Stade Chaban-Delmas is a sporting stadium located in the city ofBordeaux, France. It was the home ground of FC Girondins de Bordeaux. Since 2011, it has also hosted matches of Top 14 rugby team Union Bordeaux Bègles. Until 2001, the stadium's name was the Stade du Parc Lescure, so called after the fallow lands on which it was built. That year it was renamed after politician Jacques Chaban-Delmas, who was the mayor of Bordeaux from 1947 to 1995. First built in 1930 as a cycle-racing track, in 1935 it was reconfigured to accommodate the upcoming 1938 FIFA World Cup. Rebuilt by the architects Jacques d'Welles and Raoul Jourde in an Art déco style, it was the first stadium in the world to have stands entirely covered without any pillars obstructing visibility of the playing area. Classified as a historic building, its restoration has been difficult, as its roof does not cover seats built after 1984 on the old cycle track. The current seating capacity of the stadium is 34,462, following a series of expansions of the stands, in particular for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. A record 40,211 spectators were in attendance on 24 April 1985 to watch a match between Girondins de Bordeaux and Juventus. In preparation of several matches that were held here for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, two giant television screens measuring 37 m2 were installed. The tunnel connecting the locker rooms of the players to the ground is the longest in Europe. On 19 July 2011, FC Girondins de Bordeaux announced plans to construct a new stadium, located in Bordeaux-Lac, with seating capacity of 42,115 for sporting events. Construction of the Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux began in 2013 and ended in April 2015.
The "Council Stadium" at the time accommodated two matches for the 1938 FIFA World Cup: a quarter final and the match for third place. At the time the stadium's capacity was 25,000 people.
The Stade Chaban-Delmas has held many semi-finals for the Top 14 rugby competition and has received several finals until the 1970s. It also hosted the 2013 promotion playoff final in Rugby Pro D2. Since 2011, it has also hosted matches of Top 14 rugby team Union Bordeaux Bègles. On 2 February 2018, it hosted a Six Nations Under 20s Championship match between France and Ireland with France winning 34 - 24.
Public transport
The stadium is served by the Bordeaux Tramway Line A station, Stade Chaban-Delmas, and bus No. 9.
