Daikin Starligue play-off final at Accor Arena, Digi Mart USA News (Paris, France): The choice of venue was never really in doubt. Although some had hoped that arenas such as the LDLC Arena in Lyon-Décines, the Stade Pierre-Mauroy in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, the Co’met in Orléans or the Plénitude Arena in Nanterre might host the decider, that hope was considered extremely slim, and it has now been settled.
In comments to L’Équipe, Fabrice Boutet, president of the Ligue Nationale de Handball (LNH), confirmed that the Accor Arena has been selected to host the final of the championship’s first-ever play-offs. The competition now bears the name Daikin Starligue.
This is the first time the competition has used this format, and the final will take place at the Accor Arena in Paris’s Porte de Bercy. Boutet said the decision to stage the event there was natural.
“We are launching a new machine, a new state of mind, and the event needs a venue that matches it. Accessibility for the teams and fans was important, and Paris remains the most beautiful city in the world.”
The arena, which hosted France’s 2017 men’s world handball title celebrations, has a capacity of 14,000 seats in handball configuration. Boutet said the league wants to make a major event that will grow over time.
“We don’t want to think small. We want to create a major event that will build momentum.”
Nikola Karabatic, who has already announced he will attend, fully backed the choice in L’Équipe. “Bercy is the finest venue in France for sport.
Filling Bercy is a bit like a singer filling the Stade de France.” The former France star said he expects the match to be memorable. “It is going to be a powerful event.
I can’t wait to be there, it is going to be magnificent.”
