Amidst Paris City Council’s Refusal to Sell
Last year, PSG announced their intention to explore alternative options for a new home following Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo’s statement that the Parc des Princes stadium was not available for sale—a stance affirmed by City Hall on Tuesday.
Pierre Rabadan, Paris’s deputy mayor for sports, emphasized the city’s position, stating, “A sale is not desirable, because that would be a decision with no turning back… That’s why we have to rule out the sale of the Parc today. We don’t want to sell off Paris’ legacy.”
Since 1974, the Parc des Princes has served as PSG’s home ground, established four years after the club’s founding. Despite efforts by the club, backed by affluent Qatari investor QSI, to secure ownership of the stadium, eight years of negotiations concluded with the Paris city council’s decision to confirm that the Parc des Princes will not be sold. As a result, PSG must now seek alternative options for their future venue.
Exploring Alternatives: PSG’s Pursuit of a New Stadium Amid Financial Commitments
In January, PSG disclosed that they had already allocated over 85 million euros ($92 million) for stadium maintenance expenditures. Additionally, the club expressed its commitment to invest an additional 500 million euros in renovations to enhance competitiveness at the highest level in European football.
However, in light of the recent developments regarding the unavailability of the Parc des Princes for sale, PSG has shifted its focus towards finding a new venue. Although the club has not specified a deadline for its relocation, reports indicate that PSG is actively exploring potential stadium options in the area.
Among the options being considered, the 20,000-capacity Stade Jean-Bouin stands out as a prime contender. Owned by the City of Paris and situated in close proximity to the Parc des Princes, it presents a viable alternative for PSG’s future home ground.
Currently, Stade Jean-Bouin serves as the home ground for PSG’s women’s team, while also hosting rugby and American football matches. This multipurpose facility provides PSG with a potential interim solution while they search for a permanent venue.
A second option under consideration is the government-owned Stade Sebastien Charlety, boasting a capacity of 20,000 seats. Although currently utilized by Paris FC, PSG envisions demolishing the stadium to erect a new facility capable of accommodating up to 75,000 spectators.
Another prospective site is the Paris La Defense Arena, boasting a capacity of 30,000 seats and serving as the home ground for rugby team Racing 92. However, Racing 92 is expected to return to their refurbished Yves-Du-Manoir stadium post-Olympic Games.
Alternatively, PSG may contemplate constructing a new stadium near their training camp in Poissy. Nevertheless, this option presents logistical challenges, given its location approximately 15.5 miles from the heart of Paris. Despite the potential obstacles, it remains among the possibilities for PSG’s future home.
