Additional trains from the RER network will connect Stade de France to Gare du Nord to ensure transportation for fans after the first of two performances by K-Pop group BTS. The measure is necessary due to the closure of the RER B line for works, which will coincide with the end of the event.
The BTS fan community, known as the “Army”, will have these special services available on the evening of this Friday, July 17, 2026, when leaving the Stade de France, in Saint-Denis. The K-Pop group has shows scheduled for July 17th and 18th at the stadium, with a capacity for 80,000 people. It is estimated that more than 160,000 tickets were sold in just a few minutes, and that more than 80% of spectators depend on public transport.
The high demand represents a significant challenge for transport companies, especially SNCF-Voyageurs, responsible for the northern branch of RER B. This line transports approximately 45% of passengers who use the train to reach Stade de France, which is also served by RER D and metro lines 12, 13 and 14. The problem is that the RER B line, which is undergoing modernization work, is inoperative every night of the week, including Fridays, from 10:45 pm, the time that coincides with the end of the show.
Due to the advance planning of RER works, it is not possible to cancel them. However, depriving transport for the 20,000 to 25,000 spectators who use line B would be unfeasible. To avoid congestion on other routes, SNCF-Transilien has opted for a temporary adjustment to line B service for this evening only.
To mitigate the problem, “special buses”, which are RER trains pre-positioned near the La Plaine – Stade de France station, will begin operation immediately after the end of the show. This service will only be available northbound, taking passengers from Stade de France back to Gare du Nord. The forecast is that more than twelve RER trains, each with a capacity for 1,700 passengers, will be used. “This is the same system for major events that we implemented for the Rugby World Cup, the Olympics… and which we dominated”, emphasizes SNCF-Transilien.
An intense flow of passengers is expected this Friday and the following day on all lines serving the Stade de France. The situation is worsened by the interruption of line D, which usually accounts for 20% of traffic to the stadium, also this weekend. Service will be suspended in both directions from 11pm on Friday, and no trains will run southbound from Stade de France to Saint-Denis to Creil on Saturday.
The metro lines serving the stadium will operate normally in their northern sections. However, line 13 will be closed in its southern section, at Malakoff station. SNCF, through its Line B blog, suggests users to use line 14, at Saint-Denis – Pleyel station, located a 15-minute walk from the stadium, both for the return journey.
