Strasbourg's Stade de la Meinau, the home of Racing Club de Strasbourg, is currently undergoing a major renovation project slated for completion in July 2026. With a budget increased from 100 to 160 million €, the stadium is set to expand its capacity and incorporate eco-friendly solutions in its design.

A major upgrade for Stade de la Meinau

Stade de la Meinau in Strasbourg, initially undergoing renovation from last summer, is scheduled for completion by July 2026. This 160-million-€ project aims to modernize and expand the stadium from 26,282 to 32,000 seats, incorporating ecological solutions for construction, energy, and water management. Racing Club de Strasbourg, now owned by the American group BlueCo, is enthusiastic about the project, which aims to create "the stadium of tomorrow with today's atmosphere," according to club president Marc Keller. The renovation, officially begun last June, was inaugurated by Minister of Energy Transition Agnès Pannier-Runacher.

The stadium's budget, initially set at 100 million € in early 2021 when the London-based architectural agency Populous (known for their work on stadiums like Lyon, Wembley, Tottenham) and Strasbourg’s Rey-de Crécy were selected, has since risen to 160 million €. This increase is largely attributed to a more than 20% hike in construction costs over two years, as noted by architect Olivier de Crécy. Despite this, the budget remains significantly lower than similar projects in Europe. There are a lot of these at the moment, and fans are following Spotify Camp Nou and Estadio Santiago Bernabeu works most closely. Alongside this, bet999 sports betting interest continues to grow as we are in the middle of the season, with Euro 2024 ahead.

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Financing and urban integration

Stade de la Meinau's renovation is financially supported by multiple partners. The Eurométropole of Strasbourg, the stadium's owner, is contributing 75.8 million €, while the Grand Est region, the city of Strasbourg, and the European Collectivity of Alsace each contribute 18.8 million €. Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace (RCSA) adds another 9.1 million €.

Pia Imbs, president of the Eurométropole, emphasizes the importance of keeping the stadium in the city, ensuring accessibility through various modes of transportation. The project, led by Frédéric Thommen, Director of Architecture and Heritage at the Eurométropole, also aims to integrate the stadium into the urban fabric. This includes maintaining the current spectator capacity at 19,200 during construction and focusing on a less invasive, more eco-friendly approach. The phased construction will begin with the south stand, followed by the west, north, and east stands.

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Environmental innovation

Central to the Stade de la Meinau's renovation is its commitment to environmental sustainability. The project, endorsed by the city's ecologist executive, includes energy-efficient measures like connecting to a renewable urban heating network, installing a 860-square-meter photovoltaic park, and switching to LED lighting. These initiatives aim to reduce energy costs by 15%.

In addition to energy efficiency, the project focuses on water conservation by recycling rainwater for irrigation and toilets, and using sustainable materials like low-carbon concrete and wood. Another innovative feature is the use of decommissioned A340 fuselages as sunshades on the south facade, a move hailed by Olivier de Crécy as a strong statement in circular economy. The surrounding landscape will also be enhanced, preserving nearby ecological corridors. Finally, in a nod to its heritage, the Meinau Stadium is set to retain its name, resisting the trend of corporate naming.

© Populous / Strasbourg