Paris St-Germain has been compelled to relocate their opening Ligue 1 match due to the severe damage inflicted on the Parc des Princes pitch by this summer's exceptional heatwaves. Originally scheduled to face Rennes in the capital on Sunday, the match will now take place in Brittany instead.

Officials from the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) assessed the pitch and concluded that conditions were unsatisfactory for play, particularly concerning the safety and physical integrity of the players.

In response to the situation, PSG announced plans to replace the damaged pitch before their next home game against Monaco on September 4. The club acknowledged the inconvenience this change may cause, emphasizing that it is an exceptional situation.

The extreme weather conditions across France have been alarming, with the country experiencing its hottest day on average on June 24, when temperatures reached nearly 41°C in Paris. During the week of June 22 to 28, the number of recorded deaths in France surged by 2,025, representing an increase of nearly 30%, with the Paris region witnessing a 62% rise in fatalities.

Western Europe has faced unprecedented heat this summer, leading to wildfires ravaging parts of France. Additionally, Celta Vigo had to postpone their La Liga opener against Osasuna earlier this month due to a fungal outbreak affecting their pitch at the Estadio de Balaidos.