The most striking example will be next Sunday, during the Paris derby between Psg and Paris Fc. Although it could be the decisive match for celebrating the title of Luis Enrique’s team, the atmosphere outside the Jean Boin stadium, right in front of the Parc des Princes, will be marked by serenity and fun. This is the new goal of Ligue 1, to enhance the fan zone during matches. As analyzed by L’Équipe, in fact, between Paris Saint-Germain and Paris FC the category changes, but not the objective: to transform the match into an experience that goes beyond the ninety minutes.
“The idea is to make the stadium experience more enjoyable, not just to limit it to watching the game” has told to the French newspaper Lucas, one of the organizers supervising the children engaged in ball activities set up in the square of the Auteuil stand. Before the match lost by Paris FC 1-0 at home against Lille on April 26, family and children’s activities were crowded, also thanks to a sunny day. Inflatables, games, mini-pitches, and spaces dedicated to children increasingly accompany the wait before kick-off. “Our target audience mainly consists of families and groups of friends. That’s why we propose activities specifically designed for them,” explained Paris FC.
A model that can also be found in other French cities like Lens, Metz, and Lorient. Here, clubs aim to encourage fans to arrive at the stadium well in advance and to stay even after the match. “We want the audience to experience the stadium as much as possible,” emphasized Henri Neveu, brand director of the RC Lens. In Lens, the area around the Bollaert stadium has been completely rethought, with new refreshment points and spaces dedicated to hospitality. “It’s not just an economic issue – Neveu clarified – but about improving the quality of service and ensuring that people have a pleasant time.” However, the company wants to maintain a strong coherence with its identity. For this reason, it avoids using the term “fan zone,” which is considered too close to the American style.
The philosophy of the Paris Saint-Germain is different, as it openly claims the desire to transform its stadium into a true “entertainment destination.” The club’s fan zone opens three hours before matches and is considered one of the pillars of the public engagement strategy. A policy that has led PSG to receive for the second consecutive year the “Accueil et Expérience” award given by the LFP in September 2025. Other French teams have also invested in off-field activities. TheOlympique Lyon has been among the pioneers since 2016, with concerts and entertainment around the Groupama Stadium. The opening of the OL Vallée complex, with restaurants and recreational areas independent of the club, has further increased the area’s appeal on match days.
Even smaller clubs, like the Le Havre, have continued to offer small concerts and freestyle shows during their years in Ligue 2. In Lorient, however, the celebration of the club’s centenary, organized in grand style in April, was designed to “make a mark” and create a lasting legacy. According to Emmanuel Robert, director of development for the Bretons, collateral activities are no longer just an extra, but “are an integral part of what the audience seeks when coming to the stadium; attendance has significantly increased, and everything organized around the matches has contributed to this growth.”
Among the most creative clubs stands out the Toulouse which this season has transformed seven home matches into themed events: from Halloween to the world record for the longest line of galette des rois (the typical French cake eaten at Epiphany) to collaborations with the Cité de l’Espace and the Stade Toulousain, the beloved local rugby team. The latest initiative will be a free amusement park organized in the stadium square on Sunday, May 10, before the match against Lyon, the last of the season.
Despite the progress, however, for industry insiders, French football is still far from the absolute benchmark, American sports. François Coudert, general director of the FAS Events agency specializing in sports events, believes that “the offerings around Ligue 1 stadiums are still quite limited compared to England or American sports.” “In the USA – he confessed to L’Équipe – fans come to spend an entire afternoon between entertainment, dining, and shows. In France, things are improving, especially with light shows and choreographies at team entrances, but there is still a long way to go.” According to Coudert, the future will see stadiums becoming places to experience well beyond the duration of the match: “Perhaps people won’t spend an entire day at the stadium, but definitely more hours. When important events are organized, the audience responds. The real limit often remains the budget.” Yet Ligue 1 is equipping itself with alternative proposals suitable for all budgets.