Allianz Riviera Stadium is a striking symbol of modern architecture and sports excellence. This state-of-the-art venue opened in 2013 and quickly became a landmark, seamlessly blending innovative design with functionality. Designed to host thrilling football matches and a variety of major events, Allianz Riviera offers an immersive experience for fans and visitors alike. Located next to the city centre of the iconic region of Nice, this arena stands as one of the most important stadiums in the entire country. It aims to keep the passion for football alive for all French and European fans.
In this article, we will show you some of the most critical facts and curiosities about this vital part of European football and its contribution to the sport. From details about when the construction started to its connection with the National Sports Museum, here’s everything you need to know about this stadium, Whether you’re just a football fan wanting to learn more or plan on visiting it on your next trip to France, we’ve got you covered.
Table of Contents
Location of Allianz Riviera
As we mentioned, the marvelous stadium is located next to the center of Nice, more specifically in the neighborhood of Saint Isidore. It is a privileged location next to the river and near some of the most beautiful views in the entire province. Right next to it, you have Camping Marvilla Parks and Boulevard des Jardiniers.
This privileged location makes it the perfect place for football matches, concerts, and any other kind of event, being near crowded parts of the city and one bus away from most hotels in the region. Car parks are also not a problem since the arena provides dozens of parking spaces for fans and visitors to leave their vehicles while enjoying the match or event. Whether you go by a rented car or public transport method, you can take the same route and easily reach the stadium.
Curiosities and Facts About Allianz Riviera
Now, we will show you some of the main aspects and details about the sports jewel of Saint Isidore. From famous matches the stadium hosted to its contribution to the Rugby culture in France, we will cover different aspects so you become an expert and learn everything about this venue that represents so much to the sports world and football culture in Europe. Here’s everything to know about Allianz Riviera Stadium and its iconic project structure:
Field Size and Construction Cost
This arena’s architectural design and line runs are a remarkable characteristic that distinguishes it from any other stadium in the world. Still, this entire project came at a huge cost to become a reality. It is estimated that the whole building process took a little over two years to complete, with the breaking ground happening in 2011 and the official opening in 2013, making it one of the newest stadiums in Europe for sports. This reflects on the bold design of its exteriors and the top-notch technology in every place you walk in the area, whether when it comes to the light, the pitch, or anything else.
As expected, this resulted in a very expensive construction process of approximately 250 million euros for the entire structure. This might look like a lot, but Allianz Riviera Stadion actually profits a lot when it comes to entertainment, whether because of the hundreds of thousands of fans visiting the arena every year or the numerous stores and spaces inside the stadium that also contribute to that.
The field is 105 x 68 meters and easily swappable and customizable for different game types and events. The stadium’s round format also maximizes the capacity to attend these events and enjoy the show.
Capacity
Speaking of capacity, along with being one of the newest arenas in the country, it is also one of the biggest in terms of capacity. The stand structure is very modular and can be adapted to different kinds of events, each one with its specific capacity. Here’s how many fans Allianz Riviera can accommodate:
- Football – 36,178
- Rugby – 35,169
- Concerts – 44,624
The entire stadium is versatile and can host various events and competitions, especially because of its round trip. If you have the opportunity to enjoy a game at this venue, you’ll surely have the best experience possible.
Allianz Riviera x Rugby
The arena also has a strong connection with rugby, a traditional sport in the country. As we mentioned, the stadium’s pitch is modular and can be easily changed to fit different events and competitions.
Along with football, the stadium is also home to some of the most important competitions in this sport, including the Rugby World Cup and national tournaments. It is the biggest venue in the country for this sport and one of the main reasons for keeping the love for it alive.
The capacity for this kind of event also reduces the total number of seats a little, thanks to the necessary field structure, but it still fits over 35,000 spectators.
During these events, you can also find tons of merch from the Rugby teams for sale in the stadium. If you ever have the opportunity to go to one at Allianz Riviera Stadium, this is the perfect souvenir to take home.
Kick-Off Match and OGC Nice Matches
Along with being Nice’s sports gem and the main venue for events, this is not the characteristic it is known for. Most people think of it as the home stadium to OGC Nice, one of the most influential teams in the French league.
They are the team that most uses it and have always been the leading name related to the arena. The first game on its ground was in September 2013, a match between OGC Nice and Valenciennes, in a friendly game. Since that day, all the games hosted at the address have been a true show for the spectators, providing the best experience possible in every moment, from arriving at the stadium to reaching the exit and going home with an unforgettable memory.
Other Events
Versatility defines this venue and its contribution to culture and entertainment. Football is far from being the only thing you’ll find happening at the arena. Here, we will list just some of the activities that have occurred in Allianz Riviera throughout its history.
To start, this is one of the artists’ preferred stages in France, and some big artists have already performed there, including Celine Dion, The Weekend, and Travis Scott. Whether you come through the Port Lympia train station, Boulevard du Mercantour, or any other way, this is one of the easiest and best venues for big concerts.
But that’s not all. Allianz Riviera Stadium also hosted dozens of other sports and even the 2024 Summer Olympics. There were over five different events, and people from all over the world came to enjoy this spectacular event. Teams from the United States, Morocco, Spain, and multiple others stepped on the field, creating a unique experience for people watching.
The Best Virtual Football Experience
Want to test your football skills in the virtual world? We have the perfect solution for that. FootballTeam will test your football knowledge and abilities in a competitive platform against people from all over the world.
Create your player and reach the top of the world as the best team. Manage every aspect of your party and career to ensure the best results and become the best.
The best part is that you can share this experience with all your friends. FootballTeam’s online features let you connect with people everywhere, whether through a mobile phone or desktop, so you can take it wherever you go and show everyone.
The game features thousands of team possibilities, waiting for you to discover and try the best one that fits your needs and playstyle. All of that without spending a single penny. The game is free to play, and you can start enjoying everything it has to offer right now!
Visit our homepage and download the best online football experience available right now.