RC Lens: Lens City Council approves sale of Stade Bollaert-Delelis to the club

The municipal Council of the City of Lens (Pas-de-Calais, FRA) has approved the sale of the Stade Bollaert-Delelis to RC Lens (Ligue 1 McDonald's), "a step preceding the signature of a promise to sell," announced the club on 21/05/2025.

"As part of this future acquisition, and in agreement with the City of Lens, the club has undertaken not to change the name of the stadium or its stands. This decision reflects a shared desire to respect the history, symbols and identity that make Bollaert-Delelis a unique stadium in France and Europe," explained the club. RC Lens' 2024-25 Ligue 1 season ended with an average of 37,936 spectators per match (5^th best average attendance) and an average stadium fill rate of 99.2% (2^nd best).

The club plays in the stadium (38,223 capacity), which is owned by the City of Lens, under an administrative long lease due to expire in 2052, in return for a fixed annual rent of €400,000. With this purchase, the club would become the third in Ligue 1 in 2025-26 to own its own stadium, alongside AJ Auxerre (Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps) and Olympique Lyonnais (Groupama…