‘It’s news to me! – OGC Nice president shocked at plans to turn Allianz Riviera into an ice-rink

“It’s news to me! It’s the first time I’ve heard about this. No one has contacted me. With such little information, it is difficult for me to react,” OGC Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivère told Nice-Matin, reacting to news earlier in the day that Nice’s staging of the 2030 Winter Olympics may disrupt the club’s current stadium situation. 

Le Gym play their football at the Allianz Riviera, a stadium on the outskirts of Nice but one that is not owned by the club itself. As a result, they find themselves at the mercy of decisions from local authorities and the latest could have a significant effect in the future. 

With the 2030 Winter Olympics being held in the region, it is foreseen that events such as the ice-hockey will be held in the city and local authorities have identified the Allianz Riviera as a potential venue. Should the stadium host the ice hockey, which is a fortnight-long event, the stadium would be cut in two. Half would be entirely covered, with an ice rink, and with a capacity of 15,000. 

The work to both construct and deconstruct the temporary ice rink could also take several weeks, which would leave Les Aiglons without a stadium to play their home matches. “One thing is for sure – we can’t be left without a stadium. The Olympics are a major event. I can understand the importance of the Games for the region and the country but OGC Nice can’t stop functioning. Where will we play? We will be very vigilant on this topic,” Rivère told Nice-Matin. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle