Super League set to return to Paris and Barcelona with Wigan Warriors in talks

Super League could be heading to Paris and Barcelona in the next few years, in another expansion attempt for the sport.

Paris was home to a founding member of the Super League, Paris Saint-Germain, but the club was disbanded after just two seasons as they were deemed financially unviable.

The club played at the Stade Charléty, now home to just one rugby team – a union side, Paris Université Club.

Paris also has two top-division sides: Racing 92, at the new Paris La Défense Arena, and Stade Français, who play at the Stade Jean Bouin, which is reportedly the likely venue for a Super League game in 2026.

That would be between Catalans Dragons and Wigan Warriors, as a 20-year commemoration of the Dragons’ founding, as well as a 30-year anniversary of Paris Saint-Germain’s first fixture in Super League, against Sheffield Eagles.

The two sides are reportedly in talks for what would be a historic fixture.

Stade Jean Bouin was home to a friendly between England and France in 2009, with stars such as Richie Myler, Sam Burgess and James Graham featuring.

Super League could also return to Barcelona

Meanwhile, Barcelona has been home to a select few games of rugby league, at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys and FC Barcelona’s Camp Nou.

In fact, it holds the record for the highest attendance of any regular season Super League game, with over 30,000 fans at Catalans Dragons vs Wigan Warriors.

With rugby league a major sport in the Northern Catalonia region of France, there may be huge opportunity to expand the Catalans brand throughout Southern Catalonia – which includes Barcelona.

It now seems that the iconic sporting city could also be brought back as a Super League venue in the coming years.

Wigan Today have revealed that early discussions are in place for a game at the renovated Camp Nou in 2027 or 2028.