The French professional football club RC Lens have confirmed the purchase of their home ground – the Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens, France – from the City.
‘onefootball.com’ stated that the above was announced by President-Owner of RC Lens Joseph Oughourlian and the Mayor of Lens Sylvain Robert in a presser held recently.
The RC Lens or simply Lens is a French professional football club based in the Northern City of Lens in the Department of Pas-de-Calais. As of the 2024–2025 seasons Lens competes in Ligue 1, the highest tier of French football.
The 38,223-capacity Stade Bollaert-Delelis is the main football stadium in Lens, France, that was built in 1933. It is the home of RC Lens.
The Municipal Council approved the sale on May 21st, 2025 for €27m net to the seller.
‘onefootball.com’ further stated that until now the club was a tenant under an emphyteutic lease (long-term real estate contract) signed in 2002 and running to 2052.
Oughourlian said the above move is a significant development for the club and described the stadium as a historic monument. He thanked the teams for three years of work to make the above happen and highlighted the trust between the team and the mayor and his staff.
The venue was valued at €54.9m by the State’s property service, the Domaines, but deductions linked to club commitments and City clauses lowered the price to €27m.
These include €6.5m tied to a 20-year prohibition on naming rights and €10.1m to repay the Hauts-de-France region for the EURO 2016 works.
The City of Lens had owned the ground since 1974 after buying it from the Houillères (coal mining companies in France) for a symbolic one franc.
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