Stade de la Beaujoire is the home of FC Nantes, a 35,322-capacity ground on the northeastern edge of Nantes in western France and one of the most storied stadiums in the French game. Demand for Stade de la Beaujoire tickets is driven by the loyalty of the Nantes support, by the noise of the Brigade Loire and by the Derby Breton against Rennes, in a stadium that has staged World Cup and European Championship football. FC Nantes, the Canaris, are one of the great names of French football with eight league titles to their name, though they drop into Ligue 2 for the 2026-27 season after relegation, a setback for a proud club chasing a swift return to the top. 1BoxOffice is a verified secondary marketplace established in 2006, with seat-level detail at checkout and a 150% money-back guarantee if a ticket fails to grant entry on matchday.
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This guide is written for the supporter making the trip, not the browser. It covers the tram ride out from the centre of Nantes to the ground, how the four stands are arranged around the pitch, where the Brigade Loire and the away fans sit, the bag rules and the entry process, the bars and food of the city, and the story of a club and a stadium that carry a rich history in western France. By the end you should know how an FC Nantes matchday runs.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Stade de la Beaujoire - Louis Fonteneau |
| Location | Northeast Nantes, western France |
| Capacity | 35,322 |
| Opened | 1984 |
| Surface | Natural grass |
| Home Club | FC Nantes |
| Home Support | The Brigade Loire, in the Tribune Loire |
| Main Stands | The Loire and Oceane sides and two end stands |
| Notable | Hosted the 1998 World Cup and Euro 1984 |
| Nearest Tram | Line 1 to the Beaujoire terminus by the ground |
Stade de la Beaujoire sits around five kilometres northeast of the centre of Nantes, just inside the ring road, so it is a little way out of the city rather than in the middle of it, but the tram makes reaching it simple. Nantes has one of the best tram networks in France, and the ground has its own stop at the end of a line, which is the easiest and most popular way in for most supporters. The alternative is to drive in and park near the ground, though the tram spares you the matchday traffic.
Tram line 1 runs from the centre of Nantes out to the Beaujoire terminus right beside the stadium, a straightforward ride of around twenty minutes from the middle of the city, and it is the way most supporters travel to the ground. The trams run frequently and fill with the yellow and green on matchday, so follow the crowd from the stop to the turnstiles. From the main train station and the city centre the tram is a simple, direct link to the ground, avoiding the traffic and the parking around the stadium.
Gare de Nantes, the city's main railway station, sits in the centre and connects Nantes to Paris in around two hours by high-speed train and to the wider network, from where the tram carries you out to the ground. The stadium is too far from the centre for a comfortable walk, at around five kilometres, so the tram is the sensible link from the station, though the walk back into the city after a match is a pleasant option for those with the time and the legs. Base yourself near the centre or the station and let the tram do the work.
Nantes Atlantique airport lies to the southwest of the city and connects to the centre by shuttle, from where the tram runs out to the ground, so international visitors reach the stadium easily by public transport. Local buses also serve the area around the stadium and the wider city, linking the ground to the neighbourhoods and the transport network. For most supporters, though, the tram is the simplest and quickest way to and from the Beaujoire.
Driving to the ground is straightforward from the ring road, with the stadium just inside the périphérique and signed from the motorway network around Nantes, and there is parking near the ground, though the streets and car parks fill up before a bigger match. Matchday traffic around the stadium can be slow, so those driving should arrive early and expect the roads near the ground to be busy. Given the quality of the tram, many supporters find public transport far easier than driving, parking in the centre and riding out on line 1.
Parking at Stade de la Beaujoire is available around the ground and in the surrounding area, and because the stadium sits on the edge of the city rather than in a dense centre there is more space than at an inner-city ground, though the closest parking fills up early and there are matchday restrictions near the stadium. There are car parks and on-street parking within a walk of the turnstiles, but on a big matchday the area around the ground is busy and the traffic slow, so arriving in good time is sensible. With tram line 1 running straight to the Beaujoire terminus from the centre and the station, many supporters find the tram easier than driving, leaving the car in the city and riding out. Drivers coming from outside Nantes should use the ring road and aim to arrive early.
Stade de la Beaujoire is a large, open ground of four separate stands set around the pitch, built for the 1984 European Championship and given its striking, airy design by the architect who also shaped the Parc des Princes in Paris. The stands run along the two sides and behind the two goals, with the Tribune Loire along one side the beating heart of the atmosphere, home to the Brigade Loire, the main Nantes ultras. The opposite Tribune Océane and the two end stands complete the bowl, giving the ground its wide, sweeping feel.
