After a comeback performance in the second leg of the playoff round in the first-ever Europa Conference League, Tottenham open group stage action with a trip to France. Let Groundhopper Soccer Guides introduce you to Stade Rennais FC of the French Ligue 1.

UPDATED September 17, 2021: Stade Rennais opened with a 2-2 tie against Tottenham in the first game of the group stage.

Rennes supporters during the 2020-21 Champions League. (Image: Tilly antoine, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Introduction to Stade Rennais FC

Originally founded in 1901, Stade Rennais FC, also known as Rennes, was one of the founding members of France’s first division of football. They are nicknamed Les Rouge et Noir, based on their popular red shirts with black shorts and socks that comprise their home kits.

Rennes History

A sixth place finish in France’s Ligue 1 last season qualified Rennes for the 2021-22 Europa Conference League. They advanced past Rosenborg of Norway in the playoff round, 5-1 on aggregate.

Rennes advanced to the group stage of last season’s Champions League, their first time qualifying for the UCL. They were grouped with Chelsea, Sevilla and Krasnodar, but only came away with one point for the six games.

Overall, this is the fourth straight season Rennes are playing in a major European competition. They made the knockout Round of 16 of the Europa League in 2018-19 (falling to Arsenal) and the group stage the following season.

Stade Rennais FC’s Stadium, Roazhon Park

Rennes have played their home games at Roazhon Park since 1912, but the stadium has undergone major renovations in 1955, 1983 and 1999. With a current capacity of 29,778, the most recent renovation started in 1999 and took four years and $44.1 million to complete.

A 2019 Women’s World Cup game played between Netherlands and Japan took place at Roazhon Park. (Image: Pymouss, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

The City of Rennes, France

Rennes is located in the northwest of France, and is 433 miles from London across the English Channel. The city’s history dates back more than 2,000 years. A massive fire in 1720 ruined most of the medieval wooden center of the city which was then partially rebuilt in stone.

Rennes was mostly rural until the 1950s, which saw a boom in population due to the growth of the industrial and business sectors. The city now has over 218,000 residents. In 2002, it became the smallest city in the world to have a Metro line.

As recently as 2018, Rennes was dubbed ‘the most livable city in France.’

St. George Palace in Rennes. (Image: Julie Anne Workman, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

2021-2022 Europa Conference League Schedule

Group G – Rennes, Tottenham, Vitesse (Netherlands), NS Mura (Slovenia)

Here at the matchups between Rennes and Tottenham:

• September 16 – at Rennes – Tied 2-2
• December 9 – at Tottenham (We sell tickets to all Tottenham home games.)

Have a complete look at the Europa Conference League and a look at Tottenham’s schedule in the Europa Conference League.

How to Watch the Europa Conference League in the U.S.

Watch soccer, including the Europa Conference League, on Paramount+