| Stadium Name: | Stade Bollaert-Delelis |
| Former Names: | Stade Félix-Bollaert (1933–2012) |
| Location: | Lens, France |
| Coordinates: | 50.4328°N 2.815°W |
| Opened: | 18 June 1933 |
| Renovated: | 2014–2015 |
| Seating Capacity: | 38,223 (after renovation) |
| Tenants: | RC Lens (1933-present) |
The Stade Bollaert-Delelis (in French pronounced as /stad bɔlaʁt dələlis/) is the main football stadium in Lens, France, that was built in 1933. It is the home of RC Lens. The stadium's capacity is 38,223 – about 7,000 more than the city's population. The stadium was originally named after Félix Bollaert, a director of Compagnie des Mines de Lens who was anxious to promote the development of sports clubs in the city. Construction began in 1931, but Bollaert had died shortly before the stadium's inauguration. It was renamed Stade Bollaert-Delelis in 2012 after the death of André Delelis, the former mayor of the city who was politician who served as the Minister of Commerce under President François Mitterrand.
The stadium has hosted matches in the following major international tournaments:
The stadium is constructed in the English style with four separate stands dedicated respectively to:
Until 15 September 2018, all parts of the stadium contained seating. However, most supporters in the Marek, being a side stand, used to keep standing during the games as it is considered the kop and are considered as the most fervent supporters in the stadium, which makes the stadium different from most of the other stadiums, as the most fervent fans tend to usually sit behind the nets. Since 15 September 2018, the Marek contains a standing area again, as well as the lower parts of the Trannin and Delacourt stands since the start of the 2022–2023 season. The stadium's capacity is now 38,223.[1]
| Date | Team #1 | Res. | Team #2 | Round | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 June 1984 | 2–0 | Group A | |||
| 17 June 1984 | 2–1 | Group B |
The stadium was one of the venues of the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and held the following matches:
| Date | Team #1 | Res. | Team #2 | Round | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 June 1998 | 0–1 | Group C | |||
| 14 June 1998 | 1–3 | Group H | |||
| 21 June 1998 | 2–2 | Group F | |||
| 24 June 1998 | 6–1 | Group D | |||
| 26 June 1998 | 0–2 | Group G | |||
| 28 June 1998 | 1–0 | Round of 16 |
| Date | Team #1 | Res. | Team #2 | Round |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 September 2007 | 28–10 | Group A | ||
| 22 September 2007 | 30–25 | Group A | ||
| 26 September 2007 | 30–0 | Group D | ||
In May 2011, the stadium was designated to host the 2016 European Football Championship. To be renovated, the stadium was closed during the 2014–2015 season.
| Date | Time (CET) | Team #1 | Result | Team #2 | Round | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 June 2016 | 15:00 | 0–1 | Group A | 33,805 | ||
| 16 June 2016 | 15:00 | 2–1 | Group B | 34,033 | ||
| 21 June 2016 | 21:00 | 0–2 | Group D | 32,836 | ||
| 25 June 2016 | 21:00 | 0–1 | Round of 16 | 33,523 | ||
The France national team has played eight matches at the stadium without defeat. Lille played two UEFA Champions League campaigns there when their own stadium was deemed inadequate, in (2001–02 and 2006–07). It hosted the Johnny Hallyday concert in 2009 and a Jehovah's Witnesses gathering in 2006, which created controversy. The stadium is the setting for a scene in the movie Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis, shot during a match between Lens and Nice in April 2007. The song "Les corons" is sung by the public at the end of halftime break.
In 2012 the Stadium held a rugby League match between France and Wales as part of an Autumn International Series match. 11,278 fans came to watch the game.