Get you up to speed: PSG forced to move opening league match as heatwave in France damages pitch
Paris Saint-Germain’s opening league match against Rennes has been moved to Rennes due to damage to the pitch at Parc des Princes caused by a summer heatwave. The French football competitions committee confirmed the relocation on Wednesday, citing concerns for player safety and well-being.
The French football competitions committee announced that the relocated match is set for Sunday in Rennes. Paris Saint-Germain confirmed plans to replace the damaged pitch at Parc des Princes ahead of their next home game against Monaco on 4 September.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) has announced that its opening match of the French league season will be relocated to Rennes due to significant pitch damage, with the decision made in agreement with Rennes. PSG has identified a plan to replace the damaged pitch ahead of its next home game against Monaco on September 4.
What remains unclear — It is not specified when the pitch at Parc des Princes will be fully repaired for future matches.
PSG relocates opening league match to Rennes due to pitch damage from heatwave
Sport|FootballPSG forced to move opening league match as heatwave in France damages pitch
Paris Saint-Germain moves its opening league game to Rennes after heatwave causes damage to pitch at Parc des Princes.
Published On 20 Aug 202620 Aug 2026
Paris Saint-Germain’s opening game of its title defence in the French league against Rennes has been relocated at short notice because of damage to the champion’s pitch following a heatwave this summer.
Sunday’s match will now take place in Rennes, French football’s competitions committee announced late on Wednesday.
PSG said its pitch at Parc des Princes had deteriorated so much “that the current conditions did not allow the match to be held under satisfactory circumstances, particularly with regard to the safety and physical well-being of the players”.
The change of venue has been decided “in agreement” with Rennes, PSG said, and thanked its opponent for “making the match possible”.
“Paris Saint-Germain fully understands the inconvenience caused by this change for its supporters and all those who had planned to attend this match at the Parc des Princes,” PSG added, saying “the club regrets this exceptional situation.”
PSG said it had “identified a solution for replacing the pitch at the Parc des Princes for the upcoming matches,” starting with its next home game in Ligue 1 against Monaco on September 4.
The defending French league and Champions League winners opened their season with a win against Aston Villa last Wednesday in Austria to defend their UEFA Super Cup title.