The Tribune Loire, running along one side of the pitch, is the spiritual home of the FC Nantes support and holds the Brigade Loire, the main ultras group, the source of the singing, the flags and the wall of noise in yellow and green. This is the section to target for the fullest matchday experience, loudest of all for the Derby Breton and the biggest fixtures, packed and passionate throughout. The Tribune Loire and its ultras are a large part of what gives the Beaujoire its character and its long reputation as one of the great grounds of French football.
The Tribune Océane runs along the opposite side to the Loire, holding much of the main seating with a fine, balanced view across the halfway line, and its central rows are the pick for a clear tactical overview of the play. Behind the two goals, the end stands rise over each goalmouth and offer a good view down the pitch at a friendlier price, popular with families and those wanting the atmosphere without the standing intensity of the Loire. Between them the four stands form a wide, open ground with a clear view from almost every seat.
Away supporters are housed in a designated section in a corner of the ground, with an allocation that varies by fixture and is larger for a big visiting club or the derby, giving a contained view of the action from one part of the stadium. The ground has accessible provision, with positions for wheelchair users and step-free access to the relevant areas, though supporters with access requirements should contact the club before the match to confirm the arrangements and the best entrance. The table below matches a section to what you want from the day.
| Priority | Recommended Sections |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere | The Tribune Loire, home of the Brigade Loire |
| Tactical overview | Tribune Océane, central rows |
| Close to pitch | Front rows of the side stands |
| Behind the goal | The end stands, good value |
| Budget-friendly | The upper rows of the end stands |
| Away fans | The designated visitors' corner |
| Accessibility | Wheelchair-user positions (request at purchase) |
Nantes sits in western France near the Atlantic coast, with a mild, damp climate that can bring rain and wind off the ocean through much of the season, though the winters are gentler than in the north and east of the country. The stands are covered, keeping most of the crowd dry, though the open corners of the ground mean a driving rain or a strong Atlantic wind can still reach some seats. A waterproof layer is wise for an autumn or winter fixture given the coastal weather, while the early and late-season matches are often mild and pleasant. As anywhere on the Atlantic seaboard, the weather can turn quickly, so it pays to come prepared.
Like other major French grounds, Stade de la Beaujoire runs a firm bag policy with searches on entry, so the sensible approach is to travel light. Large bags and rucksacks are best left at your accommodation, since oversized bags are refused and there is no guarantee of a bag store, with only small bags admitted subject to search. Standard prohibited items apply, including bottles, cans, outside alcohol, pyrotechnics and flares, and any object judged dangerous. Security has been tight at French stadiums for years, so check the club's matchday guidance for the current bag size limit before you travel, and arrive early to clear the search, especially for the derby or a big fixture when the ground is busiest.
Nantes is a lively, handsome city with a strong food and drink culture, and while the ground sits out on the edge, the matchday build-up spreads from the bars near the stadium to the cafes and restaurants of the centre. The city rewards a day and an evening around the match, with the tram linking the two.
The area around Stade de la Beaujoire has bars and cafes that fill with supporters before a match, busy with the yellow and green sharing a drink and a song in the hours before kick-off, though the fuller choice of nightlife is back in the centre. The mood around the ground on matchday is friendly and local, and the tram makes it easy to combine a drink near the stadium with the journey in and out. As always, some bars nearest the ground draw the home support, so away fans should ask before settling in.
The centre of Nantes offers a huge choice of bars, cafes and restaurants, from the historic quarter around the château to the lively streets of the Bouffay district, all within a tram ride of the ground. Because the tram is so quick and direct, supporters can easily eat and drink in the city before or after the match and travel out to the stadium for kick-off. Nantes has a deserved reputation as one of the most enjoyable cities in western France, and a matchday is a fine excuse to sample it.
Inside the ground the concourses serve the traditional matchday fare of hot food, snacks and drinks to keep the crowd going through the game. The fuller choice is in the bars and restaurants of the city, so for a proper meal eat before or after the match in the centre, and use the concourses for a quick bite and a hot drink at half-time in the classic football manner.
FC Nantes use modern ticketing, so for most fixtures the ticket is issued digitally to a phone and scanned at the turnstile, though the format can vary by match, so follow the instructions supplied with your order. Load the ticket, charge your phone and have it ready before you reach the turnstile. Gates open ahead of kick-off to let the crowd filter in, and with a bag search and identity checks the turnstiles get busy in the last half hour, particularly for the Derby Breton or a big fixture. Aim to be at the ground in good time rather than joining the final rush, and allow a moment to find your stand once inside.
