Inside RC Lens Stadium: From Local Club to National Spotlight

Since its inauguration in 1933, the historic RC Lens has evolved from a modest local venue into one of French football’s most iconic landmarks. With its rich history, cutting-edge renovations, and a unique atmosphere for every match day, Stade Bollaert-Delelis is more than just a stadium—it’s a symbol of community pride and football culture. 

In this article, we’ll explore the evolution of this beloved arena, its architectural significance, historical matches, and its role in the world of RC Lens football. From its contributions to Club de Lens and the memorable events on its grounds, here’s everything you need to know about this popular venue that keeps attracting people worldwide to enjoy its unique architecture. 

Make sure to pay attention to every item below, and you’ll become an expert on the matter. Here’s what you need to know:

Table of Contents

• Inside RC Lens Stadium: From Local Club to National Spotlight
  • Location of RC Lens
  • Curiosities and Facts About the Arena
  • Want to Take Your Football Passion Everywhere?

Location of RC Lens

As we already mentioned, RC Lens, also known as Stade Bollaert Delelis, is located in the city of Lens in France. Its spot is very privileged, located near all the main attractions you could ever want. Being next to the city center also causes it to be very popular for tourists and people in general during match days, so expect crowded lines and high traffic depending on the day. 

The city’s population is a little over 30 thousand people, but during a match from the UEFA Cup World Cup or any other tournament, you can feel the entire region rumble as they cheer up for their favorite team. Even though it can be very crowded, it is still a fairly easy place to move around, whether using a rental car or public transportation. There are several ways to get from your hotel or tourist spot to the arena in no time.

Curiosities and Facts About the Arena

Now, it’s time to explore the main reasons why this venue is so popular for the club’s official fans and the entire football community. We will cover multiple aspects of this iconic arena, from its structure and design to its history and contribution to the country’s culture. 

Make sure to pay attention to each one so you become an expert on the matter, whether you plan on visiting the stadium or just want to learn more about this venue.

Here’s everything about Stade Bollaert Delelis:

Construction Year and Size

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One of the reasons why this particular stadium carries so much history and culture is because it has almost a century of existence. The stadium was built in 1933 and is also one of the oldest sports facilities in the French territory. Due to that, the tradition of hosting big events has been around for decades.

But one thing has never changed throughout almost a century of history. It has always been the home grounds of Racing Club de Lens, a club proud of its impact on football and the legacy brought to their home, thanks to that.

Another consequence of being such an old arena is that it has already undergone numerous renovation and update processes, whether in the structure, field, or any other aspect of the facility.

Speaking of the field, it measures 105 x 68 meters, being easily adaptable to different needs and kinds of sports. This, along with the four separate stands, makes this stadium a remarkable architectural piece that is both unique and functional.

The entire project has an estimated cost of 70 million euros for the entire structure and was one of the most technologically advanced arenas at the time.

Bollaert Delelis x World War I

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This arena has already endured a lot, and one of the most tense moments of its existence was during the First World War, when not only did the team RC Lens have to move out of the stadium twice but also because of possible destruction due to attacks from the opposing forces. The stadium stands as a symbol of the passion for sports in the country, even during the hardest times, and still represents strength for all visitors and players going there for events.

Now that these events are over, the arena represents a great atmosphere where people can reunite and cheer for their favorite teams while enjoying the best experience, whether in home matches or tournaments.

Stadium Naming

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Even though the arena is popularly known as the RC Lens Stadion, it was initially called Stade Félix Bollaert, a name that pays homage to a director of Compagnie des Mines de Lens with the same name. He was a passionate football fan and was anxious to promote sports development in the city. Sadly, he passed away before the construction process was completed.

In 2012, it was renamed Stade Bollaert Delelis, making direct reference to André Delelis, the former mayor who served as a politician and Minister of Commerce under the governance of the former president François Mitterrand. Both names marked a strong presence in French culture in sports, bringing their teams to the spotlight, whether in the country or abroad. This is one of the many reasons this construction has an important role in cultural heritage and legacy.

The Structure

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If we had to tell the most unique characteristic of this particular arena, it would be its structure. It has a rectangular shape created mainly by the four stands around the pitch. It is unlike any other stadium in the country, and this gives it a distinct look that catches the eye of anyone passing nearby.

It might look like the only structure in the stadium is the stands, but it goes far beyond that. There is a diversity of facilities and options that will allow you to enjoy any event without having to go somewhere else to grab something to eat or drink.

The spaces inside the RC Lens arena include affordable food, stores for buying souvenirs, booths for tickets, and many other options. If you ever visit the arena, you’ll definitely find it one of the best venues in the country. Everything is of high quality and is projected to be one of the best stadiums in Europe, whether it comes to football games or anything else.

Speaking of stands and experience, this particular venue has one characteristic that you won’t find very often: the capacity exceeds the city’s actual population. You heard it right. There are more seats available than people living in Lens. Whether you’re going for a friendly game, Intertoto Cup, or any other competition, finding seats won’t be a problem.

Iconic Matches and Events

Part of the legacy of this venue lies in the iconic matches it hosted. The list is not short and people from Lens and all of Europe have already seen a lot in this stadium.

In 1998, it was one of the main venues of the FIFA World Cup, hosting six matches of the competition throughout the months. The last game from the competition hosted at Bollaert Delelis was during the round of 16, where France defeated Paraguay. The Latin American team lost by 1-0, in a breathtaking match from the beginning to the end.

Along with the World Cup, it hosted other major competitions, including the UEFA Champions League and Coupe de France. But the sports tradition isn’t restricted only to football. Stade Bollaert Delelis is also a major arena for Rugby, a prevalent sport in France.

This is something that you’ll also see in other stadiums around France, but RC Lens is one of the favorites for featuring competitions of this kind. The entire arena is modular and you can easily add new stands and pitch changes to better organize the competition.

Concerts are also very popular in this venue, and you can frequently see Avenue Alfred Maes crowded with people heading to the arena to see their favorite artists.

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