France: Will Les Girondins return to Matmut Atlantique?

source: StadiumDB.com; author: Jakub Ducki

France: Will Les Girondins return to Matmut Atlantique? Since Girondins' relegation to the regional league, there has been a lot of buzz around the Bordeaux stadium. The local authorities have announced their support for the team's return to the former venue, which has also become the target of a wealthy entrepreneur's efforts. Has an agreement been reached?

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City council helps return to Matmut Atlantique

After the transition to amateurism, the Zyrondists were alive with the hope of returning to Matmut Atlantique. Although the club has been struggling financially and athletically for years, the local authorities, led by Christine Bost, are taking steps to give the team a place to play. There is a contract and it has to be respected - says Bost, who has submitted a formal notice to the stadium operator, SBA, a subsidiary of construction giants Vinci and Fayat.

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Bost also stressed that the SBA's failure to meet contractual requirements could be considered a breach of contract. The decision on Girondins' future fate at Matmut Atlantique was uncertain.

Matmut Atlantique (Stade Bordeaux-Atlantique)© Nouveau Stade Bordeaux

Entrepreneur puts forward desire to buy Matmut Atlantique

The stadium situation has attracted the attention of entrepreneur Bruno Fievet, who has made no secret of his ambitions for Girondins de Bordeaux. Fievet has offered €100 million to buy the stadium and has submitted a letter of intent (LOI), as revealed in an interview with L'Équipe. His bid is backed by local investors specialising in real estate and sports facilities, although it does not fully meet the city's expectations. For Fievet, the stadium is a key part of the future business model of the club, which is currently struggling with a 118-million debt.

The only way to give value to the club is to link it to assets that have it. The stadium is just such an asset Fievet stressed in an interview with the sports daily. In his vision, the stadium could become a source of additional revenue, bringing Girondins back to a higher sporting level.

Matmut Atlantique (Stade Bordeaux-Atlantique)© Iwan Baan / Herzog & de Meuron

Problematic stadium naming deal

Matmut Atlantique, which was built as part of a €310 million public-private partnership for Euro 2016, could soon lose its naming, with financial implications for the Bordeaux Métropole. The sponsorship deal with insurance company Matmut expires on July 31, 2025 and its possible renewal is in question due to Girondins' sporting and financial problems.

Metropolitan opposition leader Patrick Bobet ironically commented on the situation, recalling Jacques Chirac's words about the ‘financial swamp’ into which the Métropole has fallen through the stadium. This means that the city is bearing the financial consequences of maintaining the stadium, especially as Girondins have been unable to pay their rent for several years. Bordeaux Métropole's debt is already over €20 million, with further claims from the SBA amounting to €1.7 million per year.

Sports economics expert Christophe Lepetit stresses that getting a new sponsor could be difficult, given the current state of Girondins. In his opinion, it is difficult to find a company that will agree to a seven-figure investment with such a precarious situation for the club. This is reminiscent of the case of MMArena at Le Mans, where, after the club was relegated to the sixth division, an insurance company was forced to continue sponsoring the stadium despite the club losing its appeal.

Matmut Atlantique (Stade Bordeaux-Atlantique)© Julien Blu

Girondins return to Matmut Atlantique

Despite the financial and sporting problems, hope for Girondins' return to the Matmut Atlantique emerged on September 21. After negotiations with the SBA, the club and the stadium operator reached an agreement, which will allow home matches to be played in the presence of the fans. This will restore the possibility for Marine et Blanc fans to support their team at the stadium. The agreement stipulates that Girondins will not pay rent, only operating costs, which significantly reduces the financial burden on the club.

Unfortunately, not all matches will be able to take place at the Matmut Atlantique, as the SBA has dates booked for other events, such as rugby matches and concerts. In such situations, Girondins will be forced to play at Stade Sainte-Germaine, which poses an additional logistical challenge.

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