Trophée des Champions: A History of Host Countries

Qatar is the latest country to host the annual Trophée des Champions, making it the perfect moment to reflect on other nations that have welcomed the prestigious match in the past.

Before this year's action kicks off, let's take a moment to reflect on the well-traveled history between the Ligue 1 champions and the Coupe de France winners.

The Trophée des Champions, a fixture traditionally held in France since its inception, went international in 2009 when Bordeaux faced Guingamp at Stade Olympique in Montreal, Canada.

This marked the first time the annual match, dating back to the Challenge des Champions, was played outside of France. From 2009 to 2019, the game was played abroad in Asia, Africa, and Europe.

After playing in North America in 2009, the game went to Africa for the first time in 2010 as Olympique de Marseille and PSG brought their rivalry to Stade 7 in Tunis, Tunisia. In 2011, the contest remained in Africa as LOSC Lille and OM played at Stade Ibn Batouta in Tanger, Morocco.

In 2012, the Trophée des Champions returned to North America, but this time in the United States. Olympique Lyonnais went up against Montpellier HSC at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.

After playing from 2009 to 2013 in Africa and North America, the Trophée des Champions went to a new continent as the 2014 edition was played in Asia. In 2014, PSG faced Guingamp at Workers Stadium in Beijing, China. Two years later, the annual fixture moved to Europe, but instead of France, it was held at Wörthersee Stadion in Klagenfurt, Austria.

Morocco would serve as the host nation again for a second straight time in 2017 when PSG and AS Monaco clashed. China served as the host country for the 2018 and 2019 editions of the Trophée des Champions, and the Asian nation is the only country to host this annual game on three occasions so far.

The Covid-19 pandemic put the annual contest back in France for the first time since 2008, when PSG and OM met at Stade Bollaert-Delelis in Lens for the 2020 edition.

In 2021, the Trophée des Champions returned to an international stage, with Bloomfield Stadium in Tel Aviv, Israel, hosting the match in 2021 and 2022. The 2023 edition was again played in France at the Parc des Princes between PSG and Toulouse FC, but the 2024 edition will now be played in Qatar for the first time, adding another country to the list of host nations.

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