Just hours after Taylor Swift finished the final Parisian show on her record-breaking Eras world tour at the Paris La Défense Arena, a remarkable transformation was already underway.
Set to host swimming events at the Paris 2024 Olympic games, the shift from hosting the most talked-about concerts in the world to an Olympic venue with two full-sized swimming pools poses a serious challenge.
Since its grand opening in 2017, the Paris La Défense Arena has been home to a mix of cultural and sporting experiences. Located in Europe's largest financial district just 30 minutes from central Paris, the venue has been home to a host of events.
The Rolling Stones were the first to grace its stage, setting the tone for an lineup of famous performers, including 50 Cent, Black Eyed Peas, P!nk and Elton John. Meanwhile, the building's sports tenant, French rugby union team Racing 92, frequently draws fans who fill the space with excitement.
As Europe's largest indoor venue, the space isn't just structurally impressive but benefits from modern technology designed specifically to create experiences. With retractable bleachers spanning more than 13 kilometers (roughly 8 miles) creating an adaptable seating space, it is also home to one of the world's largest screens—a staggering 2,600 square meters (about 28,000 square feet).
The fixed roof allows for complete control over weather conditions, and the venue utilizes eco-friendly water-cooling systems for temperature control. Combining the closed roof with state-of-the-art lighting, sound systems and the acoustics lets the arena curate a custom environment for each show or sporting event.
"Modern, adaptable, offering excellent acoustics and visibility, the venue is also perfectly connected to the transport network, allowing easy access during competitions," Bathilde Lorenzetti, vice president of Paris La Défense Arena, told Newsweek.
As Swift's final notes lingered in the air on May 12, a dedicated team of more than 2,500 people descended upon the arena, transforming it into the epicenter of Olympic swimming. With 80 trucks dedicated to Swift's staging alone, they set about taking down the setting that drew an audience of 45,000 fans four nights in a row—with 20 percent traveling from the U.S.
Pictures of the arena, set up for different events including sports, concerts, DJ sets and more.Pictures of the arena, set up for different events including sports, concerts, DJ sets and more.TAS Rights Management
Concerts, Sports and Global Events
For American travelers, attending a concert at the Paris La Défense Arena offered an opportunity to see their favorite artist in a unique setting. Plus, unlike in the U.S., where ticket acquisition can be cutthroat and expensive, France's strict laws regulating ticket resale to ensure fair access to events at face value.
Some U.S. tickets to Taylor Swift's Eras Tour sold for upwards of $8,000, while tickets in Paris were nearer the $175 mark. This accessibility, combined with the arena's proximity to central Paris, is something that the venue hopes to capitalize on during the 2024 Olympics, too.
On May 15, La Défense Arena officially passed the keys to the Olympics, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the arena. By June 20, two Olympic-sized swimming pools will be fully constructed in the space that recently held thousands of Swifties, ready for the games beginning on July 24.
