Overview
- The season opener between Paris Saint-Germain and Rennes will be played at Rennes' Roazhon Park on Sunday, August 23, after the Ligue de Football Professionnel judged the Parc des Princes surface unsafe for players.
- PSG and the LFP said successive summer heatwaves sharply accelerated deterioration of the turf and the club has committed to replace the pitch before hosting AS Monaco on September 4.
- Rennes agreed to stage the match to keep the original date and kick-off time, but the LFP competitions committee will decide whether the move counts as an official swap of the home and away fixtures later in the season.
- The late venue change forces ticketing, hospitality and travel adjustments for season-ticket holders and VIPs and creates extra logistical and financial costs for both clubs and supporters.
- Separately, PSG left-back Nuno Mendes has been handed a three-match ban and the incident forms part of wider reporting this summer on extreme heat damaging sports infrastructure across Europe.