FDI Stadium

The FDI Stadium opened in 1977 as the Palais des sports René-Bougnol, named after a local fencer, and has kept the same name for decades until the sponsorship deal with the real estate group FDI brought a new sign. The ground sits on Avenue du Val de Montferrand, and while it hosts Montpellier Handball for their European games, the club is not the only one to use the parquet floor.

The building is not built for football; the surface is wood, and the stands come close to the action. When Montpellier Handball won the European Champions League in 2003, they did so here, and the crowd filled the benches to capacity. The high ceiling traps the noise, and the light bounces off the blue floorboards, making the court look like a stage. Visitors to the arena often mistake it for a football ground because of the size, but the layout is tighter, and the players are never far from the edge of the seating area.

It has also seen other sports. The French Table Tennis Championships were held here in March 2024, and volleyball matches draw a similar crowd size. The only thing that separates it from a plain hall is the intensity of the supporters. When the team plays, the noise is constant, and the players can hear every shout from the terraces. The venue is distinct from the outdoor stadium nearby, and for indoor sports, it remains the only proper arena in the city.