Match day at the Meinau stadium. The blue tide invaded the stadium square. A music scene flirts with large tables. Supporters of the Racing Club de Strasbourg (RCS) enjoy tartes flambées, between two beers, in a friendly atmosphere, halfway between a festival and a winstub – the name of these typically Strasbourg bistros.
Every two weeks, for each home match, the venue opens its doors three hours before kick-off. “Create a joy of coming to Meinau”this was the mission that the president of the club, Marc Keller, had set for himself. “And for all audiences”underlines the 55-year-old man, alongside his wife, Sabryna, who worked to feminize the stadium.
Racing, which will host its Lensois counterpart on Friday September 29 for the seventh day of Ligue 1, is based on a study commissioned from the Nielsen Sports institute, delivered at the start of 2023 to highlight the composition of its audience. 26% of female spectators (17 points more compared to 2016) and 36 years of average age, which makes it the Ligue 1 audience with the largest proportion of female spectators, and also the second youngest.
In terms of fervor, Meinau also has the reputation of being among the beautiful atmospheres of Ligue 1. The most active faithful and the leaders exchange regularly: the former recognize the latter for setting up a standing platform for the kop ( the heart of the stadium), but also easier organization of travel. “It is the fruit of a long-term relationship of trust”appreciates Philippe Wolff, 42 years old, territorial agent at town hall and president of the RCS Supporters’ Federation, an independent association which brings together 3,000 members.
Last season, the Alsatian team was at the bottom of the wave, flirting with the relegation zone of Ligue 1 until the final days. Despite these poor results, the nineteen home matches were played behind closed doors. Marc Keller sees it as a “territorial anchor” which forms one of the “pillars” of the success of the club.
The “Marseille of the East”
A subscriber for twenty years, Marie-Jeanne (the 70-year-old lady wanted to stick to her first name) knows the faces of her chapel, the west stand of the Meinau, well. The retiree was quick to recognize the tourists – or the journalists. “Are you from Strasbourg? »she asked us after a goal from her team, which raised the decibels, Sunday September 17, against Montpellier.
You have 78.37% of this article left to read. The rest is reserved for subscribers.