Leaving Stade de la Beaujoire is straightforward thanks to the tram, which carries the crowd back into the city within minutes of the final whistle.
Tram line 1 runs frequently from the Beaujoire terminus back into the centre and the station after the match, clearing the crowd quickly, and it is the way most supporters travel away from the ground. The tram stop is busy immediately after the final whistle, so either move quickly with the first wave or give the crush a few minutes to clear before boarding. For those with the time and the energy, the walk back into the city is a pleasant way to unwind after the game.
Drivers face the usual post-match congestion on the streets around the ground and the roads back to the ring road, so patience helps, and leaving a little after the crowd can save time. Local buses also serve the area and the wider city after the match, though for most the tram is the quicker and easier option. Those parked a short distance from the ground will find the walk back and a later start beat sitting in the immediate queue.
The natural way to end a Nantes matchday is to take the tram back into the centre and enjoy the bars and restaurants of the city, one of the most pleasant in western France, with the historic quarter and the Bouffay district within easy reach. The simplest way to beat the post-match crush is to let the immediate crowd clear before boarding the tram or making for the car. Win or lose, an evening in Nantes after the match is a fine end to a football trip.
Stade de la Beaujoire opened in 1984, built for the European Championship that France hosted and won that summer, and it took its name from the Beaujoire district, with the Louis Fonteneau name added later in memory of the long-serving club president who oversaw the great Nantes sides. Designed by the architect Berdje Agopyan, who had earlier shaped the Parc des Princes, the ground replaced the club's old Stade Marcel-Saupin and gave FC Nantes a modern home fit for one of the leading clubs in the country. From the start it was a stage for big football, its wide, open design a landmark on the edge of the city.
FC Nantes, the Canaris, the Canaries, are one of the great names of French football, with eight league titles to their name, the last in 2001, and a long tradition of attractive, flowing football known as the jeu à la nantaise. The club's golden decades from the 1960s to the turn of the century brought championships, cup wins and famous European nights, including a run to the semi-finals of the European Cup in 1996, and Nantes remained a fixture of the top flight for many years. More recently the club won the Coupe de France in 2022, a proud day for the support, before a difficult run of seasons ended in relegation to Ligue 2 in 2026 after thirteen years in the top division.
The ground has staged many memorable matches beyond the club's own, above all at the 1998 World Cup, when it hosted six matches including the quarter-final between Brazil and Denmark and the famous group game in which Nigeria beat Spain, as well as two matches at Euro 1984, among them France's 5-0 win over Belgium with a Michel Platini hat-trick. The stadium also hosted matches at the Rugby World Cup, adding to a rich tournament history. From 1984 to the modern day, the Beaujoire has stood as one of the landmark grounds of the French game.
The stadium's history, verified by contemporary records, is defined by the great FC Nantes sides and by the major tournaments it has staged. Its finest hours include the flowing championship football of the club's golden era, the European Cup semi-final run of 1996 and the Coupe de France triumph of 2022, along with countless nights in the Champions League tickets and the Europa League tickets in the club's stronger seasons. As a tournament venue it staged the Brazil against Denmark quarter-final and the Nigeria against Spain shock of the 1998 World Cup and France's 5-0 win over Belgium at Euro 1984, giving the Beaujoire a place in the wider story of the game.
The future of Stade de la Beaujoire has been an open question for several years. A project to replace it with a new stadium, known as YelloPark, was launched at the end of the 2010s but was cancelled in early 2019, which returned the focus to the existing ground, owned by the city. The stadium received upgrades ahead of the Rugby World Cup it hosted, and the long-term choice between a major renovation of the Beaujoire and a new build has not been settled. The club's relegation to Ligue 2 for the 2026-27 season adds a further layer of uncertainty, with attention on winning promotion back to the top flight before the bigger questions about the stadium are resolved. For now the Beaujoire remains the atmospheric home of FC Nantes, its wide stands and its history intact.
Stade de la Beaujoire has accessible provision, with positions for wheelchair users and step-free access to the relevant areas, helped by the wide, open design of the ground, though as a stadium built in the 1980s some parts are less modern than at a recent build. Supporters requiring accessible seating should contact the club well before the match to confirm the available spaces, arrange any companion ticket and check the best route into the ground and the nearest entrance. With tram line 1 running to the Beaujoire terminus right beside the stadium, reaching the ground by public transport is manageable, and it is worth confirming the arrangements and allowing extra time on a busy matchday.
