Paris Saint-Germain will not be able to host Rennes at the Parc des Princes this Sunday. The PSG vs. Rennes match—the opening fixture of the Ligue 1 season—will instead be played at Roazhon Park due to the condition of the pitch in Paris. According to Onze Mondial, the heatwave and the stadium’s design created extreme conditions for the turf.
A pitch severely tested by the heat
“At Paris Saint-Germain, it has been explained that the concrete structure caused the pitch to heat up. Temperatures as high as 51 degrees Celsius were recorded inside the stadium.”
The heatwave had a particularly significant impact on the Parc des Princes. The stadium’s concrete structure reportedly intensified heat accumulation at pitch level, making conditions extremely difficult for the grass. A further rise in temperatures last week accelerated the turf’s deterioration, ultimately making it impossible to host the match against Rennes.
PSG opts for a long-term solution
“Paris Saint-Germain favors allowing the grass to grow naturally rather than laying down new sod. The goal is to ensure the current pitch lasts longer into the season.”
Paris does not want to simply rush to replace damaged areas. The club prefers to let the pitch regenerate to ensure a more durable playing surface in the long run. However, the schedule creates a race against time: the next match scheduled at the Parc des Princes is set for September 4 against AS Monaco.
