Stade Robert-Bobin

In 1993, a colossal structure arose in Bondoufle, France, near the intersection of the Francilienne and the A6. This was Stade Robert-Bobin, named after the renowned French triple jumper and sports administrator. The stadium, with its impressive capacity of 18,850, was built to host the track and field events of the 1994 Francophonie Games. Stade Robert-Bobin’s design was ambitious. It incorporated a running track, a football field, and even a rugby pitch. It was envisioned as a venue for major competitions, a home for a prominent professional club. However, the initial dream didn’t quite materialize. While the stadium did host athletes like Donovan Bailey, future Olympic gold medalist, it rarely saw its stands filled to capacity. One shining moment was a match between PSG and Juventus Turin. This match drew nearly 18,500 spectators, packing Stade Robert-Bobin for one of the few times in its history. Other notable events include a Coupe de France match in 2006, where Calais RUFC triumphed over Sainte-Geneviève Sports. The 2009-2010 Challenge de France féminine final also took place at Stade Robert-Bobin. PSG secured a resounding victory against Montpellier in front of 4,200 fans. Despite these highlights, Stade Robert-Bobin became primarily a venue for school and amateur sports. AS Évry called it home for the 1999-2000 season. The stadium also hosted athletics meets, football friendlies featuring PSG, rugby matches, American football games, and even archery competitions. Yet, crowds remained sparse. More recently, Stade Robert-Bobin became home to prominent women’s football clubs. The women’s team of Paris FC played here from 2013-2022. FC Fleury 91 also used the stadium until their new Stade Walter-Felder was built in 2020. The stadium has also hosted some international matches. These matches included Côte d’Ivoire versus Slovenia in 2006, Tunisia against Côte d’Ivoire in 2008, and Cameroon versus Guinea in preparation for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. The French women’s national team played against the Czech Republic here in 2017, winning 2-0 in front of over 5,000 fans. The French U21 team also faced England at Stade Robert-Bobin in a friendly match. Recognizing the underutilization of this impressive facility, the Essonne department aims to reposition Stade Robert-Bobin. The goal is to transform it into the “heart of sport in Essonne,” potentially becoming a key component of the “Grand Paris Sport cluster.” This initiative aims to make Stade Robert-Bobin a hub for various sports disciplines. It will host major events and serve as a training ground for sports federations, ensuring its accessibility to the entire community.