The fixtures that move Stade de la Beaujoire tickets fastest are the Derby Breton and the visits of the biggest names to the ground. The derby against Rennes is the standout occasion, one of the fiercest in French football, and you can follow the visitors on the Stade Rennais tickets page, though the two clubs meet in the league only when they share a division. With FC Nantes in Ligue 2 for the 2026-27 season, the home programme is the second-tier fixture list, while the club and its support chase a return to the top flight and the fixtures of the Ligue 1 tickets calendar. The full home programme sits on the FC Nantes tickets page, and the wider football teams directory covers the clubs Nantes will face. Cup ties can bring a bigger club to the Beaujoire and sell fast when they do. Secondary-market prices move with demand, so treat any figure as indicative rather than fixed and buy early for the derby and the marquee matches.
1BoxOffice is a verified secondary marketplace that has operated since 2006, showing seat-level detail before you pay and backing every order with a 150% money-back guarantee if a ticket fails to grant entry on matchday. The eight steps below cover the process from finding a fixture to tracking your order.
Step1
Find the fixture
Go to the Stade de la Beaujoire listing on 1BoxOffice and select the match you want. Each fixture shows the available stands, rows and current pricing before you commit to a seat.
Step2
Check the seat detail
Use the stand and price filters to compare sections. Seat location and row are shown against the venue layout, so you can weigh a place near the Tribune Loire against a central Océane seat before deciding.
Step3
Confirm the supporter section
Make sure the block matches who you are travelling with. Home and visiting-supporter areas are listed separately, and away fans are routed to a designated corner of the ground.
Step4
Review before checkout
Check the delivery method and the kick-off time against your travel plans, and note that most tickets are issued digitally to a phone. French kick-off times can shift with broadcast scheduling, so verify the date and time before you book travel or a hotel.
Step5
Create your account
First-time buyers should create an account to complete checkout and receive the ticket. Returning customers simply log in. An account keeps your order and delivery details in one place.
Step6
Complete payment
All major credit and debit cards are accepted. The 150% money-back guarantee applies automatically to every order if the ticket fails to grant entry on matchday.
Step7
Receive your ticket
Tickets for Nantes fixtures are typically issued digitally to a phone. Keep the ticket ready to scan, and follow the delivery instructions supplied with your order.
Step8
Track your order
Follow delivery status and manage your booking through track order. Tickets arrive ahead of the match so you can travel with everything ready.
Stade de la Beaujoire offers international visitors a taste of the French game in one of the most pleasant cities in the west of the country, a large, historic ground with a passionate support and a proud past. Take the high-speed train to Gare de Nantes, around two hours from Paris, or fly into Nantes Atlantique airport, and ride tram line 1 out to the ground. Base yourself in the centre of Nantes, where the hotels, the restaurants and the historic quarter are all within a tram ride of the stadium, and remember that the city itself is a big part of the appeal of a matchday here. A trip to the Beaujoire pairs the football with a fine western French city.
With the Atlantic coast, the Loire valley and the historic city on the doorstep, many supporters build a longer trip around the match. If you are lining up other fixtures, the football tickets hub, the wider football tournaments calendar and the venues tickets directory show what else is on. In and around Nantes, the Château des ducs de Bretagne, the Machines de l'île with its great mechanical elephant, the old town and the banks of the Loire all reward a matchday trip to the west of France.
Stade de la Beaujoire holds 35,322, one of the larger grounds in French football. It is a wide, open four-stand stadium built for Euro 1984, with the Tribune Loire along one side driving the atmosphere and home to the Brigade Loire ultras. The open design gives a clear view from almost every seat, while the Loire end supplies the noise on the big occasions.
The ground is the home of FC Nantes, the Canaris, one of the great names of French football with eight league titles to their name. Nantes have played at the Beaujoire since 1984, and the ground carries a rich history. The club drop into Ligue 2 for the 2026-27 season after relegation, chasing a swift return to the top flight.
The ground is around five kilometres northeast of the centre of Nantes. Tram line 1 runs from the centre and the station straight to the Beaujoire terminus beside the stadium, a ride of around twenty minutes, and it is the easiest way in for most supporters. Nantes Atlantique airport connects to the centre by shuttle. Given the traffic, the tram is far easier than driving.
Yes, there is parking around the ground and the surrounding area, with more space than at an inner-city stadium, though the closest parking fills up early and there are matchday restrictions. The traffic near the ground can be slow on a big matchday, so arrive in good time. With tram line 1 running straight to the stadium from the centre and the station, many supporters find the tram easier than driving.
Yes, tickets are sold to the general public, though the derby and the biggest fixtures sell out fast, and the club allocate many tickets to members and season-ticket holders. A verified secondary marketplace is a realistic route for visitors, with seat detail shown before you pay, especially for the games that draw the largest crowds to the Beaujoire.
