When thousands of football supporters take their seats to watch AS Monaco this season in the upcoming Conference League at the Stade Louis II, most will be concentrating on what is happening on the pitch…
Few, however, may stop to consider what is happening underneath it. Because beneath the grass on which some of Europe’s best footballers have played is something rather unexpected; a car park.
The Stade Louis II, home of AS Monaco since 1985, is one of the most unusual major football stadiums in the world. The stadium is situated approximately 8.35 metres above street level, with the pitch resting on the roof of a four-level parking facility containing around 1,700 spaces.
The team are, quite literally, playing on a car park roof. Whilst 22 professional footballers are chasing a ball across the grass, cars can be sitting directly beneath them. Land is precious so rather than simply building a car park beside a football stadium, Monaco built one underneath.
Built in the Fontvieille district on land reclaimed from the sea, the modern Stade Louis II was inaugurated by Prince Rainier III on 25 January 1985. The decision to create the new sports complex dates back to 1979, with construction beginning in 1981. The projects scale was enormous. Around 120,000 cubic metres of concrete and 9,000 tonnes of steel were used, together with more than 2,000 tonnes of structural steelwork.
The stadium is famous for its distinctive nine arches and has been the home of AS Monaco for more than 40 years. Monaco was the permanent venue for the UEFA Super Cup from 1998 to 2012. Maintaining the grass, however, presents its own challenges.
For many years, Franck Nicolas has been responsible for the Stade Louis II playing surface. As recently as 2025, he was still identified as AS Monaco’s Pitch Manager Whilst overseeing changes to the pitch. Nicolas has spent decades experimenting with different methods of maintaining the surface. Bermuda grass has played an important role because it is particularly suited to Monaco’s hot summers, Whilst cooler-season grasses such as perennial ryegrass have been used during winter.
In 2025, Monaco once again turned to Bermuda grass for the summer. The pitch team was also experimenting with other varieties, including Bermuda North Bridge and Zoysia Zeon. So, whilst spectators may simply see an immaculate green football pitch, there is a considerable amount of expertise behind it.
The pitch is only part of the story, though. Much of the Stade Louis II complex is concealed beneath and around the stadium. As well as the football ground and athletics track, it contains the Salle Gaston-Médecin sports hall, the Prince Albert II Aquatic Centre, office buildings and the enormous underground car park.
Every time the referee blows the whistle and the players run onto the pitch, they are playing above four levels of parking. And when the atmosphere is good, Monaco’s passionate supporters do what football fans everywhere love to do; they raise the roof.
There is, however, one slight problem. At the Stade Louis II, they can’t raise the roof too much: they’re playing on it.
References
• AS Monaco — Stade Louis-II: stadium history, Fontvieille location, 8.35-metre elevation, pitch above the four-level 1,700 spaces.
• AS Monaco — 40th anniversary of the Stade Louis-II: 1979 decision, 1981 construction, 25 January 1985 inauguration, nine arches and history of the original 1939 stadium. (AS Monaco)
• UEFA — Super Cup history: Stade Louis-1998–2012. (UEFA.com)
• Monaco Info — September 2025: Franck Nicolas identified as AS Monaco Pitch Manager. (Monaco Info)
• Gazon Sport Pro H24 — 2025: detailed interview/report on Franck Nicolas, the Bermuda-grass system and the Stade Louis-II pitch. (Gazon Sport Pro H24)