The state-of-the-art venue will replace the crumbling Stade de la Meinau, which was built in 1914 before being renovated for the European Championship in 1984.

It was the decision to overlook the stadium for both France ’98 and the Rugby World Cup of 2007 that proved to be decisive in club president Phillipe Ginestet’s decision to move to a new venue. Indeed, he wishes the new stadium to be “not simply the project of a club but a place of life which all Alsatians could use.”

In order to maximise the stadium’s usage it will be a multi-sports facility, with provisions for badminton, bowls, gyms and many more activities.

Strasbourg have tentatively suggested that the new complex could be ready for the beginning of season 2013-14 and will cost €250 million. Racing will rely on private finance to back the project while they will remain tenants of the stadium.