Parc Des Princes - Atmosphere

Atmosphere

In a country not usually reputed for the quality of its stadia, the Parc des Princes, along with the Vélodrome in Marseille has become an example of a vibrant atmosphere. Unlike the Vélodrome however, the Parisian stadium has benefited from the presence of a roof and great acoustics. It is often described by French sports journalists as a "caisse de résonnance" ("soundbox") for the deafening noise that Paris Saint-Germain supporters are known to produce on matchdays, especially when they chant "Ici c'est Paris".

This has not been without problems however. As early as the 1980s, hooliganism began to emerge in France in the Parc des Princes, especially within the Kop of Boulogne, which had adopted the English supporter culture brought to the continent by Leeds United and Liverpool. In the 1990s, the Kop of Boulogne developed a rivalry with another PSG supporters group, Auteuil. Clashes between the two groups would go on to plague the club for the following 20 years.

In 2009 and 2010, then club President Robin Leproux took strict discipinary measures following another set of violent incidents. Those measures, while alienating ultra supporter and decreasing average attendances for home games, proved effective in cracking down the violence. With its new owners from Qatar arriving in 2011, it is expected that the club will try to attract a more family-oriented and corporate public to the stadium, following the same model as English club Arsenal.