A new sporting and events stadium, Arena 92, is scheduled to open in Paris’ western suburbs in 2016

This is the sixth in our series of posts looking at major projects that are enhancing parts of Paris.

The largest cultural and sporting complex in France, Arena 92, is currently scheduled to open at the end of 2016 in Nanterre in Paris’ western suburbs. The stadium is under construction on a former sports ground near the arch of La Défense.

Once completed, the stadium will have a surface area of 55,500 m² and act as a venue for both sporting events and concerts. It will feature a retractable roof and a flexible seating area, capable of accommodating 32,000 spectators for rugby matches and audiences of between 10,000 and 40,000 for concerts.

Arena 92 will also be equipped with one of the largest screens in the world at 2,000 m². A parking lot of 500 spaces is planned.

Arena 92 will be the home stadium of the celebrated rugby club, Racing Métro 92. Some 20 rugby matches and 30 concerts and other events per year are envisaged. This will attract an estimated 1.55 million people to the venue.

French architect Christian de Portzamparc was chosen in February 2011 to design the stadium. Construction was originally planned to start in March 2012 with completion during the third quarter of 2014. However, objections from some local residents put back this schedule and work began in February 2014.

The property is owned by Racing Arena, a subsidiary of investment company Ovalto Investissement. The estimated cost of construction is €353 million.