With Catalans Dragons and Wigan Warriors marking the Dragons’ 20th anniversary in Super League with a fixture in Paris, it will become the eleventh venue to host a game.
Super League has had a mixed history with the French sides, from Paris Saint-Germain’s introduction in the inaugural season of the competition to Catalans’ transfer to the league in 2006 and Toulouse Olympique’s promotion in 2022.
The Dragons have certainly been the most successful, lifting the Challenge Cup in 2018, the League Leaders Shield in 2021 and making a Grand Final appearance the same year and in 2023.
To celebrate their 20th anniversary in the league, Catalans will be taking a fixture on the road in 2026, facing Wigan Warriors in Paris next June.
Stade Jean Bouin will become the eleventh venue in France to host a Super League game, and here’s the complete list of stadia in the country to see Super League action.
The ten French venues to host a Super League game
Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan (231 games)
The Dragons’ home ground has hosted the most Super League games since their debut back in 2006. It’s a popular venue with away fans, with most clubs sending around 1,000 spectators to a 13,000 capacity ground. It’s also the de facto home ground for French international games.
Stade Sebastien Charlety, Paris (21 games)
PSG’s home ground for their two Super League seasons was the Stade Sebastien Charlety in Paris. However, two 11th-place finishes and a whole host of off-the-field issues meant the club disbanded. The stadium has also hosted Rugby League World Cup games.
Stade Aimé Giral, Perpignan (14 games)
Whilst work was done on Stade Gilbert Brutus in 2006 and 2007, the Dragons moved to Stade Aime Giral for their debut season. The venue has also hosted two international games, hosting New Zealand and Australia in 2002 and 2005, respectively.
Stade Ernest-Wallon, Toulouse (14 games)
One of the largest grounds on the list, with a capacity of 19,500, Toulouse’s home ground has seen 14 Super League games played. With just one season in the top flight, Olympique registered just five wins and were relegated. However, one of those was a Catalans match back in June 2013 during the licensing era.
Parc des Sports et de l’Amitié, Narbonne (3 games)
The Narbonne venue hosted PSG v Halifax in August 1997, the season they disbanded, as well as two Catalans fixtures in their debut season against Hull FC and Salford Red Devils. With attendances on the lower side, it’s no surprise that the stadium hasn’t been used since.
Stade d’Albert Domec, Carcassonne (2 games)
In 2002, Stade d’Albert Domec hosted a Super League game between London Broncos and Warrington Wolves, as well as a Catalans home game in 2006 against Castleford Tigers. It’s also been a host to over 40 international games.
Stade Saint-Michel, Canet (1 game)
Another venue in Catalans’ debut season was Stade Saint-Michael, where they beat St Helens 26-22.
Stade Yves-du-Manoir, Montpellier (1 game)
Another Catalans v Wigan game that has been on the road is the 2011 fixture between the two sides. The Dragons secured a 20-12 victory on that day in front of over 9,000 fans.
Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier (1 game)
The following year, Catalans v Wigan headed to another new venue in Montpellier, this time with an attendance of 13,858. However, it was the Warriors taking a 36-14 victory on that day.
Stade de la Méditerranée, Béziers (1 game)
The Dragons also moved a game on the road in 2009, facing Hull FC, securing an 18-6 win over the Black and Whites in front of a nearly-10,000-strong crowd.
Stade Jean Bouin, Paris (1 game pending)
The eleventh French venue to host a Super League game will be Stade Jean Bouin, the home of Stade Français and Paris FC. A 20,000 capacity could be a good size with a decent travelling away support.
