The “Dyonesian” stadium, so named because of the Saint Denis district where it is, ushered in a new era of mega-stadiums (80,000 seats) designed to host major events on a national scale.

Inaugurated by Jacques Chirac on the 28th of January 2008, the stadium opened with a friendly match between France and Spain. Zinedine Zidan scored the winning goal giving the oracles a premonition of an even greater victory to come: 3-0 against Brazil on the 12th of July 1998.

In ten years the stadium has been home to tons of events; four operas: Aida in 2002 and Ben Hur in 2006 with 300,000 spectators, over 88 football games, 53 Rugby matches, 22 athletic competitions and 27 concerts.

This year again many important events are planned, demonstrating the eclectic nature of its programming: a Rugby match on the 23rd of February that many see as a replay of the 2007 world cup, the “night of the DJ’s” on the 15th of July, Verdi’s “Nabucco” opera on the 22nd of September and, in May and June of 2009, Johnny Hallyday’s “S’arrêter là” farewell concerts.

But the “best is yet to come” as the new stadium slogan goes. The Stade may host the 2016 Euro Football match – we all hope so anyway, providing France is chosen to organize this huge event.