FREN

Multisport courts

Find a multisport court near you and share it for a quick game.

A multisport court, known in France as a city-stade, is a small walled pitch for football, basketball, handball and plenty of other ball games. It is free-access: no booking, you just turn up and sort things out with the other players. Here is what you need to know to enjoy it and share it fairly.

Also known as: MUGA (multi-use games area), multi-sport court, futsal cage.

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Overview

A multisport court is a reduced-size pitch for ball games, enclosed by low walls and often topped with ball-stop netting behind the goals. The ball bounces off the walls and stays in play, which makes for fast, non-stop games. Common sizes include 12 × 24 m, or 6 × 12 m for smaller courts.

At each end there is usually a football or handball goal, sometimes with a basketball hoop above it. The surface may be artificial turf, resin or asphalt. These facilities fall under European standard EN 15312 for free-access sports equipment, a new version of which was published in March 2026.

A good multisport court has securely anchored goals and hoops, walls with no sharp edges or broken panels, and a flat surface without holes or wrinkles. An open entrance, bins and a bench nearby make it a nicer place to spend time. For a full-size basketball court, see basketball courts, and for a bigger football game, football pitches.

Where to find multisport courts

78 multisport courts listed in 34 towns.

By country

Best-equipped towns

Who it's for

Small-sided footballThe most common use: three-, four- or five-a-side games with no referee and rules agreed between players. Playing the ball off the walls is half the fun.
BasketballWhere the court has hoops, you can play half-court or end to end. The surface is designed with football in mind, so the bounce can be less even.
HandballThe goals on many multisport courts work for handball. A suitable ball and a few players are all you need.
Family ball gamesThe walls keep the ball in, which is handy when you are playing with children and don't want to chase every shot.
Other gamesDepending on the equipment, some courts also host volleyball or badminton using posts, or simply serve as open play space.

Rules of use

There is no referee and no attendant on a multisport court. These shared-use rules give everyone a turn and often appear in the posted regulations.

  • Follow the opening hours and rules posted at the entrance: they are set by the local authority.
  • The court can't be booked. If others are waiting, take turns with short games or play winner stays on.
  • If there are only a few of you, use half the court and leave the other half free.
  • Don't hang from goals, hoops or netting, and don't climb the walls.
  • Wear shoes that suit the surface: screw-in studs damage synthetic surfaces and are often banned.
  • Keep bikes, scooters and motorbikes off the court.
  • No glass, chewing gum or cigarette butts on the playing area.
  • Report any loose goal, broken wall panel or hole in the surface to the town hall.

Safety and gear

  • Before you play, check that goals and hoops are firmly anchored: they should not move when you shake them.
  • If a goal or hoop is loose or leaning, don't use it and let the town hall know.
  • Warm up for a few minutes: on a small court you change direction constantly.
  • Watch out for wet surfaces, which get slippery, and for synthetic surfaces that heat up in direct sun.
  • Mind the walls: leave yourself some margin when chasing a ball near the edges.
  • Keep an eye on young children when older players are on the court.
  • Bring water, especially in summer: many courts have no shade.

Regulations

EuropeEN 15312:2026

EN 15312 covers free-access sports equipment: multisport courts, and free-access goals and hoops. Its new version, published in March 2026, replaces EN 15312:2007+A1:2010. It does not apply to playgrounds, skateparks or outdoor fitness equipment, which have standards of their own.

FranceGoals and hoops: Articles R.322-19 to R.322-26 of the French Sports Code

Stemming from Decree No. 96-495 of 4 June 1996, these articles set safety requirements for football, handball and hockey goals and for basketball goals. They must be anchored, or weighted with counterweights, so they hold when someone hangs or swings from the crossbar or hoop. Non-compliant equipment must be made inaccessible immediately by its owner or operator, who must also keep it maintained.

FranceOpening hours and noise

The mayor can set access hours for the court by municipal order. The French Public Health Code (Article R.1336-5) prohibits any noise that, through its duration, repetition or intensity, disturbs the peace of the neighbourhood or harms human health.

BelgiumBelgium: NBN EN standards

In Belgium, European standards are adopted under the NBN EN reference. Compliance is voluntary, but after an accident, courts check in practice whether they were followed. In Brussels, more than 80% of sports facilities in public spaces are football pitches, basketball courts or pétanque courts.

LuxembourgLuxembourg: European standards adopted

Luxembourg also adopts the European standards. For opening hours and permitted uses, go by the rules the local authority posts on site.

European standards are voluntary, but they are the reference when an accident happens. The rules posted on site always come first.

Etiquette

  • Invite players who are waiting to join your game: you can often make up teams together.
  • Leave room for children: they can play on half the court while your game goes on.
  • Think of the neighbours: no prolonged shouting or loud music, especially in the evening.
  • Pick up your bottles, wrappers and forgotten socks when you leave.
  • Play fair without a referee: call your own fouls and give the ball back when it goes out.

Glossary

City-stade
The everyday French name for a free-access multisport court enclosed by walls.
Multisport court
A pitch designed so several ball sports can share the same surface.
Kickboard wall
The low metal or wooden wall around the court that the ball bounces off.
Ball-stop netting
High netting or fencing, often behind the goals, that keeps the ball from flying out.
Goal-hoop unit
A football or handball goal with a basketball hoop mounted above it on the same frame.
Artificial turf
A surface of plastic fibres, often filled with sand or rubber granules, that mimics grass.
Winner stays on
A common convention: the winning team keeps the court and plays the next team in line.
Did you know?

A new version of the European standard for free-access sports equipment, EN 15312:2026, was published in March 2026. It replaces EN 15312:2007+A1:2010.

What to bring

  • A football, basketball or handball, depending on the game
  • Multisport trainers suited to the surface
  • Training bibs to tell the teams apart
  • Ball pump
  • Water bottle

FAQ

Is the multisport court free?

Yes. The multisport courts listed on Oukonjou are free-access: open to everyone, free of charge and with no booking. Opening hours may still be set by municipal order.

Can I book a multisport court?

Generally not. The court belongs to everyone, so players on site sort it out between themselves. A town may set aside some slots for schools or clubs; the posted rules will say so.

How big is a multisport court?

It varies from town to town. Common sizes include 12 × 24 m, or 6 × 12 m for smaller courts.

Can I wear football boots?

Avoid screw-in studs, which are often banned on synthetic surfaces. Multisport trainers or short moulded studs work better, depending on the surface.

A goal is loose or a hoop is leaning. What should I do?

Don't use it and tell the town hall. In France, the French Sports Code requires the owner to make non-compliant goals or hoops inaccessible immediately.

How late can I play?

It depends on the town: the mayor can set access hours by municipal order. They are usually posted at the entrance.