The debate surrounding the 2026 World Cup has now reached the City Hall. Mayors of the 2nd, 5th, and 6th districts, Pierre Oliver, Thomas Rudigoz, and Samuel Soulier, have sent a letter to Grégory Doucet requesting the opening of several fan zones in Lyon for the upcoming matches of the French team.The elected officials are particularly inspired by Paris, where several broadcasting spaces were set up as early as the quarter-finals. In Lyon, the municipality has not yet planned any similar measures, unless the Blues secure their spot in the final.
Easier Broadcasts to Secure
For the opposition elected officials, creating multiple small fan zones would be a more effective solution than having one large gathering. They believe that having spaces spread across different neighborhoods would help avoid a massive concentration of supporters while making it easier to manage and secure the events.
Among the proposed sites…
acute's include the Bellecour square, the park of the 5th arrondissement town hall, the Alexandre-Morin stadium, the forecourt of the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Brosset square. The goal is simple: to allow residents to enjoy the matches in a friendly atmosphere, just a few minutes from home.A decision that needs to be made quickly
Time is of the essence for the City of Lyon. The three mayors are asking the municipality to study this proposal with the prefecture so that a potential system can be rolled out before the next matches of the French team… as long as the Blues first secure their qualification against Morocco.
If the French team's journey continues, pressure could quickly mount on the Lyon city hall, increasingly urged to provide supporters with a place to collectively cheer on the Blues' achievements.