Even though we visit in mid-January, it’s warm enough to watch two teams from Sophia Antipolis play off against each other on one of the outdoor pitches at lunchtime. Under the winter sun, they swiftly canvas the 26-metre by 16-metre terrain before a player strikes gold with the deciding goal: 19-18. Five-a-side is quicker than a standard football game – between 45 and 60 minutes on average – and the score board often runs much higher. The grass underfoot is artificial, but features fine fibres and a softness that mimics natural conditions. Soccer Park Antibes has three indoor pitches and two outside the main building to offer an all-year, all-weather service.Read more