Travel light, as large bags and rucksacks are refused and there is no guarantee of a bag store, with only small bags admitted subject to search. Expect a search and identity checks at the turnstile, as security is tight at French grounds. Bottles, cans, outside alcohol, pyrotechnics and flares are prohibited. Check the club's matchday guidance for the current bag size limit before you travel.
The Tribune Loire along one side holds the Brigade Loire, the main Nantes ultras and the source of the singing, flags and noise, so target it for the fullest atmosphere. It is loudest of all for the Derby Breton and the biggest fixtures. The Tribune Océane opposite is calmer and better for a clear, balanced view of the play from the side of the pitch.
Visiting supporters are housed in a designated section in a corner of the ground, with a contained view of the action. The allocation varies by fixture and is larger for a big visiting club or the derby. Away fans should check the details for their specific game and follow the guidance issued with the ticket, and expect segregation and security around the visitors' area.
Yes, to a degree. The ground has positions for wheelchair users and step-free access to the relevant areas, helped by its wide, open design, though as a stadium from the 1980s some parts are less modern than at a recent build. Contact the club before the match to confirm the seating and arrange it in advance. Tram line 1 runs right to the ground, giving good access by public transport.
Gates open ahead of kick-off to let the crowd in, typically well over an hour before the match. With a bag search and identity checks at the turnstiles, the entrances get busy in the last half hour, so aim to arrive in good time, especially for the derby or a big fixture. The precise opening time is confirmed with your ticket and the club's matchday guidance.
Inside the ground the concourses serve hot food, snacks and drinks in the traditional matchday manner. The real draw is the city of Nantes, with the bars near the ground for the pre-match build-up and the huge choice of cafes, bars and restaurants in the centre and the Bouffay district, all a tram ride away. For a fuller meal, eat in the city before or after the match.
The Derby Breton is the meeting of FC Nantes and Rennes, the two great clubs of the historic region of Brittany, one of the most passionate rivalries in French football. It is the fixture that means the most to the Nantes support and brings the most intense atmosphere of the season to the Beaujoire. The two meet in the league only when they share a division, which sharpens the anticipation when they do.
FC Nantes were relegated at the end of the 2025-26 season after a difficult campaign, ending a thirteen-year run in the top flight. The club drop into Ligue 2 for 2026-27, with the aim of winning promotion back to Ligue 1 at the first attempt. Despite the setback, Nantes remain one of the most historic clubs in France, with eight league titles and a passionate support.
Prices depend on the opponent, with the derby, the biggest fixtures and any cup tie against a major club the most expensive, while ordinary league matches are more affordable. The loyalty of the Nantes support keeps demand steady across the season. Secondary-market prices move with demand, so treat any figure as indicative rather than a promise, and buy early for the biggest fixtures.
Base yourself in the centre of Nantes, where the hotels, restaurants and historic quarter are all within a tram ride of the ground on line 1. Staying near the centre or the station puts you close to the nightlife and gives an easy, direct link to the stadium, so you get the best of the city and a simple journey to the match. Nantes is one of the most enjoyable cities in western France to visit.
FC Nantes issue tickets digitally to a phone for most fixtures, scanned at the turnstile, though the format can vary by match. Load the ticket and charge your phone before you arrive, and be ready for a bag search and identity checks on entry. Follow the delivery and entry instructions supplied with your order, as the requirements can vary from game to game.
Yes. The Beaujoire hosted six matches at the 1998 World Cup, including the quarter-final between Brazil and Denmark and the group game in which Nigeria beat Spain, and two matches at Euro 1984, among them France's 5-0 win over Belgium. It has also staged matches at the Rugby World Cup, making it a regular venue for major tournaments since it opened in 1984.
The ground is out on the edge of the city, so the sights are back in the centre, a short tram ride away. The Château des ducs de Bretagne, the Machines de l'île with its famous mechanical elephant, the old town and the banks of the Loire are the highlights, along with the bars and restaurants of the Bouffay district. A matchday pairs well with a day in one of the most characterful cities in western France.
The jeu à la nantaise is the style of flowing, attacking, passing football long associated with FC Nantes, a tradition that ran through the great sides of the club's golden decades. It is a source of pride for the support and part of what made Nantes one of the most admired clubs in France, winning eight league titles with a distinctive brand of collective, attacking play.
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Sources: FC Nantes (fcnantes.com), club matchday guidance, Nantes tram and transport information (TAN), and stadium reference records such as StadiumDB and football ground guides, together with 2025-26 Ligue 1 final-table and relegation reporting.