The renovation and reconstruction works at Stade de la Meinau, which began in the summer of 2023, are progressing rapidly. The expansion of the southern stand, which will accommodate nearly 12,000 spectators, is entering one of its final phases – the assembly of the load-bearing structure.

A symbolic moment in the club's history

For the first time, we can truly see what the new La Meinau will look like. The assembly of the structure is a symbolic moment in the club's history and its development, said RC Strasbourg president, Marc Keller, during a meeting with the media and project partners.

The total cost of the project is €160 million, with funding coming from both the club and local authorities. The planned renovation, which was first conceived in 2016, will increase the stadium’s capacity from 26,000 to 32,000 seats. The goal of the project is to strengthen Strasbourg's position both sportingly and economically.

The project, designed to be both eco-friendly and modern, was developed by the architectural firms Populous and Rey-de-Crécy in collaboration with Eurométropole de Strasbourg, the stadium's owner. The construction of the southern stand consists of 28 prefabricated modules that will be assembled at a rate of 1-2 per week until the end of May or early June. The first elements of the structure were lifted at the end of last week. Each module is lifted by one of the largest cranes in Europe, standing 113 meters tall and weighing 650 tons. For comparison, the tower of Strasbourg's cathedral is 142 meters tall.

© Le Baron Bleu

A sustainable model for the stadium

Project director Matthieu Luttmann emphasized that the priority was to maintain harmony between the new and old architecture of the stadium. The entire structure weighs 1,500 tons, and the roof, covering 8,500 m², will be supported by a system of load-bearing cables – its surface area is equivalent to that of a football pitch. From the southern stand, visitors will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of Strasbourg, including the cathedral. The final phase of the renovation will involve the installation of 196 photovoltaic panels made from parts of old Airbus A340 airplanes. These will be placed along the facade of the southern stand as sunshields.

Although Stade de la Meinau has not yet hosted any major sporting events in France, with this current renovation, it is set to become a model venue in terms of ecology, social impact, and economics. According to the schedule, the works are expected to be completed by the summer of 2026.

© Populous / Strasbourg