Allianz Riviera

Allianz Riviera was born out of Nice's ambition to replace its ageing football infrastructure and secure major international sporting events.

Construction and opening

Construction began in 2011 on a greenfield site in the Plaine du Var valley. The project was designed by Jean-Michel Wilmotte's architecture studio and delivered by a consortium led by Vinci Concessions, which also operates the stadium under a long-term concession agreement. The entire build was completed in just two years -- a remarkable pace for a project of this scale. The stadium opened on 22 September 2013 when OGC Nice hosted Valenciennes.

Name and sponsorship

During construction the ground was referred to as Stade de Nice. On opening it adopted the commercial name Allianz Riviera under a naming-rights agreement with the German insurance group Allianz -- the same company whose name adorns Allianz Arena in Munich. The 'Riviera' suffix references the surrounding French Riviera (Cote d'Azur) region.

International sporting history

The defining chapter in the stadium's history so far is UEFA Euro 2016, during which Allianz Riviera hosted three group-stage matches and one round-of-16 tie. Tournament capacity was set at approximately 35,000 seats. Nice was one of seven French cities selected as host venues, and the event demonstrated that the relatively young stadium could manage the logistical and atmospheric demands of a major international tournament.

The matchday atmosphere at Allianz Riviera blends the passion of southern French football culture with the cosmopolitan backdrop of the Cote d'Azur.

Fan culture

OGC Nice, nicknamed Les Aiglons (The Eaglets), draws its core support from the city of Nice and the wider Alpes-Maritimes region. The most vocal supporters -- notably the Populaire Sud group -- occupy the south stand and maintain choreography and chanting throughout the match. Over the past decade Nice have risen in prestige, regularly competing in European football and drawing larger crowds. The proximity of Monaco, San Remo and the affluent Riviera hinterland lends the supporter scene a distinctly cosmopolitan flavour alongside its local working-class roots.

Big matches

The standout occasion in the stadium's relatively short history was UEFA Euro 2016. The ground hosted the group-stage clash between England and Wales on 16 June 2016 -- arguably the most anticipated fixture of the entire group stage -- which ended 1-1. Further group games featuring Poland and Germany followed, and the round-of-16 between Switzerland and Poland took place here. Each match brought international fan groups flooding into the Cote d'Azur, proving the stadium's capacity to absorb the demands of football's premier continental tournament.

Reaching Allianz Riviera is straightforward thanks to Nice's tram network, which links the stadium directly to the city centre and the airport.

How to get there

• Tram: Line T2 (Nice Saint-Augustin to La Trinite), stop Stade Allianz Riviera directly outside the ground; approximately 25 minutes from Nice-Ville central station
• Car: Via motorway A8 or the N202, exits Lingostiere or Saint-Isidore; extensive on-site car parks for thousands of vehicles
• Train: Nearest rail station is Nice Saint-Augustin, from which tram T2 continues to the stadium
• Plane: Nice Cote d'Azur International Airport is approximately 5 km south of the stadium; onward connection by tram T2

Tickets and tours

Match tickets for OGC Nice are available via the official club website (ogcnice.com) and French ticketing platforms. For UEFA Champions League or high-profile Ligue 1 fixtures, early booking is recommended. The stadium offers guided public tours covering the players' tunnel, dressing rooms and stand views -- bookable online through the venue website.

Visitor tips

• When to arrive: At least 60 minutes before kick-off; security checks can create queues
• Parking: Large car parks on site; public transport strongly recommended for peak fixtures
• Nearby attractions: Nice offers world-class tourism -- the Promenade des Anglais, the Old Town (Vieux-Nice), and the Matisse Museum are all within easy reach of the city