How to start groundhopping in France: a complete guide

Do you want to start groundhopping but don't know where to begin? France is one of the best countries in the world to start this practice. Here is your complete, step-by-step guide to start collecting stadiums without breaking the bank.

Why France is ideal to start with

Before heading to Wembley or Camp Nou, take a look at what France has to offer. It's considerable:

• Over 60 professional clubs across Ligue 1, Ligue 2, and National 1
• A unique density of stadiums — in Île-de-France alone, you'll find about ten professional stadiums
• Efficient public transport — train, bus, carpooling to reach all stadiums
• Very affordable tickets — from €8 in National to €80+ in Ligue 1 in a private box
• Impressive architectural diversity — from 1930s stadiums to ultra-modern arenas
• Varied atmospheres — from the cauldron of Lens to the relative calm of an Auxerre-Laval match

Step 1 — Define your objective

Before you start, ask yourself a simple question: what is your objective?

The "discovery" objective (to start)

You simply want to discover new stadiums without pressure. You go to matches when the opportunity arises, you note down the stadiums visited, and you take the time to appreciate each experience. This is the most relaxed form of groundhopping.

The "France collection" objective (intermediate)

You set yourself the goal of visiting all Ligue 1 stadiums in one season, or all Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 stadiums in two seasons. This is a realistic challenge that requires organization but remains accessible.

The "maximum" objective (advanced)

You want to visit as many stadiums as possible, across all divisions — including National, N2, N3, Regional... Here, groundhopping becomes a way of life. Some groundhoppers visit over 100 stadiums a year in France.

Step 2 — Get properly equipped

Step 3 — Learn the tools for finding matches

The key to groundhopping is knowing which matches are being played when and where. Here are the essential tools:

For French matches

• Footmercato.net — the reference for French football, complete schedules
• FFF.fr — for national competitions (Coupe de France, National)
• Official club websites — to buy tickets directly
• Ticketmaster/Fnac Spectacles — alternative ticketing for some clubs

For European matches

• Soccerway.com — the most complete global schedule, all divisions
• FlashScore.fr — real-time alerts and updates
• UEFA.com — for European competitions (Champions League, Europa League)

For the community

• Facebook groups "Groundhopping France", "European Groundhoppers United"
• Twitter/X — #groundhopping #groundhopper
• Reddit r/groundhopping (in English, very active)

Step 4 — Plan your first road trip

The most effective way to progress quickly: the football road trip. The idea is simple — group several stadiums in the same region over a weekend.

Ideal circuit for beginners: The North

Northern France is the region with the highest density of quality professional stadiums. In one weekend, you can visit 3 to 4 stadiums:

• Friday evening: Stade Bollaert-Delelis (RC Lens) — best atmosphere in France
• Saturday: Stade Pierre-Mauroy (LOSC Lille) — most modern stadium in the north
• Sunday: Stade du Hainaut (Valenciennes) or Stade de l'Abbé-Deschamps (Auxerre if you pass through Paris again)

Estimated cost: €120 to €200/person (2 nights hotel + 3 tickets + transport)

Beginner circuit: Paris and the Parisian region

If you live in Île-de-France or are visiting Paris, you can visit several stadiums without leaving the region:

• Parc des Princes (PSG) — Ligue 1
• Stade Charléty (Paris FC) — Ligue 2
• Stade Jean-Bouin (Stade Français) — if rugby match counted
• Stade de France (Saint-Denis) — for French national team matches

Step 5 — Keep your groundhopping journal

This is one of the most satisfying parts of the practice. After each match, take 5 minutes to note:

• The date and name of the stadium
• The teams and score
• The attendance of the evening
• Your rating of the atmosphere (out of 10)
• What struck you — a chant, a moment, an architecture
• The ticket kept as a physical souvenir

And of course: scratch off the stadium on your Stadium Map. The visual satisfaction of seeing the map fill up is one of the most powerful motivators to continue.

It's more than a map — it's your groundhopping journal in decorative form. Hung on the wall, it invites questions, tells your adventures, and motivates you to continue.

Stadiums to prioritize in France

Beginner mistakes to avoid

• ❌ Going to a stadium without a ticket — box offices are often closed or have limited capacity
• ❌ Neglecting transport schedules — the last trains after a match can be crowded
• ❌ Wearing rival club colors — in derbies, stay neutral
• ❌ Forgetting to check if the match has been postponed — it happens, especially in the Cup
• ❌ Focusing only on big clubs — N2 and Regional matches have their charm

Track your progress

The France Stadium Map is the perfect tool to visualize your adventure. Each scratched stadium brings immediate satisfaction. And when you look at your map with 20, 30, or 40 scratched stadiums... you realize how far you've come.

It's more than a map — it's your groundhopping journal in decorative form. Hung on the wall, it invites questions, tells your adventures, and motivates you to continue.