PSG's season opener moved due to heatwave-damaged Parc des Princes pitch

Paris Saint-Germain's opening game of their title defence in Ligue 1 against Rennes has been relocated at short notice because of damage to the champions' pitch following a heatwave this summer.

Sunday's match will now take place in Rennes, France football's competitions committee announced late Wednesday.

PSG said their pitch at Parc des Princes had deteriorated so much "that the current conditions did not allow the match to be held under satisfactory circumstances, particularly with regard to the safety and physical well-being of the players."

The change of venue has been decided "in agreement" with Rennes, PSG said, and thanked their opponent for "making the match possible."

"Paris Saint-Germain fully understands the inconvenience caused by this change for its supporters and all those who had planned to attend this match at the Parc des Princes," PSG added, saying "the club regrets this exceptional situation."

PSG said they had "identified a solution for replacing the pitch at the Parc des Princes for the upcoming matches," starting with their next home game in Ligue 1 against AS Monaco on Sept. 4.