Lens is the smallest city to host a World Cup match this year. Just over 35,000 people live in the city, though another 300,000 live in the areas around the northern French town. The town was hit hard by World War I and by the decline of the coal-minin g industry in the 1960s. Since then the city has worked hard to create a core of modern businesses such as food industry, distribution and construction.

Felix Bollaert Stadium has a French name but an English feel. The stadium has a capacity of 41,275, about 7,000 more people than live in the town. The stadium was built in 1932 and is about 10 minutes from the train station, which is served by a high-s peed train.