PSG Move Ligue 1 Opener to Rennes After Heatwave Damages Parc des Princes Pitch

Paris Saint-Germain will begin their Ligue 1 title defence away from home after extreme heat damaged the playing surface at the Parc des Princes, forcing the club to change the venue for their opening fixture against Rennes.

The French champions were originally scheduled to host Rennes on Sunday, but the match will now take place in Brittany, with Rennes serving as the home side.

The decision followed an inspection of the Parc des Princes pitch by the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP), which determined that the surface was not in suitable condition for the match.

According to the LFP, the state of the pitch raised concerns about providing satisfactory playing conditions, particularly in relation to the safety and physical wellbeing of the players.

PSG said the affected playing surface at the Parc des Princes would be replaced before the club’s next home league fixture against Monaco on September 4.

The Parisian club described the venue change as an exceptional situation and apologised to supporters and other stakeholders for the inconvenience.

The damage to the pitch comes after France experienced an unprecedented spell of extreme heat. Paris recorded temperatures approaching 41°C on June 24, when the country experienced its hottest day on record.

The heatwave also contributed to wildfires in several parts of France and caused disruption across a number of sectors, including sporting activities and facilities.

PSG are not the only European club to have encountered problems with their playing surface during the summer.

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Earlier this month, Spanish club Celta Vigo postponed their La Liga opening match against Osasuna after a fungal disease affected the pitch at their Balaídos stadium.

The change of venue means PSG will have to start their campaign on the road rather than in front of their home supporters as originally planned.

PSG secured the Ligue 1 title last season by a six-point margin, while Rennes finished sixth and earned qualification for the Europa League.

Rennes will therefore host the opening fixture, while PSG will have to wait until their following home league match to begin their season at the Parc des Princes.