Today the French Rugby Federation (FFR) announced the designers and future shape of their 82,000-seat stadium in Ris-Orangis. Of three finalists Populous were selected to carry out the design work.

“Today we reached a milestone that shows our ambition and vision, allowing FFR to be independent and take control of its future. We know, how the «Garden of French Rugby» is to look, our future working tool”, said Pierre Camou, FFR president.

That working tool is a 82,000-seat stadium, which will therefore became the world's largest sporting venue to have a retractable roof and sliding pitch at the same time. Construction was expected to start this year, but is more likely to be launched in 2014, though no official change in delivery time (2017) was announced so far.

After design tender began last year, 21 submissions from around the world were sent to FFR. Three finalists were selected: Populous + Ateliers 2/3/4, HKS + Arte Charpentier and Foster + Regembal Architecture. The first one were selected after months of dialogue, with their monumental and bold vision.

New national stadium for rugby is the direct outcome of FFR and Stade de France not reaching an understanding after the tenants were dissatisfied with conditions of using the Saint-Denis stadium. Together with extensive commercial infrastructure on 133 hectares, the new venue will cost €600 million.