Stade de la Meinau

The Stade de la Meinau is the home of Ligue 1 side, Strasbourg, and is one of the oldest football stadiums still being used in the French top slight having opened all the way back in 1914.

Although the stadium has plenty of history attached to it, recent renovation work has helped to modernise it. As a result, fans who visit the Stade de la Meinau are greeted with a combination of a modern and retro aesthetic.

Visiting supporters are placed in the northeast corner of the stadium, sandwiched between two stands made up solely of Strasbourg supporters.

The view from this part of the stadium is generally very good. There are no supporting pillars, which means no obstructed views, and the stand is close to the pitch. One downside that some visiting supporters have reported is that no standing is allowed in the first five rows, and that stewards are strict when it comes to enforcing this rule.

Away fans should enter the stadium via entrance H, which is well signposted outside the Stade de la Meinau.

Strasbourg fans are hugely passionate about their team. Some of the chants you can expect to hear on a visit to the Stade de la Meinau include:

• Nos couleurs c’est notre
• Les couleurs de notre cœur
• Allez Racing allez

Strasbourg supporters have created and unveiled several tifos at the Stade de la Meinau over the years. Most recently, they were banned from displaying one aimed at their owners, BlueCo, who have effectively turned the club into a feeder club for Chelsea.

In terms of tifos that have made it into the Stade de la Meinau, check out the social media post below.

RCS – Paris (27.05.23)
Plus de photos sur : https://t.co/NfFi8sMTrZ

TIFO STADE DE LA MEINAU 360° :https://t.co/63h8DtSK5U
Revivez l’animation en 360° depuis la pelouse. pic.twitter.com/gC6DzDMAPL

— Ultra Boys 90 (@UltraBoys90) June 1, 2023

The Stade de la Meinau is made up of four stands and four corners, which combined to create a bowl-type design. The four main stands are simply known as the North, East, South and West stands. The North and South stands are the two stands that run the length of the pitch, while the East and West stands are located behind either goal.

The best view can be found in the middle of either the North or South stand. It’s going to be easier to get tickets in the North stand, as the South stand is packed with VIP sections and the Director’s Box.

For the best atmosphere, try to get tickets in the West Stand, as this is where the Strasbourg Ultras congregate on a matchday.

Seating plan

The Stade de la Meinau is located around 2.5km away from the centre of Strasbourg, but this is still where you are going to want to spend your time pre-match. Some of the best pubs in the centre of Strasbourg include:

• What the Fox – 13-15 Rue de la Douane, 67000 Strasbourg, France
• The Drunky Stork – 24 Rue du Vieux-Marché-aux-Vins, 67000 Strasbourg,
• Academie de la Biere – 29 Rue des Juifs, 67000 Strasbourg, France

Inside the stadium, fans are able to purchase food and drink from the kiosks on the concourses. The ordering system is slightly different to UK stadiums, as you pay at one till and then join another queue to pick up your order. While this may sound slightly annoying, it is an efficient system and keeps queue lengths down.

The food on offer is a combination of classic football fare, such as burgers and hot dogs, and local cuisine, such as baguettes and French fries.

Fans can buy alcohol from these kiosks, but they cannot be taken into the stands. Soft and hot drinks are also available.

Our restaurants reccomendations for Strasbourg are as follows:

• Blue Flamingo – Presqu’île André-Malraux, 67000 Strasbourg, France
• Le Tire-Bouchon – 5 Rue des Tailleurs de Pierre, 67000 Strasbourg, France
• Restaurant le Kuhn – 15 Rue Kuhn, 67000 Strasbourg, France

By car

Realistically, driving isn’t a viable option as the car parking options around the stadium are severely limited. However, getting a taxi could be an option, as you can just hop out once you are close to the stadium. Either way, taking public transport or walking to the stadium are better options.

By public transport

You should take full advantage of Strasbourg’s metro system to get to the Stade de la Meinau. The station named Krimeni Stade de la Meinau is located a two-minute walk from the stadium and is on both the A and E lines.

Tram A can be boarded at either the city’s main railway station or at Place de l’Homme de Fer in the centre. Tram E can be boarded from Place de la Republique in the north of the city.

The Stade de la Meinau currently has a capacity of 32,300, but this figure has fluctuated over time.

When it first opened, the overall capacity was around the 30,000 mark, but the stadium was made up entirely of standing terraces. Naturally, renovation work has taken place on several occasions to ensure the stadium is modern, safe and in line with regulations.

The stadium was completely rebuilt between 1979 and 1984 for the UEFA European Championship. Following this work, it reached a capacity of 42,700, but large parts of the stadium were still made up of standing terraces.

In the decades that followed, capacity was reduced rather than increased, mainly due to new safety regulations introduced after major stadium disasters in Europe. It was converted to an all-seated arena in the late 90s, bringing the capacity down to 29,000.

By the 2010s and early 2020s, the stadium’s regular operating capacity had settled at about 26,000, but recent work has seen the overall capacity boosted back up to 32,300.

The Stade de la Meinau has rarely been used as a music venue over the years, and the last gig to take place here was back in 2003 when Johnny Hallyday performed. The two biggest acts to have performed here were Pink Floyd in 1994 and U2 in 1993.

Strasbourg have played their home matches at the Stade de la Meinau since 1914, when it first opened. The stadium has been used for major football tournaments in the past, including the 1938 World Cup and Euro 1984. However, it was not selected as a host stadium for the 1998 World Cup or Euro 2016, indicating a decline in standards.

Record attendance

• 44,566 (Germany vs Portugal, 1984)

Average attendances

• 2024/25: 19,378 (Ligue 1)
• 2023/24: 25,359 (Ligue 1)
• 2022/23: 25,278 (Ligue 1)

• FC Metz (Derby de l’Est)
• FC Mullhouse
• SR Colmar
• FC Sochaux