Stade de France preferred for Coupe de France final, Groupama Stadium held as backup | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, FFF president Philippe Diallo favours staging the Coupe de France final on Friday 22 May at the Stade de France, with Groupama Stadium in Décines on Saturday 23 May kept in reserve.

The match cannot take place at Saint-Denis on the originally planned Saturday because Grand Paris works will shut RER lines B and D used by supporters, a closure the authorities will not move.

Two scenarios are on the table, bring the final forward to Friday to remain at the Stade de France, or keep the Saturday date and switch the venue. The first would have fallen through had Lyon remained involved, given a potential Europa League final on Wednesday 20 May, but Lyon’s exit to Lens, 2-2 then 4-5 on penalties last Thursday, has cleared that hurdle.

Diallo expects a decision this week, or at the latest within eight to 10 days. He considers the Stade de France symbolic for the Cup, home to the national team and traditionally to the final, and values its neutrality from a sporting ethics perspective.

If staging at Saint-Denis on 22 May proves impossible, the contingency is to play on 23 May away from Paris, as happened during the 2024 Olympics when the final was held in Lille. This time Pierre-Mauroy is not in the frame, with Lens still alive and due to face Toulouse in a semi-final on 21 April, and it is not viewed as desirable for them to play at their rival’s ground.

Any switch to 22 May requires calendar adjustments and confirmation from the broadcasters, notably France Télévisions and beIN Sports.

Source: L'Équipe