The acquisition of the Paris La Défense Arena by Live Nation, a major American entertainment company, is set to reshape the landscape of sports events hosted at the Nanterre venue. While the Racing 92 rugby club will relocate to Colombes in 2027, other prominent events like the Rolex Paris Masters and Supercross are expected to continue at the arena.
Racing 92 Returns to Renovated Colombes Stadium
The sale of the Paris La Défense Arena, reportedly for 600 million euros, will see Racing 92 return to its historic home, the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium in Colombes. This move, anticipated even before the acquisition due to the financial challenges of hosting rugby at the Nanterre venue (which requires 22,000 spectators to break even, a figure rarely achieved), marks a significant shift for the club.
Racing 92 will continue to play at the Paris La Défense Arena in 2026, with some matches also scheduled for Créteil. By 2027, the team will transition to a newly renovated Yves-du-Manoir Stadium, boasting a capacity of 15,000 seats, nearly all of which will be seated (14,000).
Arnaud Tourtoulou, president of Racing 92, confirmed to [Le Parisien](https://www.leparisien.fr/sports/rugby/top-14-faux-depart-pour-le-racing-92-balaye-a-toulon-pau-et-bayonne-repartent-avec-la-victoire-06-09-2025-52PPE5DTCRC5NB2KFUQCD264UM.php) that, “From January 2027, we will play 100% of our matches in Colombes.”
Rolex Paris Masters and Supercross to Stay
In contrast to the rugby club’s departure, tennis and motocross events are set to remain at the Nanterre arena. The Rolex Paris Masters, with a ten-year contract in place, has no immediate plans to relocate. Similarly, the future of the Supercross event, though less clear, is expected to continue for several more years.
Romain Nicolas, deputy director of the Supercross organization, stated, “We have a contract that lasts for a few years, so the next edition will be far from the last.”
The Paris La Défense Arena will also host the 6th edition of the Supersevens final on February 7th, marking its final time at the venue before rugby’s full departure.
Impact of the Acquisition
The sale to Live Nation underscores the growing trend of entertainment conglomerates investing in large-scale venues. While this ensures a vibrant future for the arena with major concerts and diverse events, it also necessitates strategic adjustments for sports organizations that previously called it home.
The move for Racing 92 back to Colombes highlights a re-evaluation of venue suitability and financial viability for sports clubs. The renovated Yves-du-Manoir Stadium is poised to offer a more tailored and economically sustainable environment for the rugby team’s home matches.
This transition period will be closely watched by sports and entertainment industry observers, as it sets a precedent for how such large-scale acquisitions can influence the operational strategies of resident sports teams and the overall event landscape in major urban centers.
Source: [sports.orange.fr](https://sports.orange.fr/rugby/top-14/article/paris-la-defense-arena-le-racing-92-va-demenager-pas-le-rolex-paris-masters-ni-le-supercross-CNT000002mw9S9.amp)
