PSG home opener moved to Rennes after Parc des Princes pitch damaged by heat

Paris Saint-Germain’s Ligue 1 home opener against Rennes, scheduled for Sunday at the Parc des Princes, has been relocated to Rennes’ Roazhon Park after the home pitch deteriorated following extreme heat this summer, the LFP competitions committee announced late on Wednesday.

PSG said the pitch at Parc des Princes has deteriorated so much “that the current conditions did not allow the match to be held under satisfactory circumstances, particularly with regard to the safety and physical wellbeing of the players.” The club added the change of venue had been decided “in agreement” with Rennes and thanked its opponent for “making the match possible.” “Paris Saint-Germain fully understands the inconvenience caused by this change for its supporters and all those who had planned to attend this match at the Parc des Princes,” the club added, saying “the club regrets this exceptional situation.”

According to L'Equipe, PSG explored alternative venues before the decision to relocate. The club looked into playing at Paris FC's Stade Jean-Bouin, which is next door to the Parc des Princes, and Stade Sébastien-Charléty in the south of the French capital, as well as the Stade de France.

After failing to secure any of those three venues, PSG contacted the LFP for assistance to find a solution for the fixture. According to reports in French media, PSG expect the return fixture in March to be moved to Paris, but a formal agreement is not yet in place.

PSG say they have “identified a solution for replacing the pitch at the Parc des Princes for the upcoming matches,” with work intended to be in place for their next home game in Ligue 1 against Monaco on 4 September.