Lille OSC - Stadium

Stadium

Lille OSC initially began its existence playing at the Stade Henri Jooris. The stadium had been previously used by Olympique Lillois and, following the merger, became Lille's permanent facility. The facility was named after Henri Jooris, who served as president of Olympique Lillois from 1910–1932. In 1974, Lille moved into the recently-completed Stade Grimonprez Jooris. The stadium was inaugurated on 28 October 1975 with Lille contesting a match against Dutch club Feyenoord. In 2003, it was announced by Lille OSC and the city that the site of the Stade Grimonprez Jooris would be used to build the club's new stadium. Lille, subsequently, moved into the Stade Lille-Metropole in nearby Villeneuve-d'Ascq. Due to the Stade Lille-Metropole not meeting the requirements to host UEFA Champions League matches, Lille hosted home matches at the Stade Félix Bollaert in Lens and Stade de France in Saint-Denis.

Due to several administrative and politically-driven delays, the construction of the facility was put in limbo and eventually called off in 2005. The Urban Community of Lille later agreed to fund the destruction of the Stade Grimonprez Jooris, which officially began on 22 March 2010. In 2006, the city of Lille agreed to assist in funding for the construction of the Grand Stade Lille Métropole, which is on both town of Villeneuve-d'Ascq and Lezennes. The stadium will be completed in 2012 and is currently listed as a site for matches to be played at UEFA Euro 2016. Lille played their first match at the Grand Stade Lille Métropole on 17 August in a league game against AS Nancy Lorraine in front of 45,000 supporters. The match ended 1-1.

Stadium history

• Stade Henri Jooris (1944–1974)
• Stade Grimonprez Jooris (1974–2004)
• Stade Lille-Metropole (2004–2012)
• Grand Stade Lille Métropole (2012–onward)